Nicholas Clapp, Sr.

Nicholas Clapp was born in Sidbury, DEV, Eng, and died March 14, 1630/31 in Venn Ottery, DEV, Eng. He married ELIZABETH 1602 in DEV, Eng. She was born Abt. 1579 in Venn Ottery, DEV, Eng, and died March 24, 1630/31 in Venn Ottery, DEV, Eng.

Children

1. RICHARD, born say 1605; died between 1 January 1675/6 and 19 August 1682; married first in Venn Ottery, Devonshire, 6 May 1633 EDITH GARLANTE, daughter of Agnes Garlante, widow of Comton; married second after 1640 ELIZABETH __ .
2. PRUDENCE, born say 1606; died probably at Dorchester, Mass., before July 1655 when her brother John did not leave her a legacy; married as his first wife say 1630 cousin EDWARD CLAPP, born say 1603, died in Dorchester 8 January 1664/5, son of William Clapp of Salcombe Regis, Devonshire. Edward followed his brother Roger Clapp to Dorchester, Mass. He married second Susannah Cockerill, with whom he had four children.
3. THOMAS, born about 1608 presumably born in Sidbury, Devonshire, England, about 1608; died in Scituate, Mass., 20 April 1684; married first say 1637 JANE __, born say 1617, died before January of 1656[/7?] when her husband is known to have remarried, kinswoman of Joan (Upham) Martin of Rehoboth; married second after January of 1655 and before 15 January 1656[17?] ABIGAIL (WRIGHT) SHARP, born in England about 1623, died between 28 November 1702 when she wrote her will and 13 February 1707[/8?] when her will was proved, daughter of RICHARD and MARGARET (__) WRIGHT. Abigail had married first about 164380 Robert Sharp, who died prior to 19 January 1654[/5] when his inventory was taken. She married third after 1684 as his second wife William Holbrook, baptized in Glastonbury, co. Somerset, 12 June 1620, and died in Scituate, 3 July 1699
4. . RADIGON, baptized in Sidbury, Devonshire, 7 May 1609; died in Dorchester, Mass., 10 December 1645; married in Dorchester 20 October 1637 JOHN CAPEN, born 26 January 1612[/3], died in Dorchester 4 April 1692, son of Barnard and Joan (Purchase) Capen. John Capen married second in Dorchester 20 September 164 755 Mary Bass, with whom he had seven more children.
5. JANE, born say 1610; living 1631 when named in her father's will, and living 1636 if she was the wife of John Alderman, but deceased in New England before June of 1655 when her childless brother John made no bequest to her; quite likely married by 1636 JOHN ALDERMAN, born about 1584, died in Salem, Mass., between 3 July and 23 July 1657, the writing and proving of his very interesting will, in which he makes bequests to a large number of Nicholas Clapp's grandchildren. No children.
6. NICHOLAS, born about 1612 or 1613; died in Dorchester, Mass., 24 November baptized in Salcombe Regis 18 August 1611, died by 1667, daughter of William Clapp of Salcombe Regis, Devonshire; married second by 1667 ABIGAIL __ . Could she have been a Bird relative, since her son chose James Bird as his guardian? Bird's second wife was Ann Withington. Holman's Scott genealogy says he married third Anna, widow of John Anniball but evidence is not seen.
7. BARBARA, born say 1614; died in Roxbury, Mass., 15 April 1655; married first as his second wife 20 April 1639 JOSEPH WELD, died in Roxbury, Mass., 7 October 1646 of "a cancer in his tongue and jaws; married second as his second wife by an agreement dated 24 July 1647 ANTHONY STODDARD, died in Roxbury 16 March 1686/7 "the ancientest shop-keeper in town." Joseph Weld married first Elizabeth __, with whom he had six children. Anthony Stoddard had married first Mary Downing. He married third Christian __ ,with whom he had nine or ten more children. He married fourth Mary, widow of Major Thomas Savage.
8. JOHN, born say 1616; died in Dorchester, Mass., between 11 July 1655 when he wrote his will68 and 24 July 1655 when his inventory was taken; married say 1644 JOAN __ , born say 1624, died in Medfield 2 March 1703/4.70 No children. Joan married second as his second wife in Medfield 16 June 1655 [sic] John Ellis, born say 1615, died in Medfield 2 April 1697.72 With John Ellis.
9. AMBROSE, born say 1618; living 1655 when he is mentioned in his brother John's will; probably never came to New England.

