Watson (Benjamin) Papers, 1943

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Summary

Title:
Benjamin Watson Papers
Dates:
1943
Abstract:
Benjamin Harrison Watson was an American working in the export business in Shanghai when World War II began. The Benjamin Watson Papers document the experiences of internees in the Chapei Civilian Assembly Center in 1943 through the camp newsletter Assembly Times.
Extent:
.02 linear feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Background

Scope and content:

The Benjamin Watson Papers document the experiences of internees in the Chapei Civilian Assembly Center in 1943 through the camp newsletter Assembly Times, edited by Carl Mydans. Benjamin Watson was an American working in the export business in Shanghai when World War II began. He, along with many other foreigners of nations fighting against Japan, were interned following the Japanese invasion of Shanghai. The newsletters document camp events, elections, canteen sales, education, and other resident activities. The Papers also include a letter written by Watson, documenting his life experiences that led him to work in Shanghai.

Biographical / historical:

Benjamin Harrison Watson was born in 1893 in Brooklyn, New York to William A. and Annie Watson (nÊe Jones). His father was in the weighing and gauging business for imports, which influenced his decision to go into the export business. During World War I Watson joined the National Guard 1st New York Field Artillery. He was initially sent to the border with Mexico. The war ended before he was sent abroad. After the war, Mr. Kilbourne of the Koster Company recruited Watson to rejoin the export business. He initially worked in Java and Singapore before going to Shanghai. During World War II, he was interned in Shanghai at the Chapei Civilian Assembly Center. At the time of his internment he worked for Fagan Company. He passed away in 1973 at the Veterans Home of California in Yountville.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-05-01 23:44:29 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge. Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materialsguide.

Location of this collection:
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330, US
Contact:
(818) 677-4594
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