Clarke, John (II)
John Clarke (II)
Active 1681-1687
Active 1681-1687
London, St Paul's Churchyard, at the sign of the Golden Viol in St Paul's Churchyard.
Presumably the son of John Clarke (I) who republished Parthenia or the Maiden Head of the first music that ever was printed for the Virginals in 1655. This may have been the business in St Paul's started by Meeres Clarke for whom a probate inventory survives from 1688. His own will shows his relationship to "German" Clarke, presumably Jeremiah Clarke, the cathedral organist and composer who committed suicide in a room above a music shop in St Paul's Churchyard.
Publications are rare, but in 1683 he published Ductor ad Pandoran, or a tutor for the treble violin according to newspaper adverts of the time. In 1687 from the Golden Viol he published Quadratum musicum or A collection of XVI new songs made upon the greatest and best subjects, and an undated edition of Youth's Delight on the Flagelet seems to come from the same period. On 13 January 1692/3 John Young married Clarke's 18 year old niece Mary (the sister of Jeremiah) and on 27 April 1693 he was made free of the Leather Seller's Company and free of the City of London. Clarke died in 1695, the premises at the Golden Viol were taken over by John Hare, and Young moved to larger premises at the sign of the Dolphin and Crown.
And I give unto my loving brother and sister Christopher and Mary Clarke eight shillings a piece to buy them rings, and one shilling a piece in money. Item I give unto my cozens Mary Young and German Clarke and Anne and Joanna Clarke eight shillings a piece to buy them rings and twelve pence a piece in money.
Publications are rare, but in 1683 he published Ductor ad Pandoran, or a tutor for the treble violin according to newspaper adverts of the time. In 1687 from the Golden Viol he published Quadratum musicum or A collection of XVI new songs made upon the greatest and best subjects, and an undated edition of Youth's Delight on the Flagelet seems to come from the same period. On 13 January 1692/3 John Young married Clarke's 18 year old niece Mary (the sister of Jeremiah) and on 27 April 1693 he was made free of the Leather Seller's Company and free of the City of London. Clarke died in 1695, the premises at the Golden Viol were taken over by John Hare, and Young moved to larger premises at the sign of the Dolphin and Crown.
And I give unto my loving brother and sister Christopher and Mary Clarke eight shillings a piece to buy them rings, and one shilling a piece in money. Item I give unto my cozens Mary Young and German Clarke and Anne and Joanna Clarke eight shillings a piece to buy them rings and twelve pence a piece in money.
No instruments are known, but an important early member of the community of music shops at St Paul's Churchyard.
References
F. Kidson, Handel's Publisher, John Walsh, His Successors, and Contemporaries.
Will of John Clarke, Leather Seller of St Gregory by Saint Paul's, City of London. 8 February 1695.
Will of John Clarke, Leather Seller of St Gregory by Saint Paul's, City of London. 8 February 1695.
