MAJOR JONATHAN CLAPP Archive of 2nd Regt. MA Militia Revolutionary War Documents

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Feb 27, 2021

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• Lot Description
  American Revolution
  Major Jonathan Clapp 2nd Regiment, Massachusetts Revolutionary War Archive
  MAJOR JONATHAN CLAPP (1713-1782). Major in the American Revolutiony War who signed up to serve at the age of 63.
  An interesting archive that includes Five Revolutionary War-era Documents relating to Major Jonathan Clapp and the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Hampshire, Very Fine. Including in this Archive:
  1. A Roll of Soldier Names, dated on the reverse to "Bethel, 16 March 1779"; a two-sided pay order for "Milage out, Milage In, Rations, Ration off'r," with reverse listing payments for "Jon'a Clapp, Maj'r" and "Benj'n Clapp, QM";
  2. A Commissary List for, "Northern Department to the Officers of Major Clapp Reg't of Massachusetts Militia," which lists Major Clapp, his son, Benjamin, and Adjutant William White and Captain Seth Murray as leading officers;
  3. A Pay Order Sheet dated August 27, 1777, concerning payments made to Samuel Fairfield by Quarter Master Benjamin Clapp for "thirty nine days in the Services of the United States and in the Regiment of Jonathan Clapp";
  4 & 5. A Pay Order dated August 26, 1777, for a payment to Captain Murray of "one hundred and sixty pounds sixteen shillings three pence two farthings... for him and his Company for thirty-nine days in the service of the United States."
  In overall very fine condition, with some slight stains, and the Commissary List cleanly separated along horizontal fold which has been archivally repaired. (5 items)
  Jonathan Clapp served in the American Revolution in spite of the fact he was past 60-years-old. He was born on September 2, 1713 to Roger Clapp and Elizabeth Bartlett in Easthampton, Massachusetts, one of their nine children. On January 23, 1735, Jonathan married his first cousin, Submit Strong (their mothers were sisters), and between 1735 and 1755 they had 11 children.
  In his younger days, Jonathan lived with his childless uncle Joseph Bartlett (1683-1755). Joseph operated a corn mill given to him by his father Samuel Bartlett (~1639-1712), who was Jonathan's grandfather. Joseph received the mill and land in 1705 and set up a tavern there. Jonathan helped his uncle run both business and eventually they became his.
  The business that Jonathan ran was described as "a homelike, old-time tavern," and it remained in the family for 100 years. 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." The soldiers from Southampton met at Jonathan's Tavern before heading to Boston for the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. The building survived until about 1876 when it was torn down.
  Jonathan was known as a shrewd businessman. 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.
  In 1776, at the age of 63, Jonathan signed up to serve as a major in the American Revolution under Colonel Seth Pomeroy. The service must have been too strenuous for him because he resigned a year later due to his age, just before the Battle of Bennington. His son Benjamin, himself almost 40 years-old, was also in the army as a quartermaster, but Jonathan called upon him him to quit. Benjamin said he was going to Pittsfield, but Jonathan told him, "No, my son, you must stay and take care of me."
  Jonathan died on May 10, 1782 in Easthampton and is buried in Main Street Cemetery.
  
  Our Auction Contents:
  
  Black History & Slavery: (Lots 1 - 63)
  Abraham Lincoln Related: (Lots 64 - 74)
  Historic Autographs: (Lots 75 - 235)
  Colonial America: (Lots 236 - 261)
  Revolutionary War: (Lots 262 - 304)
  George Washington Related: (Lots 305 - 306)
  Early American Guns & Weapons: (Lots 307 - 318)
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