Macy and Chapman Families Papers

Collection

Identifier: M037

Staff Only

Carole Louise Chapman Macy (Mrs. Donald Oliver Macy) compiled the family histories of the Chapman and the Macy families (from whom her husband, Donald Oliver Macy, was descended). Thirteen photographs, two badges, three business cards, and photocopies of seven family narratives and photocopies of letters are housed in the archives of the University of Denver.

Dates

1860-1987

Creator

Macy, Carole Louise Chapman (Person)

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 letter document box)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

Macy family materials include photocopies of a letter from Ulysses Samuel Macy, U.S. Naval Academy class of 1898, written to his family from school and also a letter written from Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Photocopies of narratives written by Clarence Ezra Chapman (born April 11, 1882), the father of Carole Chapman Macy, describes his parents' early years of marriage in Nebraska and a logging camp in California, followed by the births of their children. He chronicles his boyhood memories of living near the logging camp and returning to Nebraska. He continues with the history detailing homesteading in Colorado in the early 1900's, working as a mechanic, marrying, and raising a family in Colorado. Three business cards, and photocopies of seven family narratives are housed in the archives of the University of Denver. Carole Chapman Macy wrote a short biography of her mother, Sadie [Dolly] Parker Lord Chapman, and a narrative about her grandfather, Jefferson Thomas Chapman, founding a pocket watch that was handed down through the family. The account of Jefferson Thomas Chapman's getting lost in a blizzard in 1873 is included. J.T. Chapman was also in the Grand Army of the Republic. The collection includes photographs of reunions and two badges.

Biographical / Historical

The Chapman and Macy families combined when Carole Louise Chapman married Donald Oliver Macy. Carole studied family history and collected photographs and family writings.

Of the Macy family we have little information other than that the family was associated with a firm of Lomax Standly Macy Brokers. The family also had an ancestor who attended the Naval Academy and served during the Spanish-American War.

The Chapman family left several narratives of their history, including the fact that Carole's grandfather fought in the Civil War and was later posted to frontier areas before leaving the army and heading west. Carole's father wrote two accounts of his younger life in Nebraska, California and Colorado. He describes his parents early years of marriage in Nebraska and a logging camp in California, followed by the births of their children. He continues with his own boyhood memories of living near the logging camp, returning to Nebraska, homesteading in Colorado around the turn of the twentieth century, and finally working, marrying, and raising a family in Colorado.