CLERCK, WILLIAM [SSNE 4349]

Surname

CLERCK, CLERK, KLERCK

First name

WILLIAM

Title/rank

CAPTAIN

Nationality

SCOT

Region

THURSO, CAITHNESS

Social status

OFFICER

Text source

William Clerk was born in Scotland, the son of Andrew Clerk (burgess in Thurso). He immigrated to Sweden as a captain of a recruited Scottish regiment in 1607. William Clerk died in 1625. He married Malin Duncan [SSNE 6268], daughter of Captain William Duncan, who had also emigrated from Scotland, and Catharine James of Wedderburn [SSNE 6269]. Their sons Hans and Tomas were also in Swedish service. He appears to have been confused with the Clerk family who held high-ranking positions in the Swedish navy (see Zettersten, Svenska Flottans Historia). Some sources note him as the father of Richard Clerck the younger [SSNE 4138].

Sources: Svenska Adelns Attartavlor, vol. 2, p.20; H. Marryat, One Year in Sweden, including a visit to the isle of Gotland (London, 1862), p.480; E.E. Etzel, 'Notes on Swedo-Scottish Families', Scottish Historical Review, vol.9, 1912, p.268.

Service record

SWEDEN, SCOTTISH TROOPS

Arrived 1624-01-01, as CAPTAIN

Departed 1625-12-31, as CAPTAIN

Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY