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Clapp Family letters, 1871-1902, Montague, Massachusetts

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Compiled by Kimberli Faulkner Hull
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© Kimberli Faulkner Hull

A bundle of letters written by members of the Clapp family of Massachusetts between 1871 and 1902 was purchased in Plymouth, Massachusetts in December 2022. The letters are from and/or to members of the Richard and Eunice Clapp family of Massachusetts.

Additionally, the Robert S. Cox Special Collections & University Archives Research Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst holds letters written by Charles Wellington Clapp, the son of Richard and Eunice Clapp.

Clapp Family letters, 1871-1902, Montague, Massachusetts
Clapp Family letters, 1871-1902, Montague, Massachusetts

The Clapp Family

Deacon Richard Clapp, son of Eliphaz and Charlotte Gunn Clapp, was born on 29 Nov 1819 in Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts.1 Eunice Amelia Slate, daughter of Capt. Joseph Slate and Sylvia E. Webster, was born 4 November 1820 in Bernardston, Franklin County, Massachusetts.2 Richard and Eunice married on 7 October 1847.3 Deacon Richard Clapp died on 2 August 1907 and Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp died on 13 July 1910.4

"Montague, Dea. Richard Clapp," obituary, Gazette and Courier (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 10 Aug 1907, p. 9, col. 6.
“Montague, Dea. Richard Clapp,” obituary, Gazette and Courier (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 10 Aug 1907, p. 9, col. 6.
"Married, Mr. Richard Clapp and Miss Eunice A. Slate," newspaper notice, The Recorder (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 2 Nov 1847, p. 3, col. 4.
“Married, Mr. Richard Clapp and Miss Eunice A. Slate,” newspaper notice, The Recorder (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 2 Nov 1847, p. 3, col. 4.
"Montague, Would Have Been 90 in November," Eunice Slate Clapp obituary, Gazette and Courier (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 16 July 1910, p. 6, col. 5.
“Montague, Would Have Been 90 in November,” Eunice Slate Clapp obituary, Gazette and Courier (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 16 July 1910, p. 6, col. 5.

Richard and Eunice Clapp’s children

Dr. Cornelia Maria Clapp was born on 17 March 1849 in Montague, Massachusetts, and died on 31 Dec 1934 in Mount Dora, Lake County, Florida.5

Richard Leighton Clapp was born 21 March 1851 in Montague, Massachusetts, and died on 20 November 1932 in Montague.6

Harriet “Hattie” Clapp was born on 28 July 1853 in Montague, Massachusetts, and died on 9 January 1937 in Lake County, Florida.7

Mary Elizabeth Clapp was born on 26 January 1856 in Montague, Massachusetts, and died on 20 May 1940 in Mount Dora, Lake County, Florida.8

Walter Clapp was born on 6 April 1858 in Montague, Massachusetts, and died on 11 June 1859 in Montague.9

Charles Wellington Clapp was born on 4 January 1863 in Montague, Massachusetts, and died on 5 March 1947.10

"Dr. C. M. Clapp," obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 2 Jan 1935, p. 2, col. 6.
“Dr. C. M. Clapp,” obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 2 Jan 1935, p. 2, col. 6.
"Richard Clapp, Montague Dies" obituary, The Brattleboro Reformer (Brattleboro, Vermont), 22 Nov 1932, p. 5, col. 6.
“Richard Clapp, Montague Dies,” obituary, The Brattleboro Reformer (Brattleboro, Vermont), 22 Nov 1932, p. 5, col. 6.
"Miss Harriet Clapp," obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 10 Jan 1937, p. 2, col. 6.
“Miss Harriet Clapp,” obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 10 Jan 1937, p. 2, col. 6.
"Miss Mary Clapp," obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 23 May 1940, p. 4, col. 5.
“Miss Mary Clapp,” obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 23 May 1940, p. 4, col. 5.
"Charles E. Clapp, Street Railway Engineer, Dies," obituary, Greenfield Recorder-Gazette (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 7 Mar 1947, p. 1, col. 4.
“Charles E. Clapp, Street Railway Engineer, Dies,” obituary, Greenfield Recorder-Gazette (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 7 Mar 1947, p. 1, col. 4.
"Death of Mrs. C. W. Clapp," obituary, Gazette and Courier (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 7 June 1902, p. 6, col. 3.
“Death of Mrs. C. W. Clapp,” obituary, Gazette and Courier (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 7 June 1902, p. 6, col. 3.

