William T. Chapman papers
Collection Overview
Abstract
The Journals of William T. Chapman date from 1862 to 1895. The collection consists of two volumes, the second of which includes some material copied from the first with some additional account and personal entries.
Dates
- Creation: 1862-1895
Extent
1 Reels
Creator
- Chapman, William T. (Person)
Scope and Contents
The two journals of William T. Chapman have mixed entries, ranging from Civil War entries to account listings, school related rosters, and a brief Chapman Family genealogy. Due to very faded ink, typed transcripts have been made for portions of the Civil War entries from August 4, 1862 through March 8, 1863, but not for the general journal entries.
The large volume, identified on the flyleaf as Army Journal, begins with entries dated August 4, 1862, when William enlisted in Co.H of the 103rd O.V.I., through to his return home after discharge for disability on March 16, 1864. Although the 103rd Regiment O.V.I. was involved in the action at Blue Springs, Tennessee on October 5, 1863, the Siege of Knoxville, Tennessee from November 17 through December 4, 1863, and battle at Dandridge, Tennessee from Jan 16-18, 1864, William makes no reference, since he was away from the regiment due to illness during that period. The entries made during his active service refer primarily to picket and guard duty in the area of Frankfort, Kentucky and his impressions of the area of Kentucky and Tennessee in which the Regiment served. A brief segment of the volume is taken up by lists of books and periodicals read during 1875 to 1892. This is followed by a stray segment of journal entries for January 1-28, 1895. The final part of the journal covers the period from October 23, 1869 to April 26, 1886, when William was in Henry County, Ohio teaching school.
The smaller volume begins with penciled entries from January 1-March 6, 1864 (p.1-26), which are variations or copies of entries for the same dates in the large volume. Scattered near the end of the volume (pages 199-200, 220-221) are several entries relating to clothing, camp, and garrison equipment issued to Co. H during January-March 1864. After a section with miscellaneous 1869 account entries, literary extracts, and essays, the volume continues with journal entries from March 1-December 31, 1868 (p.51-63). This volume also includes several pages of Chapman Family genealogy from 1616 to 1870 (p.175-183). The balance of the book is taken up with a variety of minor school class records for tardiness, deportment, and spelling; scattered family farm receipts and expenditures for 1870 and 1879; a section of translations from Latin; listings relating to apple trees on his property; and a list of the names of 440 pupils.
Biographical / Historical
William T. Chapman was the eldest son of Alonzo and Margaret Chapman of North Eaton, Lorain County, Ohio. Born on July 10, 1833, he was a schoolteacher by profession, starting his career in 1852. Married in 1854 to Fidelia Banister, they had three children, Minnie, Myron, and Myrta. In 1867 the entire family moved to Henry County, settling in Ridgeville Township, where Alonzo and his sons had adjacent farms.
During the Civil War, William enlisted in Co.H, 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, first as a private. By December of 1862 he was made orderly sergeant and the following June he received a commission as 2nd lieutenant. He was discharged on certificate of disability in March of 1864, returning home to resume his educational career. Two of William's brothers also served in the Union army, Emory with the 103rd O.V.I. and Henry with the 124th. An uncle, Harlan, also was with the 103rd.
The 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, raised primarily in Lorain, Medina, and Cuyahoga Counties, was organized in August and September of 1862. The regiment saw action at Blue Springs, Knoxville, and Dandridge, Tennessee, and Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and Atlanta, Georgia; it was mustered out of service June 12, 1865.
Conditions Governing Access
No known access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
Arrangement
LITERARY PRODUCTIONS;
JOURNAL;
August 4, 1862-January 28, 1895;
chronological arrangement.
Journal entries relating to Civil War service with Co.H, 103rd O.V.I.; lists of books and periodicals read during 1875 to 1892; and journal entries for October 23, 1869 to April 26, 1886, and January 1-28, 1895, when William was in Henry County, Ohio teaching school. Transcripts included for segments of the Civil War entries with faded ink, from August 4, 1862 through March 8, 1863, filmed at the end of the volume.
JOURNAL;
January 1, 1864-1879;
chronological arrangement.
Penciled Civil War journal entries from January 1-March 5, 1864; literary extracts, translations, and essays; journal entries from March 1-December 31, 1868; Chapman Family genealogy from 1616 to 1870; minor school class records; family farm receipts and expenditures for 1870 and 1879; and a list of the names of 440 pupils.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The records were loaned for microfilming to the Center for Archival Collections on October 16, 1992 with the cooperation of Lee Helberg, Napoleon, Ohio.
Processing Information
The collection was processed and finding aid prepared by Marilyn Levinson, in October 1992.
- Title
- Guide to the William T. Chapman papers
- Author
- Marilyn Levinson, Libby Hertenstein
- Date
- October 1992, November 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English