M. about 1765 in (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts
Husband: Benjamin Clapp
D. 30 Nov 1847 in Easthampton, Massachusetts
Phebe Boynton's life began in colonial New England and extended all the way into the mid-19th century. She was born on November 23, 1750 in Coventry, Connecticut to Joshua Boynton and Rachel Carpenter, the oldest of their two children. When Phebe was just two-years-old, her father died, and her mother married a second husband, Ebenezer French. The family moved to a newly settled region near Northampton, Massachusetts, living in a log cabin built by French. Nine half-siblings were born, and as the oldest girl in the family, Phebe was likely given the responsibility of looking after the younger children.
In about 1765, Phebe got married to Benjamin Clapp, the son of a tavern owner in Easthampton. If this marriage date is accurate, she was just 14 or 15-years-old (Benjamin would have been in his late 20s). Phebe's first child was born in 1768, and by 1794, she had a dozen more. Remarkably, all of her children lived to adulthood, giving her an abundance of grandchildren.
As with most who lived in New England during the second half of the 18th century, the American Revolution played a part in Phebe's life. When the war broke out in 1775, Benjamin went off to serve in the militia. After a short stint, though, he chose to come home in order to take care of his sick father, which must have been somewhat of a relief to Phebe.
Many civilians helped the American cause, and it was said that Phebe housed two British officers who had been taken prisoner at Saratoga. In late 1777, after the surrender of British general, John Burgoyne, the forces under his command were allowed safe return to England (about 2,400 men). The prisoners were moved to various locations throughout the colonies, with officers being kept in private homes, a process that ended up taking several years. Phebe had two of the enemy officers in her house, presumably for at least a couple of days, providing food and a place to sleep.
After the war was over, the people of Easthampton decided to form their own church, and Phebe became one of its first members. The church was organized in 1785 at the house of her brother-in-law, Captain Joseph Clapp. Everything was a community effort, and when the first minister was ordained in 1789, Phebe entertained some of the ordaining council at her home. Because she lived such a long life, she would eventually become the last survivor among the original church members.
The founders of the Easthampton Congregational Church in 1785.
Easthampton Congregational Church in 1841.
Sometime around 1800, Benjamin became "mentally impaired," which likely meant he developed dementia. It's easy to imagine that Phebe became his caretaker during those years. Sadly, he passed away on November 8, 1815, which began her long period of widowhood.
Phebe reportedly remained fairly healthy in her old age. She was said to have “a very genial disposition” and she “retained activity, both of mind and soul, till the last year of her life.” She probably took great pride in her children and grandchildren. In 1832, one granddaughter said goodbye to the family on her wedding day to become a missionary in Hawaii; Phebe may have been in attendance, although this is speculation.
On November 30, 1847, Phebe died in Easthampton at the age of 97. Many of her children had predeceased her; it is said that she had about 70 grandchildren and 70 great-grandchildren at the time of her death.
Children:
1. Rachel Clapp — B. 28 Feb 1768, Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. 11 Jul 1868; M. Nathaniel Edwards, Jan 1800
2. Ocran Clapp — B. 27 Feb 1770, Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. 16 Dec 1835; M. Sarah Lyman (1769-1829), 1791
3. Sophia Clapp — B. 9 Dec 1771, Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. 12 Sep 1840, Nelson, New Hampshire; M. Reverend Gad Newell (1764-1859)
4. Anne Clapp — B. 21 Nov 1773, Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. 13 Dec 1802, Charlotte, Vermont; M. Medad Lyman (1770-1813)
5. Clarissa Clapp — B. 22 Feb 1776, Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. after 1864; M. Jonathan Lyman
6. Benjamin Clapp — B. 14 Nov 1778; D. 1 Apr 1821, Easthampton, Massachusetts
7. Sally Clapp — B. 15 Nov 1780, Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. 9 Jan 1844, Easthampton, Massachusetts; M. Daniel Lyman, 31 Dec 1806
8. Solomon Clapp — B. 2 Sep 1782, Massachusetts; D. 25 Nov 1827, Easthampton, Massachusetts; M. Pauline Avery (1787-1864)
9. Spencer Clapp — B. 15 Aug 1784, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts; M. Diana Phelps, 1 Jan 1805
10. Phebe Clapp — B. 6 Sep 1786, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts; M. Levi Clapp (1784-1856)
11. Fanny Clapp — B. 24 Feb 1789, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. after 1864; Jared Clark, 5 Jan 1809
12. Caroline Clapp — B. 15 Oct 1791, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. after 1864; M. Milton Knight
13. George Clapp — B. 24 Apr 1794, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts; D. 15 Jul 1825
Sources:
Obituary of Phebe Clapp, Northampton Courier, 1847
The History of Easthampton: its settlement and growth, Payson W. Lyman, 1866
The Clapp Memorial: record of the Clapp family in America, Ebenezer Clapp, 1876
The American almanac and repository of useful knowledge, Charles Bowen, 1848
Tombstone inscriptions from Main Street Cemetery, Easthampton, Massachusetts
A History of Nelson, New Hampshire, Parke Hardy Struthers, 1968
The Lyman Family in America, Lyman Coleman, 1872