Abstract of the Will of Nicholas Clapp

From page 88-91 of Joseph Neal Ancestry published 1945 by Walter Goodwin Davis:

“The will of Nicholas Clapp of Venotry in the County of Devon was made on his death-bed March 12, 1681, and proved on March 29, 1681. He gave to the poor people of the parish of Sidbury 10s. and to the poor of Venotry 3s. 4d. To Jane Clapp, Thomas Clapp, Barbara Clapp, Radagond Clapp, John and Ambrose Clapp, his children, fourscore pounds each from the profits of his lands and tenements in Venotry, to be paid at the rate of nineteen pounds a year. If any child died before time of payment, his share to be equally divided amongst the others. He made arrangements for prepayment if any of the four youngest children "shall be willing to putt themselves to any arte or trade. To Elizabeth, his wife, a feather-bed performed (i.e. furnished), six pewter dishes, potts and a middle pan of brass, a chest, two coffers and the use of other household stuff for her life. To son Thomas, his third best pot of brass. To each of his daughters Jane, Barbara and Redagon, a brazen pan. To his son Nicholas Clapp, a pewter dish. Residue to Richard Clapp, his eldest son and heir, to whom he gave his lands and tenements in Venotry. Executor: son Richard Clapp. Overseers: his sons-in-law Francis Pile and Hercules Searles, to each of whom 21s. Witnesses : Nie Putt, Wm Winter, Christopher Whitmore.”

His full will and Inquistion post mortem

From Ancestry of Eva Belle Kempton, part IV 126-8:

As executor of his mother's will, Nicholas Clapp of Sidbury, husbandman, 41 made a £30 bond on 12 August 1608. Nicholas Clapp of Venn Ottery made his will on his death-bed, 12 March 1631[/2]:

In the Name of God Amen. I Nicholas Clapp ofVenotry in the County of Devon yeoman being sick of Boddye Butt of good & p'fett remembrence praise be Hire given to Almight God doe macke & ordayne these p' sents to be my last will & testament in manner & forme following

First I commend my soule to Almighty God my maker & Redeemer my body to be buried in Christian manner.

Imprirnis I give to the poore people of the p'ishe of Sidbury ten shillings to the poore of Venotry aforesaid iij5 iii4 then my will is that Jane Clapp Thomas Clapp Barbara Clapp Radagond Clapp John & Ambrose Clappe my children every & eche of them shall have the some of fouerscore pounds of lawfull money of England as a legacie unto them every of them by me herein given & bequeathed to be paid unto every & each of them by my extr hearafter named oute of the issues & profitts of my lands & Tenements & hereditaments wch I stand seased or possessed of in Venottary aforesaid after the rate & proporcon of nyneteen pounds yearly to be paid unto each of them sevally & respectvely as they are above named & as the aforesaid some of nynteen pounds will leavy & discharge every one according to his & their sevall [torn] intent & meayning is that if any or either my said children afore named happen to decase before such time for payment accordinge to the said Rate of xix1i p. Ann. shall come then such some & somes ment herein to come unto her hym or them dyeing shall remeyn & be paid to the residue of the said children before mentioned lyving equally to be devided. Provided alwayes & yeat neid the lesse that That if my execu{ hereafter named in his life time or any other after his death being extr unto the extr of this my testament shall thinke fitt & agreeing to the good lyveing of my said younger children Barbara Ridgone John & Ambrose that if they or either of them & such of them as shall be willing to putt themselves to any arte or trade that if [ ] thinke to be fittinge advant - p'fittable for they or either of [ ] shall disburse any some or somes of money in such sorte to any or either of my said children sooner or before theire saide sevall some or somes of xixh shall be come due or paiebell according to my said last will & Testament That then my will & meaninge ys that my said executor his executor & administrators shal be acquited & allowed of such some or somes of money [ ] shal be soe payd or laied oute to any or either of the partyes above said as well against them [ ] of them as against the residue of my said children aforenamed.

