Ebenezer Clap (Noah, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Nicholas), 1771-1860
The Clapp Memorial. Record of the Clapp Family in America … Ebenezer Clapp, compiler. (Boston: David Clapp & Son, 1876)
Ebenezer, youngest son of Noah and Ann Clapp, was born in Dorchester, Aug. 25, 1771, in the Deacon Jonathan house, burnt in 1784, and died near the place where he was born, March 6, 1860, in the 89th year of his age. He served his time with Col. Ebenezer Clapp, of Dorchester, in the tanning and farming business. The principal part of his business, through life, was tanning, the yard where he carried it on being in the hollow nearly opposite the present northwest gate of the old cemetery of the town. It was on the north margin of a good-sized pond which furnished water for his works, and which in the old charts is put down as Royall’s pond, one of the family of that name in former years owning the land on its south margin. An infant son of Deacon Clapp’s was unfortunately here drowned in 1802. One of the town school-houses stood for many years between the street and this pond, with a passage way side of it down to the pond; and many a good ducking with sometimes narrow escapes from drowning here took place among the school children at intermission seasons.
Ebenezer Clapp was married, Oct. 18, 1797, to Eunice, dau. of John and Sarah Pierce, of Dorchester. He lived at once in the house which his father Noah built in 1784 and 1785, and continued there till his death. In 1809 he was chosen Deacon of the first Church in Dorchester, being the eighth of the name of Clapp who had filed the office in that church since its formation. He retained the deaconship till his death, and was a member of the church more than 60 years. His wife Eunice died Nov. 23, 1849, aged 71 years. She was sister of Rev. Dr. Pierce of Brookline, was a woman of sterling qualities in all the relations of life, and spent her strength and health in nursing the sick and suffering.
Deacon Clapp married, second, Oct. 22, 1850, Mrs. Patty Holden, dau. of Dr. Phineas Holden; she was married first, to Samuel Glover, second to Ezekiel Holden, third to Deacon Clapp. She died April 5, 1864, aged 87 years. In her younger days she was called the “Dorchester beauty,” and through life in appearance and manners her superiority was universally acknowledged. The Christian Register of April 16, 1864, says of her: “The character of the tender mother, the affectionate and confiding wife, the judicious councillor, and the constant sympathizing friend, she exemplified with rare truthfulness and fullness. Industry, sterling sense, faith , self-reliance and heroism, were among the most brilliant traits of her character.” Deacon Clapp d. March 6, 1860, aged 88 years 6 mos. 11 days.
[footnote: What with the skill of sportsmen in those days and the abundance of sea bird, a large business was done in fowling by some of the Dorchester men. One of the predecessors of Deacon Ebenezer Clapp in this line probably far excelled him in the number of birds shot, as appears by the following extract from the History of Dorchester. “John Pierce, of Dorchester, was one of the most noted sportsmen in the vicinity. He was great-grandfather of the late Rev. John Pierce, D.D., who died in Brookline, Aug. 23d, 1849. John, the sportsman, was born in Dorchester in 1668. He spent much time in killing wild fowl. It is said, upon good authority, that he kept an account of the brants shot by him—they being then, as now, considered a superior quality of game—and they amounted to thirty thousand. He did not, like many less skilful gunners, lose his life from so constant a use of fire-arms, but died in consequence of a fall, January 27, 1744.”]
The possession by Deacon Clapp of a fowling-piece once the property of Lieut. Gov. Oliver has already been referred to [in Roger Clap, 1721-1807]. How often and how effectively he made use of this instrument in the gunning excursions upon the waters of the “Harbor,” of which he was so passionately fond, is still remembered by some of the generation then just coming on to the stage. With regard to one form of bodily exposure incident to such pursuits, he used to say that he considered wet feet no more hurtful to health than wet hands. He was an excellent marksman among the flying sea fowl, and very seldom failed in bringing down his game. A writer in one of the papers, at the time of his death, says of him:
“He was at various periods urged to accept an appointment as Justice of the Peace, in his earlier days, a mark of distinction which his excessive modesty would never allow him to accept.”
“Deacon Clapp was always an early riser, always industrious, ever prompt in the fulfillment of engagements. And he found his sure reward in a competent estate which afforded him the material of a well appointed home, into which himself infused the spirit of Christian contentment and happiness, while he and his family found their chief delight in manifesting their gratitude to the good providence of God by dispensing his bountiful gifts with such a union of grace and good will as entirely set at rest all feelings of restraint or obligation.”
