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Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory
Transcript List
Introduction
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.
The records were loaned for microfilming to the Center for Archival Collections on October 16, 1992 with the cooperation of
Lee Helberg, Napoleon, Ohio. There are no restrictions on the research use of this collection and duplication is permitted
for purposes of preservation and scholarly research. The collection was processed and register prepared by Marilyn Levinson,
Curator of Manuscripts, in October 1992.
Biographical Sketch
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.
Scope and Content
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.
Series Description
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.
Order of Microfilming
Roll 1
- Large Journal Volume and Transcripts, August 4, 1862-January 28, 1895.
- Small Journal Volume, January 1, 1864-1879
MS 652 - William Chapman Transcript List
Manuscripts by Subject | Civil War Collections
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