Clarissa Hosmer Hapgood was born 15 January 1839 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Her family moved to Acton in 1846. After attending school in Acton, she also studied at Pierce Academy (in Middleboro, Massachusetts), Appleton Academy (in New Ipswich, New Hampshire), and then the State Normal School in Framingham, Massachusetts. She taught in Acton, Marlboro and Danvers.

Clara and lawyer Frederic Cushing Nash of Columbia Falls, Maine were married on 1 January 1869. Clara studied law and became the first woman admitted to the bar in New England. She and her husband practiced together in Maine. Their son Frederick Hapgood Nash, born in 1874, also became a lawyer. In 1881, Frederic and Clara Nash moved to West Acton.

Clara published poetry, some of which was collected into a book. She was also involved with the founding of the Acton Memorial Library.

At some point between 1910 and 1920, Frederick and Clara moved to Newton, Massachusetts. Both died in 1921 in West Newton and were buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, West Acton, within weeks of each other; Frederick on 18 February 1921 and Clara on 5 March 1921.

Letters from Clara to her brother Henry during his Civil War service have been transcribed and are at the Acton Historical Society.

Clarissa Hosmer Hapgood was born 15 January 1839 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Her family moved to Acton in 1846. After attending school in Acton, she also studied at Pierce Academy (in Middleboro, Massachusetts), Appleton Academy (in New Ipswich, New Hampshire), and then the State Normal School in Framingham, Massachusetts. She taught in Acton, Marlboro and Danvers.

Clara and lawyer Frederic Cushing Nash of Columbia Falls, Maine were married on 1 January 1869. Clara studied law and became the first woman admitted to the bar in New England. She and her husband practiced together in Maine. Their son Frederick Hapgood Nash, born in 1874, also became a lawyer. In 1881, Frederic and Clara Nash moved to West Acton.

Clara published poetry, some of which was collected into a book. She was also involved with the founding of the Acton Memorial Library.

At some point between 1910 and 1920, Frederick and Clara moved to Newton, Massachusetts. Both died in 1921 in West Newton and were buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, West Acton, within weeks of each other; Frederick on 18 February 1921 and Clara on 5 March 1921.

Letters from Clara to her brother Henry during his Civil War service have been transcribed and are at the Acton Historical Society.