M. 23 Jan 1735 in (probably) Northampton, Massachusetts2
Wife: Submit Strong
D. 10 May 1782 in Easthampton, Massachusetts3
When the spirit of independence swept through New England in 1776, many men served regardless of their age, and 63-year-old Jonathan Clapp joined the fight.
Jonathan was born on September 2, 1713 to Roger Clapp and Elizabeth Bartlett in Northampton, Massachusetts,1 one of nine children. On January 23, 1735, Jonathan married his first cousin, Submit Strong (their mothers were sisters),2 and between 1735 and 1755 they had 11 children.
In his younger days, Jonathan lived with his childless uncle Joseph Bartlett (1683-1755).4 Joseph operated a corn mill given to him by his father Samuel Bartlett (~1639-1712), who was Jonathan's grandfather.4 Joseph received the mill and land in 1705 and set up a tavern there.4 Jonathan helped his uncle run both businesses and eventually they became his.4
Jonathan was known for being shrewd. There was a story that took place around 1760 after a lot of snow had fallen creating drifts of four feet deep in some places. The snow was followed by some rain which then froze, forming a dangerous crust. He saw opportunity to make money by riding on horseback to the town of Hatfield and purchasing a “drove of cattle,” that he took to Boston. He made £100 pounds on the beef because the severe weather had resulted in a meat shortage.4
Driving cattle to market in Boston. (AI-generated image)
Jonathan’s main livelihood was his public house, which was described as "a homelike, old-time tavern.”5 It was said that "most of the travel from Hartford and New Haven passed northward through this locality, in consequence of which there came to it very liberal patronage."5 In 1775, soldiers from Southampton met at Jonathan’s tavern before heading to Boston for the Battle of Bunker Hill.4 The tavern remained in the family for 100 years, and the building survived until about 1876 when it was torn down.5
It’s easy to imagine that as Jonathan served drinks to men marching off to war, he became motivated to join the cause. So in spite of his age, on February 8, 1776, Jonathan was commissioned as 2nd Major in the 2nd Hampshire County Regiment of the Massachusetts Militia.6 Colonial militias played a different role in the war from the Continental Army because they didn’t have a full-time commitment to being soldiers. As a major, Jonathan guided a small force of men who lived in the Easthampton area, and they trained locally, ready to be called upon whenever needed.
Payroll list of unit headed by Jonathan in 1777.
We know that Jonathan’s men “answered the alarm” to help out at Fort Ticonderoga during the summer of 1777.6 This would require a march of over 160 miles to reach it, an effort that was in vain since the Americans surrendered the fort to the British before Jonathan’s men got there.
The service must have been too strenuous for Jonathan because he resigned a year later. In a letter dated April 5, 1778, he put in a request to step down, saying his advanced age caused an “inability to perform the duties of his office.”6 His son Benjamin, himself almost 40 years-old, was also in the militia as a quartermaster, and Jonathan called upon him to also quit. Benjamin said he was going to continue on as a soldier, but Jonathan told him, "No, my son, you must stay and take care of me."4 In June 1779, Jonathan prepared his will, which began by mentioning that he was “weak of body.”7 The will reveals that he accumulated a lot of land in his life, enough to parcel out to each of his eleven children.
Jonathan didn’t live to see the war’s aftermath and the founding of the United States government. He died on May 10, 1782 in Easthampton and is buried in Main Street Cemetery.3 The inscription on his grave reads:
In Memory of
MAJR Jonathan CLAP,
who died May 10th, 1782, in the 69 year of his age.
The wise, the just, the pious and the brave,
Live in their death, and flourish in the grave.
Here sown in death the body lies.
Till God shall call & bid it rise.
