Chamberlain History Timeline, Part 1 (1580-1750)
Introduction to “The Chamberlain Story“
A welcome from, and a photo of the Author. The goals and purposes of the The Chamberlain Story website. (Published July 29, 2016, revised August 31, 2017)
Chapter 1- Francis Chamberlain Arrives in the New World
Francis Chamberlain arrived on the Marmaduke in 1622. Circumstantial evidence shows that Thomas, Edmond and William may be the sons of Francis Chamberlain and Agnes Hayden, (miss-spelled Haiden). (Published August 22, 2016)
Chapter 2- Thomas and William Chamberlain Leave Virginia
Thomas Chamberlain, Daniel Gookin and William Chamberlain leave Virginia after the Indian massacre in 1644. The real reason they left Virginia. Puritans settle Billerica and Chelmsford. (Published August 29, 2016)
Chapter 3- The Chamberlains of Barbados
A 1679 Barbados census listed Francis Chamberlain. He was likely the baby Francis of 1625. The surnames of Francis Chamberlain and of all four of his servants: Richard Burton, John Forth, William Worlidge or Woolridge, and Sionell Rolston, were found in Parrish records. (Exclusive report published September 9, 2016)
Chapter 4- Three Chamberlain Brothers in an Indian Storm of Fire
Life is peaceful for Thomas, Edmond and William Chamberlain in Massachusetts Bay colony where the big event is a “public dispute” with the Anabaptists. However, in Plymouth Colony, three Indian warriors were executed. They had been tried and found guilty of murdering John Sassamon, a Harvard educated Indian convert to Christianity. This was the beginning of the King Philips Indian War in 1675. (Published, September 16, 2016)
Chapter 5- Rebecca Chamberlain and the Salem Witch Trials
A massive hurricane destroyed Samuel Parris’ plantation in Barbados in 1680. He moved with his family and two slaves to start a new career as a minister in Boston and then moved to Salem Village. An explosion of evil was ignited there which had a profound effect in dozens of nearby towns including Billerica, where tragedy struck the William Chamberlain family. (Published, September 23, 2016)
Chapter 6- John Chamberlain and the Battle at Pequawket
Captain John Lovewell heads toward the Indian headquarters at Pequawket with only 34 men. The small company was ambushed and outnumbered. John Chamberlain from Groton, Massachusets meets Chief Paugus face to face. (Published, September 30, 2016)
Chapter 7- The Legend of “Paugus” John Chamberlain
Abigail Chamberlain hears tragic news when ten of Lovewell’s company arrive at Dunstable on May 11, 1725. Her husband John and her brother Thomas Woods were not among the ten survivors. Today’s internet historians doubt the story of the duel between John Chamberlain and Chief Paugus. I present evidence it is true. Also, Fanny Hardy Eckstorm (1936), accused The Rev. Thomas Symmes, of purposefully falsifying information in a conspiracy to protect the family of Jonathan Frye the young chaplain. My post, for the first time in 80 years, shows Eckstrom was wrong! (Published October 17, 2016)
Chapter 8- The Revenge of the Son of Paugus
That fall (of 1725), a son of Paugus came into Groton to avenge his father’s death. He went to a neighbor upon some pretended business that his design might not be discovered. However, the man thought the Indian resembled the old chief and his errand was suspected. He went directly to the mill and told Chamberlain to look out for young Paugus. Chamberlain thanked the man and went right up to the house and got his gun and went back to the mill. (Published October 28, 2016)
Chamberlain History Timeline, Part 2 (1750-1945)
Chapter 9- The Mystery of Chamberlain Lake
In a document recorded by his grandson, Alonzo C. Phillips, Spencer Chamberlain gives us clues that may help us find his ancestors. The first paragraph, from the memory of Spencer Chamberlain, also gives us information about the naming of Chamberlain Lake and the origin of Chamberlain Farm in Maine. Why was Chamberlain Farm cleared years before there were any white settlements and long before the logging industry came to the Allagash Wilderness?
Chapter 10- The Chamberlain Families of Westmorland
Spencer Chamberlain was raised in Westmoreland. Finding him and his father John Chamberlain has been a frustrating task. Ella Abbott in her letters to “Mrs Chamberlain” gives information about the two Chamberlain families (Thomas Chamberlain and Henry Chamberlain) and the two different John Chamberlains who lived in Westmoreland between 1750 and 1790.
Chapter 11- Thomas Chamberlain, Westmoreland Pioneer
This chapter chronicles the life of Thomas Chamberlain one of the first settlers in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. It tells how he helped establish the local Congregational Church and defended his family against Indians. Chamberlains and others residents of the Connecticut River Valley survived a major crisis when all the grain crops were destroyed in 1770.
Chapter 12- The Chamberlain’s during the Revolutionary War
In 1775, Thomas Chamberlain and several of his sons were living in Westmoreland during this pivotal time in American history. Henry Chamberlain’s sons also were living there and played a prominent roll in the Revolutionary war. Silas French, the father of Millie French Chamberlain also fought in the war. A thorough account of the Battle of Bunker Hill is presented and the roll of two Chamberlain brothers who were in the thick of the fight is highlighted.
Chapter 13- The Chamberlains in the March to Ticonderoga (June 30, 2017)
Fort Ticonderoga was a key point of access to both Canada and the Hudson River Valley. Colonel Ashley’s regiment from southwestern New Hampshire, was available on a minutes notice to march to its defense. John Chamberlain, Increase Chamberlain, Calvin Chamberlain and Silas French served in this militia. These men witnessed and fought for the establishment of a free and independent nation- The United States of America.
