When traveling as a salesman for the International Encyclopedia in 1900, I became acquainted with Hon. David W. Chambers of Newcastle, Indiana. He took me to his home, introduced me to members of his family, and gave the following account of his people:
FROM SCOTLAND TO CINCINNATI
Alexander B. Chambers, alone of his father's family, came to America. He left in Scotland three brothers:
William, David, and James. William was a soldier in the British army. He was 6 feet 4 inches tall,
and was a man of great strength. He was with the Duke of Wellington in his Spanish war. He was
awarded a medal, which is now in the possession of D. W. Chambers of Newcastle, his nephew. It was willed
to him. On one side of this medal is a picture of Queen Victoria, with the language "Victoria
Regina." On the other side are the dates "1795 - 1814," and "To the British Army," and on
parallels are these words: "Neville, Vittoria, Salamanca," the names of three great battles in which
William Chambers fought.
Alexander B. Chambers came to Cincinnati from Scotland in 1828. He was a machinist by trade, and worked in the manufacture of steamboats at Cincinnati. He also worked at New Orleans in the manufacture of sugar mills. There is a tradition that at one time he saved the life of a drowning man on the lower Mississippi as he was sinking a third time. Before coming to America, he had traveled to Portugal and other adjacent lands. He learned the Portuguese language. D. W. Chambers, his son, has a copy of an old Portuguese grammar, which the father had studied.
The following facts pertain to the sons of Alexander B. Chambers:
1. David, the oldest son, died at Cincinnati in 1832.
2. Robert M. the second son, is a prosperous farmer near Newcastle. His residence is in the city of Newcastle. Is getting quite old. (1901)
3. Alexander, the third son, lived in Newcastle for a number of years, but later moved to Florida, where he died in 1884.
4. David William, the youngest son, was named for his Uncle David. There are two Davids in this family.
DAVID W. CHAMBERS
David W. Chambers of Newcastle, Ind., was born in Union County, Ind., in 1836, and died Dec. 27, 1912. He
came to Newcastle when quite a youth. He has three children: Walter S., editor of the Newcastle Times;
Lillian, a graduate of Indiana University, and high school teacher; and Mrs. Willard Mogel, Newcastle,
Ind. Walter S. was a trustee of State Institutions under Governors Marshall, Ralston, and Goodrich;
has been twice elected to the Indiana State Senate, and twice as chairman of the Democratic State Central
Committee.
David was a soldier and officer in the Civil War. He was a Republican till 1872, when he was a delegate to the Cincinnati convention that nominated Horace Greely. After that election he was a Democrat. For years he was on the Democratic State Central Committee. In 1876 he was on the Democratic State Central Committee. In 1876 he was the Domocratic candidate for Congress in his district, which had a normal Republican majority of more than a thousand. He was beaten by a majority of 276 votes. On questions of reconstruction he was in accord with the Republicans, but he was opposed to a high protective tariff, and favored a graduated income tax. The family are all presbyterians. David W. had lived in the same house for sixty-four years. For a number of years David was President of the Board of School Trustees of his home town, and was otherwise honored by his fellow citizens.
Robert M. Chambers.
Belle (Chambers) Bailey, 1105 N.E. 2d Ave, Miami, Florida
Mrs. F. C. Hosea, 1115 Church St., Newcastle, IN
Mr. Frank Chambers
Grandchildren of Robert;
L. A. Estes, 4802 Wash. Blvd., Indianapolis, Ind.
Mrs. James B. Shively, Newcastle, Ind., R.F.D. No. 6
Mr. George Chambers, Springport, Ind.
Mr. Fred Chambers, Newcastle, R.F.D. Broad St.,
Mr. Robert Chambers
Mr. R. C. Hosea, 942 S. 15th St., Newcastle, Ind.
IMMIGRANTS OF 1812
William Annan Chambers, son of Hugh and Hannah Chambers, was born and reared near New Castle in Lawrence
County, PA. After attending a local township high school he entered Grove City College, graduating in
1889. Following his graduation he was elected Instructor in his Alma Mater, and after teaching two years,
entered Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1893. Rev. Chambers has held
pastorates in Ellwood City, PA., Struthers and Akron, Ohio, and has been pastor of the Beechview United
Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA, since October, 1916. He is the author of the "History of the
Poland Avenue Church." Struthers, Ohio, and publisher of the "Beechview Evangel." Dr. Chambers
was married to Margaret Elizabeth Steel in 1898, and has one daughter Margaret, now living in Florida,
and one son, William Warwick, a student in Washington and Jefferson College.
