148 South Street
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FORM B − BUILDING
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVES BUILDING
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Photograph
Topographic or Assessor's Map
Recorded by: Jayne Bernhard-Armington
Organization: Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Date (month / year): June, 2010
Assessor’s Number USGS Quad Area(s) Form Number
38B-102 Easthampton NTH.1023
Town: Northampton
Place: (neighborhood or village)
Address: 148 South Street
Historic Name: Clapp House
Uses: Present: Daughters of the American Revolution
meetinghouse – Betty Allen Chapter
Original: Single family residence
Date of Construction: 1713
Source: DAR records
Style/Form: Georgian
Architect/Builder:
Exterior Material:
Foundation: Brick and fieldstone
Wall/Trim: Clapboard
Roof: Slate
Outbuildings/Secondary Structures:
Major Alterations (with dates):
Condition: Good
Moved: no | x | yes | | Date
Acreage: 0.23 acres
Setting: House sits close to the busy South Street/Route
10. House is in a residential neighborhood of former single
family homes that have been converted to buildings with
two or more residential units.
INVENTORY FORM B CONTINUATION SHEET [NORTHAMPTON] [148 SOUTH STREET]
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION Area(s) Form No.
220 MORRISSEY BOULEVARD, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02125
Continuation sheet 1
NTH.1023
__X_ Recommended for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
If checked, you must attach a completed National Register Criteria Statement form.
Use as much space as necessary to complete the following entries, allowing text to flow onto additional continuation sheets.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION:
Describe architectural features. Evaluate the characteristics of this building in terms of other buildings within the community.
This two-and-a-half story, side gabled home is a classic example of the Georgian style. Characteristic of Georgian era homes,
this house is five bays wide and one bay deep with a large central chimney. At the center of the symmetrical five-bay façade is a
pedimented central entrance with fluted pilasters, a six-light transom, and multiple architraves. Windows have 12 over 12 sash
windows and those on the first story are capped by heavy cornices while those on the second story set tightly under the eaves.
The sides of the house each have a single line of windows with the one in the gable having 6 over 6 sashes, and the first and
second floor windows having 12 over 12 sashes and heavy cornices. There are two rear additions, the first of which is possibly
a remodeled original lean-to. This house has a slate roof and foundation comprised of fieldstone and brick.
HISTORICAL NARRATIVE
Discuss the history of the building. Explain its associations with local (or state) history. Include uses of the building, and the role(s) the
owners/occupants played within the community.
From Form B of 1970: “House built by Roger Clapp (1684-1762), Captain in the French and Indian Wars. The property was
farmed by his descendant David Monroe Clapp. The Clapp descendants lived there until Karl S. Putnam bought and restored it.
Then Putnam sold it to the Betty Allen DAR Chapter in 1926. David Monroe Clapp was a direct descendant of Preserved Clapp,
Isaac Sheldon and Thomas Ford who were early settlers of Northampton, and from James Chilton, a Mayflower passenger.
Roger Clapp was related by marriage to the Cooks, Strongs, and Lymans who were all early settlers. This homestead was in
the family from 1713 to 1882 (at least). Roger lived there from 1713 to 1762. His father Preserved, settled in 1661 and lived here
until 1720. Grandfather Roger had been captain and commanded Boston Harbor. Son Simeon (eighth and youngest son) was
born in 1728 and lived on the homestead for 84 years. Simeon also became a captain. His sons Simeon (1759-1851) and
Warham shared the homestead. Wareham’s share passed out of the family, but Simeon’s sons Zenas and William D. (b. 1820)
held onto their father’s share of the homestead until 1882. This house contains a beautiful stairway brought from Boston by the
builder. It was probably from a much older house.”
“This is one of the finest remaining Colonial houses in Northampton. It appears to have been built in the 18th century and serves
as homestead for members of the Clapp family until the early 20Th century. Captain Roger Clapp was the first member of the
family to settle on the street, doing so in 1713. His homestead was located on the northern side of the street. Mid 19th century
maps show houses of the family on both sides of the street along its entire length. Karl Putnam, the prominent local architect,
purchased the house in the early 20th century. He lived here for a number if years and did considerable restoration work. In
1926, he sold the property to the Betty Allen Chapter of the DAR.”
BIBLIOGRAPHY and/or REFERENCES
Beers, F. W. County Atlas of Hampshire Massachusetts, New York, 1873.
Hales, John G. Plan of the Town or Northampton in the County of Hampshire, 1831.
Miller, D. L. Atlas of the City of Northampton and Town of Easthampton, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, Philadelphia, 1895.
Walker, George H. and Company. Atlas of Northampton City, Massachusetts, Boston, 1884.
Walling, Henry F. Map of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, New York, 1860.
Harriet Kneeland, Some Old Northampton Houses (1909) p. 26
Forbes Library Archives- Pictures in Art Department. 844N p.96 D1 Filed "Clapp Houses” information on back- pictures of
interiors as restored.
Martha Beaver, DAR Home Captures Beauty of Former Era - Daily Hampshire Gazette, February 18, 1971, p. 10
Rev. Solomon Clark, Antiquities, Historicals and Graduates of Northampton (1882), pp 125-127