Chapman Johnson Letter

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

The collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Chapman Johnson Letter, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Foot
Creator:
Johnson, Chapman, 1779-1849
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Chapman Johnson Letter, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

The letter dated May 18, 1800, from Chapman Johnson to College of William and Mary alumnus David Watson provides a detailed account of an "unfortunate disturbance," a student revolt at the College the previous winter. Chapman reported on a student's rude treatment of the postmaster, its witnessing by Professor Bracken, the expulsion of the student, the resulting student meetings and protests, faculty-student negotiations, consultation with Bishop Madison and St. George Tucker, student threats against the latter, etc.

The letter is four pages on two sheets. The final page or pages were lost sometime between 1921, when the complete letter was published in The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, and 2007 when the letter was acquired. A typed transcription is also available.

Biographical / historical:

Chapman Johnson enrolled at the College of William and Mary in 1799 at the age of twenty-one. Chapman was a lawyer, state senator (1815-1831), University of Virginia governor (1819-1845) and rector (1836-1845). Additional biographical information about Johnson is available in the Dictionary of American Biography and the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography v. 29 no. 2 and v. 35 no. 2 & 3. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: https://scdbwiki.swem.wm.edu/wiki/index.php?title=Chapman_Johnson_(1777-1849).

Acquisition information:
Item purchased from Hamilton Rare Books 5/25/02207, Acc. 2007.037.
Physical / technical requirements:

All copies should be made from the transcription.