CLARKE, Robert, surveyor, born in London, England, early in the 17th century; died in Maryland. He was the son of Walter Clarke, London, trod came to Maryland some years before the settlement of St. Mary's was founded. In 1639 he sat as a freeman in the Maryland legislature, in 1640 was deputy surveyor, and in 1649 surveyor-general of the province. In his last capacity he was ex-officio a member of the privy council, and sat in the assembly of 1649 and voted for the toleration act. He was also a friend of the Indians, and as steward of the manor of Calverton, an estate of 10,000 acres, which was set aside by the colony for the habitation of the Indians, he held the court-baron of the manor. In the battle of the Severn he was one of the defenders of the government against the Puritan revolution in Maryland. He was taken prisoner, tried by a council of war, and, although his life was spared "by the petitions of the women," he was heavily fined. His estates were confiscated, and he died poor. In the proceedings of the provincial court, October term, 1655, is this entry: " Robert Clarke, gentleman, hath openly in court confessed himself to be a Roman Catholic, owning the pope's supremacy." The date of his death is unknown.