ASA CLAPP. THE subject of this memoir, the Hon. Asa Clapp, died at his residence in Portland, Maine, on the 17th of April, 1848, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. He was born in Mansfield, Bristol county, Massachusetts, on the 15th of March, 1762. He was the oldest son of Abiel Clapp, Esq., a farmer of high respectability, and who filled what were then considered very important stations in the towns of New England, the offices of magistrate, and the commander of the military company in that ancient municipality: Being deprived of his parents at an early age, he was left entirely dependent upon his own exertions for advancement. But at this period, he was not unmindful of the demands which the future might make upon him, and through his own energy and perseverance he succeeded in securing a common school education. As an incipient indication of that ardent and daring spirit which characterized his whole career, this patriotic orphan boy, when only in the sixteenth year of his age, gallantly volunteered to act as a substitute for a young man who had been drafted as a soldier in the expedition under Gen. Sullivan, for the expulsion of the British army from Rhode Island, in 1778. He was immediately appointed a non-commissioned officer, and remained in service until he was honorably discharged. Such, however, was his devotion to the cause of liberty, and his eagerness to assume the responsibilities of active life, that he was unable to remain unemployed, even for a single month; and again leaving his home, he proceeded on foot to Boston, where, without money, without friends, without even the advantages of acquaintances, he was impelled to make in stant efforts in the cause which lay nearest his heart. He therefore immediately entered upon the adventurous life of a mariner, in one of the numerous private armed vessels which were fitted out in all the northern ports. In a brief period, he honorably distinguished himself in his new position, and notwithstanding his youth, was promoted to the position of third officer of a large ship, mounting twenty guns, and commanded by Capt. Dunn. In this vessel he made numerous successful cruises, and the fidelity, intelligence, and intrepidity with which he performed the duties of his station, did not fail to attract the attention of the commander of the ship, who availed himself of the first opportunity to promote him to the first lieutenancy. He was in many desperate engagements, in one of which he was severely wounded. To him the hour of peril was one of eager and conspicuous activity, and whatever the occa sion demanded, he was always found equal to. On one occasion, the ship in which he was sailing as first officer, having been subjected to the buffetings of head winds and stormy seas, was discovered to be leaking dangerously, so much so that the safety of the vessel and all on board became questionable. While in this dilemma, night approached, and a perfect calm fell upon the winds and the waves. Still, through the strained seams of the ship, the waters could be heard forcing their way, and constant efforts at the pumps were required to prevent the gallant vessel from sinking deeper and deeper into the bosom of the ocean. At this time, an English ship, becalmed, was discovered far away on the horizon, but imperfectly discernible in the dim twilight. A boat, under the command of Mr. Clapp, and manned by volunteers, was immediately put in readiness, and as soon as darkness had settled upon the waters, took its departure for the strange vessel, then many miles distant. The sailors plied the oars with courage and good will, and such was the adroitness of their movements, that the first notice which those on board the British ship had of their approach, was a summons to surrender, accompanied with a discharge of fire-arms. The watch fled below, panic-stricken, and the boarding party took possession of the deck, and, in a brief interval, of the vessel, without the loss of a man. The prize proved to be an outward bound West Indiaman, mounting eight guns, with a complement of men treble the number of the captors. In the many positions of responsibility which his official connection with the vessels in which he served imposed upon him, he was invariably distinguished for his wisdom, forecast, and correct judgment. Having acquired distinction by the intelligence, enterprise, and eminent skill he had evinced as a navigator, he obtained the command of a ship at the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, when he had but just reached the era of manhood. He was at Port au Prince, in the island of St. Domingo, when the attack was made upon that city by the negroes, and with Joseph Peabody, Esq., of Salem, then in the merchant service, rendered most essential aid to the white population, who were exposed to plunder and slaughter during that horrible servile convulsion. Mr. Clapp married, in 1787, Miss Eliza Wendell Quincy, of Boston. She was the daughter of Jacob Quincy, Esq., a distinguished physician of that place, and a lady of great personal attraction; she was a most devoted and affectionate wife and mother, and a sincere and exemplary Christian. She was kind and generous in all her social relations, and always ready to devote her time and attention to relieve the sufferings of those in distress, and long will the recollection and influence of her virtues be cherished and felt by all who knew her. She died on the 21st of November, 1853, after a very brief illness, at the age of ninety years, five years and seven months after the decease of Mr. |