Amasa Clapp, 1799-1874
from The Clapp Memorial. Record of the Clapp Family in America … Ebenezer Clapp, compiler. (Boston: David Clapp & Son, 1876)
Amasa b. Jan. 14, 1799; d. Dec. 29, 1874
son of Col. Ebenezer and 2nd wife Mary (Glover Glapp), so he was a nephew of Lemuel Clap
Amasa was unmarried; lived in Boston the early part of his life, but for many years before death resided in his native town, the last part of the time in Mt. Vernon Street, in the northerly part of the town, on land which for many generations was the property of his ancestors. With some eccentricities, he possessed many virtues,* was honest and upright in all his dealings with others, and was endeared to a large circle of connections and friends. He had long been known as a noted horseman, and in the course of his life had trained several horses to perform very remarkable trick at his command. He was also an ingenious artificer in wood-work. The affection which marriage probably would have fixed upon other objects, he freely bestowed upon animals, and the death of one of his favorite horses is supposed to have hastened his own decease. As showing the tendency and strength of his feelings in this direction, it may be mentioned that in his will he bequeathed $5000 to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. During the sickness preceding his death, which confined him to his house nearly three years, he exhibited exemplary patience and Christian resignation. He was the last but one of his family, his brother Enoch of Philadelphia, alone now remaining.
* As an illustration of the kind-heartedness of Amasa, the following little incident may be related. An elderly woman of Dorchester was for many years in the habit of distilling herbs, &c., and carrying baskets of bottles filled with the distilled liquids afoot over the turnpike to the Boston market. One heavy basket on each arm was her accustomed load. The writer of this note, once traveling the same road, some distance behind, saw Amasa overtake the old lady, and taking both her baskets from her, carry them himself a considerable distance. The occurrence was the more observable, as Mr. C. was a young man of wealth and fashion, and one who would not have been thought likely to show a kindness in that humble way.