Only two items in the Chapman Collection date before 1917. Both are from 1914, and they are in interesting contrast to each other.

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THE FIRST ITEM is a one-page 1912-14 grade transcript for Harold's youngest brother LESTER NATHANIEL CHAPMAN. It is sent to Harold and Lester's father Samuel from the registrar of Williston Seminary Academy for Boys.


The document bears the school's letterhead and was sent from East Hampton, MA on June 3, 1914. It is a typical communication in a functioning peacetime society.

Less than one month later, on 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir presumptive to Emperor Franz Joseph, was assassinated in Sarajevo.

on 28 July, the Great War began that would ultimately embroil over 100 countries and cost 15 to 24 million lives. The world was changed forever.

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THE SECOND ITEM dated 11 November 1914, is a letter to Samuel Chapman that provides quite an interesting contrast to the "peacetime" school report above. This letter is seven (7) pages written in ink from Samuel's Aunt Emma in Salford near Manchester, England.


Her report of the local response to the War that is already raging in Europe captures a moment in time when the civilian society was still enmeshed in hope and optimism as they braced for what was to come.

Aunt Emma's letter contains much interesting information about the famous "MANCHESTER PALS Battalions." No one had yet any concept of how Modern War would radically alter their world.

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Aunt Emma writes in part:

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" My dear Nephew;

No doubt you will be wondering how I am getting along amid all this terrible War. Well, things here in Manchester are pretty bad but we might be a good deal worse. A lot of the workshops are working full time again, some only about half time & others closed down altogether.

The textile & the printing trade feels it very keenly, but the cloth weavers, tailoring & boot making are very busy on Army Contracts. You see Sam our Army is not a very large one & there has been such a lot of recruits that the War Office was not quite prepared at first, but that difficulty was soon overcome & I think the way things have been rushed has been something splendid.

Manchester being a big city we get our share of it all. There was as many as 30,000 enlisted in one week. WE HAVE FORMED FOUR BATTALIONS OF CLERKS ETC. WHOM ARE CALLED THE

MANCHESTER PALS BATTALION

& now the War Office wants them to form a fifth.

Two of the above Regiments are stationed a 3-cent car ride from where I live. . . . Heaton Park and is a very popular Sunday outing. In peacetimes there are bands there both Saturday & Sunday & its most enjoyable. The 3rd Battalion are stationed in the Botanical Gardens . . .

IT IS A NICE SIGHT TO SEE THE PALS ON THE MARCH. They are such a nice lot of mostly very fine young fellows. They really are quite superior to the usual men that enlist & I do hope & trust that it will soon be over, for I cannot bear to think of the best of our land, going to be shot at. "

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[ In autumn of 1914 almost 10,000 of Manchester's best had enlisted in the Manchester Pals battalions, of whom 4,776 were killed.

Overall, the Manchester Regiment lost about 13,000 men.

One historical source recorded that:
"The cost to the city of Manchester had been enormous. In human terms the loss of so many people of such distinctive character and quality proved irreplaceable throughout the depressed years in the late 1920s and '30s." ]

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Aunt Emma's letter continues:

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" We have had STIRRING TIMES HERE lately what with our wounded soldiers coming & the Belgians we seem to be very much needed. In Manchester & Salford we have a great many of the Belgians & we are only too pleased that it is a haven for them. Poor things their faces tell their story & they are so grateful to us all
[...]

Just at the top of the street where I live is the Salford Royal Hospital & many Belgian, French & British soldiers are there. They come to the windows & are allowed to go out on the roof for the air.

The people round about are loading them with fruit & tobacco. Also flowers for the wards. Several large houses & schools have been turned into Military Hospitals. All our Civil folk are doing there utter most to help our brave fellows.
[...]

I am pleased to hear that all of you are well & now I must close with fond love to your wife & boys & a very big share for yourself. Also to all my dear ones. Please remember me to them every one. Hoping this terrible War will soon be over I remain With love your
Aunt Emma "