James A. Chambers, attorney at law at Newcastle, PA., and H. B. Chambers of Mahoningtown, PA, have given valuable papers which I greatly appreciate. Please note the following:
Newcastle, PA, Oct. 17, 1924
W. D. Chambers, Dupont, Ind.
My Dear Sir:
My great-grandfather, Alexander Chambers, came to America from County Down, Ireland, sometime prior to 1812. There came with him at this time three brothers and three or four cousins. Two of his brothers settled out near the town of Washington, in Washington county, Pennsylvania; the other brother settled near Poland, Ohio; my great-grandfather settled in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, near the town of New Castle; the cousins all settled in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and quite a number of the descendants still live in that vicinity. I know nothing of my great-grandfather's brothers. My great-grandfather had six children: two sons and four daughters; one daughter married a man named Hanna; another a man named McClearen; and the other two married brothers named McKee. The sons were named William and James. James left no family. William, my grandfather, had three sons: Joseph B., my father; Thomas W., and Alexander; they are now all deceased; Sarah married to Patrick boyle: Jane, married to John Waddington; Margery, married to Herbert Douthitt; Margaret, Mary and Nancy, unmarried. My uncle, Alexander, had six children: two boys and four girls: Thomas W., William, Ella, Jennie, Ida, Jessie. The following are still living: William, Ella Widle, and Ida. Thomas W. had three children: Charles L., Frank, and Etta Lusk. My father had five children: Agnes, Anna, Nancy, Maude, and myself. All are dead except for my sister, Nancie Edie, and myself.
If I can be of any further service to you in this matter, I would be glad to have you call upon me.
Yours truly,
JAMES A. CHAMBERS
HISTORY OF CAPTAIN CHAMBERS
Mahoningtown, PA., Dec. 1, 1924
My Dear Sir:
In the year 1812 there came to America from Belfast, County Down, Ireland, Wm. Chambers and his wife Mary Haelton Chambers, and five Children. They sailed from Belfast on the ship "Protection," commanded by Captain Barnes.
Three weeks and three days were consumed in making the voyage to New York. Three weeks were spent in the metropolis. They then took a sloop to Philadelphia, PA., remaining a short time in the Quaker City before commencing the tedious journey to Pittsburgh, PA. The trip was made in the old "Conestoga" wagons, paying their fare as on stage routes. From Pittsburgh they came to Lawrence County, PA., stopping at the home of John Dinsmore on Hickory Creek, -- a relative of Mr. Chambers who started in the virgin territory about 1800. When the Chamberses arrived he had quite a piece of land cleared, and was operating a cotton and loom shop. Wm. Chambers settled on a farm of 200 acres on the south side of Hickory Creek in North Beaver township, not far from the present site of Mt. Jackson, erecting the first brick building in the township--the brick for the structure being made and burned on his Hickory Creek Farm. The land was mostly forest and was purchased from Maj. Chamberlain of Revolutionary war frame. The neighbors there in those days were Samuel Asit and William Woods, grandfather of the late Gen. Wm. McClellan, well known captain of Battery B., and afterward Adj., Gen. of State under Gov. Pattison. Soon after this, Wm. Chambers and several neighbors laid out the village of Mt. Jackson, Naming it after Gen. Andrew Jackson, who later became President of the U.S. He helped to build the first schoolhouse there, which was built of logs and had greased paper for windows. Although he offered his services for the war of 1812, as he had not yet become a U.S. citizen he was not accepted, but afterward he commanded a company of State Militia and was always known thereafter as Captain Chambers. Soon after the foundation of Mt. Jackson was laid, a little group of buildings clustered around the spot. It supported two dry goods stores, two grocery stores, and a number of mechanics who made their wares by hand. Before long there were hatters, tailors, shoe makers, chair makers, wheel wrights, blacksmiths, carpenters, and stone masons.
North Beaver township today is remarkable for the number of well-to-do people possessing thrift and intelligence. Its citizens have a grater amount of money at interest than any other township in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. William Chambers were parents of nine children: Samuel, Alexander, James, Robert and Isabel, all born in Ireland; and John, Elizabeth, Mary, and William Jr. first saw the light of day in America, near Mt. Jackson. all these have passed to the Great Beyond, leaving many descendants in Lawrence County.