The following brief sketch of his life and character is from the New-England Historical and Genealogical Register for 1860:
“Deacon Clapp was for many years in the constant employment of the town, having charge of its various affairs as selectman, overseer of the poor, and member of the school committee,
[footnote: Deacon Ebenezer Clapp was a tanner practically as well as by profession. The heavy, rough and discolored outside clothing which was worn by tanners when about their work was daily seen upon him as he mingled with the other workmen in the process of tanning. The writer of this note, one of the committee on the publication of this “Memorial,” well remembers the worthy Deacon being called suddenly from his work into the school hard by, by the teacher, to administer a deserved reprimand to a guilty scholar. One of the elder girls had been detected in a falsehood under circumstances which brought the offence to the knowledge of the whole school. In order to give more force to the rebuke which the teacher felt was called for, and to impress the scholars more strongly by its coming from so worthy a member of the school committee, a messenger was sent to the tan-yard, almost under the school-house windows, requesting Deacon Clapp to come in at once. There was no time for change of clothes or any other preparation; nevertheless he quickly obeyed the call. He was informed of the circumstances of the case, and then in a few plain, direct and impressive words he set forth the heinousness of lying in a manner that strongly impressed one at least who heard him, and there is little doubt that every child present felt the weight of his remarks, and perhaps quite as deeply as though the speaker were clothed in richest robes.
This school-house was of brick, and was built in 1802, $300 being appropriated by the town for the purpose, and the balance of the expense being borne by individuals in that school district. In 1811, the building was formally surrendered to the town, a vote being passed to accept the cession of it “for the town use to be retained and kept as a schoolhouse as heretofore.” After the building was taken down, the “Tiger” engine house was erected on the spot, and another school-house was built in Sumner Street, 1835, which was afterwards replaced by the one now standing. This school is now known as the Dorchester Everett School of the city of Boston.]
in all which he received the cordial approbation of his fellow-citizens for his correct judgment, his fidelity and his cheerful and undivided devotion to the welfare of his native town. He was often called to act in the capacity of administrator upon estates and as guardian to widows and the fatherless, whose interest was always sure to be well cared for under his judicious and conscientious administration.
“He possessed a remarkably retentive and at the same time an unusually ready memory. A most engaging feature of his conversation was the review of the events of his early life. It may be noted here that the earliest point to which his memory referred was the burning of Charlestown in 1775, which he witnessed from “Jones Hill,” at a short distance from his father’s house. The memory of the songs and stories of the Revolution afforded him great delight, while his rehearsal of them imparted a lively interest to the social hour. The geniality and hospitality of Deacon Clapp rendered his house a place of great resort for old and young.”
“Deacon Clapp was the last survivor of the company who enlisted from Dorchester for the suppression of the rebellion of Daniel Shays, being at that period but 15 ½ years old. He was naturally very cautious, yet firm as a rock, knowing no fear.”
“He died as he lived, in full trust in God, and in perfect charity with all mankind.”
Children of Deacon Ebenezer and Eunice (Pierce) Clapp:
Hepzibah, b. Sept. 4, 1798; m. March 11, 1824, Benjamin Lathrop Summer, b. in Taunton; they have lived for some years past n a house erected a few rods north of her father’s, and five children have been born to them.
Asahel, b. Dec. 27, 1799; d. Jan. 12, 1867; m. first, Sept. 28, 1825, Hannah Harraden. She d. of a cancer, without issue, April 7, 1831; and he m. second, Feb. 2, 1837, Elizabeth S. Whiting, b. Dec. 1, 1818. He lived with his father for the first twenty years of his life, and worked at the tanning business, which he was compelled to relinquish on account of his health. He was afterwards, in company with Joel Priest, engaged in the wholesale grocery business on State Street, and then on Long Wharf, in Boston. Subsequently, he was a clerk in the employment of Josiah Stickney of Boston, and later he was several years a partner in trade with Gov. Joseph A. Gilman, of Concord, N.H. He resided the latter part of his life in his house on Columbia Street, Dorchester, and d. there Jan. 12, 1867, aged 67 years. His widow still occupies the same house. He possessed good business qualifications; was kind, genial and courteous, and had hosts of friends. [has list of children]
Jonas, b. April 15, 1801; d. by drowning, May 20, 1802. His body was found in the pond adjoining his father’s tan-yard, he probably having rolled into the water down the steep bank on the south between the pond and the street.
No. 22570 Pelham map of 1777. Note: the pond where Jonas drowned can be seen on the 1777 Pelham map, across from the Dorchester Old North Burying Ground at Uphams Corner.
