Guide to the Benjamin Watson Papers
Special Collections & Archives
University Library
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8326
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Benjamin Watson Papers
Identifier/Call Number: OCH.BWP
Physical Description:
.02 linear feet
Date: 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.
Language of Material:
English.
Biographical / Historical
Benjamin Harrison Watson was born in 1893 in Brooklyn, New York to William A. and Annie
Watson (née 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.
Scope and Contents
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.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of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 Materials
guide.
Box 1, Item 1
Assembly Times, volume 1, number 2,
1943 March 20
Box 1, Item 2
Assembly Times, volume 1, number 3,
1943 March 27
Box 1, Item 3
Assembly Times, volume 1, number 7,
1943 April 24
Box 1, Item 4
Assembly Times, volume 1, number 10,
1943 May 15
Box 1, Item 5
Assembly Times, volume 1, number 13,
1943 June 5
Box 1, Item 6
Assembly Times, volume 1, number 14,
1943 June 12
Box 1, Item 7
Watson, Benjamin Biographical Correspondence,
undated
