E8-Rebecca Chamberlain, the Puzzle of Sarah Shelley’s Will

Is Rebecca Chamberlain’s maiden name Addington or Shelley?

Rebecca Chamberlain was the wife of William Chamberlain, of Billerica, Massachusetts. She was a victim of the Salem witch trials and died in Cambridge prison in 1692. Her parents are unknown. However, as a result of some genealogical detective work by George Walter Chamberlain (GWC) in about 1910, we have clues about her family and her maiden name. From his study of the Last Will and Testament of Sarah Shelley, he determined that Rebecca’s maiden name is either Addington or Shelley, but which one is it?

In his concluding comment GWC said, “I do not know… The time will doubtless come when this puzzle will be solved- probably from sources of information across the seas.”1

It has now been over 100 years and the missing pieces of the puzzle still lay buried some where across the Atlantic.

The “Cousens” of Sarah Shelley

Reading Sarah Shelley’s will is quite confusing and some terms may seem arbitrary or inconsistent. David Conrad Chamberlain, Sr. (DCC) 1932-2005, studied the will, and his comment shows how confusing the will can be if we don’t know the various beneficiary’s and their relationship to Sarah Shelley.

The inconsistent wording used By Sarah Shelley in her will adds to the confusion. She calls Rebecca Chamberlain a sister, William Chamberlain her brother, and their children “cousins”. She calls Isaac Addington Jr. a “kinsman” and not her nephew, and so forth. Thus, it is fruitless to draw any definite conclusions from this terminology.2

Actually, all the terms used by Sarah Shelley are very consistent and precise when combined with obvious and common knowledge of her time. I believe my blog is first to identify all of her relatives who are beneficiaries of Sarah Shelley’s Last will and Testament. Hopefully, drawing conclusions from her terminology can now be fruitful.

Identifying Sarah Shelley’s “cousens” help us understand their relationship to her. In the will, everyone that she calls a “cousen” is a son or daughter of either William and Rebecca Chamberlain or of Isaac and Anne (Leverett) Addington. Therefore, it is obvious that all those called “cousens” in her will would be called nieces and nephews today. And also, all her relatives who are beneficiaries are connected to these two families.

Sarah Shelley’s will

In 1687, Sarah Shelley’s estate was valued at over £234. In today’s (2019) dollars considering inflation since 1750, this value would be about $66,493. One British pound in 1687 would be approximately $284 today, and one shilling $14.20.

1687 British Silver Crown (five shillings). Sarah Shelley’s estate was approximately equal to the value of nine hundred and thirty-six of these coins.

Here is verbatim the will of Sarah Shelley. It is shortened to show only the parts that pertain to her relatives. I have numbered each of her “cousens” and will explain how each  one is related to the testatrix.

I Sarah Shelley of Boston in New England Spinster, being sick in body, but through mercy of sound disposing minde. Knowing the uncertainty of this present Life do hereby revoke all former and make and declare this my last will and Testament.
Item. I give bequeath unto my cousens Captain Penn Townsend and Sarah his wife (1) Five pounds apeice in money and to my Cousen Ann Pierce (2) Five pounds in money and to each of my Cousen Townsends and Cousen Pierce’s children (3) now Liveing Forty Shillings a piece in money to be paid by my Executor into the hands of their parents for their use. Also I give unto my Cousen Rebecca Davenport’s(4) two children Forty Shillings apeice in money Viz: Addington Davenport and Rebecca Davenport: (5) Further I give unto the said Rebecca Davenport and Rebecca Townsend (6) my two Silver Spoons, Rebecca Townsend to have that I commonly use. More to my Cousen Rebecca Davenport(7) one new pewter pot and Silver Bookin. (sic)

Item. I give unto my Cousen Isaac Addington (8) Ten Pounds in money and to his wife Twenty Shillings in money to buy her a Ring.

Item. I Release unto my Brother William Chamberlin(9) a debt of Six pounds which he oweth me and I give and bequeath unto my sister his wife(10) and unto her three daughters Twenty Shillings apeice in money. Farther I give unto my said Sister(10) and her three daughters and my Cousen John Chamberlain’s wife (11) all my wearing Apparrell and Household goods of all sorts to be equually divided among them Excepting three small pewter dishes marked S:S: which I give unto my Cousen Sarah Shed’s (12) Children now liveing.

Item. I give and bequeath all the rest and residue of my Estate whatsoever unto my sister Chamberlains(10) Eight Sons(13) to be equally divided to and among them, onely my two Cousens John and Clement Chamberlain (14) to have the value of Twenty Shillings apeice over and above an equal Share with their other Bretheren.

And of this my Last will and Testament I do nominate ordain and appoint my Kinsman Isaac Addington(8) to be the sole and whole Exector. In Testimony wherof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed my Seale. Dated in boston the Second day of February Anno Domi 1686/7 Annoqz R:Rs Jacobi Anglia &ca: Secundi: Secundo.

