02/01/2026
Aunt Kate’s House, who was Aunt Kate? Part one of two.
Not far from Assonet Four Corners, very near the bridge on So Main St., is a lovely old home (one of the oldest in town) with a sign, “Aunt Kate’s House” written upon it. Who was Aunt Kate? Katherine (Dean) Clarke was born July 12, 1871 in Assonet. Her parents were William and Eliza (Macomber) Dean.
Katherine’s first husband was Maurice “Morris” Peabody. They had a daughter Madeline Deane (Peabody) Vantassel. The Peabody’s divorced prior to 1900. In a newspaper account (The Evening Herald, Fall River, March 30, 1898, page 1), Kate was described as an “exceedingly pretty young brunette” who was employed as a teacher.
In 1880, Katherine is listed living with her parents in Assonet, along with her parents, brother and Grandmother. The 1890 US census was destroyed by fire, so no record of where Katherine was living, but we assume Assonet. In the 1900 census, Katherine was listed as a dressmaker, living in Assonet with her mother Eliza and daughter Madeline. Future husband Russell Clark was listed as also living in Assonet, working as a clerk in a grocery store located at Assonet Four Corners.
On October 23, 1900, Katherine, listed as dressmaker, married Russell H. Clark, clerk, who worked in a store located at Assonet Four Corners. Both listed their residences as Assonet. In 1910, Katherine and Russell were living in Assonet on So. Main Street. Russell stated he did odd jobs for work.
In 1920, The Clarke family were living in Fall River, MA on French St. Russell was listed as a carpenter in the ship building industry. In 1930, now living in CT, Russell is listed as a factory foreman. In the 1940 census, the Clarke’s were back in Assonet, living in the house we all recognize as we drive by. Russell Clarke died in 1939.
Kate Clarke was a past president of The Tuesday Club of Assonet and a member of the Ladies Aid Society of the Congregational Church. She was also active in the American Red Cross. No doubt there are people reading this who remember her. Feel free to share in the comments.
Mrs. Clarke died May 27, 1966 She is buried in The Assonet Burial Ground. -JM
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119625022/katherine-d.-clarke?_gl=1*tfyaov*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3Njc4OTYyNjEuQ2owS0NRaUF5UDNLQmhEOUFSSXNBQUpMbm5ZQ0dVUmFGbUhoVGs5UjNUaHlKRFVhZENFdmFyd0FOQmxWRXZyMS1CcndBbW44VlYwekpuTWFBblBvRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3Njc4OTYyNjEuQ2owS0NRaUF5UDNLQmhEOUFSSXNBQUpMbm5ZQ0dVUmFGbUhoVGs5UjNUaHlKRFVhZENFdmFyd0FOQmxWRXZyMS1CcndBbW44VlYwekpuTWFBblBvRUFMd193Y0I.*_gcl_au*MTI0OTM1OTY2LjE3NjMyMTQ0ODc.*_ga*MTUyMzExMDAyNy4xNzYzMjE0NDg5*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*c2I3Y2Q1MTY5LTNlNWMtNDg3Yy1hY2MxLTMxNTZhNjYxOWMxMCRvMjYkZzEkdDE3Njk5Njc4MTYkajUwJGwwJGgw*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*c2I3Y2Q1MTY5LTNlNWMtNDg3Yy1hY2MxLTMxNTZhNjYxOWMxMCRvMjYkZzEkdDE3Njk5Njc4MTYkajUwJGwwJGgw
Photos: Kate and Russell Clarke, Kate Clark dressed in colonial costume during a town celebration, and obituary. Photos were restored Jan, 2026, no AI was used. Two Google street views of Aunt Kate’s House.
Stay tuned for part two, information on the house itself.
