Program

NYS Historic

Subject

House, People

Location

874 NY-43, Stephentown, NY 12169, USA

Lat/Long

42.564247, -73.408829

Grant Recipient

Town of Stephentown

The Clark House, located in the town of Stephentown in Rensselaer County, New York, was the home of Civil War veterans Benjamin F. Clark (1826-1902) and his son Andrew J. Clark (1848-1907).

Benjamin served as a private in Company E, 125th Regiment of the New York Infantry during the Civil War. He enlisted on August 19, 1862 for a period of three years. According to a history of the Union Army published in 1908 by the Federal Publishing Company, the 125th Regiment was raised in Rensselaer County in August 1862. After being established, it immediately left for Harpers Ferry, where it was captured on September 15 after the Confederate victory at the Battle of Harpers Ferry. The regiment was paroled on September 18 and was then stationed at Camp Douglas in Chicago. After being declared exchanged, the regiment returned to Virginia in December. Through that winter, they were encamped at Centerville, Virginia. Benjamin was discharged on May 8, 1863 due to disability, and he returned home to Stephentown.

Benjamin’s son Andrew served as a private in Company A, 8th Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia Infantry. He enlisted at only 17 years old in Springfield, Massachusetts on July 9, 1864 to serve for a period of 100 days. During his service, his regiment served in Baltimore and lost no men to combat. He was discharged November 10 and afterward returned to his home in Stephentown.

For the rest of their lives, Benjamin and Andrew resided together in the house located at 874 NY Rt-43 in Stephentown. Benjamin worked as a carpenter and grocer. Andrew worked as a mechanic and, like his father, also worked as a carpenter and grocer. Benjamin passed away in 1902, and Andrew passed away five years later in 1907. Their house remained in the Clark family for decades, and as of 2023 it is home to Braveheart Books & Bazaar, a used bookstore.