It is clear that, when George Chapman died on 30 January 1911, aged just 50 years, he was a well liked and respected member of the Nelson community. At the time he died, George had been Superintendent of Nelson Mental Hospital for about 7 years:
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George Chapman (about 1888) [crop of larger photo (below)] |
The death occurred with distressing suddenness yesterday morning of Mr George Chapman, Superintendent of the Mental Hospital. It appears that Mr Chapman had risen as usual, and after having a cup of tea, went to the bathroom. Shortly afterwards Mrs Chapman's attention was attracted by a peculiar sound, and on going to the bathroom she found her husband lying unconscious in the bath. Mr Chapman was immediately removed from the bath, and Dr Mackay quickly arrived in response to an urgent summons, but though efforts to restore animation were continued for a long time they were unavailing. Mr Chapman was apparently in good health when he rose in the morning, and the news of his untimely death caused a painful shock to the community. Some time ago he suffered from heart trouble, and as Dr Mackay, who then attended him, has given a certificate that death was due to a recurrence of that malady, an inquest will not be held.
Since Mr Chapman had been in charge of the Mental Hospital he had won general esteem. A most capable and conscientious officer, his management of the hospital has been extremely successful, and to his industry and thoughtfulness were due many innovations making for the comfort and contentment of the patients. During Mr Chapman's administration the Nelson Mental Hospital became an important institution, patients being sent to it from a much wider area than it was originally intended to serve. Extensive additions to the buildings were consequently necessitated, and recently accommodation was provided for a large number of additional inmates. The reports of visitors, official and otherwise, have always borne testimony to Mr Chapman's capacity and the great tact and kindliness he displayed in dealing with the afflicted creatures in his charge. By the patients and staff alike he was held in the highest esteem, and his death is a severe loss to the institution and the service.
Mr Chapman's sterling qualities made him very popular in the city, and he will be greatly missed by those with whom he was brought in contact in connection with various societies. He was a prominent member of All Saints' Church, and had been for some years the vicar's churchwarden. An enthusiast in his love of flowers, he was a valued member of the local Horticultural Society, and in the beautiful grounds surrounding the Mental Hospital his hobby found full scope. Mr Chapman was also a member of the Savage Club and the Nelson Bowling Club. Mr Chapman leaves a widow and a daughter and two sons, with whom in their bereavement general sympathy will be felt.
Feb. 2,
The funeral of the late Mr George Chapman took place yesterday morning. The civil service was represented by all the local heads of departments, and Mr Soutar, from the Wellington office of the particular department in which Mr Chapman held office. The gathering of business and professional men was thoroughly representative, and the vestry of All Saints' Church, of which Mr Chapman was a member, also attended. The Ven. Archdeacon Baker conducted the service, and the pall-bearers were three of the staff of the Mental Hospital, and Messrs R. P. Giblin. O. Burford, and V. H. Trask. A number of beautiful wreaths were forwarded, and the family were the recipients of a large number of messages of condolence from all parts of the Dominion.
On the motion of Councillor Hampson the City Council last night placed on record its regret at the untimely death of Mr George Chapman. Superintendent of the Mental Hospital, and ordered that a letter of condolence be forwarded to Mrs Chapman and family. The mover remarked that Mr Chapman was peculiarly qualified for the position he held, and his death was a great loss to the Department.
Son of Irish Immigrants
George was one of four children born in Melbourne, Australia to Irish immigrants William George Chapman and Tamar Waldron. According to their marriage entry, Willam and Tamar were both 24 when they married at St Peters Church in Melbourne, Victoria on 22 December 1855. William was from County Wicklow and Tamar from County Kildare. Their marriage entry[2][3] reads:Marriages solemnized in the Parish of St Peter’s, Melbourne Registered by the Rev. John Barlow
This Twentysecond day of December 1855 at St Peter’s Church.
William George Chapman, Bachelor, [no children from former marriage] [born] Newtown Wicklow, [Profession] Saddler, [Age] 24, [Residence – present and usual] Pentridge, [parents] William Chapman, Saddler Sarah Edge.
Tamar Waldron, Spinster, [no children from former marriage] [born] Kildare, [Age] 24, [Residence – present and usual] Collingwood, [parents] Thomas Waldron, Slater Mary Wardle.
[Signed by] William Geo Chapman Tamar Waldron [in the presence of] Richard Latchford Jane Latchford [officiating minister] John Barlow
It appears that on the church’s copy, Tamar initially signed with her married name rather than her family name[4]:
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| Extract of Church's copy of Registration 3009/1855 via Ancestry.com |
Survived Childhood Against the Odds
Of the 5 children born to William and Tamar, George was the only one to survive into adulthood. George was born on 23 March 1860 at Pentridge, Melbourne[5]. His birth entry[6] reads:Birth in the District of Pentridge in the Colony of Victoria. Registered by Thomas Talbot.