Children:
1. Jonathan Clapp — B. before 8 Oct 1735, Northampton, Massachusetts;8 D. 17 Nov 1822, Easthampton, Massachusetts;9 M. (1) Mary Strong, 20 Dec 1774, Coventry, Connecticut;10 (2) Margaret Roguel (1745-1821), after 2 Mar 177711
2. Joseph Clapp — B. 3 Nov 1736, Northampton, Massachusetts;12 D. 11 October 1797, Easthampton, Massachusetts;12 M. Hannah Lyman (1736-1792), 1762, Easthampton, Massachusetts13
3. Benjamin Clapp — B. 16 Dec 1738, Northampton, Massachusetts;14 D. 8 Nov 1815, Easthampton, Massachusetts;15 M. Phebe Boynton (1750-1847), before 28 February 1768, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts16
4. Submit Clapp — B. 8 Oct 1741, Northampton, Massachusetts;17 D. 18 Jan 1818, Easthampton, Massachusetts;18 M. Asahel Clark (1737-1822)19
5. Hannah Clapp — B. 15 Jun 1742, Northampton, Massachusetts;20 D. 20 Aug 1813, Hampden County, Massachusetts;21 M. Elias Lyman (1740-1816)21
6. Lucy Clapp — B. Aug 1744, Northampton, Massachusetts;22 M. Samuel Kellogg, 176423
7. Rhoda Clapp — B. 19 Dec 1746, Northampton, Massachusetts;24 D. 29 Nov 1820, Sunderland, Massachusetts;25 M. Daniel Whittemore (1741-1816), 20 Dec 1788, Easthampton, Massachusetts26
8. Lois Clapp — M. (1) Jonathan Lyman;23 (2) Joesph Day23
9. Beulah Clapp — B. about Dec 1750, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts;27 D. 29 May 1813;27 M. Solomon Allen (1751-1821), 177427
10. Phebe Clapp — B. 26 Dec 1752, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts;28 D. 21 Jul 1829, (probably) Onondaga County, New York;28 M. Joseph White (1749-1830)23
11. Merab Clapp — B. 10 Sep 1755, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts;29 D. 3 May 1825, Pittsfield, Massachusetts;29 M. (1) Elisha Allen (1752-1796);23 (2) Oliver Root (?-1807), 4 Dec 1805, Conway, Massachusetts30
Sources:
1 Birth record of Jonathan Clapp, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Jonathan Clapp and Submit Strong, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
3 Find-a-Grave listing of Maj Jonathan Clap
4 The History of Easthampton: its settlement and growth, Payson W. Lyman, 1866
5 The New England Magazine, Vol. 31, 1904, p. 317
6 Military records of Jonathan Clap, Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783, FamilySearch.org
7 Will of Jonathan Clap, Massachusetts, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991, Ancestry.com
8 Baptismal record of Jonathan Clapp (younger), M., T. C., V. & T. R.
9 Find-a-Grave listing of Jonathan Clapp
10 Marriage record of Jonathan Clapp and Mary Strong, Connecticut, Marriages, 1630-1997, FamilySearch.org
11 Birth record of Jonathan Clap (younger)’s only child from his first wife, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
12 Find-a-Grave listing of Capt. Joseph Clap
13 Marriage record of Joseph Clap and Hannah Lyman, Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927, FamilySearch.org
14 Birth record of Benjamin Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
15 Find-a-Grave listing of QM Benjamin Clap
16 Birth record of Benjamin Clapp’s oldest daughter Rachel, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
17 Birth record of Submit Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
18 Death record of Submit Clark, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
19 Marriage record of Submit Clark’s son Eleazer Clark, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
20 Birth record of Hannah Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
21 Find-a-Grave listing of Hannah (Clapp) Lyman
22 Birth record of Lucy Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
23 The Clapp Memorial: record of the Clapp family in America, Ebenezer Clapp, 1876
24 Birth record of Rhoda Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
25 Find-a-Grave listing of Rhoda (Clapp) Whitmore
26 Marriage record of Daniel Whitmore and Rhoda Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
27 Find-a-Grave listing of Beulah (Clapp) Allen
28 Find-a-Grave listing of Phebe (Clapp) White
29 Find-a-Grave listing of Merab (Clap) Root
30 Marriage record of Oliver Root and Merab Allen, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
View of Fort Ticonderoga in 1777.
The service must have been too strenuous for Jonathan because he resigned a year later. In a letter dated April 5, 1778, he put in a request to step down, saying his advanced age caused an “inability to perform the duties of his office.”6 His son Benjamin, himself almost 40 years-old, was also in the militia as a quartermaster, and Jonathan called upon him to also quit. Benjamin said he was going to continue on as a soldier, but Jonathan told him, "No, my son, you must stay and take care of me."4 In June 1779, Jonathan prepared his will, which began by mentioning that he was “weak of body.”7 The will reveals that he accumulated a lot of land in his life, enough to parcel out to each of his eleven children.
Jonathan didn’t live to see the war’s aftermath and the founding of the United States government. He died on May 10, 1782 in Easthampton and is buried in Main Street Cemetery.3 The inscription on his grave reads:
In Memory of
MAJR Jonathan CLAP,
who died May 10th, 1782, in the 69 year of his age.
The wise, the just, the pious and the brave,
Live in their death, and flourish in the grave.
Here sown in death the body lies.
Till God shall call & bid it rise.