Very truly yours,
H. B. CHAMBERS.
The following letter gave me my first knowledge of this branch of the Chambers family:
St. Louis, Sept. 12, 1917
W. D. Chambers, Muncie, Ind.
Dear Sir:
Your esteemed favor of the 9th instant, in reference to what family of Chambers I belong to, received. I have to advise you that all I know of my antecedents is given in the enclosed letter of Rev. W. A. Campbell. His first wife was a cousin of my father. He is a minister of the United Presbyterian church located in Wilmington, Pennsylvania, where the college of this church is located.
My father died when I was 3 years old, and my mother when I was 13. My father died in Newburg, Pennsylvania, which was at that time Beaver Co. but is now Lawrence Co. This small town is located three miles from Enon Station, Pennsylvania. Before my father died he had a country store in Enon. At my father's death, my grandfather, William Taylor, who is the father of my mother, located on a farm two miles from Enon, raised me until I was 13, at which time I started to make my own living.
After having learned harness making in New Castle, PA, I worked a while on journey work, until I had possession of a little money. I started the harness business in Beaverdam, Wis. I being rather a wild boy, my money and business was soon all gone. During this time I married my wife, and my first child was born when I was about 20. I then drifted to Chicago, and on arriving there my money was all gone. I went to a book publishing office to get a position to canvass books. Suffice to say, I followed this business, traveling to different large cities for some six years. During this time I worked most of the large cities including New Orleans, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, New York, and St. Louis. The publishers in New York thought I was a success in the business so they gave me the general agency in St. Louis. This was over 60 years ago. Suffice to say that I made a success and accumulated over $200,000.
I am now a man about 81, and have retired from active business. My two sons, Arthur T., and Leslie T., conduct the above company of which they are secretary and treasurer, and I am the president. We are located in our new building which we just finished, at the above address, which the company owns and is paid for.
I have always understood that my grandfather on the Chambers side, as well as my grandfather on the Taylor side, came from County Antrim, Ireland, which is near Belfast. The only relations of the Chambers family that are now living are located in West Alexander, PA. One of them is a millionaire; others of them are well-to-do farmers. I visited them once, about four years ago.
I have some knowledge of Robert and William Chambers, who belonged to the original stock in Edinburgh, Scotland. One of the brothers was a publisher and he published the Chambers encyclopedia. He owned a business there, which is very large; had one child, a daughter. This is all I know about them. There is quite a large estate there, that is in Edinburgh, which all these heirs will be entitled to some portion of, but as far as I am concerned, I am too old to enter into any litigation.
All the generations of Chamberses are connected with the Lord Ross of Scotland. As stated in Campbell's letter, Bessie Ross married a Chambers, and she died in mid ocean on the voyage to America, and was buried at sea. I belong, myself, to the Ross Clan in America, which consists of over 100 most prominent men in Canada and the United States with the exception of myself.
My father had only one brother, John Chambers, who moved to Savannah, Ashland County, about the time my father was 25 years old. This John Chambers became a very prosperous farmer, and raised quite a large family of boys and girls, almost all of whom are dead, excepting three of his grandchildren who reside in Los Angeles, California, whom I visited. This family consists of two sons and one daughter; they are now about from 40 to 60 years old. there is one daughter of John Chambers who married Samuel Bebout (deceased). She is a practicing physician in Norwalk. Her mother died only about two years ago. I have frequently visited this family. I visited this daughter, the doctor, about two years ago.
You know the name Chambers is very common. There are several families living here in St. Louis, only one of whom I think probably could be os some relation to me. There is a resemblance, although him being a Roman Catholic. His name was B. M. Chambers. I had not much association with him, although thee was a similar resemblance. He came from some of the southern states, I think Virginia, but I am not quite sure as to this. He is now deceased. He was at one time the most generous and prominent Roman Catholic in the city, and was located on a fine farm 8 to 10 miles from St. Louis, very near where I have several farms. He was one time president of the Roman Catholic Bank in St. Louis. I think it is possible that your family may be some relation to this B. M. Chambers. He was undoubtedly of an Irish descent, from the south of Ireland.
My family of Chambers, and probably yours, originally came from the northern part of Ireland. In conclusion now, my friend, you will pardon me for having to ask you if you are a Christian. If so, may God prosper you abundantly, for this is the only life to live if we would reach that haven of eternal rest. I give most of my time now trying to convince the unsaved of the love that Christ has for them.