Further I give unto each of my Cousen John & Thomas Chamberlins and my Cousen Sarah Shed’s Children:(15) now living, Ten Shillings for ye raysing of Which I have some small Remnants of Goods by me Which my Executor may dispose of.  Signu

Sarah s Shelley (Seal)

The Children of Isaac Addington and Anne (Leverett) Addington

Remember, Isaac Addington, Sr., is the one who is suspected to be the brother of Rebecca Chamberlain. It is easy to get confused on this point. Isaac Addington, Sr., died in 1652, many years before the will was written in 1687.

The only son of Isaac Addington Sr., and Ann (Leverett) Addington is Isaac Addington, Jr.(8) born January 22, 1644.3 Isaac, Jr was referred to as a cousin and a kinsman of Sarah Shelley. The term “cousen” in this will, (without exception), refers to what we know today as nieces and nephews. Isaac Addington, Jr. was the executor who Sarah Shelley also called her kinsman. This would be very clear at the time because his father was deceased.

Their three daughters are Ann Pierce, Rebecca Davenport and Sarah Townsend. Ann (Addington) Mosely, Pierce(2) was born March 10 1646.3 At the time of the will (1687), she was married to her second husband Nehemiah Pierce. (Her children, however, were from Mr. Mosely). Rebecca (Addington) Davenport(4) born March 11, 16493 was married to Eleazer Davenport. Sarah (Addington) Townsend(1) born February 11, 16523 was married to Penn Townsend. Sarah Shelley refers to all of these as “my cousens.”

The great nieces and nephews of Sarah Shelley were always called “children of her cousins.” Such as, “My Cousen Townsend’s and Cousen Pierce’s children”(3), or my Cousen Rebecca Davenport’s two children, viz: Addington Davenport and Rebecca Davenport(5). She uses the terms “my cousin” Rebecca Davenport(7) to distinguish her from the daughter, “Rebecca Davenport”.(6)

The children of William and Rebecca Chamberlain

William Chamberlain(9) and Rebecca Chamberlain(10) are the only relatives she calls  “my brother” and “my sister”. Isaac Addington, Sr. and Anne (Leverett) Addington were both deceased. Otherwise, they might also have been mentioned as her brother and sister.2

When referring to Rebecca Chamberlain’s children, like those of Isaac Addington, Sr., she always calls them “my cousin”. The eight sons(13) of William and Rebecca Chamberlain living in 1687 are: William born about 1652; John(11)(14) born about 1654; Jacob born January 18, 1658; Thomas(14) born February 20, 1659; Edmund born July 15, 1660; Abraham born January 6, 1665; Clement(13) born May 30, 1669; and Daniel born September 27, 1671.2

Their three daughters are: Sarah (Chamberlain) Shed(12)(14) born May 20, 1655 who married John Shed; Rebecca born February 25, 1663; and Ann born March 3, 1666.2

She called William Chamberlain “my brother” and Penn Townsend “my cousin” which seems the polite thing to do. (They are actually brother-in-law and cousin-in-law). However, when referring to her relative’s children, the parent is always her blood relative, such as “my sister Chamberlain’s eight sons” and “my Cousen John & Thomas Chamberlin’s children and my Cousen Sarah Shed’s Children”. These parent names mentioned are all Chamberlains, (her blood line relatives) even though the children have two parents.

What are the odds?

Since I started writing my blog in July, 2017, no question has come to me more often than, “What is Rebecca Chamberlain’s name? Addington or Shelley?” Therefore, I have studied the will of Sarah Shelley and will add my opinion to those GWC and DCC offered years ago. The good news is that we all agree on two important points. These are:

1- From information found only in the will, we can never know for sure which name is correct.

2- We all agree on which name seems to be most likely.

I developed an algorithm to determine which name is most likely the name of the father of Rebecca Chamberlain. A running score will be kept and the odds will change each time I answer a question or express my opinion. When all the major questions are considered, the final score will determine what is, (in my humble opinion), the most likely maiden name of Rebecca Chamberlain.

Is the name Addington, Shelley or Leverett?

Rebecca Chamberlain and Sarah Shelley were of the same generation as Isaac Addington, Sr. Therefore, they have to be either sisters to Isaac Addington, Sr. or to his wife Anne Leverette. GWC started with three possible names, Addington, Shelley or Leverette.

The wife of Isaac Addington, Sr. was Anne Leverett. She was the daughter of Thomas Leverett and Ann Fitch who were married October 29, 1610.2

Rebecca Chamberlain’s father’s name is either Shelley, or it is one of two lines of the Addington family. either Addington or Leverette. Therefore the odds begin at:

Shelly 50%, Addington 25%, Leverette 25%.

