Dorchester Illustration of the Day no. 1979
Fanciful drawing of Captain Roger Clap, possibly with historically accurate uniform. Scan from The Pilgrim Shore by Edmund H. Garrett. Boston: Little, Brown, 1900.
The following is excerpted from the family genealogy.
Roger Clapp was born in Salcombe Regis,Devonshire,England, April 6, 1609; sailed fromPlymouthforNew England, March 20, 1630, and arrived at Nantasket, May 30, 1630. He came in the ship Mary and John, Captain Squeb. Two learned non-conformist ministers, Rev. John Maverick and Rev. John Warham, came in the same vessel, also other persons of distinction. The passengers of this ship were the first settlers ofDorchester, and they arrived there about June 17, 1630.
Capt. Clapp’s life was a busy and eventful one. In works of benevolence, he was forward and earnest; his ability and energy of character were acknowledged by the colony and the town. In 1637, when 28 years old, he was chosen Selectman, and fourteen times afterwards, previous to 1665, when he took command of the Castle, he was elected to that office. In 1645, he was one of a committee of five to fix the rate of assessment for building a new meeting house. He was several times chosen Deputy fromDorchesterto the General Court. In 1673, being again chosen Deputy, it is significantly recorded by Blake, “afterwards, in this year, ye Court sent an order to choose another Deputy in ye room of Capt. Clap, his presence being necessary at ye Castle, because ye times were troublesome.” To most of the petitions and documents emanating from, and relating toDorchester, his name was signed, and carried with it a weight and influence. He was one of the Commissioners appointed to marry persons, which at that time was an honorable office.
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