Children:
1. Jonathan Clapp — B. before 8 Oct 1735, Northampton, Massachusetts;8 D. 17 Nov 1822, Easthampton, Massachusetts;9 M. (1) Mary Strong, 20 Dec 1774, Coventry, Connecticut;10 (2) Margaret Roguel (1745-1821), after 2 Mar 177711
2. Joseph Clapp — B. 3 Nov 1736, Northampton, Massachusetts;12 D. 11 October 1797, Easthampton, Massachusetts;12 M. Hannah Lyman (1736-1792), 1762, Easthampton, Massachusetts13
3. Benjamin Clapp — B. 16 Dec 1738, Northampton, Massachusetts;14 D. 8 Nov 1815, Easthampton, Massachusetts;15 M. Phebe Boynton (1750-1847), before 28 February 1768, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts16
4. Submit Clapp — B. 8 Oct 1741, Northampton, Massachusetts;17 D. 18 Jan 1818, Easthampton, Massachusetts;18 M. Asahel Clark (1737-1822)19
5. Hannah Clapp — B. 15 Jun 1742, Northampton, Massachusetts;20 D. 20 Aug 1813, Hampden County, Massachusetts;21 M. Elias Lyman (1740-1816)21
6. Lucy Clapp — B. Aug 1744, Northampton, Massachusetts;22 M. Samuel Kellogg, 176423
7. Rhoda Clapp — B. 19 Dec 1746, Northampton, Massachusetts;24 D. 29 Nov 1820, Sunderland, Massachusetts;25 M. Daniel Whittemore (1741-1816), 20 Dec 1788, Easthampton, Massachusetts26
8. Lois Clapp — M. (1) Jonathan Lyman;23 (2) Joesph Day23
9. Beulah Clapp — B. about Dec 1750, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts;27 D. 29 May 1813;27 M. Solomon Allen (1751-1821), 177427
10. Phebe Clapp — B. 26 Dec 1752, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts;28 D. 21 Jul 1829, (probably) Onondaga County, New York;28 M. Joseph White (1749-1830)23
11. Merab Clapp — B. 10 Sep 1755, (probably) Easthampton, Massachusetts;29 D. 3 May 1825, Pittsfield, Massachusetts;29 M. (1) Elisha Allen (1752-1796);23 (2) Oliver Root (?-1807), 4 Dec 1805, Conway, Massachusetts30
Sources:
1 Birth record of Jonathan Clapp, Massachusetts, Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records, 1626-2001, FamilySearch.org
2 Marriage record of Jonathan Clapp and Submit Strong, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
3 Find-a-Grave listing of Maj Jonathan Clap
4 The History of Easthampton: its settlement and growth, Payson W. Lyman, 1866
5 The New England Magazine, Vol. 31, 1904, p. 317
6 Military records of Jonathan Clap, Massachusetts, Revolutionary War, Index Cards to Muster Rolls, 1775-1783, FamilySearch.org
7 Will of Jonathan Clap, Massachusetts, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991, Ancestry.com
8 Baptismal record of Jonathan Clapp (younger), M., T. C., V. & T. R.
9 Find-a-Grave listing of Jonathan Clapp
10 Marriage record of Jonathan Clapp and Mary Strong, Connecticut, Marriages, 1630-1997, FamilySearch.org
11 Birth record of Jonathan Clap (younger)’s only child from his first wife, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
12 Find-a-Grave listing of Capt. Joseph Clap
13 Marriage record of Joseph Clap and Hannah Lyman, Massachusetts, State Vital Records, 1638-1927, FamilySearch.org
14 Birth record of Benjamin Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
15 Find-a-Grave listing of QM Benjamin Clap
16 Birth record of Benjamin Clapp’s oldest daughter Rachel, Massachusetts, Births and Christenings, 1639-1915, FamilySearch.org
17 Birth record of Submit Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
18 Death record of Submit Clark, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
19 Marriage record of Submit Clark’s son Eleazer Clark, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
20 Birth record of Hannah Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
21 Find-a-Grave listing of Hannah (Clapp) Lyman
22 Birth record of Lucy Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
23 The Clapp Memorial: record of the Clapp family in America, Ebenezer Clapp, 1876
24 Birth record of Rhoda Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
25 Find-a-Grave listing of Rhoda (Clapp) Whitmore
26 Marriage record of Daniel Whitmore and Rhoda Clapp, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
27 Find-a-Grave listing of Beulah (Clapp) Allen
28 Find-a-Grave listing of Phebe (Clapp) White
29 Find-a-Grave listing of Merab (Clap) Root
30 Marriage record of Oliver Root and Merab Allen, M., T. C., V. & T. R.