23 March 1860 Pentridge George not present male [Father] William Chapman Saddler [born] County Wicklow Ireland [married] 22 December 1855 St Peter’s Church, Melbourne [Issue living and deceased] 3 living [Mother] Temar[sic] Waldron [Age] 31[sic(?)] [Born] County Meath[sic(?)] Ireland [signed by Informant] Wm Chapman Pentridge [Witnesses] Mrs Davidson[?] Mrs C____[?] [signed by Deputy Registrar] Thomas Talbot.
The other two children referred to as ‘living issue’ in George’s birth entry are George’s older brothers, William 'Willie' George and Thomas. Both were born in Pentridge, William in 1856[7] and Thomas in 1858[8]. Both died during 1860 before George reached his first birthday. William died of influenza on 21 September 1860 aged 4 years[9] and Thomas died of diptheria a little under a fortnight later, on 3 October 1860. He was 2½ years old[10].
23 March 1860 Pentridge George not present male [Father] William Chapman Saddler [born] County Wicklow Ireland [married] 22 December 1855 St Peter’s Church, Melbourne [Issue living and deceased] 3 living [Mother] Temar[sic] Waldron [Age] 31[sic(?)] [Born] County Meath[sic(?)] Ireland [signed by Informant] Wm Chapman Pentridge [Witnesses] Mrs Davidson[?] Mrs C____[?] [signed by Deputy Registrar] Thomas Talbot.
The other two children referred to as ‘living issue’ in George’s birth entry are George’s older brothers, William 'Willie' George and Thomas. Both were born in Pentridge, William in 1856[7] and Thomas in 1858[8]. Both died during 1860 before George reached his first birthday. William died of influenza on 21 September 1860 aged 4 years[9] and Thomas died of diptheria a little under a fortnight later, on 3 October 1860. He was 2½ years old[10].
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| Death notice: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957) Tues 25 Sept 1860 p.4 Family Notices via Trove |
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| Death notice: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957) Fri 5 Oct 1860 p.4 Family Notices via Trove |
On 1 June 1862, when George was a little over 2 years old, his sister Sarah Emily was born[11]. Their mother, Tamar, died just 10 days later on 10 June 1862[12]. Her death entry indicates she had been unwell for 16 days when she died from meningitis. She had been attended by Dr Fitzgerald on 8 June, two days before she died. At the time of her death she had been in Victoria (from County Kildare, Ireland) for 9 years. In the list of issue on the death entry are: William deceased, Thomas deceased, George 2 years and Sarah Emily 10 days old.
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| Death notice: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957) Thurs 12 Jun 1862 p.4 Family Notices via Trove |
Sarah Emily died a little over 6 months after her mother on 23 December 1862[13][14].
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| Death notice: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957) Wed 24 Dec 1862 p.4 Family Notices via Trove |
Almost a year and a half after his mother’s death, George’s father William remarried. William married Jane Musson on 21 November 1863 at St John’s Church in Melbourne[15]. William and Jane had one son together, William Edge Chapman, half-brother to George. William was born in Pentridge during 1965[16]. He also survived into adulthood. William Edge Chapman died at the age of 77 in Christchurch, New Zealand[17]
Working Life and Family
Following his education in Australia, George had ‘general experience of mercantile life’ in Melbourne before coming to New Zealand in about 1880[18][19]. As his father was a saddler, perhaps George had worked with him selling saddlery goods? George would have been about 20 years old when he and his family - his father William, step mother Jane and half-brother William, came to New Zealand. The family settled in Christchurch.About two years after coming to New Zealand, George was appointed as an attendant at Sunnyside Asylum and later, in 1888, promoted to Head Attendant of the Male Department at Sunnyside[20].
One of the largest and best appointed Lunatic Asylums in the colony is situated at Sunnyside, on the Lincoln Road, about three miles from Christchurch. The returns for 1901 show that about 280 males and 230 females were treated at Sunnyside during the preceding year. There is a large farm attached to the Asylum, and those of the patients whose physical and mental condition permits so much freedom, are employed in the lighter work about the farm and buildings, with very beneficial results. The Sunnyside Asylum costs over £9000 in annual maintenance [1900 data published 1903][21].
