Ebenezer Clapp, 1771-1860
Reminiscences of my Father DEACON EBENEZER CLAPP (1771-1860) By Hepzibah (Clapp) Sumner
[Transcribed by Jim Cooke, May 1997; the original ms is in the Dorchester Historical Society Archives. I’ve tried to retain Mrs. Sumner’s spelling, punctuation and page layout. Perhaps she dictated it and someone else took it down. The illustrations and their captions were not part of the ms.]
Thinking that some of the Descendants of Father might like to know something that only I know.
He was fifteen when his Father’s house was burned, was away from home, thought he could have saved it had he been there. His Father[1] could only save the town’s papers; but not all of them, but having a remarkable memory the town made him a gift for his house, built the next summer.
The house took fire one windy day in May, another house took fire from it, and it was burned.[2]
The next winter he went as a Soldier in the Shays Rebellion.[3] It was a very severe winter, and many had their feet frozen, but he did not.
He then went to live with his Uncle, a very eccentric man, who boasted of paying the largest Taxes in town.[4]
His mother objected to his being a tanner as to set it up was very expensive.
I think Father’s Aunt and Uncle were very fond of him. They had a large family, (nine children) and many hired men.
His Uncle was very peculiar; had three hundred acres of land and inherited the largest share of his Father’s property, when they were under the king.
Father’s aunt sometimes sent him to stay with her Brother’s wife, as she was very apt to be out late nights.
They lived in a house on East Cottage St. It was a delight to me when young to hear Father tell of what happened at his Uncle’s while he lived there; about Uncle Abner and what he liked to eat; (he preferred pork and beans to lobster.) He also mentioned Betty Wales,[5] the maid, bringing in the Bohea Tea,[6] for supper.
One night the men, not being satisfied with their living roasted pork and called Uncle to eat with them.
When about twenty-five he hired six tan pits of Captain Samuel Holden, and began to work for himself. The mill-house stood on the South of Trull St. In long days, he did his work in the morning and went out mowing by the day. About this time he was engaged to our Mother,[7] and had two rooms in his Father’s house nicely furnished, the lower room with a cornice and the floors so tight that it did not show any cracks.
Our Mother and he painted it yellow with a centre piece and boards in black.
The furniture was a mahogany desk, and card board, green chairs, a pine table for use; inside shutters.
I well remember the figure of the paper in that room, and the chamber with curtains of India cotton with a green fringe.
Back of the room was a small sink-room; a pretty home for those days.
They were married Oct. 18th 1797.
About that time a man failed who owed them Three hundred dollars.
No. 8399 After the fire, Noah Clapp built a new home closer to Upham’s Corner on a property that later encompassed the land on both sides of Hamlet Street when that street was constructed. The property owned by Samuel Pierce in this detail from the 1874 map was earlier owned by the Foster family and was the location of Royall’s Pond, an area that Hepzibah seems to call Breezy Hollow. In this detail from the 1874 Hopkins Atlas, Columbia Road has not yet been developed, so the road leading out of Upham’s Corner to the north is still named Boston Street. Dudley Street, leading west from Upham’s Corner was still called Stoughton in 1874.
In 1798 (Sept 4), I came into life. The next spring he began his tanyard on the banks of Royal Pond,[8] near his Father’s home.
No. 21034
Detail from 1777 Pelham map of Boston. Near the bottom of the
detail, the rectangular plot is the Old Dorchester North Cemetery
at what is now called Upham’s Corner. The pond across the road
(Boston Street, now Columbia Road) seems to be Royall’s Pond.
The bark for the business was then ground by a large stone carried round by a horse.
After some years there was invented another not unlike a coffee mill.
No. 7376
The making of pits was very expensive. He could afford but a few at a time, but after many years had a large tanyard. It was in a pretty valley where the sun had great power; On the south-west were very large Buttonwood trees and in the storms their great branches tossed; Goldfinche’s nests, hung over the pond.
In 1816 he built a new mill house and had a windmill put up to grind bark; but it did not answer the purpose; when it was high wind going with a velocity that was frightful; It was a great expense and disappointment.
In 1807 he bought what he called the “Other place,” fourteen acres with four springs. He enjoyed it very much, and had turnips, carrots, a cornfield, and some hay. He pastured two cows, for he thought one would be lonesome. One year he had forty-two barrels of Greening apples, and many other kinds.
Mr. Alcott,[9] a teacher in Boston, boarded with his family opposite, with Mrs. Oliver Bird. He used to take his children over to play in the hay-field. Miss Louise was one of them.
Brother John had a house and tan-yard on Brook Ave., now there are perhaps forty houses.
