Henry Chapman
Henry Chapman
Co. C.
10th U.S.C.H.A
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. Corpus Christi History by Murphy Givens
Corpus Christi Caller-Times (June 13, 2001). Available on microfilm.
2. News item
Articles of 1899
Henry Chapman, one of the custom house employees, advertises his property for sale. He says he has lived here long enough and wants to go to Massachusetts and live the remainder of his days with his people there. If he goes, nine changes to one he will wish he had remained in Corpus Christi.
Corpus Christi Caller, 6 October 1899, page 5 col. 3
FOR SALE—My place in Corpus Christi, one block from Aransas Pass depot, consisting of a five-room cottage, outhouse, cistern with plenty of good water. Price $480.
Henry Chapman
Corpus Christi Caller, 6 October 1899, page 5 col. 6
A farewell entertainment was given at Market hall last Saturday night in honor of Henry Chapman, the well known colored gentleman, who resigned his position in the custom house here lately to go to Boston to live the rest of his days with his people in New England. He left on Monday’s train.
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, 8 December 1899, page 5 col. 2
Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell
3. Obituary
The writer was shown a letter on Tuesday written from Haverhill, Mass. Dec. 13, by the widow of the late Henry Chapman, colored, who left Corpus Christi Dec. 4, to her sister in this city from which we extract the following:
“It is hardly necessary for me to tell you how much trouble I am in for you already know. We got to Boston Friday night and went to a room for the night and not knowing anything about gas, I asked ‘Mr. Chapman to ask the landlady to turn out the gas that I did not know anything about it and he said that he understood how to handle gas and would turn it out; he did so, and we went to bed and soon afterward I told him that I smelt gas very strong, but he laughed at me and told me that there was no need of fear, so we both dropped off to sleep and I only woke once and then I had no control of myself. When the escaping gas was discovered it was about 1:30 Saturday morning, there was just breath in Mr. Chapman and in five minutes more I would have been dead. My husband struggled out of bed and was found on the floor when the room was entered, but before medical assistance could be had Mr. Chapman died. I was unconscious and was carried to the city hospital and did not gain consciousness until sometime Saturday morning and did not learn that my husband was dead until our uncle came from Haverhill to Boston at 3:30 Saturday afternoon. We buried Mr. Chapman Tuesday with Odd Fellows honors, and just as we were taking the corpse in the church I received a telegram from Walter Chapman telling me to send the body home, but it was too late. But if I can take him up in the future, I will bring his remains home.â€
Source: Corpus Christi Caller, Dec. 22, 1899, p. 5, col. 3
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Rosa G. Gonzales