General Marston & Lucy Harper Green Clark’s Residence - Maple Shade
The property known as Maple Shade was owned by Marston G. Clark, a prominent early settler of Salem. He and his wife Lucy traveled from their native state of Virginia to the settlement of Louisville in 1798. In 1800 they moved across the Ohio River to live on the Clark Land Grant given by the U.S. government to Marston’s cousin George Rogers Clark. They moved to Washington County in 1813 and after 1827 took up residence at Maple Shade located east of Salem.
Marston Clark was Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge #21 in Salem in 1818 and was elected Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Indiana in 1825. He died at the age of 77 and was buried in the family cemetery located on Maple Shade.
Martson Clark gained the title of General during his military service and fought in the battle at Tippecanoe, Indiana, with General William Henry Harrison when they defeated the Indians under Tecumseh. He was an Indian agent, a member of the Territorial Legislature and the Indiana General Assembly.
Local history relates that William Henry Harrison spent the night with Marston at Maple Shade. As a presidential elector, Clark traveled on horseback to Washington D.C. to cast his vote for William Henry Harrison after he was elected President.
While living near the Quaker settlement east of Salem, Marston Clark was a trusted friend of the Quakers and would have supported the Quaker’s efforts in building the first school to offer education to the early residents of the area. The historic 1815 Hicksite Meetinghouse is located across the field from Maple Shade Farm .
Admiration for General Marston Clark continued long after his death. In a special ceremony in 1881, he was disinterred from the family gravesite at Maple Shade and moved to Crown Hill Cemetery with 1500 people attending.
For nearly fifty years Larry and Jane Clark have owned the residence at Maple Shade Tree Farm and worked tirelessly to maintain this stately old structure. Sadly, Larry passed away in 2015. The home and property continue to be a source of pride for Jane and her family.
Listing Details
Year Established
1827
Element
Private Residence
Status
Standing
Map