Clark, Thomas Philip (1825 - 1886)

The date of Clark's arrival in Australia is uncertain but it is known he went to the California gold rush in 1849. He ran his own boat from Sydney to Morpeth before marrying Anna Catharine Vaubel, from Germany, on 9 March 1858. He travelled to the Oban gold diggings where he had a big claim at Paddy's Gully. For many years, Clark's Inn, incorporating a post office, general store and butcher, served the village of Oban.

Sapphires, topaz, amethysts and garnets were found at the diggings and Clark was said to be the first discoverer of tin. He was known as a genial man and had a friendly encounter with the bushranger Thunderbolt who visited Oban. He fathered 10 children.

Clark was buried at Oban but his body was exhumed years later and interred in Glen Innes cemetery.

[Brief Biography compiled by Robin Hammond, January/February 2004]