In the same year that George was appointed as Head Attendant at Sunnyside. he married Sarah Eleanor ‘Nellie’ Parsons. George and Nellie married on 3 April 1888 at St Peter’s Church, Akaroa, New Zealand[22].
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| Sarah Eleanor 'Nellie' Parsons and George Chapman (about 1888) Photo from the personal collection of Carol Ridgway. Used with her permission. |
Nellie is the daughter of Thomas Walter and Mary Ann (Pointer) Parsons, both immigrants to New Zealand from England. Thomas and Mary Ann met and married in New Zealand and settled in Akaroa where they raised their children. Thomas was a bootmaker and had his own shop in Akaroa.
Nellie and George had 4 children; all born in Christchurch while George was working at Sunnyside. The oldest, Elsie Tamar Chapman (in part named for George’s mother, Tamar), died young. She was born in Christchurch on 15 March 1889[23] and died from Diptheria at the age of 3½ years on 9 October 1892[24] in Christchurch. Elsie is buried at Addington Cemetery, Christchurch[25]. The rest survived to adulthood but all, like their father, died in their 50’s: Myrtle Jane Chapman was born on 9 September 1890[26] and died at the age of 54 in Wellington on 13 September 1944[27]; George Parsons Chapman was born on 9 July 1892[28] and died in Nelson of a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of 54 on 21 November 1946[29]; William Walter Chapman (known as Walter) was born on 13 January 1896[30] and died in Surrey, England at the age of 52 on 13 June 1948[31].
George’s next position was as Manager of the Orokonui Home[32]. While the date of his move there is uncertain, it was probably during 1902. Orokonui Home was a government institution at Waitati (near Dunedin); a farm with 900 acres. It was established in April 1902 as a ‘reformatory for inebriates’:
The main building, or male department, was originally erected as a private school. It is of wood, two stories in height, and possesses about twenty rooms, all well furnished and conveniently appointed. The female retreat, situated some distance off, is a single-storey building, and contains fourteen rooms, also well furnished and well kept … A garden of considerable area provides vegetables for the inmates of the institution, and a young orchard, now (1904) making good progress, will soon furnish a supply of fruit. The grounds around the female retreat are particularly attractive, and are kept in good order. There are at present (January, 1904) eighteen patients in the institution; thirteen males and five females[33].
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| Photo from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1903 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website] |
During 1904, George was appointed as Superintendent of the Nelson Mental Hospital[34]. Nelson Mental Hospital was located on the corner of Franklyn Street and Waimea Road, Nelson. George and his family lived in the Superintendent's Residence which was on site at the hospital.
Writing at the time that George was there, the Cyclopedia of New Zealand[35] described Nelson Mental Hospital as follows:
The main building affords accommodation for one hundred patients. The annual admissions average twenty-two, and the recoveries have been fifty per cent. on admissions. The well-kept grounds of the hospital are a credit to the establishment, and the ground is at all times taxed to its utmost with the kitchen garden, orchard, flower gardens, etc. All the vegetables used in the institution are grown on the premises. The orchard is well stocked with choice fruit trees, and there a few hours are daily whiled away by some of the patients. The flower garden is very beautiful, and is kept in a state of artistic perfection. In the management of the hospital the principle of keeping patients, male and female, suitably employed is acted upon, and little if anything in the nature of gloom is apparent in the life of the place. Dances and other entertainments are held frequently, and are attended by the townsfolk, and occasionally boys from the College do all in their power to make the patients enjoy themselves. Theatrical companies who visit Nelson usually invite the patients to witness a performance, and the hospital staff arranges picnics in summer and parties in winter. In 1898 a tennis lawn was laid down, and patients take a keen interest in the game.
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| Photo from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1906 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website] |
Untimely Death
It was at the Superintendent’s Residence that George died on 30 January 1911, at the age of 50. The address is listed on his death entry as Franklyn Street Nelson. The cause of death given by Doctor Wm J. Mackay M.D. was Syncope from shock of cold bath. The doctor had last seen George the day before he died[36].George was buried on 1 February 1911 at Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson, New Zealand (Anglican Section - Block 18, Plot 15). His headstone reads: In Loving memory of George Chapman died Jan 30, 1911 Aged 50 years[37]. Also buried with him, at a later date, are his wife, Nellie who died at the age of 79 on 20 October 1943[38] and their daughter Myrtle Jane who died on 13 September 1944[39].
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Notes
[1] Mr George Chapman - Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13020, 8 February 1911, Page 6 (Supplement) via National Library of New Zealand, PapersPast [Website].
