Roger Clapp (Ebenezer, Nathaniel, Nicholas), 1721-1807
The Clapp Memorial. Record of the Clapp Family in America … Ebenezer Clapp, compiler. (Boston: David Clapp & Son, 1876)
Roger, youngest son of Ebenezer and Hannah Clapp, was born in Dorchester, April 28, 1721. He lived in and probably built the westerly half of the house which still stands on the north-westerly angle of the open square known as the Five Corners, the house being afterwards enlarged by the addition of the easterly half by his son Ezekiel. On the corner bounding the square on the north-east, and directly opposite from Roger’s dwelling, Lieut. Governor Thomas Oliver (the last royalist holding that office in Massachusetts) then lived, and the two neighbors are said to have been on intimate terms. A large flowing piece, probably a “King’s arm,” was given to Roger by Mr. O. Years afterwards this came into the possession of Deacon Ebenezer Clapp, Sen., and by him was used on some of the gunning excursions down the harbor, of which, as many now living can remember, he was so passionately fond. The house of Gov. Oliver, built by himself and still standing, afterwards went into the hands of Rev. Oliver Everett, and became the birth-place of Gov. Edward Everett, son of Oliver. Subsequently it came into the possession of the Richardson family, and is now occupied by John Richardson, Esq. Roger Clapp married, about 1748, Susannah Wales, of Dorchester, and died Aug 1, 1807.
Children of Roger and Susannah (Wales) Clapp.
Roger, b. Feb. 24, 1749; d. same day.
Stephen, b. March 21, 1753. He was engaged in the Revolutionary War, was never married, and d. in camp or on his way home.
Ezekiel, b. March 14, 1756; d. Nov. 4, 1823, in his 68th year. In 1777, he m. Lydia Pratt, of Weymouth, who d. Jan. 17, 1837. In her old age one of her legs was broken, from the effects of which she never recovered. Ezekiel built and lived in the easterly half of the house at Five Corners, already described above. Children:
Stephen, b. Dec. 22, 1778; d. March 23, 1850; m. Dec. 15, 1807, Hannah W., daughter of Deacon James Humphreys. He was a shoemaker by trade, and an industrious and worthy man. The shop which he at first occupied was near the Five Corners (Boston Street), and was burnt in the winter of 1815, on the day long afterwards known as the “cold Friday.” He afterwards and to the end of his life ived of what is now Dudley Street, a short distance from the house of his father- n-law. [children are listed, a few of whom are listed here]
James Harris Clapp, b. Dec. 15, 1809; d. Feb. 2, 1875; was a tanner by trade having served his time with his uncle Henry Humphreys; his house now standing on Dudley Street, is directly opposite the Humphreys homestead.
Edward, b. March 14, 1811; m. March 8, 1841, Fanny W., daughter of Isaac Beals, of Stoughton. They lived in Boston, where he did business as a mason until a few years ago, when bodily infirmity compelled him to give up his business and they removed to Dorchester.
Susan C., b. May 7, 1812, d. July 6, 1875; m. Aug. 20, 1846, Cyrus Balkam, Jr., of Dorchester, and had a son Cyrus, b. Oct. 3, 1849.
Lucy H. Clapp, b. Oct. 24, 1813; m. May 7, 1835, Lewis Clapp of Dorchester.
Stpehen, b. June 24, 1817; m. June 28, 1852, Martha, dau. of Richard (son of Capt. Lemuel) Clapp, of Dorchester.
Suzanna, b. Jan. 29, 1782; d. June 17, 1839; m. Nov. 11, 1806, Oliver Wiswall Champney, who d. Aug. 13, 1845, aged 77. For many years they lived in the same house with her father and mother.
Edward, b. May 22, 1791; d. in Savannah, Ga., about Sept. 10, 1815.
Ezekiel, b. Sept. 5, 1793; He was never married. He lived in the house formerly his father’s, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Champney. After the death of Mr. Champney, Ezekiel came into possession of most of his property, and lived in the same place till his own death, Sept. 3, 1848.
Nathaniel, b. July 13, 1761; d. March 27, 1826; m. Nov. 24, 1791, Hannah Glover. She was deranged the latter part of her life, and d. Feb. 25, 1829. They lived in the north-westerly end of the double house, the other part of which was built and lived in by his father. Children:
Lewis, b. Oct. 17, 1792; d. Jan. 28, 1854; m. May 7, 1835, Lucy H., dau. of Stephen Clapp of Dorchester. With his brother Enos he lived, unm. in the same house with their parents till 40 years old or upwards. He was an industrious, hard- working man all his days, but found time to indulge his fondness for gunning excursions on the water and neighboring sea-shore during many years. [children listed]
Enos, b. May 31, 1794; m. July 18, 1834, Adaline Cassell of Dorchester. Until his marriage, he lived in the same house with his brother Lewis, and the intimacy and affection which existed between them was remarkable and proverbial. Their size and height did not differ much, and they dressed very nearly alike. They were, however, of different complexion, Lewis having light hair and eyes, and Enos’s being dark. Before they were married it was seldom that either of them was seen without the other. In business and pleasure, in the mowing-field and in the street, on Sunday and week-days, they were seldom apart, and the happiness of each seemed inseparable from that of the other. Their names were almost always used in connection by others, insomuch that many persons who were well acquainted with both, did not know either by his distinctive name; and children, hen they happened to see one without the other, have been known to say—“There goes Lewis and Enos!” While their father was alive, he was a partner as it were in many of their labors, and nothing of importance was transacted without a consultation with him. They were excellent gunners; many stormy as well as pleasant days and nights were passed by them on land and water among the islands of Boston harbor in their eager pursuit for game, and no hardship or exposure was severe enough to check their enthusiasm or injure their health. They sometimes made excursions as far as Cape Cod, sending their game up to Boston market, and the number of sea-fowl killed by them before they relinquished this kind of recreation, was immense. Enos removed to Wayland in the spring of 1848. His wife died Oct. 3, 1868, aged 54, after which he returned to Dorchester but has lately bought a place in Norfolk, Mass., where he now, 1875, resides. [children listed]
Joanna, b. Feb. 15, 1797; d. Sept. 9, 1832. Lived and died in her father’s house.