The study of GWC determined whether Sarah Shelley’s relationship to Isaac Addington’s family came through the Addington or Leverette line, he wrote:

In 1672, Governor John Leverett sent to Old Boston, Lincolnshire, England for a transcript of the baptisms of his father’s family… On March 15, 1679.. he made his will mentioning all of the children of his sister Anne (Leverette) Addington, but neither Rebecca Chamberlain nor Sarah Shelley (were included). His transcripts show that… the family consisted of thirteen children baptized between 1612 and 1632. The transcripts show Anne Leverette had a sister named Sarah, but failed to show any sister named Rebecca Leverette.1

GWC concluded: “Therefore, the kinship of Capt. Isaac Addington’s children to Sarah Shelley and Rebecca Chamberlain did not originate in the Leverett family and must have come from the Addington family.”1

Shelley 50%, Addington 50%, Leverette 0%

Was Sarah Shelley married?

If Sarah Shelley was married, Shelley would be her married name and her sister Rebecca’s maiden name would then be Addington. However, the will begins: “I Sarah Shelley of Boston in New England, Spinster”. If spinster is defined as one who has never been married then the calculation will change to:

Shelley 100%, Addington 0% 

However, GWC pointed out that in New England before the American Revolution, the term “spinster” applied to both maidens and widows. He then showed examples in five different documents where widows of that time were called “spinsters” or “spinster/widows”.

Shelley 50%, Addington 50%

The will appears to have been drawn by Isaac Addington, Jr., the distinguished colonial magistrate of Suffolk County. The paper was folded together so that the contents were on the inside two pages. The person who drew up the will wrote in the middle of the outside page: “Mrs Sarah Shelley her Last Will 1686” (1687)

This certainly must mean Sarah was married and therefore she was Sarah Addington, and Shelley was the name of her husband.

Addington 100%, Shelley 0%

Not so fast! Prior to the mid eighteenth century “Mrs” was applied to any adult woman who merited the social distinction, without any marital connotation. Miss was reserved for young girls until the mid eighteenth century. Even when adult single women started to use Miss, Mrs. still designated a social or business standing, and not the status of being married, until at least the mid nineteenth century.4

Addington 50%, Shelley 50%

George W. Chamberlain believed her name was Addington

Sarah Shelley’s will tells us that she was a sister to Rebecca Chamberlain. There is really no evidence to persuade us that Sarah, Rebecca and Isaac were not full siblings. For example, the terms half brother/sister or step brother/sister are never mentioned. Neither does she ever distinguish any one as a half cousin, and she never says cousin of my brother/sister. Also, the name Shelley is not seen among the beneficiaries.

In addition, George W. Chamberlain pointed out that Shelley had a well furnished home and an estate valued at about $66,493 in today’s (2019) dollars. This would be highly unlikely for a single woman living in Boston in 1670 to 1687, unless it was inherited. If they were sisters, and she inherited her estate from her father, Rebecca Chamberlain would likely have received a similar inheritance. Again, of this there is no evidence.

GWC wrote, “For these reasons I believe that Sarah Shelley was a “spinster-widow” whose estate had fallen to her by death of a husband and she. being left alone in the world. decided to pass her last years in Boston near her nephews and nieces, but I don’t know she was a widow.“1 In other words, GWC believed Rebecca’s name was Addington, but just couldn’t say for sure. I agree with GWC.

After very closely examining the will’s terminology, I found it to be clear and consistent with no hint of any half siblings or step siblings. Therefore, I believe it is conservative to say the odds now stand at:

Addington 70%, Shelley 30%.

The Addington-Chamberlain connection

The will connects Sarah Shelley with Rebecca Chamberlain and Isaac Addington, Sr., and their families. This therefore implies a relationship between the Addingtons and Chamberlains. Some suggest this weakens evidence that Isaac and Rebecca were full brother/sister. However, there is another obvious fact that seems to tie the two families very closely together-  that is the naming of their children.

The Addingtons named their children Isaac, Ann, Rebecca and Sarah. When Sarah, their fourth child died as an infant, they also named their fifth child Sarah. These are the names of the children’s father, mother and two aunts.

The Chamberlain’s named their second son Isaac and their three daughters Sarah, Rebecca and Ann. They also had sons whom they named Thomas, Edmund and William. These names include the children’s father, mother and all of their known or suspected aunts and uncles. I believe this remarkable fact raises the probability that Rebecca and Isaac are full siblings.

Addington 80%, Shelley 20%

The Addington family lived in Boston

William Chamberlain, the immigrant, after coming to Massachusetts Bay Colony was first recorded living in Boston October 30, 1647. There he took deed of a house and lot from Francis Smith. His house, garden, shop and out houses were bound on the north by (West Street), on the west (Mason Street), and on east (Washington Street).1

Sub note signed in 1673 by William Chamberlain, town constable of Billerica

Rebecca’s family lived in Boston and, no doubt, that is where William and Rebecca met. The birth record of their first son Timothy, born in Woburn on August 13, 1649, tells us that William and Rebecca were married and living together in Boston.

