Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduFinding Aid Authors: Special Collections Staff.
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Transcription included with original.
Chapman Johnson Letter, Special Collections Research Center, Earl Gregg Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Item purchased from Hamilton Rare Books 5/25/02207, Acc. 2007.037.
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) .
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.
All copies should be made from the transcription.