(Grandfather to Granny Rene)

Robert Clarke was born in 1816. The 1871 Census of Pakenham lists him as being of Irish origin, a shoemaker by trade, and of the Western Methodist religion. Robert Clarke lived on Graham Street in Pakenham.

Robert Clarke is reported as being a “wagon maker” in 1842.

The census of 1871 in Pakenham reports Robert Clarke as being born in Ireland, age 55, a Methodist, and a shoemaker. The 1871 census also gives the ages of each of his children.

Robert married Ann Forsythe. Their 6 children were: Alice Agnes (1844); Mary L (1846); William (1849); Margaretta Ann {mother to Granny Rene}(1855); Delilah L (1858); Susannah C (1860).

The 1871 census also reports a William Clarke, farmer, age 63, from Ireland with a wife named Catherine. St Mark’s Anglican Cemetary in Packenham lists William & Catherine as being natives of County Sligo, Ireland. Robert & William are potentially brothers.

Robert Clarke, shoemaker and William Clarke, grocer are listed as both residing on Graham Street in the Tweedsmuir History, Book I, p. 36. Robert and William were most likely brothers.