He sold the Boston property on January 4, 1649 and two days later he was admitted as an inhabitant of the town of Woburn. A few years later, in about 1654, they moved to Billerica.1

Rebecca’s brother Captain Isaac Addington (Sr.) was living in Boston, Massachusetts as a “single man” before June 6, 1640. He married Anne Leverette and their five children were born between 1644 and 1652. Isaac died in Boston in 1652. His wife, Anne (Leverette) Addington was living in Boston in 1657, and many of her family remained there when Sarah Shelley’s will was documented in 1687.1

Isaac, Sarah and Rebecca were certainly raised together and most likely lived together as siblings in Boston in the early 1640s. The point in question, however, is whether they were full siblings, or a product of a blended family of half and/or step siblings.

If Sarah Shelley was never married, but received an inheritance from her parents she most likely would have remained in Boston. There would be no apparent reason for her to leave Boston and move away from her family, if she was not married. Yet there is no record of Sarah Shelley living in Boston until 1670.

Sarah Shelley was admitted to the First Church of Boston on August 14, 1670. This is an unlikely event if she had been living there since the 1640s. I believe this is strong circumstantial evidence that she got married and moved away from Boston and then returned about 1670 as a widow to be near her family.

I believe the cumulative evidence shows there is at least a 90% chance that Mr. and Mrs. Addington reared their three children Isaac Addington, Sarah Addington and Rebecca Addington, and that Sarah married Mr. Shelley. Since he would be an uncle to the Chamberlain children, his first name may have been Timothy, (or one of the other names of the Chamberlain children.)

Addington 90%, Shelley 10%

What if Sarah was the daughter of Mr. Shelley?

It appears that there is about a 90% chance that Rebecca and Sarah are full siblings. Therefore, at this point there is only about a 10% chance that Sarah’s father was Mr. Shelley.

However, even if we knew Sarah’s father was Mr. Shelley and that her birth name was Sarah Shelley, there would still be a 50/50 chance that Rebecca’s name is Addington! We know that the family would have two different fathers because Mr. Addington is certainly the father of Isaac.  Therefore, Rebecca’s father could be either Mr. Addington or Mr. Shelley.

We don’t know the ages of the three sibling’s, but the birth year estimate for Isaac is between 1600 and 1620 and for Rebecca between 1625 to 1633. So we are fairly sure that Isaac was older than Rebecca.

The following are two situations where Sarah’s father is Mr. Shelley but Rebecca’s is Mr. Addington. There could either be one mother or two different mothers in our hypothetical family.

A one mother situation: Mr. Shelley and his wife have a daughter Sarah. Mr. Shelley dies and his former wife marries Mr. Addington, they then have Isaac and Rebecca.

 A two mother situation: Mr. Addington and his wife have a son Isaac. Mr. Shelley and his wife have a daughter Sarah. Mr. Addington later marries Shelley’s former wife and they have Rebecca.

In the various scenario’s, Rebecca’s father could be either Mr. Addington or Mr. Shelley, so chances for Rebecca Addington are about 50/50. Therefore, based on my estimate up to this point, the chance Rebecca’s name is Shelley drops from 10% to 5%. This brings me to my final estimate for the maiden name of Rebecca Chamberlain, which is:

Rebecca Addington 95%, Rebecca Shelly 5%.

Conclusions

There is no record of the parents of Rebecca Chamberlain. The only clues we have to her parents are found in Sarah Shelley’s will.

The will identifies Isaac Addington Sr. and Rebecca Chamberlain as her brother and sister. According to my study of the will there is about a 90% chance that they are full siblings. Though the possibility exists, the will does not imply that they are step-siblings or half-siblings. The simplest and most likely option is that Isaac, Sarah and Rebecca are full siblings.

If this is true, Sarah was married and Shelley is Sarah’s married name. In 1910, George W. Chamberlain believed this most likely to be the case.  Also, after thorough examination of his writings and the will, I believe the probability of this is about 90%.

In the case (about a 10% chance) that Sarah Shelley is not a full sibling to both Rebecca and Isaac, there is still a 50/50 chance that Rebecca is an Addington. Therefore, there is overall about a 95% chance that she is Rebecca (Addington) Chamberlain.

You may also be interested in reading: Chapter 5- Rebecca Chamberlain and the Salem Witch Trials

If you got this far, please click “Table of Contents”, or “Good Bye!”  This will simply let me know someone read this article. Thanks, Dennis Chamberlain

© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Story, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the written content of this site without express and written permission from the author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to  www.thechamberlainstory.com.

