Descriptive Summary
Related Materials
Scope and Content of Collection
Custodial History
Biography
Preferred Citation
Publication Rights
Digital Content
Descriptive Summary
Languages:
English
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Chapman Family Correspondence and Other Documents
Creator:
Chapman (Family : 1808- : Chapman, J. G. (John Gadsby), 1808-1889)
Creator:
Chapman, J. G. (John Gadsby)
Creator:
Chapman, Conrad Wise
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0048
Physical Description:
1.5 Linear feet
(10 oversize folders)
Date (inclusive): 1791-1898
Abstract: A small collection of the family papers of American painter John Gadsby Chapman (1808-1898), consisting mostly of letters
to Chapman from colleagues and associates, and correspondence with his son, Conrad Wise Chapman. Of special interest are Conrad
Chapman's letters to his family, written while he served in the Confederate army during the Civil War.
Related Materials
A scrapbook containing John G. Chapman's designs in wood is housed at the Virginia State Library, Richmond.
Scope and Content of Collection
A small collection of the family papers of American painter John Gadsby Chapman (1808-1898), consisting mostly of letters
to Chapman from colleagues and associates, and correspondence with his son, Conrad Wise Chapman. Of special interest are Conrad
Chapman's letters to his family, written while he served in the Confederate army during the Civil War. The collection also
includes a number of letters dating from the 1890s written by Conrad to his brother John; a letter from the U.S. Congress
regarding John Gadsby Chapman's commission for the Capitol rotunda; a letter written by American painter Thomas Sully (1783-1872),
dated 1830; and letters documenting everyday 19th century life, including the sale of slaves and a description of the Washington
homestead in Fredericksburg, VA.
The collection is arranged in two series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE and 2) ENGRAVINGS.
Custodial History
The Chapman Family Papers were collected by Conrad's brother, John Linton Chapman. He gave the materials as a gift to Helen
Kaley, a friend of the family. Mrs. Kaley carried the materials with her as she moved throughout the U.S., finally donating
the collection to the UC San Diego Library in 1972.
Biography
John Gadsby Chapman (1808-1889) was an American painter. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, he was a pupil of George Cooke and
C. B. King. A student at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, he was elected a member of the National Academy in 1836.
Chapman worked in New York City and Washington, D.C., and gained a successful reputation as a painter of historical scenes
and portraits. He also produced wood engravings and etchings, and often contributed pictures to Harper Brothers' publications.
His
American Drawing Book, published in 1847, became a standard text. Among Chapman's most famous works were his illustrations for Harpers' Bible and
his painting "The Baptism of Pocahontas," commissioned by the U.S. Congress for the Capitol rotunda.
In 1848 Chapman returned to Italy, where he established a studio in Rome and raised his family. He eventually returned to
the United States in 1884, and died in New York. Among his children were his daughter Mary and his two sons, John Linton Chapman
and Conrad Wise Chapman.
Conrad Wise Chapman (called "Cooney") also became a painter. After living in Rome and Paris, Conrad left for America in 1861
to join the Confederate army. He served in the 3rd Kentucky Regiment and later as Ordnance Sergeant in the 59th Virginia Regiment.
In 1863, as a result of his mother's ill-health, he took a furlough and travelled to Italy. Between December 1863 and March
1864, under the command of General P.G.T. Beauregard in Charleston, Chapman was assigned to draw coastal fortifications, resulting
in a series of paintings that included images of Fort Sumter. After the war, he led a nomadic life in Texas and Mexico, eventually
going back to Italy. By 1896 he was in Mexico again, and by 1898 he was married and living in Richmond, Virginia. He also
developed a reputation as a photographer.
Preferred Citation
Chapman Family Correspondence and Other Documents, MSS 48. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Publication Rights
Digital copies of this material are intended to support research, teaching, and private study. This work may be used without
prior permission. The original manuscripts for this collection are held by Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego Library.
Digital Content
Correspondence from this collection has been digitized.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives, Confederate
Painters -- America -- Manuscripts
Engravings -- 19th century
Chapman, J. G. (John Gadsby) -- Correspondence
Chapman, Conrad Wise -- Correspondence
Chapman, John Linton -- Correspondence
Chapman (Family : 1808- : Chapman, J. G. (John Gadsby), 1808-1889) -- Archives
Sully, Thomas -- Correspondence