Fonds Acc2277 - Benjamin Chappell fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Benjamin Chappell fonds

General material designation

  • Textual record

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on provenance of fonds

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

CA PCA Acc2277

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1777-1785 (Creation)
    Creator
    McMillan, Alexander
  • 1775-1785, 1797-1818 (Creation)
    Creator
    Chappell, Benjamin
  • Microfilmed 1973 (Reproduction)

Physical description area

Physical description

2 volumes of textual records
2 reels 35 mm microfilm

Publisher's series area

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Archival description area

Name of creator

Chappell, Benjamin (1740-1825)

Biographical history

Benjamin Chappell was born in London, England on 5 March 1740 to Richard and Rachel Chappell. He was raised an Anglican but, after becoming well acquainted with John Wesley, he converted to Methodism. He became a lay preacher and when he emigrated to Prince Edward Island in 1774, he was the first Methodist to do so. Like many immigrants, Chappell became an indentured servant for a four-year term in exchange for his passage and provisions. Chappell settled in New London with his wife Elizabeth whom he had married in February of that year. They had at least four children: Elizabeth (19 November 1775 - 28 November 1775); Richard (1777-1835); Theophilus (1778 -1847) and another daughter. In 1778, Chappell and his family moved to Charlottetown. As there was no Methodist minister on the Island at that time, Chappell often held prayer meetings of the Methodist Society in his home which was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Prince and Water Streets.

Chappell was trained as a wheelwright and machinist. He was a skilled craftsman who specialized in constructing spinning wheels, coaches, and sleighs. He was active within his community holding such positions as overseer of public pumps and wells, overseer of streets, overseer of the poor, and undertaker. He was elected to the third House of Assembly in 1779. He was churchwarden for the Anglican church as early as 1788 when he wrote a letter to Governor Edmond Fanning requesting payment for his past several years of service in that position.

Chappell was also one of the early Post Masters of Prince Edward Island. He was first appointed in 1802 at the age of 63 when he succeeded John Ross who had been appointed in 1800. Chappell first served between 1802 and 1807. He was reappointed on 12 November 1812 and continued in that position until his death on 6 January 1825. He was 86 years old. Chappell's son Richard and a granddaughter Elizabeth later also served in the position of post master.

Name of creator

McMillan, Alexander ([17-?])

Biographical history

Custodial history

Scope and content

This fonds consists of a day book (1775-1787) and a diary (1797-1818) kept by Benjamin Chappell in which he recorded his work and daily activities. Information includes who he worked with, the type of work involved, and for whom he was working. He describes the early conditions in the settlement at Elizabethtown (New London), reports the arrival of much-needed supplies, and mentions arrivals and departures of individuals to the settlement. He also records the occurrence of deaths, marriages, births, illness, fires, accidents, and the weather.

The latter volume appears to have originally been the account book of an Alexander McMillan who recorded the purchase and sale of general dry goods in Halifax, on board ship, and on Prince Edward Island. Entries, dated between 1777 and 1785, are organized by the name of the client. Chappell appears to have crossed out McMillan's account entries and then written in his own journal entries on the blank sections of the pages.

The original volumes were microfilmed in 1973. The first reel of microfilm contains copies of both volumes while the second reel only contains the day book.

This fonds also contains a photocopy of a transcription of a letter written by Benjamin Chappell to Mr. McGregor of Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1802. This letter has a religious theme, but also makes inquiries as to the discoveries of astronomer Sir William Herschel (1738-1822).

Notes area

Arrangement

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN FROM USE. RESEARCHERS ARE REQUIRED TO USE MICROFILM COPIES

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

PERMISSION FOR USE AND REPRODUCTION IS REQUIRED FROM THE PUBLIC ARCHIVES AND RECORDS OFFICE; QUESTIONS REGARDING COPYRIGHT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE USER

Finding aids

NO FURTHER FINDING AID AVAILABLE

Associated materials

Related materials

Accruals

General note

Microfilm is in microfilm cabinets in Reading Room

General note

The original copy of the letter written by Benjamin Chappell to Mr. McGregor is located in the McGregor Papers, in the Maritime Conference Archives in Sackville, New Brunswick

General note

Transcriptions of the daybooks can be found in Daybooks of Benjamin Chappell, transcribed & edited by R. Lawrence Chappell and indexed by Gilbert Hughes (Charlottetown: PEI Genealogical Society, 2003. Vol 1 & 2). Copy located in the Archives reference stacks (971.702 CHA 2003 v.1-2). Please see staff for details

Alternative identifier(s)

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Control area

Description record identifier

Acc2277

Institution identifier

Level of detail

Full

Language of description

  • English

Script of description

Accession area