I think Father was one of the strongest of men, for beside his work he found the time for his favorite recreation, gunning; His friend Captain Wales and him-self often starting at daybreak, down the harbor, sometimes with good success. At one time in the vicinity of Squantum he shot seven brants[10] on the wing, and sold them to Captain Minot, who was keeper of the hotel at Neponset,[11] for a dollar apiece.
He was Deacon of the only church[12] in town, Selectman, one of the Overseers of the poor, School Committee man; had the care of settling two estates; was Guardian for two aged men, and two young girls.
Our mother’s death was a terrible shock to him, though appearing outwardly calm he almost sank under it.
Not quite a year after her death Mrs. Holden,[13] widow of Ezekiel Holden came here to visit.[14] He wished to marry her, but our Sister Ann thought it not right for him to marry at seventy-eight. She told him so; he answered, “no young person can have any idea of my loneliness.”
Mrs. Holden instead of going back to her daughter in Cincinnati became our step mother; a meek, gentle woman one could not help loving; It was said that she married the three who admired her in her youth;
She made Father’s life very happy; the happiest old man I ever knew; The only regret, it made our dear Sister Lucy’s house-keeping harder; our stepmother having many connections who visited here. After the nine years of his marriage he failed gradually for one year and died at the age of 88 years 10 months.
After his death, Lucy and Mother lived with us for a year; Before Mother’s death she fell and broke her hip and never walked again, but was very patient; Dying peacefully at the age of 86 yrs.
Grandfather Noah Clapp’s house that was burned stood beyond the Holden place. There was a very fine spring of water there; Someone said perhaps the dampness caused weak lungs; six sisters dying of consumption; Ann at 23 years of age, Hannah at 31; Lucy[15] at 29; Sarah Holden at 38; Lydia Pierce at 45; and Aunt Seaver at 91;
Father had one brother[16] who was a Deacon of the Putnam Church, Roxbury and they were very fond of each other. His first wife was Miss Robinson, who died young leaving two children, his second, Miss Holden who left five children; his third wife, Mrs. Hawes; the grandmother of Marion Harland,[17] the writer.
Grandfather died in 1798: aged 86. Grandmother 13 years later; After Grandfather’s death Grandmother took the teachers of the school to board; the school house being opposite the North Cemetery gate. She also took Mr. Allan, afterwards minister at Chelmsford. Mr. Enoch Pratt of Barnstable and Mr. Green, and Mr. Sherman.
After Aunt Lucy’s death she took the north room.
In 1812 Father built a large barn, and had a swing put in it, a great pleasure to the young folks.
In 1817 he enlarged the house putting on a large kitchen, two chambers and sink room; had the house painted, and blinds put on. Afterwards he built a corn-barn.
It was customary in the summer for Deacon Robinson and Uncle Clap’s[18] family to make excursions down the harbor, and have a fish dinner. On the summer of 1826 they started on a very bright day, Father and a number of our family with them, and as they were just to have dinner, when word came that Edward Clap, age 18, and his brother, age 18, were drowned while bathing; When Uncle Clap was told of it he said, “The Lord hath given, the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be his name.”
Uncle Clap outlived some of his children; Susan Davis and her two children: Mrs. Sterns; Aunt Lucy; and Jane, all dying of consumption.
All have gone; many years but the youngest son James who is in the Bible house[19] in Boston;
Father knew a great deal about the habits of our song birds; the spring bird was singing one year as early as the middle of February; In April come the Robin and Blue bird; when the cherry blossoms are out, the gold finches; about the 11 of May, the Bob O Link made the meadow ring with his gushing melody, then came the Wren and Bush Yellow-bird.
Father had a great love for wild flowers, having them home from the other place, and when he went to the Church’s and, with Deacon Humphreys, he would bring branches of the wild honey -suckle but the red clover was his delight.
There is not often a Sabbath but memory takes me back to my Old Home.
Father was particular about having the day observed. The newspapers and story-book were put out of sight, and all went to meeting, but one to take care of the children who were not old enough to go. After we repeated the Catechism, each child chose a tune which was sung.
I am thankful I was brought up in this way but do not think I was ever away from home on Sunday except on a visit to Newton.
Father was a very remarkable man, every atom of his life seemed filled with work or duty. He had wonderful strength and power of endurance, a very cheerful disposition, and though he had many cares and sorrows, always looked on the bright side.
About “Breezy Hollow”
The Hollow was very different from what it is now. A man that lived with Father said the prettiest part of the place was the Hollow. It was 8 or 10 feet higher on the west side than at present. Near the foot stood quite large oak-trees and half way up the hill stood another of the kind that have acorns.
Near the wall by the Bartlet pear tree, was a Black Oak, I used to climb the wall, and break off it branches of shining leaves for ornament to the house.
On the north-west was a Burgundy pear tree that bore marks of being struck by lightning.
