Charles Henry Chapman

Who was Charles Henry Chapman?

Charles Henry Chapman was a 51-year-old (fifty-one-year-old) South African-born book publisher who tragically lost his life in the sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. He was a second-class passenger aboard the ill-fated ship, traveling from Southampton to New York after spending six months in his native South Africa.

Early Life and Family

A Diverse Heritage

Born on June 19, 1860, in Cape Town, South Africa, Charles Henry Chapman came from a diverse background. His parents were:

Father: James Chapman (1831-1872)
Mother: Catherine Cecilia Mary Roome (1835-1916)

Chapman’s heritage was a unique blend of Irish, English, American, and Boer ancestry, reflecting the complex cultural tapestry of colonial South Africa.

Siblings

Charles had three known siblings:

William James Bushnell (1858-1832)
Ada Cecelia (b. 1861)
Kate Romaina (b. 1864)

Father’s Legacy

James Chapman, Charles’s father, was a remarkable figure in his own right. He was:

A photographer
A hunter
A trader
An intrepid explorer

Born in Cape Town, James Chapman’s adventurous spirit led him to nearly beat the famous explorer David Livingstone to the discovery of Victoria Falls during an expedition along the Zambesi River in the 1850s. Tragically, James passed away in Du Toit’s Pan, Kimberley, in 1872 when Charles was just 12 years old.

Early Years and Education

Charles grew up in South Africa and Namibia, experiencing the diverse landscapes and cultures of southern Africa. However, the details of his early education and the exact time he left Africa remain unclear in historical records.

Marriage and Family Life

A Transatlantic Union

Around 1880, at approximately 20 years of age, Charles married Ellen Virtue Lawrence, an English woman born in 1857. Ellen was a native of Southampton, England, and came from a working-class background:

Father: Thomas Howard Lawrence (a boilermaker)
Mother: Virtue Petty

Move to the United States

In about 1882, Charles and Ellen embarked on a new chapter in their lives by moving to the United States. This move would shape the rest of their lives and the lives of their future children.

Children

The Chapmans had four children:

Charles Lawrence Roome (b. 1882 in Manhattan, New York)
William Charleston (b. 1886 in Charleston, South Carolina)
Ralph Howard (b. 1889 in Atlanta, Georgia)
Adele C. (b. 1891 in Charleston, South Carolina)

Career and Life in America

Professional Life

By the early 1900s, Charles had established himself as a book publisher in New York City. This profession suggests he was a man of letters, likely well-read and connected to the literary world of the time.

Residences

The Chapman family’s known residences in New York include:

1905: 106th Avenue, Manhattan
1910: St Michael’s Place, Manhattan

Family Occupations

As of 1910, the Chapman family members had diverse occupations:

Charles: Book publisher
Ralph (son): Accountant
William (son): Auto-parts salesman
Adele (daughter): Stage actress

Personal Loss

On November 27, 1910, Charles suffered a significant personal loss when his wife Ellen passed away. This event likely had a profound impact on him and may have influenced his decision to travel to South Africa the following year.

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Returning from South Africa

In early 1912, Charles spent six months in his native South Africa, reconnecting with family members, including his mother. This journey back to his roots would prove to be his last.

Boarding the Titanic

On April 10, 1912, Chapman boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. His ticket details were:

Ticket number: 248731
Cost: £13 10s (13 pounds, 10 shillings)

A Precious Cargo

Interestingly, Chapman carried with him a family Bible belonging to his maternal grandparents’ family in Virginia. This personal item suggests a strong connection to his family history and American roots.

The Tragedy and Aftermath

The Sinking

Charles Henry Chapman, like many others, lost his life when the Titanic sank in the early hours of April 15, 1912. He was 51 years old at the time of his death.

Recovery and Identification

Chapman’s body was recovered by the Mackay-Bennett, the ship chartered to retrieve [bodies]https://titanicuniverse.com/ship/wreck/bodies) from the disaster site. His body was numbered 130 and described as follows:

Clothing: Dark suit; abdominal belt
Effects:
- Silver cigarette case
- Garnet tie pin
- Garnet ring
- Papers
- Gold mounted cuff links
- $200
- Two gold studs
- Fountain pen
- Knife
- Pipe
- £2 10s gold in purse

Final Resting Place

Chapman’s body was forwarded to J. J. Griffin of 2282 7th Avenue, New York on May 2, 1912. He was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, near fellow Titanic victim Arthur Nicholson. His elaborate headstone reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR PARENTS
CHARLES H. CHAPMAN
LOST HIS LIFE ON THE S. S. TITANIC
APRIL 15, 1912
--------------------------------
ELLEN V. CHAPMAN
DIED NOVEMBER 27, 1910