Colonel Ebenezer Clapp, 1732-1802
no. 23780
An early supporter of the patriot cause, Ebenezer Clapp resigned his commission in the King’s militia to join the Massachusetts militia and took part in what Dorchester historians view as a crucial step in the United States’ war for independence: the fortification of Dorchester Heights and the forced evacuation of the British troops from Boston in March of 1776.
Ebenezer Clapp. The Clapp Memorial. Record of the clapp Family in America. (Boston, 1876), 252-253
EBENEZER’ (Ebenezer,’ Ebenezer,’ Nathaniel,’ Nicholas’), oldest son of Ebenezer and Hannah (Pierce) Clapp, was born in Dorchester, April 23, 1732 ; died Jan. 29, 1802. He married first, Dec. 11, 1755, Elizabeth, daughter of Deacon Richard, and granddaughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Clapp No. 35 of Roam* Hall. She died Feb. 17, 1779, and he married, second, May 13, 1779, Mary, daughter of Enoch Glover, of Dorchester. In consequence of the death of her son Eleazer, by suicide, in a fit of derangement, her feelings were so wrought upon as to completely unnerve and bewilder her, and live days after her son’s death, Sept. 2, 1817, she also committed suicide. His first wife was about 17 years old when married, and his second wife about 18 years. Mr. Clapp lived and died in the house built by his father a short time previous to his death, the house being situated in what is now Willow Court, near the old Causeway road leading from Dorchester to South Boston. He was chosen Colonel of the Militia, and his military title served to distinguish him from the other Ebenezers of the family.* Col. Clapp *as a remarkably active man in business, and the owner of a large amount of ‘real estate, including probably 300 acres of land. After his decease, this land greatly increased in value, and made some of his children quite wealthy. It is believed his estate was the largest ever rendered in, to the Norfolk Co. Probate Court, up to the time of his death in 1802. He presented the town of Dorchester an elegant clock, which was first placed in the. meeting-house that was pulled down in 1817, then removed to the town-house, and on the annexation of the town to Boston, it became the property of that city, From the town-records of Dorchester for the year 1770, the following vote of acknowledgment for the present is taken:
” Whereas, Mr. Ebenezer Clapp has been so generous as to make the town a present of a clock and to place it in the meeting-house,
Voted, That the thanks of this town be given him for his valuable and handsome present, which is an ornament to the meeting-house, and exceeds in value any present made the town since the proprietors gave the town a bell for the meeting-house ; and that this vote of thanks be carefully recorded for the perpetual remembrance of his gift.”
- Early in 1775 the °Mears of the militia generally resigned rather than hold commissions under the king. Those in whom the people had confidence were reehosen, receiving commissions from the Continental Congress, and Cul. Clapp was thus rectum!), March 7th
The following notices of Col. Clapp are from an interesting sketch drawn up by Daniel W. Baker, Esq., and published in the Boston Daily Globe of April 26, 1875
” Colonel Clapp was several times elected a Selectman of the town, and during a considerable portion of his life was the largest taxpayer. This distinction he valued, and remonstrated with the assessors upon one occasion for having rated one of his townsmen higher than himself. It was hardly to be expected that human nature in an assessor could withstand that kind of au appeal. The error was rectified, and thereafter the Colonel stood at the head of the list.* His extensive farming operations, together with the business of tanning which he also carried on, required the labor of a large number of persons, and it is said that nearly every laboring man in town at one time or another was employed by him. Work in dull as well as busy times was generally to be had at his place for fair wages, and in this way he ever befriended the poor in the manner most satisfactory to themselves:
“If partial to titular distinctions, he seems to have been of democratic sympathies, as this anecdote may illustrate: Late one summer night the accustomed quietude of the farmhouse was disturbed. and the Colonel aroused from slumber by strange noises in the kitchen. Neither considerations of burglars nor of the toilet suggested any special delay for preparation, and accordingly the owner appeared at once upon the scene, demanding with some degree of wrath to know the occasion of so much untimely noise. The two farm hands whom he found standing before a roaring fire iu the kitchen, explained that they had been detained late at work, and thinking to have something to eat before retiring, had roasted a joint from the pantry. The steaming dish had just reached the table, and its pleasant aroma had already sensibly mollified the irate Colonel. Without waiting for further explanation or apology, he allowed that the meat was savory, and said he would join them in the feast. The Colonel carved and did the honors, and the three sat down to a fraternal midnight meal.
” With his accustomed liberality he reciprocated the honor of the Colonolcy when conferred upon him, iu a manner regarded appropriate then, and not altogether out of fashion yet. The regiment was paraded, and after the usual field exercises was marched to his mansion, where, upon the green in front, a collation was spread and a quarter cask of brandy was unheeded, which, with the indvitable farm-house cider, made a very pleasant entertainment.
” Attendance upon public worship was part of the recognized duty of citizenship in those days, wherein due regard was had for dignity of appearance. The Colonel’s conveyance to the meeting-house was a coach and pair, an equipage of rarity then, and of some distinction till within a comparatively recent period. Tolerant of the exuberant fashions of the day, he is described by a contemporary yet living us wearing an ample coat of broadcloth, with ruffled wristers, a scarlet embroidered waistcoat, breeches and stockings of silk, and shoes ornamented with large silver buckles ; and he is remembered by our informant as prominent among the worthies of the assembly.”