References:

1-George Walter Chamberlain, William Chamberlain of Bilerica, Mass, and His Decsendants, pp 96-100, The Chamberlain Association of America.  https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/11879/dvm_dez_GenMono001311-00008-0

2- David Conrad Chamberlain, “Compiler’s Notes” William of Woburn First Generation.

3- Familysearch.org, New England Marriages prior to 1700, page 462

4- Amy Loise Erickson, History Workshop Journal, Volume 78, Issue 1, 1 October 2014, pp. 39–57.

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” in the Pacific, or fight in the Battle of the Bulge?

Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941

On a peaceful Sunday morning, Ernest went to Priesthood meeting. His expectant wife, Fay, and his one year old son, Martin were home when news of the attack flashed over the radio. Ernest heard the news when he got home. He wrote in his journal:

Sunday December 7, 1941 “Like lightning from a clear sky Japan Declared war on the U.S. She struck Pearl Harbor Hawaii, Guam, and the Philippines while we were still trying to talk peace… This evening, all you hear on the radio is war.”1

Ernest M. Chamberlain, 1942

Ernest was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army reserve. From earlier news reports, he believed that war with Germany was inevitable.

Wednesday November 26, 1941 “Germans getting very near Moscow. Position most dangerous since 1812. Not so good. Looks more and more as though Hitler won’t stop till we stop him, and it may be better if we did it now while we have Russia to assist us.”1

The U.S. was now at war and Ernest received his “red margin letter” on December 19. “Well the suspense of worrying about when and where is over” he wrote.1

A peculiar chain of events began when Lt. Harlin offered Ernest a ride

Ernest was instructed to have a physical exam at Fort Douglas, Utah and then report for active duty at Fort Lewis Washington on December 29. Confirmation orders would follow. Ernest checked the Union Pacific train schedule but changed his plans when Lt. William P. Harlin, a fellow Army Reserve officer, called him and offered to give him a ride.

A doctor’s strange requirement

During his physical on Monday, December 23 his pulse rate was over 100. The doctor told him to return and have his pulse read twice a day for three days. He went back on Tuesday and Wednesday and again on Thursday. However, upon his arrival on Thursday, December 26 there was a different examining doctor.

“Why are you here?” he asked.

“I am here to take my final pulse reading to see if I have passed my physical”, Ernest explained.

“Who was your doctor?” 

Ernest gave his reply and the doctor left the room. In a few minutes he returned with some unfortunate news. His previous doctor had been transferred and was no longer available. Also, his additional pulse readings could not be found.

By this time Ernest was about to explode. His “internal combustion chamber went into high gear” and his pulse rate soared. The doctor calmly asked, “Do you happen to remember what those pulse readings were?“2

All animosity disappeared as he grasped the clue, “Yes, I believe I do.” He then carefully reported the previous five tests as honestly as he could recall. The doctor took his pulse and said, “You pass. That really wasn’t an important deal anyway.”2

An error in his special orders

Bill Harlin had received his orders to report to Fort Lewis on or before December 31. He said he would wait for him if Ernest had his orders by the 30th. It was now December 26. To save time, Ernest offered to take his physical examination papers to headquarters himself. However, his offer was refused as they had to be sent by military carrier. “They should be there by tomorrow morning.”

The next morning, Friday December 27, Ernest went to the headquarters of the Third Military Area in Salt Lake City. His physical examination papers had not arrived. He explained the situation and his need to have his orders so he could leave by December 30th. They assured him of their cooperation and told him to call them on Monday December 29. On Monday his papers had arrived and they told him he could pick up his orders at 8 am the next morning, December 30th.

Ernest was there promptly at 8 am, but the orders were not ready. This was very upsetting, (to say it mildly). He restrained his desired comments.  Nevertheless, he reminded them as boldly as he dared that they had promised his orders would be ready at 8 am. Finally, they asked him to come back at noon. “I am waiting right here until I receive them!” came his reply.2

As Lt. Chamberlain waited, they prepared special orders for him. In their haste the clerk omitted an important part of the document. He failed to write in his assigned unit, the 41st Infantry Division Artillery. The error went unnoticed.2

Late arrival at Fort Lewis

They decided to leave early in the morning which would get them to Fort Lewis on time, (by midnight of December 31). Heart felt and painful goodbyes filled the evening.

It began to snow over night. They loaded their belongings and had their skis on top of the car with dreams of skiing on Mt. Rainier. Finally, they were on their way. The storm got worse as they headed north up Highway 89. At Bountiful, Utah they were involved in a sudden head on crash. Both vehicles were moving very slowly through the storm so no one was injured. However, Bill’s car was damaged and not likely able to make the trip. He drove to an auto repair shop and called his brother to take care of the situation. Bill and Ernest got a room at Hotel Utah. Bill’s brother was sworn to secrecy as they did not want to worry the families nor endure again the emotional goodbyes.2

Arriving safely on January 2, Ernest sent telegram to Fay .

