St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-05-15
RECENT DEATHS.
Henry Lyman Clam.

brought of the death of Nr. H. l.. Clapp
that morning, at his home in Malta.
Though he had been far from well for
some months a fatal result was not an
ticipated. He was in the list year of
his age and had lived in Malta II years.
1t was in the parsonage of the Congre-
gational church of Enfield, Mass, that
Henry Lyman Clapp was born, Aug:
Is, 1886, the son of Rev. Sumner G and
Mrs. Pamela Strong Clapp. Three
years later the family removed to Chico
pee, from which place Mr.. Clapp was
called to become the first pastor of the
newly-organized South church of this
place. To the Young people of the vii
lage the important event of 1851, was
not the installing of a new pastor over
new church, but the arrival on the scene
of Henry, the son, and his sister Frances,
both of whom were strikingly interesting
and attractive In due time Miss Fran
ces became Mrs. Franklin Fairbanks. In
her refined and hospitable home she pre-
sided with the grace of a queen, and for
more than 40 years added strong and
fascinating personality to the social and
v.
Henry Clapp, both in youth and man
hood, was person of mark: progresses
ing in appearance, of brilliant mind,
versatile and Astounding in wit, cordial
feeling. and good fellowship. He took
high rank as scholar in ST. Johnsbury
and Phillips-Andover Academies and in
Amherst College. In 1859 he accepted
position in the Office of the Fairbanks
Scale Co. of Boston. After some ten
years of growing business experience
there he was promoted to the New York
house and became one of the managers
of Fairbanks & Company in that city.
He rose rapidly in business standing and
gained wide and influential acquaint-
ance among business and professional
men. He became director in other
corporations was an active member of
the Union League Club, also held men,
bership in the Lotus Club and the
Olympic Club. He had married in 1865,
Miss Susan Penniman Taintor of West
Brookfeld, Mass. The charm of her
personal attractiveness and of her
exuberant affections, together with her
husbands bright and cordial friendliness
made their home on 44th Street
delightful resort for their many friends,
till her sudden death of pneumonia in
1881.
The following year, compelled by
serious conditions of health, Mr.. Clapp
retired from active business and went
abroad. He spent nine years among the
principal cities of Europe. In June,
1890, at Paris, he married Madame de
Gonzales-Huet, widow of member of
the Spanish legation of that city-a lady
of many accomplishments and Of superior
worth. Her father, M. Dammit, not
living at that time, had been prominent
banker in Malta. The ancestral seat,
known as the Villa Dammit, near
Valetta, now became the home of MIR.
and Mrs Clapp and Miss Dammit. This
villa, rising above a series of terraced
gardens overlooking the sea, was an
antique structure; its heavy walls and
secret passages running half a mile
underground had witnessed events of
the seige of Malta by the Turks under
Mustapha Pasha as long ago as 1865.
With modern improvements and the
liberal Inequalities of the family it now
became a most attractive spot in the
environs of Valetta.
During his residence in Malta Mr..
Clapp came to be a prominent figure in
the social life of the island. He was
elected to membership in the Union Club
of British officers at Malta, was in close
relations with the governor, and held in
high esteem among both British and
Maltese families of Valetta. Among his
personal friends in former and more re.
cent years were men like Kossuth of
Hungary, Signor Crispi, the Italian
premier, Sir Henry M. Stanley, with
whom he was quite intimate, and Others
OF influence and position. On returning
to Malta after the annual summer trips
on the continent, Mr.. and Mrs. Clapp
were greeted with heartiest welcomes by
their island people.
Notwithstanding his long residence
and permanent home abroad. Mr.. Clapp
was very loyal and enthusiastic Amer
lean. The flag. of his country was con-
spicuous at the Villa Dammit. His
grounds were adorned with American
trees, fruits and shrubbery, and within
the doors were large collections of pic
lures, books and interesting mementos
of American life and history. Visitors
from this country were received with
marked courtesy, and a never failing in
terest was shown both by himself and
his family in American people, politics
and affairs.
In 1901, and again in 1904, Mr.. and
Mrs. Clapp, accompanied by Miss
Dammit, visited this country. The NAL
tese ladies showed the keenest apprecia-
ton of our homes and institutions. One
object in view during the last visit was
to perfect plans for a hospital, to be
built and endowed jointly by Mr.. and
Mrs. Clapp at Malta. The plan, con-
structlon and management were to be
according to the most approved Amer-
can standards; the privileges provided to
be open to all the people of whatever
race or religion. Much time was spent
in securing complete details as to hospi
tai equipment and service. In remem-
brance of an interview with the Presi-
dent, who showed great interest in the
matter, one of the wards will bear the
name of Roosevelt. This undertaking,
already well under way, will be carried
to completion by Mrs. Clapp and her
sister. Over the institution will fly the
American flag.
Before sailing for his home in 1904,
Mr.. Clapp said he must have one more
good old-fashioned New England
Thanksgiving with his friends. He
provided for this at the Massasoit
House, Springfield, Mass, where he
entertained large party on that festi-
val daV. If was Charnctarictic idao &c