Jonathan Chapman
American politician
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Jonathan Chapman (January 23, 1807 – May 25, 1848) was an American politician who served as the eighth mayor of Boston, Massachusetts from 1840 to 1842.
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Jonathan Chapman | |
|---|---|
| |
| 8th Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1840–1843 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel A. Eliot |
| Succeeded by | Martin Brimmer |
| Member of the Boston Common Council[1] | |
| In office 1838[1]–1838[1] | |
| In office 1835[1]–1836[1] | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 23, 1807 |
| Died | May 25, 1848 (aged 41)[2] |
| Party | Whig[3] |
| Spouse | Lucinda Dwight (Born July 7, 1809; Married April 25, 1832)[1][4] |
| Children | Jonathan Chapman (b. March 11, 1836); Eliza Chapman (b. March 10, 1838)[5] |
| Alma mater | Phillips Exeter Academy[1]Harvard,[2] class of 1825.[1] |
| Profession | Attorney[1][2] |
Early life
Jonathan Chapman was born on January 23, 1807, son of a man also named Jonathan Chapman. His father served as a member of the Town of Boston's Board of Selectmen.[6]
Chapman attended Phillips Exeter Academy, graduated from Harvard College, and studied law under the direction of Judge Lemuel Shaw.[6]
Mayoralty
Chapman was elected mayor of Boston in the December 1839 Boston mayoral election as the Whig candidate; he was sworn into office in 1840; he served three one-year terms.[2]
Because of a large increase of the debt of the city of Boston in the 18 years since it was incorporated, Mayor Chapman had as a chief aim of his administration the reduction of the city's debt.[2]
Although land had been purchased for a new city hall, Mayor Chapman did not favor that project. Because Suffolk County was constructing a new building for the Registry and Probate offices and was going to move out of the old courthouse building, Chapman instead recommended that the old Suffolk County Courthouse be remodeled for use as Boston's city hall.[7]
The city occupied the renovated structure on March 18, 1841.[2]
Steamship Service
Chapman spoke of the great importance of the establishment of the Cunard Lines[2] steamship[8] service between Boston and Liverpool, England.
The Western Railroad
Chapman also spoke of the great importance of the opening up of the Western Railroad from Boston to the Hudson River.[2][8]
Chapman did not run for re-election in the 1842 Boston mayoral election.[9]
Personal life
Chapman married Lucindia Dwight (born July 7, 1809) on April 25, 1832. They had two children together, Jonathan (born March 11, 1836) and Eliza (born March 10, 1838).
Chapman died on May 25, 1848, at the age of 41.[6] He is the shortest-lived mayor of Boston.
See also
- Timeline of Boston, 1830s–1840s
References
- Image from Mayors of Boston: An Illustrated Epitome of who the Mayors Have Been and What they Have Done, Boston, MA: State Street Trust Company, Page 16, (1914).