The Benjamin Clapp papers document business affairs in the coal, grocery, lumber, and produce industries in Salem, Washington County, N.Y., largely from 1863 to 1871. The collection contains business correspondence, financial records, and price lists. Also included are business cards, clippings, and 46 volumes of account books. The papers provide insight into routine industry practices in sales, negotiation, and business administration. Business correspondence and financial records represented (including bills, invoices, and receipts) are predominantly between wholesale dealers and Benjamin Clapp and associates, whose companies are variously known as Wilson & Clapp, Clapp & Beattie, Clapp & McMurray, and B. Clapp & Son. Frequent wholesalers in correspondence with Clapp and associates include A. Burch; Albany Steam Flour Mill and Elevator; Draper, Baker & King (later Draper, Baker & Co.); Ege & Otis; E. McMurray; F. Bishop; O. Boutwell & Son; and Rockwell & Higley.

Price lists and business cards provide information on produce, livestock, and freight rates over time. Clippings include print articles about or relating to the Clapp family. Of note are clippings dated circa 1922 about Nettie Mackenzie Clapp, candidate for Ohio state representative and later first woman elected to the Ohio house of representatives.