M. about 1765 in (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts
Wife: Phebe Boynton
D. 8 Nov 1815 in Easthampton, Massachusetts
The beginning of the American Revolution caused a groundswell across New England. When the call to serve spread, men of all ages and skills took up arms. For Benjamin Clapp, it meant fighting alongside his father, even though both men were past the age of a typical soldier.
Benjamin was born on December 16, 1738 in Easthampton, Massachusetts to Jonathan Clapp and Submit Strong, one of 11 children. Benjamin was the third oldest child in the family, but the youngest son. His father ran the only tavern in town beginning in about 1750.
In about 1765, Benjamin married Phebe Boynton, a girl from Connecticut who had recently moved to Northampton with her family. She would have been about 15-years-old in 1765, so the marriage date may have been a year or two later. They had 13 children together born between 1768 and 1794; two other children were said to have died in infancy.
During the American Revolution, Benjamin’s 62-year-old father was commissioned as a militia major in 1776, and Benjamin served under him as a quartermaster, handling supplies. A document survives written by his father that lists the officers who served under his command and what rations they had received; the officers were to pay Benjamin for “the cost of the rations.” His father’s service was cut short when he became ill, and Benjamin was obligated to care for him, so he had to leave the militia, too. This was said to have happened "just before the Battle of Bennington," which took place August 16, 1777. After they were home, Benjamin expressed a desire to go back and “join the fight,” but his father told him no.
In about 1765, Benjamin married Phebe Boynton, a girl from Connecticut who had recently moved to Northampton with her family. She would have been about 15-years-old in 1765, so the marriage date may have been a year or two later. They had 13 children together born between 1768 and 1794; two other children were said to have died in infancy.
During the American Revolution, Benjamin’s 62-year-old father was commissioned as a militia major in 1776, and Benjamin served under him as a quartermaster, handling supplies. A document survives written by his father that lists the officers who served under his command and what rations they had received; the officers were to pay Benjamin for “the cost of the rations.” His father’s service was cut short when he became ill, and Benjamin was obligated to care for him, so he had to leave the militia, too. This was said to have happened "just before the Battle of Bennington," which took place August 16, 1777. After they were home, Benjamin expressed a desire to go back and “join the fight,” but his father told him no.
Receipt showing Benjamin received money for paying soldiers in his father's company.
For the rest of the war, Benjamin contributed what he could. Sometime around 1778, he and his wife Phebe housed some captured British officers as they were being transported from Saratoga to Boston. In his civilian life, Benjamin kept sheep and had a shop containing loom equipment. Along with processing wool, he owned part of a sawmill inherited when his father died in 1782.
Benjamin was said to have been "strong and rugged" throughout his life, and devoted to his religion. In August 1789, he welcomed into his home part of the “ordaining committee.” A new church had been organized in Easthampton and the minister who was hired came to town along with several other pastors. The event included “a day of fasting and prayer” before the formal ordination.
By 1803, Benjamin’s health was declining, and on September 24th of that year, he wrote a will. Four years later, he amended the will slightly to make sure his two youngest sons inherited some land. It was said that some years before Benjamin’s death, his "mental facilities were very much impaired." He died on November 8, 1815 and was buried at Main Street Cemetery. His wife Phebe survived him by many years and died in 1847.
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:
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
Obituary of Phebe Clapp, Northampton Courier, 1847
