Clark, Abraham

Clark, Abraham, 1726–94, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth), N.J. After holding several local offices, Clark became, at the beginning of the American Revolution, a member and later secretary of the New Jersey committee of safety. He was a member (1775) of the New Jersey provincial congress, which appointed him (1776) delegate to the Continental Congress. Clark served three terms in Congress (1776–78, 1779–83, 1787–89), and in the interim periods he served in the New Jersey legislature.