Letters

DateFromToLocationItem
7 Aug 1871Richard
[Richard Leighton Clapp (1851-1937)]
Father
[Richard Clapp (1819-1907]
Montague, MALetter
5 Aug 1871E.
[Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Husband
[Richard Clapp 1819-1907]
Montague, MALetter
16 Aug 1871ERMontague, MALetter
26 June 1872E.
[Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Husband
[Richard Clapp 1819-1907]
Montague, MALetter
5 Dec 1872Mother
[Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Hattie
[Hattie Clapp (1853-1937)]
Montague, MALetter
17 Dec 1872E.
[Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Husband
[Richard Clapp 1819-1907]
Montague, MALetter
31 Dec 1872Mother
[Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Hattie
[Hattie Clapp (1853-1937)]
Montague, MALetter
21 Feb 1874RuthHattie
[Hattie Clapp (1853-1937)]
East Abington, MA
Letter
23 Apr 1874Ruthie (your loving friend)Hattie
[Hattie Clapp (1853-1937)]
Rockland, MALetter
16 Apr 1875Mother
[Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Hattie
[Hattie Clapp (1853-1937)]
Brattleboro, VTLetter
27 May 1875Mary
[Mary Elizabeth Clapp (1856-1940)]
Hattie
[Hattie Clapp (1853-1937)]
Brattleboro, VTLetter
14 Jun 1876Cornelia
[Dr. Cornelia Clapp (1849-1934)]
BrotherLetter
23 Oct 1877Mother
[Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Hattie
[Hattie Clapp (1853-1937)]
Iowa City, IowaLetter
4 Aug 1881E. A.
[Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Husband
[Richard Clapp 1819-1907]
Montague, MALetter
28 Sept 1894Sarah, classmate
[Sarah A. Clark, New Haven, CT, class of 1879 Mt. Holyoke]
Mrs. Charles Clapp, Evie
[Evelyn A Metcalf Clapp (1860-1902)]
Turners Falls,
MA
Postcard
25 Mar 1895Lou ?
Providence, RI
Mrs. Charles Clapp, Evie
[Evelyn A Metcalf Clapp (1860-1902)]
Turners Falls,
MA
Letter and envelope
20 Sep 1895Lou, friend
Tarrytown, NY
Mrs. Charles W. Clapp, Evie
[Evelyn A Metcalf Clapp (1860-1902)]
Greenfield, MALetter and envelope
21 Dec 1895R. C. Metcalf
Providence, RI
Mrs. Charles W. Clapp, Evie
[Evelyn A Metcalf Clapp (1860-1902)]
Greenfield, MALetter and envelope
24 Dec 1895Maggie Boylan
Providence, RI
Mrs. Clapp
[Evelyn A Metcalf Clapp (1860-1902)]
Greenfield, MALetter and envelope
12 Apr 1896R. C. Metcalf
New York
Mrs. Charles W. Clapp, Evie
[Evelyn A Metcalf Clapp (1860-1902)]
Greenfield, MALetter and envelope
6 May 1902M. Helen KeithMrs. Clapp
[Evelyn A Metcalf Clapp (1860-1902)]
Greenfield, MALetter and envelope
No dateMother
[most likely Eunice Amelia Slate Clapp (1820-1910]
Not addressedDetroit,
MI
Letter

Item Description and Acquisition

Item: Bundle of Clapp family letters, 1871-1902
Item acquisition: Plymouth, Massachusetts, December 2022
Relationship: None known.

Endnotes

1. Birth date and location and parents listed in the obituary.
“Montague, Dea. Richard Clapp,” obituary, Gazette and Courier (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 10 Aug 1907, p. 9, col. 6.

Also, Montague, Franklin County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Standard Certificate of Death, no. 384, Richard Clapp, 2 Aug 1907. Married. Age: 87 years, 8 months, 4 days. Birthplace: Montague, Massachusetts. Parents: Eliphaz Clapp and Charlotte Gunn, both born Montague, Massachusetts. Burial: Montague Locust Hill, 4 Aug 1907.

2. “Montague, Would Have Been 90 in November,” Eunice Slate Clapp obituary, Gazette and Courier (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 16 July 1910, p. 6, col. 5.