John Pierce, b. Feb. 12, 1803. He served his time at the tanning business with his father; and after becoming of age he established himself in the same business, on the Dorchester side of Roxbury Brook, so-called, the boundary line between the two towns. In 1840, he erected a new house near his yard, on the site of the old Humphreys house, then removed and one of the oldest houses in town. Aug. 25, of that year, he m. Mary Ann Bragg, of Drewsville, N.H. His health was feeble for many years, and in 1845 he gave up the tanning business, removed to another part of the town, and became a dealer in lumber. He was Lieut. Colonel in the Massachusetts Militia, held the offices of assessor and town treasurer, and for several years was one of the school committee of Dorchester. In 1848 he was chosen one of the wardens of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in that town, and, with the exception of one year, has been annually re-elected to that office to the present time. He relinquished the lumber business some years ago, and has since been occupied as an insurance agent. His life has been upright and useful, and has exerted a moral and Christian influence in the community. Children:
Henry Austin, b. July 17, 1841; graduated at Harvard College 1860, and studied law; m. June 23, 1869, Forence Clarke, of Oswego, N.Y. In 1862, he enlisted for nine months in the 44th Regiment of Mass. Vols., in the War of the Rebellion. During two months of his service in Newbern, N.C., he was detailed by Gen. John G. Foster for special service, and had charge of the work of taking the census of the colored population of that city. He practices law in Boston, but has been engaged for several years past as the dramatic and musical critic of the Boston Daily Advertiser, and has frequently contributed to that paper, and to other leading newspapers of Boston and New York.
Mary Helen, b. June 7, 1845.
Louisa Howe, b. June 3, 1847.
William white, b. Dec. 11, 1848.
Lucy, b. July 23, 1805; d. Dec. 16, 1872. She was never married, and lived with her father till his death. She was remarkable for the sweetness of her disposition, and the exhibition through life of the other gifts and graces that made her useful at home and beloved everywhere.
Jonas, b. March 30, 1807. Was a wheelwright by trade. He was engaged in several fishing excursions to the Great Banks, and once went on a whaling voyage to the Pacific Ocean. He lived awhile in Dover, Mass., and also in Walpole, where he d. unm., Dec. 10, 1857. He was genial and kind hearted in his disposition; a great lover of music, both vocal and instrumental; an expert on the bassoon, upon which for many years he performed, gratuitously, in the choir at the meeting-house of the first parish in Dorchester.
Ebenezer, b. April 24, 1809. compiler of this Memorial.
Ann, b. March 26, 1811; m. Nov. 17, 1841, Henry A. Gay, of Quincy. Mr. Gay was b. in Boston, and served his time at the tanning business in Dorchester with Ann’s father. He carried on the tanning business in Quincy, and was for many years the efficient Depot Master at the Quincy Station of the Old Colony Railroad. They have no children of their own, but have one adopted daughter.
Elizabeth, b. July 15, 1814; m. May 14, 1835, John H. Robinson, of Dorchester, son of Major Edward Robinson. They live on Adams Street, Dorchester, in the house of his father and have had six children that lived to grow up, z. Ellen Elizabeth, Mary Caroline, John Howe, Lucy Ann, Emily Pierce and Isabella Howe—the second and last two now living.
Eunice, b. Aug. 28, 1816; d. Sept. 2, 1816.
Joel, b. Dec. 15, 1817. He worked with his father in the tanning business until about 18 years old, then kept school for two years; in 1842 was keeping store in Boston. Subsequently, he went out west, and was never heard of afterwards – supposed to have died of cholera.
Hiram, b. Jan. 22, 1810; m. May 13, 1849, Rebecca Jenkins. He was brought up as a tanner, and continued in the business until the old yard was given up, about thirty-five years since. Was for awhile engaged in the lithographic business in Boston, and has now for many years held the office of collection clerk in the State National Bank in Boston. He lives near the spot where his grandfather Noah’s house was built. That house, in which also his father (Deacon Ebenezer) lived and died, together with the barn belonging to it, were removed by Hiram a few rods west, and were sold to John A. Bird, and Hiram’s present residence was built in the year 1865 near the site of the old one. The ancient vane, measuring six feet four inches, which was on the meeting-house of the first Parish when taken down in 1816, and which was then place on the barn of Deacon Clapp, still remains and is veered by the changing breezes as they pass over the same building in its new place. Hiram was one of the committee for calling the Clapp Family Gathering in 1873. Children:
Frederic William, b. July 26, 1850.
Amos, b. Nov. 5, 1821; d. June 16, 1825, and was buried the next day, being that on which the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill Monument was laid.