They sent a telegram to the Commanding General, Fort Lewis, Washington explaining the situation. They would be on the next available train to Fort Lewis. Their train arrived at Tacoma, Washington the afternoon of Friday, January 2, 1942. The military transportation booth to the post had closed for the week-end, so they flagged down a captain of a tank unit. He took them to Fort Lewis where they reported their arrival about five minutes before closing. They were told to come back in the morning for processing.2

Saturday and no one around to correct the mistake

The next morning they reported to Major Garver, the Adjutant of the IX Corps. He read Bill’s orders and promptly assigned him to the 76th Field artillery Brigade of the IX Corps. Lt. Chamberlain’s orders simply read, “Report to the Commanding General Ft. Lewis, Washington.”

The major read Chamberlain’s orders and left the room for a long time. When he returned he explained the problem. He showed Ernest his orders. Unlike Bill’s orders, there was no unit assignment. Their late arrival time at Fort Lewis placed them in Major Garver’s office on Saturday when almost everyone had left the post for the week end. Therefore, after calling the offices of the 41st and the 76th, he was unable to locate anyone who knew Chamberlain’s assignment.2

“I have to assign you somewhere.” the Major said. “Your headquarters and reporting date is the same as Lt. Harlin. So, the best bet is to assign you to the same unit.” He assigned Lt. Chamberlain to the 76th Field Artillery Brigade, 183rd Regiment.2

“One big pain in the butt!”

Officer Training School graduation. Front row L to R, 5th Ernest M. Chamberlain, 7th William P. Harlin. (See the entire list of names below).

The entire Pacific Coast was concerned about a possible attack by the Japanese.
The 183rd Regimental Headquarters was located at Camp Murray. They assigned Ernest to a firing battery, Battery E, at an isolated defense post near Grays Harbor on Puget Sound. About a week later they sent him on special assignment to Officer Training School and then to Post Guard Duty on the main post. Because of these assignments he was away from his regular unit from January 12 to March 11.3

When he returned to Regiment Headquarters a sergeant called him over and said, “Lieutenant Chamberlain, you have been one big pain in the butt!”

“How could I have been? I have been on special assignments.”3

The sergeant showed him a file which was an inch or two thick. “This,” he said, “is correspondence between the General of the 41st Infantry Division Artillery and the General of the 76th Field Artillery Brigade. Each is claiming that Lieutenant Ernest M. Chamberlain belongs to their organization!”  The 41st  was preparing to leave for the Pacific and the situation needed to be resolved by a higher authority. He then showed Ernest a telegram from the Pentagon. It stated that although Lt. Chamberlain was originally assigned to the 41st Infantry Division, he is currently with the 76th Field Artillery Brigade and there he will stay.3

The Sargent said, “Welcome to the 76th!”3

After Ernest learned he was in the 76th, instead of the 41st, he began to ponder the strange events that led up to the change in his assignment. He slowly began to realize that if any of the frustrating experiences of December and January had not occurred the assignment change would have not have happened.

Martin seemed to know what was happening but no one would listen

Martin, (Ernest and Fay’s 1 and 3/4 year old son) seemed to have some insights about the situation which were oblivious to his mother and grandmother. When Ernest arrived at Fort Lewis he wrote to Fay and told her his experience with the auto accident and ride on the train. In a letter of January 6, Fay wrote to Ernest about Martin:

Martin Chamberlain with his grandmother Livonia Barney and uncle Dean Barney

“Martin was surly cute and understanding. He knew you had gone from us. All day the day you left he told everyone his Daddy had gone on the too-too. Now, every time we ask he says, “Daddy on too-too.” By the way, how did he know you had gone on the train? None of the rest of us knew until a couple of days later.”4

On January 16, Martin’s grandmother, Livonia Barney wrote:

Ernest dear you and Bill were surely blessed in your experience on the Highway. We will always be thankful for such a blessing granted you. It was strange, Martin insisted you had gone on the “toot-too” every minute and was very excited when we would say “Car with Bill”.5

The 41st Infantry Division

In February 1942, units of the 41st Infantry division began movements to deploy overseas. By May 1942 the entire 41st Infantry Division had arrived in Australia. It was the first American Division to go overseas after the attack on Pearl Harbor and it served overseas longer than any other division. It was the first division trained for jungle warfare. This division became known as “the Jungleers” and fought in more campaigns than any other division, mostly in New Guinea and the Southern Philippines. On December 31, 1945 at 2400 hours, the 41st Infantry Division was deactivated in Kure-Hiro Japan.6

The 951st Field Artillery Battalion

In 1943 the the 76th Field Artillery Brigade’s 183rd Regiment was reorganized. The First Battalion was named the 183rd, and the Second Battalion became the 951st Field Artillery Battalion. Ernest served in the in the 951st for the remainder of the war. The 951st landed on Utah Beach in Normandy on D-day + 6, fought in the Hurtgen Forest  campaign and in the Battle of the Bulge.7

Some old questions began to haunt him

When Ernest returned to his home in 1945, he put the war behind. He never spoke of the war nor his experiences. He placed his energy into establishing a career, serving in his church, building a home and raising a family.