Also, Montague, Franklin County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Standard Certificate of Death, no. 412, Eunice A. Slate Clapp, 13 July 1910. Widow. Age: 89 years, 8 months, 8 days. Birth: 4 Nov 1820. Birthplace: Bernardston, Massachusetts. Parents: Joseph Slate and Sylvia E. Webster, both born Bernardston, Massachusetts. Burial: Montague, Massachusetts, 15 July 1910.

3. “Married, Mr. Richard Clapp and Miss Eunice A. Slate,” newspaper notice, The Recorder (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 2 Nov 1847, p. 3, col. 4.

4. Montague, Franklin County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Standard Certificate of Death, no. 384, Richard Clapp, 2 Aug 1907.

Also, Montague, Franklin County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Standard Certificate of Death, no. 412, Eunice A. Slate Clapp, 13 July 1910.

5. Dr. Cornelia Maria Clapp
Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 1848-1850 Births Register, p. 20, no. 45, Cornelia Maria, female, 17 Mar 1849.

“Dr. C. M. Clapp,” obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 2 Jan 1935, p. 2, col. 6.

Mt. Holyoke Co-Builder Dies at 85,” Dr. Cornelia H. Clapp obituary, Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut), 2 Jan 1935, p. 4, col. 1.

“Dr. Clapp-Revealer,” obituary, Greenfield Daily Recorder-Gazette (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 9 Jan 1935, p. 13, col.2.

6. Richard Leighton Clapp
Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts, Births Register, p. 246, no. 18, Richard Leighton Clapp, male, 21 Mar 1851

“Richard Clapp, Montague Dies,” obituary, The Brattleboro Reformer (Brattleboro, Vermont), 22 Nov 1932, p. 5, col. 6.

7. Harriet “Hattie Clapp
Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 1853 Births Register, p. 277, no. 18, Harriet Clapp, female, 28 July 1853.
Place of birth: Montague. Parents: Richard Clapp, born in Montague, and Eunice A., born in Bernardston. Father’s occupation: Farmer.

Umatilla, Lake County, Florida State Board of Health, Certificate of Death, no. 1118, Miss Harriet Clapp, 9 Jan 1937. Age: 83. Birth: 28 July 1937, Montague, Massachusetts. Burial: 10 Jan 1937, Montague, Massachusetts.

“Miss Harriet Clapp,” obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 10 Jan 1937, p. 2, col. 6.

8. Mary Elizabeth Clapp
Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 1856 Births Register, p. 300, no. 22, Mary Elizabeth Clapp, female, 26 Jan 1856.
Place of birth: Montague. Parents: Richard Clapp, born in Montague, and Eunice A., born in Bernardston. Father’s occupation: Farmer.

Miss Mary Clapp,” obituary, The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Florida), 23 May 1940, p. 4, col. 5.

9. Walter Clapp
Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 1858 Births Register, p. 86, no. 31, Clapp, male, 6 April 1858.
Place of birth: Montague. Parents: Richard Clapp, born in Montague, and Eunice A., born in Bernardston. Father’s occupation: Farmer.

Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 1859 Deaths Register, p. 209, no. 27, Walter Clapp, male, age 1 year 9 months, 11 June 1859.Parents: Richard and Eunice Clapp.

10. Charles Wellington Clapp
Montague, Franklin County, Massachusetts, 1863 Births Register, p. 273, Charles W. Clapp, male, 4 Jan 1863.
Parents: Richard, born in Montague, and Eunice A., born in Bernardston. Father’s occupation: Farmer.

Massachusetts Grand Lodge of Masons Membership Cards 1733–1990, Republican Lodge, Charles Wellington Clapp.
Birth: 4 Jan 1863, Montague. Death: 5 Mar 1947. Occupation: Civil Engineer. Residence: Greenfield.

Charles E. Clapp, Street Railway Engineer, Dies,” obituary, Greenfield Recorder-Gazette (Greenfield, Massachusetts), 7 Mar 1947, p. 1, col. 4.

Citing this page: Kimberli Faulkner Hull, compiler, “Clapp Family letters, 1871-1902, Montague, Massachusetts,”
Cool Adventures (https://cooladventures.com/collection/clapp-family-letters-1871-1902-montague-massachusetts/ : published 2023); privately held by the Faulkner–Hull Collection.

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