John Graves Chapman papers

This collection consists of nine bound volumes belonging to John Graves Chapman (b. 1838), a feed and grain dealer and insurance agent of New Haven, Connecticut. There is also an undated photograph of Chapman in his office.

Six of the volumes record claims for pensions made by Connecticut Civil War Veterans between 1888 and 1914. Included are depositions by the claimants and notes as to which pensions were granted and for what amounts. It is unclear whether Chapman kept these records as a government employee or as part of a private agency. The first volume also contains a seventy-page cash account kept by Chapman, 1876-1877.

Two further volumes contain records of Chapman's insurance business for the years 1898-1913, including a "List of Members, Universal Identification and Recovery Company," and "Revised List of Members, United States Register Company." In the first of these volumes is mounted a collection of postmarks arranged by state.

The final volume is a letterbook, ca. 1866-1879, devoted to Chapman's feed and grain business and financial matters.

All nine of these volumes are in poor condition and must be handled with care.