Ernest and Fay had five children, three boys and two girls. Three of their children were born after the war, Deanna Fay, Lyle Brent, and Mary Ann. To them, their family was the most important accomplishment and purpose in life. To Latter-day Saints, families last through eternity.

After Ernest retired in 1976, he organized an Army reunion of those who fought with the 951st Field Artillery Battalion. These reunions brought back to his mind the military experiences that had laid dormant for years. Some old questions began to haunt him. He again began to ask, “Why?” “What difference would it have made if I had gone to the Pacific with the 41st?”

“Now you know!”

In March 1978 Ernest and Fay went to visit their son Lyle Brent Chamberlain who was stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. During their visit, Lyle took them to visit the large Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. They spent considerable time at the beautiful memorial. 

Manila American Cemetery and Memorial

Lyle drove them along a road in the cemetery where they viewed thousands of white crosses and stars of David, each marking an individual grave.

Suddenly, Ernest said, “Stop the car!”

“What’s wrong?” Lyle replied.

“I just have to get out of the car,” Ernest said, and he then began wandering through the rows of markers. He came to the place he felt he should go and looked down. The inscription on the unnamed cross before him simply read: “41st INFANTRY DIVISION – KNOWN ONLY TO GOD”.2

As he gazed at the marker, he began to tremble. He felt a clear voice say in his mind: “NOW YOU KNOW!“2

“Lean not unto thine own understanding”

As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ernest believed that we all lived as spirits in the heavens before we came to live on earth. Even before the earth’s creation when “the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” (Job 38:4-7). Like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-5), we may have a specific mission in life and we will be able to accomplish that mission by seeking the Lord’s guidance.

From that sacred moment in the Manila cemetery, Ernest wrote, “I knew… that I would have been killed in combat if the Lord had not intervened, and… there was a strong inward feeling that in the preexistence a promise pertaining to the family had been made.”3

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

To be continued….

Chapter 29- Ernest and Fay Chamberlain During WWII, 1942

If you got this far, please click Goodbye or Table of Contents. This will simply tell me that someone looked at this post. Thank you! Dennis Chamberlain

© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Story, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the written content of this site without express and written permission from the author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to www.thechamberlainstory.com.

Photo of Graduating Officers:

IX Army Corps, Officer Training School Graduation, Fort Lewis Washington, February 15, 1942.

First Row: 1- Lt. Kenneth Ames, 2- Lt. Gilbert Brittain, 3- Lt. Robert Burnham, 4- Lt. Manton Carl, 5- Lt. Ernest Chamberlain, 6- Lt. Elton Gray, 7- Lt. William Harlin Second Row: 8- Lt. Arthur Hedlund, 9- Lt. Niel C. Jackson, 10- Lt. Alfred Jacobsen, 11- Lt. George Keyse, 12- Lt. William Long, 13- Lt. James Mc Leod, 14- Lt. ??? Third Row: 15- Lt. James Moe, 16- Lt. Ferral Ogilire, 17- Lt. Glen Petersen, 18- Lt. Frank Quante, 19- Lt. Allen Scott, 20- Lt. Archie Selders, 21- Lt. John Shonsey Last Row: Lt. Norman Tanner, Lt. Wellington Webb

References:

1- Ernest M. Chamberlain, “Year Book”, hand written journal for 1941-1942.

2- Ernest M. Chamberlain, an unfinished autobiography.

3- Ernest M. Chamberlain, “Now you know”, My Constant Companion and Prayer, unpublished.

4- Fay Barney Chamberlain, personal letter to Ernest, January 6, 1942

5- Livonia Adams Barney, personal letter to Ernest, January 16, 1942

6- The 41st Infantry http://freepages.rootsweb.com/

7- Ernest M. Chamberlain, Battalion History, 951st Field Artillery Battalion

Published Jan. 4, 2019, Re-published on Dec. 7, 2019

22- Mary Ellis Chamberlain: The Mormons Return to Iowa

22- Mary Ellis Chamberlain

Mary Ellis Chamberlain

On a hot day in July, 1897 two Mormon Missionaries knocked on the door of Harry and Mary Chamberlain. Two years later, on May 8, 1899 Mary Ellis Chamberlain was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her choice to join this church had a profound influence on my grandfather Harry Ellis Chamberlain and his descendants. Why did she do it? The reason Mary decided to be baptized may be hard for some to comprehend.

