Orange Chapin-Chapin Genealogy. December 1861
Willimansett, Mass, December, 1861
CHAPIN GENEALOGY
It is well known to most persons, particularly in this vicinity, that a few years since the Hon. Charles Stearns of Springfield commenced collecting materials for a history of the ancient town of Springfield, and that he collected a large “mass of facts,”- but death cut short his plans, and the work remains unpublished. It was the intention of Mr. Stearns to publish some of the Genealogies of the early inhabitants of Springfield with some historical notices of some individuals. It was with a view of assisting Mr. Stearns in his labors that the compiler of the Chapin family (or the descendants of Dea. Samuel Chapin who settled in Springfield, Mass. In 1642) first undertook to collect a genealogy, -after proceeding awhile, it became apparent that I had already collected more than Mr. Stearns would be able to publish in his work, without occupying an undue share. I therefore, for the first time conceived the idea of continuing the collection, with the hope that it would eventually be published. I was at this time, however, collecting those only who bore the name Chapin – but in sending in Genealogies of families, many included the descendants of females who were married to others than Chapins, and several of them as well as of the descendants of Japhet and Henry, sons of Dea. Samuel, are brought down to the present time. David, another son of Dea. Samuel, his descendants in the male line have been traced as far as any record of them has been found, and probably they have become extinct. Dea. Samuel’s other son, Josiah, settled in Mendon, in Worcester County, Mass.- and I regret to say, that I have not found any one of his descendants who could make it convenient to assist in collecting their Genealogy, and but few families have sent their Genealogies or histories of their families, and my age and health forbid my undertaking the collection of his nu-(unintelligible)-widely scattered descendants single-handed, having performed all the labor thus far since I catered –(unintelligible)- The few descendants of Josiah will be published, if the others are, although but few of them have –(unintelligible)-lineage beyond their grand-parents. I have found some persons by the name of Chapin who were not –(unintelligible)- trace their lineage, and some of those, as well as some whose lineage could be traced, have omitted to make return, but not any, who could trace it to any other source than Dea. Samuel Chapin.
It is now the purpose to publish this Genealogy, and also to include Rev. Mr. Clark’s Centennial discourse –(unintelligible)- 1852, being one hundred years from the organization of the first Congregational Church in Chicopee, if a sufficient number of copies are subscribed for to justify the outlay. It will be printed in an octavo volume of about three hundred pages, printed in good style upon superior paper, and bound in cloth, embossed, and furnished with all suitable indexes.
Quite a number, during the preparation of the work, have expressed great satisfaction with the project, and unsolicited, pledged themselves as subscribers for one and in some instances for several copies. It will be understood that such books are of interest chiefly to the family whose memorial it is. After consulting with the publishers, the price has been fixed at $2,00 per copy, the risk to be incurred and the expense of transportation to be paid by the subscriber to the book. The aforesaid Genealogy is offered to the Chapins and their descendants, both male and female. It is the intention to print not many, if any more copies than are subscribed for, and will not be published at all without the assurance of being renumerated for the outlay needed for its publication. You are therefore appealed to for your co-operation in this work, so far at least as to give all in your vicinity you may wish it, an opportunity to subscribe for the work. Write plainly, the number of copies you desire; how you wish them sent, whether by mail or express; giving your Post-office address, Town, County and State, and Express routes. If several copies are subscribed for, they should be sent by express if possible, as a safer and cheaper mode than by mail. Perhaps some may choose to call on the publishers or the compiler for the work. An immediate reply to these circulars is necessary, if the book is desired. The compiler will wait until Jan. 15th, 1862 for subscriptions, and then if the number authorize it, will proceed to have it published with as little delay as possible. Notice will be given when the copies are ready for delivery.
Yours in fellowship of a common name and ancestry.
Orange Chapin