Chase family papers

Collection

Identifier: Coll. 4316

Staff Only

Scope and Content note

This collection documents members of the Chase family of York, Me. Contents include correspondence, postcards, genealogies, school and military records, property and financial documents, land deeds, catalogs, a daybook, a letter book, and photographs. The collection reflects the relationships and activities of multiple generations of Chases, as well as their property, finances, and business affairs.

Dates

Creation: 1821 - 1920

Creator

Chase, Josiah, 1800-1883 (Person)
Chase, Mary Bean, 1803-1867 (Person)
Freeman, Sarah Jane Chase, 1828-1905 (Person)
Chase, Mary, 1830-1853 (Person)
Freeman, Harriett Chase, 1832-1910 (Person)
Chase, Albert Cotton, 1838-1868 (Person)
Chase, Josiah, 1840-1928 (Person)
Chase, Charles Edward, 1842-1877 (Person)
Chase, John L., 1845- (Person)
Chase, Laura H., 1847- (Person)

Access

Unrestricted

Copyright

Access to collections at Maine Historical Society is not an authorization to publish. Rights and reproduction requests may be submitted in writing to the MHS Image Services Coordinator or Research & Administrative Librarian, subject to format.

Biographical note

The Chase family lived in York, Me., near what is now called Chase’s Pond. The family operated a mill on this site for over 100 years, from approximately 1768-1880. Josiah Chase, Sr. (1800-1883) ran the woolen mill for much of his adult life, and with his wife Mary (Bean) Chase (1803-1867), had at least eight children, including Sarah (1828-1905), Mary (1830-1853), Harriett (1832-1910), Albert Cotton (1838-1868), Josiah Jr. (1840-1928), Charles Edward (1842-1877), John L. (b. 1845), and Laura H. (b. 1847).

Josiah Chase, Jr., fought in the Civil War in the 27th Maine Infantry. After the war, he enrolled in law school and practiced law in Portland and York. He served as Justice of the Peace from 1904-1920 and was a member of the Maine House of Representatives from 1909-1913. In 1905, at the age of 65, he married Constance (Fryer) Tapley (1864-1953), who had recently immigrated from England.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes + 2 volumes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series.

1. Correspondence, 1834-1919
2. Papers and photographs, 1821-1920

Provenance

Gift of Earle Shettleworth Jr., November 10, 2021, and February 11, 2023 (acc. nos. 2021.154, 2023.018).

Processing note

Material arrived loosely grouped into correspondence and papers. The archivist arranged letters chronologically, though occasionally by correspondent when appropriate, and grouped papers by purpose or subject. Folder titles were provided by the archivist.

Note that there are multiple Josiah Chases in this collection and in the Chase family. Identifiers Sr., Jr., and Capt. were used when included on described items, but were not otherwise appended to folder titles or in notes.

The Josiah Chase, Sr., daybook arrived as part of a separate gift, in 2021.