Chapter 14- Spencer Chamberlain’s Indian Mother Winona (July 7, 2017)
Spencer was born about 1786, the Revolutionary War had recently ended. This story is my best guess about Winona’s tribe and family. To make an educated guess, it was necessary to understand the history and situation of the various Indian tribes of New England during that time in history. It will show how Winona’s blue-eye allele may, within three or four generations, connect her to a French Baron and the tribal chief.
Chapter 15- The Unusual Household of Increase Chamberlain, Jr.
In October 2014, I received an email from Joan Alexander, Secretary of the Glover Historical Society. It was the first big clue for what my grandfather, Harry Chamberlain, was looking for 80 years before- a major break in finding Spencer Chamberlain and his parents in Westmoreland.
Chapter 16- Spencer Chamberlain and the Runaway Pond
The story of the day the pond ran away, June 6, 1810. Jeanette Chamberlain Phillips told the story she has known by heart since she was a small child. Mr. Wilson states that the incidents in his report from the time the party left the mill until it was carried away, “all of which Chamberlain saw,” was obtained from his daughter Mrs. Phillips.
Chapter 17- Spencer Chamberlain in the Battle of Plattsburgh
On September 11, 1814, 14,000 elite British soldiers invaded the town of Plattsburgh New York. Only about 2000 American ground troops were there to hold the city against the overwhelming force. Spencer Chamberlain was with the Vermont 31st Infantry. Their orders were to defend Fort Brown “to the last man”.
Chapter 18- The Secret Life of Alonzo Chamberlain
The story of Alonzo Chamberlain as an agent of the Underground Railroad was previously unknown to his extended family, his home town of Glover, and to the historians of Vermont. Includes a tour of the house and farm today, where Alonzo Chamberlain lived 1843-1855. Also, see the surprising significance of Alonzo’s 1860s photo album. (Published August 25, 2017)
Chapter 19- Spencer Chamberlain’s Family Before the Civil War
Jeanette Chamberlain Phillips and her family defends Spencer Chamberlain as the hero of Runaway Pond. This post identifies photos and gives information on Spencer’s extended family in Glover, Vermont and beyond. (Published January 5, 2018)
Chapter 20- Alonzo Chamberlain Moves to Winnebago County, Illinois.
Alonzo Chamberlain moved to Shirland, Winnebago County, Illinois. Underground Railroad in Northern Illinois. Public hanging of Alfred Countryman. Lincoln and Douglas debate popular sovereignty and the spreading of slavery. Battle of Antietam opens way for Emancipation Proclamation. William Warren in Civil War. He married Amanda Chamberlain.
Chapter 21- John Harry Chamberlain, Pioneer Life on the Prairie
Challenges of homesteading, teaching school and crop failure. How Harry Chamberlain met Mary Ellis. Politics and a law practice. Alonzo W. Chamberlain star player in an exciting high school football game in 1895. An extensive early history of Spencer, Clay County, Iowa.
Chapter 22- Mary Ellis Chamberlain, The Mormons Return to Iowa
Mary Ellis’ father grew up near Palmyra New York in 1827 and heard news reports of the discovery of the Book of Mormon. Her brother was a preacher who spoke against the Mormons. Two missionaries were sent to Spencer Iowa to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the 1890s without purse or script. They received no compensation. They served with prayers and a promise that: “The honest in heart shall be prepared to receive thy testimony, to feed and clothe and give thee money”.
Chapter 23- The Early Life of Harry Ellis Chamberlain
Clay County News, Spencer, Iowa Sept. 22, 1904- “Never in the history of our city did the news that death had invaded one of our homes produce a sensation of deeper sorrow than on this occasion” The terrible tragedy and a spiritual moment that changed the life of my grandfather, Harry Ellis Chamberlain, and his family forever. (Published March 29, 2019)
Chapter 24- My Grandmother Annie Ankarstrand Chamberlain
My grandmother told me her story was too sad to tell. However, learning about her life gave me greater love and appreciation for her and her Swedish immigrant mother and father.
Chapter 25- Harry Chamberlain, Key Witness in Salt Lake Murder Trial
On April 13, 1925, Harry Chamberlain was a secret witness for the defense. Mark Collins had already been tried in the press and found guilty. Though never convicted in a court of law, he was viewed by nearly everyone as a cold-blooded murderer and possibly a serial killer. Harry’s surprise testimony sent shock waves through the Salt Lake Valley and beyond.
Chapter 26- The Early Life of Ernest M. Chamberlain Stories of Ernest and Harry Chamberlain’s family during the time they lived on 10th East in Salt Lake City where Ernest, Lois, Harry Jr., Richard and Robert were born. Also covers their extended family in Spencer Iowa at this time, (many great family photos).
Chapter 27- Fay Barney Chamberlain Dating and Marriage Both Ernest and Fay would later express their belief that their love story and eventual marriage and family was meant to be, perhaps even pre-ordained in the heavens. If this is true, the angels assigned the project of getting them together for this romantic first date had their work cut out for them.
Chapter 28- Ernest M. Chamberlain After Pearl Harbor
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Ernest M. Chamberlain was soon called to active duty. He was assigned to serve in the 41st Infantry Division Artillery. Unknown to any mortal, an incredible sequence of events was about to take place which would change his military assignment and the future course of his life and that of his family. Would Ernest become a “Jungleer” or fight in the “Battle of the Bulge”?
Chapter 29- Ernest and Fay Chamberlain Family During WWII 1942
My father, Lt. Ernest M. Chamberlain, left for Fort Lewis, Washington on December 31, 1941. He was training as an officer in the US Army 76th Field Artillery Brigade. My mother, Agnes Fay Barney Chamberlain, and my brother Martin moved to her parent’s home at 2657 Alden Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dennis Chamberlain (aka me) became part of The Chamberlain Story later this year.