Your relative,
JAMES H. CHAMBERS
Dufur, Oregon, Sept. 28, 1924
My Dear Mr. Chambers:
I am enclosing check for eight dollars to cover cost of plate (as per your letter of Sept. 18) and am sending photo of my father which I would like used. Needless to say, I value this picture very much and want it back as soon as convenient.
Very sincerely,
MRS. ETHEL CHAMBERS INGELS
The following letter I prize very much, as it is only one from the extreme South. Please note:
New Orleans, U.S.A., August 22, 1924
Prof. Wm. D. Chambers, Dupont, Indiana
Dear Sir:
I have your interesting announcement of the proposed Chambers History. I am enclosing my subscription to same. I anticipate a great deal of pleasure from its perusal and trust that its issuance will not be overly delayed. I am enclosing a list of the Chamberses in our telephone directory, all men of substance whom you can doubtless interest in the forthcoming work. (I wrote each person named but did receive an answer.)
I have been a high school and college professor for twenty-five years, as you will see by referring to "Who's Who in America." Increasing deafness caused me to go into business. My authorship is only a side line. I have eight or nine books to my credit and quite a number of short stories, essays, special articles, etc.
My branch of the family traces back to New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland, through Chicago, and St. Johns New Brunswick. I have never been able to learn of other members in County Wexford, except a Dr. Chambers some years ago. I assume the Wexford Chamberses are of Scotch origin, remaining in Ireland while a majority of the Scotch immigrants to Ireland moved on to america after a while and became our Scotch-Irish element in the population of the U.S. It will be very gratifying to me if your proposed work touches upon this line of descent.
Wishing you success, I am, Cordially,
HENRY E. CHAMBERS
Another college man dates back to 1753. Note his ancestry:
Lansdowne, Pa., Oct. 16, 1924
Mr. W. D. Chambers, Dupont, Indiana.
Your plans for a Chambers History interest me very much.
I am a son of John Wilson Chambers, born 1847; a grandson of Lewis Chambers, born 1820; a great-grandson of John Chambers, born 1784; and a great-grandson of John Chambers, born 1784; and a great-great-grandson of Robert, born in Ireland in 1753.
The last mentioned came over in time to serve seven years in the American Revolution. After the Revolution he settled along the Octoraro Creek, Lancaster County, Penna., where, in a little log cabin, he raised a family of eight children. I could name them and many of their descendants if you wished me to do so.
Yours sincerely, GEO. GAILEY CHAMBERS
At my request, G. G. wrote me a second letter, which see:
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Oct. 27, 1924
My Dear Friend:
The names of the eight children raised by Robert Chambers (1753) were Alexander, John, Samuel, James, Isabella, Olive, Catherine, and Martha. James migrated to Ohio before 1830. Possibly that may help some of the western Chamberses to find "the trail."
Yours sincerely,
GEO. GAILEY CHAMBERS
About 1710 there was born in Ulster, Ireland, John Chambers, who came to New York when quite a young man, and settled in Ulster County, New York. When twenty-seven years of age he was elected to the New York Assembly. In 1754 he became a member of that famous Albany Convention, the forerunner of the Continental Congress. Later he became Chief Justice of New York. He died in 1765. There may be a close relation between this John and the New Jersey pioneers, but evidence is wanting.
John Chambers, an immigrant from the north of Ireland prior to the Revolution, received a grant of land in Jefferson County, Georgia, and settled there. He fought in the Revolution.
William F. Chambers of Cincinnati, Ohio, died Dec. 16, 1918. Eva R. Chambers, his widow, still survives him. He left two children: Fyffe Chambers, born Nov. 14, 1874, and Arthur B. Chambers, born June 2, 1879; both sons are lawyers. Fyffe Chambers lives in Cincinnati; and Arthur B. in Huntington Beach, California. I do not have their ancestry.
Just before going to press, I received the following facts:
David Chambers, Aug. 27, 177-Sept. 21, 1843, married Prudence Steward, April 16, 1801, who was born July 19, 1783, died July 12, 1835. To this union was born: Margaret, Nov. 11, 1802 - Dec. 13, 1879; Benjamin S., Feb. 13, 1805 -- no record; Rebecca, Nov. 8, 1807 - May 13, 1869; Mary, Feb. 11, 1910-April 7, 1864; William Templeton, Mar. 20, 1813-April 9, 1831; John, Mar. 24, 1814-Aug. 7, 1855; James Monroe, Oct. 11, 1817-Mar. 1, 1859; George Washington, Mar. 20, 1820-Aug. 11, 1874; Silas, May 16, 1824-Aug. 29, 1827.This entry does not go back far enough to make certain connections.
