THE 



AMERICAN 

 JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. &c. 



Art. I. — Notice of the late Sheldon Clark^ Esq. of Oxford, 

 Connecticut ; by Prof. Silliman. 



The individual whose portrait is annexed, was an efficient 

 friend of learning; he fully appreciated the value of a superior 

 education, both in literature and in science, and to that end con- 

 tributed, munificently, of his means, thus acting as a benefactor 

 to his country and to mankind. He is therefore entitled to a 

 memorial in this work, and the humble farmer of a quiet agricul- 

 tural village, is thus enrolled among those to whom future gen- 

 erations will ever be owing an uncancelled debt, whose interest 

 they must pay in worthy deeds. 



Mr. Sheldon Clark was born in the town of Oxford, fourteen 

 miles west of New Haven, January 31, 1785, and died April 10, 

 1840, aged 5o years. His parents and friends were of respecta- 

 ble standing among the farmers of that region, and he having 

 lost his father when very young, was early adopted by his 

 grandfather, the late Thomas Clark, Esq. of Oxford, of whose 

 family he then became a member, and with whom he remained 

 until the death of this. venerable relative, at the age of 82, April 

 5, 1811. 



The grandson, during his minority, manifested a decided incli- 

 nation for a liberal education, but his grandfather, wishing to 

 confine his attention to rural labors, and the rudiments of a com- 

 mon school education, would not consent to a course which ap- 



Vol. xLi, No. 2.— July-Sept. 1841. 28 



