Isaac Clapp (Samuel, Nathaniel, Ebenezer, Nathaniel, Nichols), 1784-1861
The Clapp Memorial. Record of the Clapp Family in America … Ebenezer Clapp, compiler. (Boston: David Clapp & Son, 1876)
Isaac, b. Dec. 27, 1784; d. Jan. 28, 1861, aged 76 years. He m. Eliza Cook, who d. Nov. 1, 1854, without issue. An adopted daughter, Eliza T., lived with them–a young lady of considerable literary talent, and the authoress of a work which took high rank as a religious and metaphysical essay. He lived on the westerly side of Jones’ Hill, near the corner of what is now Hancock and Stoughton Streets. The house which he built and lived in for more than 40 years has been remodelled, and is now occupied by Micah Dyer, Jr., Esq. He early commenced business a merchandize broker in Boston, carried it on successfully, and finally rose to high distinction as an upright, sagacious and trusty guide in all matters connected with commerce and finance. A remarkable trait in his character was the calm and deliberate manner in which he investigated matters of interest, and the unruffled spirit he manifested in every event he was called to pass through. He was reserved, almost taciturn in his daily intercourse, but his words were instructive and reliable. The following notice of him appeared n one of the Boson papers soon after his death: “Mr. Clapp was in the truest and broadest sense a merchant, in contradistinction from the mere tradesman. His eye swept the horizon of the commercial world, combining in its view that vast variety of data essential as the base for intelligent and successful enterprises. His mind had a native strength and steadiness of build, a breadth of vision, an intuitive insight of the connections and complexities of things, a sagacity and acuteness of observation, which, in other departments of activity, with appropriate culture and training, would have ensured him marked success. He was what he was in spite of a lack of educational advantages. The world was his university; mankind, nature, experience his teacher. During the fifty years that State Street and its neighborhood has known him as a constant and busy visitor, there is not one, it is believed, who can bear witness to aught in him unmanly or dishonorable; while with the sterner attributes of rectitude and justice were combined a winning amenity. His remarkable equanimity was greatly temperamental. and yet none could doubt that underlying and transfusing it was something of nobler than nature’s birth. That equanimity, never failing, amidst however much to disturb or overcome it, assumed the dignity of a virtue, showed a footing on unfluctuating principle. His mind was not narrowed to the demands of his calling. He was more than a merchant. No department of human thought or activity was without interest to him. For agriculture he had a natural fondness, and practised it with a scientific skill. Though naturally conservative, he was most liberal in his judgments. Calmly tenacious of his own opinions, he gave candid audience to those of others. He was singularly unselfish; too much so for the pecuniary success his abilities and opportunities might have gained for him. With a manhood noble cast–of which his outward presence was no unworthy type–he had a childlikeness of spirit, a tender-heartedness, a sweet lovingness, making love the inevitable return. His religion was rational, reverent, trustful, calm. His end was peace.”