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Benjamin Clapp Papers

 Collection
Identifier: A1835

Scope and Contents

Papers contain the following four items: typescript copy of diary of Benjamin Clapp, dated 1811-1821, which contains accounts of his travels as a fur trader in the China trade and his experiences in the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812 (40 pages); undated mimeographed memorial sketch of Benjamin Clapp (2 pages); military pass granting John McKittrick permission to travel from St. Louis to Illinois, dated November 8, 1861; and typescript genealogical notes on the Clapp and Kennett families compiled by John McKittrick, March 12, 1970 (3 pages).

Dates

  • 1811-1970

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

Benjamin Clapp was born in New York in 1790. In 1811, he sailed from New York as part of the Astorian expedition. He was involved for many years with John Jacob Astor's China trade, and during the War of 1812 he served as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. Working for the American Fur Company and at times as an independent fur trader, Clapp traveled extensively, spending time in the West Indies, the Great Lakes region, and New York City. In the late 1830s, he settled in St. Louis where he was connected with the western American Fur Company. He died June 24, 1849, in St. Louis.

Extent

0.03 Cubic Feet ( (4 items))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

Papers were donated by John McKittrick in May 1970.

Related Materials

For additional biographical information on Benjamin Clapp, see the following articles in the Washington Historical Quarterly: Volume XXI, No. 1 (January 1930), pages 13-17; Volume XXV, No. 2 (April 1934), pages 108-113; and Volume XXVI, No. 1 (January 1935), pages 26-29. See also Benjamin Clapp's obituary in the St. Louis Weekly Reveille, July 2, 1849.

Processing Information

Processed by Dennis Northcott, September 2003. This collection was transferred from the Journals and Diaries Collection.

Title
Inventory of Benjamin Clapp Papers
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Jaime Bourassa using ArchivesSpace
Date
2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510