Jonathan Chapman
| Jonathan Chapman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 8th Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts | |
|
In office 1840–1842 |
|
| Preceded by | Samuel A. Eliot |
| Succeeded by | Martin Brimmer |
| Member of the Common Council of Boston, Massachusetts |
|
|
In office 1838 – 1838 |
|
| Member of the Common Council of Boston, Massachusetts |
|
|
In office 1835 – 1836 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 23, 1807 |
| Died | May 25, 1848 (aged 41) |
| Political party | Whig |
| Spouse(s) | Lucinda Dwight (Born July 7, 1809; Married April 25, 1832) |
| Children | Jonathan Chapman (b. March 11, 1836); Eliza Chapman (b. March 10, 1838) |
| Alma mater | Phillips Exeter Academy Harvard, class of 1825. |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Image from Mayors of Boston: An Illustrated Epitome of who the Mayors Have Been and What they Have Done, Page 16 Boston, MA: State Street Trust Company, 1914. | |
Jonathan Chapman (January 23, 1807 – May 25, 1848) was an American politician, serving as the eighth mayor of Boston, Massachusetts from 1840 to 1842.
Chapman's father also named Jonathan Chapman served as a member of the Town of Boston's Board of Selectmen.
Chapman attended Philips Exeter Academy and he graduated from Harvard College and studied law under the direction of Judge Lemuel Shaw.
Chapman was elected Mayor in December 1839, he was sworn into office in 1840, he served three one year terms.
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.
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.
The City occupied the renovated structure on March 18, 1841.
Chapman spoke of the great importance of the establishment of the Cunard Lines steamship service between Boston and Liverpool, England.
Chapman also spoke of the great importance of the opening up of the Western Railroad from Boston to the Hudson River.
...
Wikipedia