George Washington Chambers married Eliza Gibbs in 1848. Their children were: William Fyffe, Nov. 1, 1850 - Dec. 26, 1918; married Eva Rebecca Barton, Oct. 21, 1872; children: Eva, Nov. 1, 1873 - Nov. 10, 1874; Fyffe, Nov. 14, 1874 -- lawyer at Cincinnati, married Sallie Littlepage, Aug. 15, 1904; Arthur Barton, June 2, 1879 -- lawyer. Benjamin, Sept. 8, 1852; not married; living.
Benjamin S. (1805) lived to be 80 or 90 years old, and had a family of 12 children. He lived somewhere in Kansas. Some of his children became prominent and wealthy.
I have this impression as to relationship: It will be remembered that Benjamin, the surveyor, the president of the first, second and third Indiana Territorial Councils, disappeared from the old home near Rising Sun, Indiana. Where did the family go? Perhaps only a few miles up the river to the growing city of Cincinnati. This would make David (1777) the son of the statesman Benjamin, which is a reasonable solution of this problem. If I were to re-write this book I would change the setting of this entry accordingly, and would doubtless make further connections to the elder Benjamin.
John D. Chambers, M.D. of Ft. Wayne, Ind., was born in Genesee Co., New York in 1844. He was of Irish stock, the son of James Boyd Chambers, whose parents left Monaghan, Ireland, in 1798. Though Irish, the family are presbyterians, indicating Scotch kinship back home.
F. C. Chambers of Steubenville, Ohio, writes that his great-grandfather came from Ireland to New York in 1804, about the time of the Burr-Hamilton duel. Edward G. Chambers of Shreve, Ohio, belongs to this branch. Josiah Chambers was born near Steubenville, Ohio, in 1807. His family moved back to W. VA, but he remained in the West. He became a flat-boatman at Cincinnati, but getting hurt he quit the job and moved to Aurora, farther down the Ohio in 1840. Here he entered the mercantile business. In 1851, John Chambers became a member of the firm, but he died in 1856. Josiah continued the business till his death in 1876.
On account of lack of time, I did not attempt to collect further facts from F.L.C.
Eugene, Oregon, Nov. 15, 1924
F. L. Chambers, born Nov. 8, 1865, Oregon Missouri.
My father was James Blair Chambers, born 1833, Quincy, Ohio; his father was Manlove Chambers, born 1791, Cumberland, Allegany Co., MD., (Married Sarah Carlisle in Delaware; Carlisle family still lives in southern Delaware); his father, John Chambers, was born in Ireland about 1750; met Ann Manlove on boat from Scotland; lived in Chester Co., Md; married later; moved to Quincy, Ohio, 1832 or 1833.
I have more if this comes in your line.
F.L.C.
(LATER REPORT)
John Chambers came to America from Ireland near the beginning of the Revolutionary War. On the same vessel there sailed Miss Ann Manlove and her parents. Later, John and Anna became husband and wife. To them were born six children:
1. John -- went west, was never heard from again by his relatives.
2. Violet -- married Stephen Lee; later, a man named Brown.
3. Manlove -- born 1791, at Cumberland, Alleghany Co., Md., and died, 1876, at Quincy, Ohio. He taught school back in Maryland, fought in the War of 1812, and moved, by covered wagon, to Quincy, Ohio, in 1832-33. Married Sarah Carlisle, Dec. 19, 1816. Their children were William John Carlisle, Ann Matilda, James, John Manlove, Margaret Jane, Sarah Elizabeth, Absalom, James Blair, and Maria Mary Ann.
4. Margaret -- married John Holmes; children: Manlove, John, Violet, and Margaret.
5. No record.
6. Absalom -- born 1797, died 1868. Also lived at Quincy, Ohio. His wife was named Elizabeth, a Virginia girl. Jas Blair Chambers (1833-1902); moved to Eugene, Oregon; married Martha Josephine Nies, Jan 29, 1865; children Frank L., now a banker at Eugene, Oregon (making this report); Charles Nies, who died this year 1925; Fred E. Frank L. writes that he was delayed making his report by taking a trip via Panama Canal and New York City. Was called home by death of his brother Charles. Manlove is the test name in this family.