Jonathan Clapp (Nathaniel, Nicholas), 1673-1723/4
The Clapp Memorial. Record of the Clapp Family in America … Ebenezer Clapp, compiler. (Boston: David Clapp & Son, 1876)
Jonathan Clapp, the third son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Smith) Clapp, of Dorchester, was born in that town, Aug. 31, 1673, and died Jan. 2, 1723-4. He married, June 23, 1703, Sarah, daughter of Barnard and Sarah Capen, and sister of Barnard Capen who m. Sarah Clapp (granddaughter of Roger), of Dorchester. He was ordained Deacon of the church in Dorchester, March 1, 1718/19. For several years and up to the time of his death, he held the offices of Selectman and Town Treasurer.
He was an enterprising man and owned much real estate. He was proprietor of three fourths of the grist mill called Clapp’s Mill, which stood nearly north-east of the estate owned and occupied in the beginning of this century by the venerable Preserved Baker, and not far from where the present New York & New England railroad reaches the upland after crossing the waters of the Back Bay [i.e., South Bay]. This mill was originally built by Mr. Bates, probably James Bates, for Deacon Edward, Nicholas and perhaps Capt. Roger Clapp. It was rebuilt by Deacon Jonathan Clapp and Humphrey Atherton in 1712. According to the articles of agreement for rebuilding it, Joseph Parsons, of Northampton, was to build a corn or grist mill at a place called “Clapp’s Mill,” where the former mill stood, for which he was to have 50 pounds, the mill to be finished by Sept. 12, 1712. Deacon Jonathan probably built the house in which he lived and died, which was destroyed by fire May 15, 1784. It stood about 20 rods north-west of what is now Boston Street, the passage to it from which Street was rather more than that distance south-west from the Five Corners. Mrs. Clapp was born in 1678, and died Sept. 7, 1746, in the 68th year of her age.
In 1746 Deacon Jonathan’s real estate was divided between his sons Jonathan and David, Noah having probably already received his share in the shape of a liberal education. A chart is now in existence, in which are shown the dividing lines between these two portions, and including the whole tract of land on the north side of Boston Street from the Five Corners to near Upham’s Corner.
Children of Deacon Jonathan and Sarah (Capen) Clapp:
Sarah, b. 1704; bapt. June 17, 1704; d. young
Jonathan, b. Dec. 6, 1705; d. Feb. 14, 1786.
Nathaniel, b. May 30, 1709; d. March 18, 1710.
Nathaniel, b. July 27, 1711; d. Aug. 6, 1711.
Sarah, b. May 11, 1714; d. June 13, 1768; m. Hopestill Leeds, of Dorchester, who died Jan. 14, 1795, aged 93 years. They lived in the old mansion house in Centre Street, near what is now Dorchester Avenue. They left two sons and one daughter who died March 18, 1737.
Noah, b. Jan. 25, 1718; d. April 10, 1799; for more than forty years, Town Clerk Dorchester.
David, b. Nov. 11, 1720; d. Aug. 17, 1787.
No. 7813 The Clapp mill is shown at the upper left on a creek leading to the South Bay in this detail from Carol Zurawski. Seventeenth Century Survey of Dorchester. (Boston, Boston University Dissertation, 1979).