On the east side was a pearmain and sweet apple tree. A very tall pear tree with three kinds of pears, the golden brary at the top then gardenelle, and blue pear; Next came the Minot, and another tall tall one, with three kinds next the Winsor Mothers favorite; then Catron, two George apple-trees and a Coddling. On the top of the hill was a St. Germain, which pears would bring a high price, East of the path that led to Uncle Holden’s[20] was a large tree shaped like an umbrella, which bore sweet russets, one year five barrels; It was blown down in the gale of Sept 23, 1815. Near to it next the wall was a large tree that Father had grafted with golden russet apples and when in bloom its pink and white flowers made a beautiful appearance.
In the corner of the front yard was a large tree that bore striped apples and farther along a beautiful ash tree; Opposite this was a large, tall, cherry tree.
Brother John and I often talk about the trees, he remembering them.
On what is now Hamlet Street was a vegetable garden, and by the wall that separated Mr. John Foster’s land were elm trees. Father cut them down for they shaded the land too much.
Mother brought from Milton a Grape Vine, that covered a large Trellis, and two trees each side of it.
There were a number of Apple trees, also currant bushes.
On the west was a very large Catren pear tree, and a Warden, which was a nice winter pear.
This has been written for the love of the Old home and to pass away the time. —
Written in a student’s lined copy book in large, clear, easy to read script. Notebook measures approximately 81/4 by 6 1/2 inches; 20 lines to a page, written on both sides of the page. The notebook is water stained, pages loose and crumbling.
Hepzibah Clapp Sumner was born September 4, 1798 in Dorchester Massachusetts. The eldest of thirteen children she married Benjamin Lathrop Sumner on March 11, 1824. They had five children. (She was alive when the The Clapp Memorial/Record of the Clapp Family in America was published in 1876.) She died August 29, 1880 and is buried in the North Burial Ground. The Clapp Memorial Record was compiled by her brother, Ebenezer Clapp. Their father, Ebenezer, was the youngest son of Noah and Ann Clapp; born August 25, 1771 in Dorchester. He married Eunice Pierce on October 18, 1797, and died on March 6, 1860.
[1] Ebenezer’s father was Noah Clapp. Noah who was the town clerk supplied much of the missing information from memory. The house was located at Five Corners (now Edward Everett Square). After the fire, Ebenezer Clapp’s uncle Jonathan rebuilt at the same location. Ebenezer Clap. The Clapp Memorial. Record of the Clapp Family in America. (Boston, 1876), 216.
[2] May 15, 1784. A burning shingle was carried by the wind and caught William Allen’s house on fire, destroying it. Allen, whose name was used for the area near his house, lived 1/3 mile east on Pleasant Street near Cottage Street. (Allen’s Plain). Ebenezer’s uncle Jonathan rebuilt on the same spot, and
[3] 1786-87 Ebenezer Clapp was the last surviving member of the Dorchester company sent out to suppress Shay’s Rebellion.
[4] Jonathan Clapp
[5] An Elizabeth Wales is recorded in the North Burial Ground, dying on November 22, 1801.
[6] Bohea Tea is black Chinese tea. Initially the term denoted excellent tea, then later, indifferent or ordinary tea.
[7] Eunice Pierce, daughter of John & Sarah Pierce.
[8] The Clapp Memorial p. 242 says it is called “Royall’s Pond” on old charts. Ebenezer lost an infant son to drowning in this pond in 1802.
[9] Bronson (Amos) Alcott (1799-1888), philosopher, teacher and poet. Established an unorthodox school of advanced methods and racially-mixed enrollment that caused public indignation. He was the father, of course, of Louisa May Alcott.
[10] Geese.
[11] Later the Holbrook Tavern opposite the end of Minot Street?
[12] The First Parish is on Meeting House Hill.
[13] Ebenezer Clapp married Mrs. Patty Holden on October 22, 1850; it was her third marriage. Her first to Samuel Glover, second to Ezekiel Holden. She had been known as the “Dorchester Beauty.” Her father was Dr. Phineas Holden.
[14] “live” written and crossed out.
[15] Lucy Clapp, in her father’s house, taught Edward Everett and his brother, Alexander, their ABC’s.
[16] John Clapp, b. Sept. 11, 1764; d. Sept. 23, 1840.
[17] Pseudonym for Mrs. Edward Payson Terhune (1830-1922). Mrs. Hawes was the mother (not grandmother) of Marion Harland—author of books on household economy, child rearing, fiction, travel and religion. Mrs. Terhune’s son, Albert, wrote popular dog stories.
[18] The Clapp Memorial gives Uncle John 2 pages. Hepzibah clearly allots him but one.
[19] The Masschusetts Bible Society, a religious publishing house in Boston.
[20] Ebenezer’s sister Sarah married John Holden who owned the property next to theirs.