My Genealogy Hound

WALDO HUNT WHITCOMB, of Northampton, the collector and possessor of one of the finest antiquarian collections in the United States, was born on the estate where he resides, at the corner of State and Park Streets, January 26, 1840. He is the son of David B. and Nancy (Clapp) Whitcomb, and comes of good old New England stock.

His grandfather, James Whitcomb, was a farmer in humble circumstances, who, being of a roving disposition, moved often, and aptly illustrated the old adage that “a rolling stone gathers no moss.” He was a very eccentric man, a genius in many respects, with a natural knack for mechanics. Moving from Braintree to Goshen shortly after his marriage, he made by hand all the nails used in building the Baptist church in the latter town. He lived some time in Brookfield, Mass.; and while there his home was destroyed by fire. His son David, the father of Waldo Hunt Whitcomb, was wont to relate how the neighbors, on this occasion, moved with pity for the family, brought in nine pair of knee breeches, then going out of style, while no one offered to replenish the empty larder. James Whitcomb was twice married, and reared six daughters and one son, David. All married and had families, the youngest to die being twenty-one years of age at the time of death.

David B. Whitcomb’s birth was coincident with that of the last year of the eighteenth century, as he was born in the first hour of the year 1800. His parents moved from Goshen to Williamsburg, and in the latter place David worked on a farm for a time, until 1815, when he started to learn the painter’s trade at Pittsfield. In 1822 he obtained work at his trade in Northampton, and was six years in the employ of the late Elijah Abbott. From 1828 to 1832 he was in business with John Moies, and in the latter year he began to take contracts alone. He was a very painstaking workman, never slighting his work, but taking great pride in doing it well; and it is safe to say that the town never had a more reliable or honest tradesman. His merit was fully recognized, and secured for him contracts from the best line of customers in the town. Beginning life in comparative poverty, he had a long struggle with adversity. He settled on one acre of ground in 1832, on what is now the corner of State and Park Streets, and within a few years a great part of his land was taken from him to make a way for the Northampton & New Haven Canal, no indemnity being paid for the right of way. He also had to struggle against boycotting and other annoyances inflicted upon him by prominent citizens of Northampton who differed from him in religious and political opinions, but his unswerving integrity and steady perseverance carried him through. Though he did not amass wealth, he attained a fair amount of prosperity and won the respect of all. He was a Jeffersonian Democrat and an influential factor in local politics. He was several times nominated for the legislature, to lead the forlorn hope of the Democrats; but, as the Republican party was in the ascendant in that district, he was always defeated. He died on September 6, 1881, the memorable “yellow day,” and was laid to rest in the Northampton cemetery.

On May 19, 1828, David B. Whitcomb married Nancy, daughter of Bohan and Anna (Lavake) Clapp, of Northampton. Mrs. Whitcomb was born January 10, 1800, and comes of a well-known Northampton family, from whom it is evident the subject of this sketch inherited his love for the antique and the beautiful. She was a thrifty and industrious woman, and earned enough money at dress-making to buy a lot of land on which her husband erected a home for the family. She died March 10, 1866, in her sixty-seventh year, and was interred in the Northampton cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb were the parents of six children, two of whom died in infancy. Of the others the following may be stated: Julia A. is the wife of William Moody, of Northampton; David B. resides on the homestead where his father died; Waldo H. is the subject of this sketch; Parker Richardson, who was born January 26, 1842, went to New York City in 1866, made and lost a fortune of ten thousand dollars, made a larger one again, and is now a wealthy dealer in patent medicines, owning a handsome residence and other valuable property in New York.

Waldo Hunt Whitcomb received his education in the district schools, from his tenth to his nineteenth year attending school in the winter only, working in the summer season, when he received for his labor two shillings a day. He took his first lessons in painting when twelve years of age, and at eighteen was trusted by his father with the full management of contracts. As his father advanced in years, Waldo and his brother David shouldered the responsibilities of the business, which was carried on under the name of D. B. Whitcomb’s Sons. Our subject remained at home while his parents were alive, and, when a man of twenty-eight, was still turning in his earnings to the family fund. The brothers are yet carrying on the business established by their father, and the name Whitcomb is still a synonym for first-class painting. Waldo Hunt Whitcomb is also the efficient agent for the Burnham School, looking after the laundry and the provisions for the boarding-halls. He has been agent for Miss Capen for several years at a good salary. His residence at the corner of Park and State Streets, was originally a barn in the rear of the old Whitcomb estate. The dwelling-house is the home of fifty of the girl students who attend the Capen School; and Mr. Whitcomb has made of the barn a most unique residence, equipped with electric bells and all modern conveniences. He lives in the upper story, the ground floor is his paint shop, and the basement contains a wine cellar that would delight an epicure, the cobwebs of twenty-five years festooning bottles of Madeira and brown sherry. But Mr. Whitcomb’s great treasure is his collection of antique curios, a collection which, if it should ever be sold, would bring more than compound interest on the money he has invested in it. He has rare engravings, books, china that would set a collector in a frenzy to possess it, photographs, medals commemorating events in the history of this country, and antique pictures so rare as to be almost priceless. On the easterly side of his dwelling is a room built of parts taken from an old house torn down in Hadley in 1889, the home of S. D. Smith, on Hadley’s famous street, built in 1714. It is an exact reproduction of a room of nearly two centuries ago. The old strap hinges appear on the doors, the old locks and door latches are just as they were one hundred and eighty years ago, and so likewise are the mantel and fireplace. In one corner of the room is a corner closet that was in the home of Preserved Clapp, and set up as it was built by Roger Clapp one hundred and seventy-five years ago. The Clapps, it will be remembered, were Mr. Whitcomb’s mother’s family; and their home, which was built in 1719, was on South Street, Northampton. In this room Mr. Whitcomb gives famous birthday parties; and the mayor and other city officials who have been his guests, and have tasted of his good cheer, can testify to the rare quality of his hospitality. Politically, Mr. Whitcomb believes firmly in the principles of the Democratic party. He is a close observer of national affairs, and is well versed in political economy, reading extensively on that subject. He has served as delegate to various conventions, representing city, county, and State. His only fraternal affiliation is with the Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Whitcomb still enjoys the freedom of celibacy.