[2] Marriage entry – Chapman-Waldron – Registration 3009/1855 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[3] A copy of the marriage entry (Registration 3009/1855) is held by the Author (issued to the Author by the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Melbourne on 14 June 2001).
[4] Series 02, Register 1855-1856; Reference Number: M2/3 Image via Ancestry.com. Victoria, Australia, St. Peter's Eastern Hill, Marriages, 1848-1955 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Accessed 20 June 2022 [Original data: Marriage Registers. St. Peter’s Eastern Hill, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia].
[5] Birth entry – George Chapman – Registration 6890/1860 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[6] A copy of the birth entry (Registration 6890/1860) is held by the Author (issued to the Author by the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Melbourne on 14 June 2001).
[7] Birth Entry – William George Chapman – Registration 10551/1856 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[8] Birth Entry – Thomas Chapman – Registration 9267/1858 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[9] Sources:
[8] Birth Entry – Thomas Chapman – Registration 9267/1858 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[9] Sources:
- Death entry – William George Chapman - Registration 7764/1860 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
- Death Notice - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957) Tuesday 25 September 1860, page 4, Family Notices via Trove [Website]. Accessed 23 June 2022.
- Death entry – Thomas Chapman – Registration 10635/1860 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
- Death Notice - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957) Friday 5 October 1860, page 4, Family Notices via Trove [Website]. Accessed 23 June 2022.
[12] Sources:
- Death entry – Tamar Waldron –Registration 5184/1862 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
- A copy of the death entry (Registration 5184/1862) is held by the Author (issued to the Author by the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Melbourne on 14 June 2001).
- Death Notice - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957) Thursday 12 June 1862, page 4, Family Notices via Trove [Website]. Accessed 23 June 2022.
- Sarah Emily Chapman – Registration 10353/1862 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
- Death Notice - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848-1957) Wednesday 24 December 1862, page 4, Family Notices via Trove [Website]. Accessed 23 June 2022.
[15] Marriage entry – Chapman-Musson – Registration 3377/1863 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022. A copy of the marriage entry (Registration 3377/1863) is held by the Author (issued to the Author by the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Melbourne on 6 July 2001).
[16] Birth entry – William Edge Chapman - Registration 10751/1865 - Family History Search [Digital Index Search] via Births, Death and Marriages Victoria [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[17] Death entry – William Edge Chapman – Registration 1942/29004 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[18] Mr George Chapman (pp.158-9) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1903 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 June 1022.
[19] Mr George Chapman (p.150) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1905 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 June 1022.
[20] Mr George Chapman (pp.158-9) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1903 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 June 1022.
[21] Charitable Institutions (p.55) and The Sunnyside Hospital for the Insane (pp.145-7) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1903 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District] – See Note 20.
[23] Birth entry - Registration 1889/5894 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[24] Death entry – Registration 1892/6545 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[25] Area 4, Row M, 1015 ‘Our little Elsie’ – New Zealand Society of Genealogists Incorporated; Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand Cemetery Records Image via Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
[26] Birth entry - Registration 1890/15531 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[27] Death entry – Registration 1944/29277 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[28] Birth entry - Registration 1892/11548 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[29] Death entry – Registration 1946/29135 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[30] Birth entry - Registration 1896 /6315 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[31] Death registration - GRO Reference: 1948 J Quarter in SURREY MID-EASTERN Volume 05G Page 338. Age 53[sic(?)] via General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes [Digital Index] London, England via General Register Office [Website]. Accessed 3 May 2022. The actual death date of 13 June 1948 was given to the Author by William’s daughter-in-law, Amy Chapman – personal correspondence 5 November 2002.
[32] Mr George Chapman (p.150) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1905 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 June 1022.
[33] The Orokunui Home (p.150) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1905 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 June 1022).
[34] Mr George Chapman (p.61) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1906 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 June 1022.
[35] The Nelson Mental Hospital (pp. 60-61) from: Cyclopedia Company Ltd., 1906 The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts] The Cyclopedia Company Ltd., Christchurch via the New Zealand Electronic Collection (NZET), Victoria University of Wellington [Website]. Accessed 20 June 1022.
[36] A copy of the death entry (Registration 1911/9375) is held by the Author (issued to the Author by the Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Wellington on 28 June 2001).
[37] New Zealand Society of Genealogists Incorporated; Auckland, New Zealand; New Zealand Cemetery Records Image via Ancestry.com. New Zealand, Cemetery Records, 1800-2007 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.
[38] Death entry – Registration 1943/27642 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022.
[39] Death entry – Registration 1944/29277 Births, Deaths & Marriages Online [Digital Index] via New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs [Website]. Accessed 20 June 2022
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