Then I give to Elizabeth my wife a feather beadd p'formed six peweter dishes [ ] ports & a midle panne ofbrasse [ ] chest two coffers & the use of other household stuffe for her owne behoofe as longe as she liveth & not other wyse

Then I give to my said sonne Thomas my thirde beste potte ofbrasse

Then I give to my said daughters Jane B[arbara] & Redagon to each of them a brasen pann a peece

Then I give to my son Nicholas Clappe one pewter dishe

All the residue of my goods chattells of what nature or kind soever funerall expenses boren my deabtes & legacies paied & p'formed I wholly give & bequeath unto Richard Clapp my eldest sonne & heire unto whome I give my lands & tenements in Venotary aforesaid & whome I make & ordayne to be the sole executor of this my last will & testament. And I desire Fracis Pile & Hercules Searles my sonnes in law42 to be overseers of this my said will & to assist my said executor in execution of this my said will & I give to either of them in token of my love 21/ In wittness whereof I have hereunto put my hand & seale this xij daye of Marche Ao Dmi 1631

Nichas Clap

Dean & Chapter of Exeter Witnesses: Nie Putt, Wm Winter, Christopher Whitmore Proved in Arch. Exeter, 29 March 1632 Inventory by Christopher Whittron [sic] Richard Stockes, Hercules Sarell & Frances Pyell the 26th day of March Anno Dom. 1632 176.0.0 exhibited 29 March 1631.

This will is dated the same day that Nicholas died. The character of his bequests to his wife imply that he knew she was also near death. Indeed, they were buried on the same day. No provision is made for, nor even mention made of, Nicholas' eldest daughter, Prudence. We assume that she had recently married and had already received her portion. Following Nicholas' death, his estate was the subject of an inquisition post mortem, taken at Exeter Castle, describing his property and his next heir.

Inquisition indented taken at Exeter Castle co. Devon, 2nd May 9 Charles [I] [1633] to enquire after the death of Nichs Clappe lately deceased. [The jurors] say upon their oath that Nichs Clappe at the time of his death was seised in his demesne as of fee of one messuage, one garden, one orchard, fifteen acres of land, three acres of meadow [ ]acres and a half of one acre of pasture, one acre of woodland and ten acres of furze and heath with the appurtenances in Fenstrie, county aforesaid. And afterwards died so seised, namely 12th March 7 Charles [1631/2], and by his last will and testament he left to Jane Clappe, Thomas Clappe, Barbara Clappe, Radegon Clappe, John Clappe and Ambrose Clappe the children of the afsd Nichs. divers sums of money in and upon the said premises in these English words following: Item my will is that Jane Clappe, Thomas Clappe, Barberye Clappe, Radegond Clappe, John and Ambrose Clappe my children and every and each of them shall have the some of Fower score pounds of lawfull money of England out of the issues and profits of my lands tenements and hereditaments ... in Fenstrie afsd [*c] .... And the jurors say that the afsd messuage et cetera were held by Nichs Clappe at the time of his death of our lord the king in socage in chief, And are worth yearly in all when last valued 20 shillings. The jurors say Nichs Clappe at the time of his death held no other or more messuages, lands, tenements or hereditaments of our lord the king nor of any other person or persons in demesne, and the jurors say that Nichs Clappe died 12th March 7 Charles. and that Richard Clappe is his son and next heir and was of the age at the time of the death of Nichs his father 24 years and more ....

Sources

[LINKS]

• FamilySearch AFN: 8M4P-RT
• http://fabpedigree.com/s028/f199398.htm
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hwbradley/aqwg204...
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tatro/gp165.htm#h...
• http://user.xmission.com/~jatwood/cgi-bin/family_group_record.cgi?A...
• http://www.chambersheritage.com/pafg527.htm#17156

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• Residence: Venn Ottery, England
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Feb 28 2018, 3:47:36 UTC