The Clarks of Willsborough Point - by Darcey Hale (Paperback)

About the Book

The Long Trek North is the introduction to the Clark family whose lives will be traced from George and Lydia's decision in 1801 to leave behind all that they had known in the Berkshires and strike out for parts north to begin a new life in New York's Champlain Valley, much of which was little more than wilderness.

Book Synopsis

The author invites her reader to come with her on a journey into the past. It begins in the Connecticut Berkshires in 1801 and transports us north with George and Lydia who set forth to Willsborough, New York and, ultimately establish a family Clark legacy. The lure was an opportunity to better their lives financially and in every way. We experience the emotions they felt as they prepared to leave behind all that they had ever known and participate in their preparations for their long journey over terrain and under circumstances that were totally unknown to them. We too are on the wagon carrying Lydia and her four offspring over bumps along mere tracks and, sometimes a real road, while George rides alongside as the ultimate protector. We join them in their hastily prepared meals along the route and share their fears of nights so exposed. We step onto the sail ferry at Charlotte filled with trepidation as we stare at the vast expanse of water that lies before us and finally step gingerly onto the warm sand as they reach New York at last. We feel their fears when plunged into what they had termed "wilderness". Filled with excitement and a bit of trepidation we move toward Willsborough and, much to our delight and surprise, we are greeted warmly as we approach the doorway of our new home. We are certain that life will be good and that this "wilderness is not to be feared". George takes us into the Iron Shop where we see he and his cohorts crafting huge anchors for the newly created ocean going vessels of the US Navy and then tells us how these get to their final destination. Through it all we become part of their lives and we develop our own reactions to who these early Clarks really are, reactions that can become immensely personal. In the end, we are drawn into the final drama of the series, filled with anguish and concern. What will happen next?

Review Quotes

Darcey Hale and her husband discovered an enormous cache of material culture and documents that extensively describe the lives of three generations of an extraordinary family, the development of a town and region, and enterprise ranging from making anchors, agriculture to a vibrant company town. The Long Trek North introduces the moving experiences of the first generation, the pioneering Clark family whose energy, tribulations, fears and celebrations laid the foundation for the next two generations and sequels in the series.

- H. Nicholas Muller III, Ph.D.
Professor of History, University of Vermont, former President, Colby Sawyer College
President & CEO Frank Lloyd Wright Foundationon

This historical novel about the Clark family's life in early Willsborough is very well written and historically accurate. This book will certainly make the reader anxious for the sequels. As a historian, I encourage everyone to read all of Darcey's novel, so much Willsboro history that needs to be told.

- Ronald Bruno, Town of Willsboro Historian

The Long Trek North begins with the 1801 arrival of George Clark, a skilled iron maker, in the small industrial settlement on the Boquet River, Willsboro, New York. Darcey Hale's research traces the story of the extended Clark family through several generations during the 1800s wherein they were engaged in many trades including agriculture, shipbuilding, quarry operations, building imposing government structures and civil works and, intermittently, charcoal and lime burning. This book has been years in the making and Darcey Hale's broadly informed study, with its readable text, will please local history buffs as well as the more-informed readers.

- Morris Glenn, Historian, Board of Directors of the Essex County NY Historical Society.