CLERCK, WILLIAM [SSNE 4349]
Text source
William Clerck was born in Scotland, according to one source the son of Andrew Clerck (burgess in Thurso), who in turn was the son of Robert Clerck of Selkirk.
William Clerck came to Sweden in 1607, serving as captain in a recruited Scottish regiment.
William Clerck was twice married: firstly, to Malin Duncan (sometimes written Dunckham) [SSNE 6268], daughter of Captain William Duncan, who had also emigrated from Scotland, and secondly, to Catharine James of Wedderburn [SSNE 6269]. Their sons Hans [SSNE 4160], later an admiral, and Tomas [SSNE 6333], later a judge, were also in Swedish service.
William Clerck is sometimes confused with the Clerck 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]. As yet we have not found evidence for this.
William Clerck died in 1625.
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, no.35, April 1912, p.268.
Service record
- SWEDEN, SCOTTISH TROOPS
- Departed 1625-12-31, as CAPTAIN
- Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY