The First Clark Born in the New Covenant

He was named for his father and for his uncle James Stevenson and his coming highlighted a new generation born in the faith for the Clark family.

Ezra James Clark was born March 30, 1846, in Lee County, Iowa-the first Clark to be born into the new and everlasting covenant. His birth was the hallmark of a new era. Ezra Thompson Clark had joined the church in his early teens and been driven with his family and the Saints from Independence to Far West, Missouri, and then from Far West to Lee County-across the river from Nauvoo.

Ezra T. Clark and Mary Stevenson Clark were married at Edward Stevenson's home, five miles west of Nauvoo, by Ezra Thompson's Uncle, William 0. Clark, on the 18th of May 1845. They lived nearly one year in a log house rented from Uncle John Cooper about seven miles west of Nauvoo and about one mile southwest of Charleston, Iowa, (Lee County) where Ezra James was born.

Less than three months after his birth, in June 1846, the young family started west with one wagon drawn by three yoke of cattle, also one cow that was giving milk. The cow was driven with stock owned by others of the wagon company. Apostle Amasa W. Lyman was captain. A couple of aunts and Porters were part of the group. The young family had a coop of four hens and one rooster attached to the back of the wagon box. The chickens were turned loose each evening for exercise. 6

There are few details of Ezra James' early years. His mother recorded his birth in a brief life history, compiled by her grandson Heber Clark, and noted it in reference to her Nauvoo experience.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith said, before his death, that we would go to the Rocky Mountains. My brother, Edward Stevenson, went with a company in 1847. My husband and I and babe in June 1848," Mary Stevenson Clark notes.

In notes written in her late years by her son, Timothy, Mary recalled portions of the journey west. She recalled the family crossed the

6 Autobiography of Mary Stevenson

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