A Muster Roll of Capt. Leml. Clap's Company in Major Nathl. Heath's Detachment... manuscript document. Dorchester, Massachusetts, 3 July 1779. Approx. 13 1/8 x 16 3/4 in. Undersigned by Andrew Brown as Muster Master. Verso with docketing and "Proof of the Effectives. Suffolk, [Massachusetts], 2 July 1778. Signed by Captain Lemuel Clap, Lieutenant Nathaniel Clap, and Justice of hte Peace Samuel Pemberton.

An original Revolutionary War muster roll recording the regiment of Captain Lemuel Clap serving under Major Nathan Heath. The document lists the men of the regiment by name and rank, including several members of the Clap, Bird, and Withington families, all who fought at the Battle of Dorchester Heights during the Siege of Boston.

Captain Lemuel Clap (sometimes Clapp) was a prominent Dorchester resident and a tanner by trade. On 4 March 1776, Clap invited the Continental Army under command of General George Washington, to quarter on his property during the Siege of Boston and mount cannons there. The commanding view of Boston and its harbor was a powerful position causing British General William Howe, then occupying Boston, to consider contesting the fortifications. A snowstorm prevented execution of his plans and Howe instead withdrew British forces and Loyalists from the city, retreating to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Clap's company was on duty in Dorchester, Noddle's Island, and other local areas. Enlistments for their service were generally only a few months at a time, leading to high turnover.

A rare and important document from the Revolutionary War.

Condition: some separations along old folds, with some neat, professional repairs to versos.

[Revolutionary War, George Washington, Manuscripts, Letters, Documents, Ephemera, Militaria, Militia, Massachusetts]