In 1830 Mary’s father Water Ellis was growing up in Aurelius, New York. At that time, there was a religious fervor through out the land. Almost everyone had a passionate belief in the Bible as the word of God, though religious sects of the time did not completely agree on what it says and what it means. Walter was twelve years old when he began hearing news reports of a “gold Bible”, The Book of Mormon. It was being printed in Palmyra only about thirty miles from his home.

Walter Ellis heard News Reports of the “Golden Bible” (Book of Mormon)

Walter Ellis was raised in Cayuga County, New York, 30 miles from Palmyra where the Book of Mormon was published.

The Chamberlain Story tries to see historical events through the eyes of the authors ancestors. The Ellis family’s perception of the strange new religious group a few miles away was shaped by numerous newspaper reports. Most readers were quite amused by early reports.

“Just about in this particular region, for some time past, much speculation has existed, concerning a pretended discovery, through superhuman means, of an ancient record, of a religious and divine nature and origin, written in ancient characters, impossible to be interpreted by any to whom the special gift has not been imparted by inspiration. It is generally known and spoken of as the Golden Bible.” – Wayne Sentinel, Palmyra NY , June 26, 1829

This report by Egbert B. Grandin, editor of the Wayne Sentinel continued: “most people entertain an idea that the whole matter is the result of a gross imposition, and a grosser superstition. It is pretended that it will be published as soon as the translation is completed.”

In August of 1829, Hyrum Smith arrived at Mr. Grandin’s print shop in Palmyra with a handwritten manuscript. When Grandin learned that Joseph Smith was in negotiation with a printer in Rochester, and that Martin Harris, a wealthy local farmer, would be guaranteeing payment of $3000 he decided to accept the project. He agreed to print the first 5000 copies of The Book of Mormon.

As the Book of Mormon printing began, another paper, The Palmyra Freeman called it “the greatest piece of superstition that has ever come within the sphere of our knowledge.” According to the Freeman, proselytes of the “Golden Bible” presented the following account:

“In the fall of 1827, a person by the name of Joseph Smith, of Manchester, Ontario county, reported that he had been visited in a dream by the spirit of the Almighty, and informed that in a certain hill in that town, was deposited this Golden Bible, containing an ancient record of a divine nature and origin.” 

Certainly no one could believe such a tale! However, to his astonishment, some seemingly normal people did:

“An account of this discovery, was almost invariably treated as it should have been — with contempt. A few however, believed the “golden” story, among whom was “Martin Harris, an honest and industrious farmer of this town.” – The Palmyra Freeman, August 11, 1829

On March 26, 1830 the The Wayne Sentinel announced the printing is finished and The Book of Mormon is now for sale at the Palmyra Bookstore, by HOWARD & GRANDIN.1

Believers claim Joseph Smith “had seen God frequently and personally”

About November 1, 1830, Oliver Cowdery and three others arrived in Painesville, Ohio with the “New Bible” on a mission to the “notorious Sidney Rigdon.”

“Rigdon received them graciously — took the book under advisement, and in a few days declared it to be of ‘Heavenly origin.’ Rigdon, (a Cambellite preacher) with about 20 of his flock, were dipt immediately… Smith (they affirmed) had seen God frequently and personally. — Cowdery and his friends had frequent interviews with angels, and had been directed to locate the site for the New Jerusalem.” – Palmyra Reflector, February 14, 1831

A news report of the activity in Ohio was published at Canandaigua, New York in the Ontario Messenger on December 22, 1830: “The Book of Mormon, otherwise called the Golden Bible, has excited considerable curiosity in some parts of the country; and we learn that preachers have appeared in the State of Ohio and elsewhere.”

The same story recorded that on Thursday, December 16, a preacher, believed to be Rigdon, delivered a discourse at the Town House in Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York, fifteen miles south of Palmyra, and about 30 miles west of the Ellis home. Two or three hundred people attended. “In the course of his remarks, he explicitly avowed his firm belief that the book of Mormon is a revelation from God.“1

The astonishing growth of book of Mormon believers

Walter Ellis and his family living in Cayuga County would likely find this report interesting. Based on information from the Geauga (Ohio) Gazette, The Sentinel (Palmyra) attempts to to affirm the accuracy of the number of believers in Wayne and Cayuga Counties:

“The Golden bible, or book of Mormon — The believers in the sacred authenticity of this miserable production, are known by the name of ‘Mormonites,’ and their book is commonly called ‘the book of Mormon.’ It is asserted by them that their number in this vicinity is four hundred. In a conversation a few days since with a gentleman from Kirtland, well informed, and every way concerned to give us the truth, we are assured that their numbers in that town were two hundred souls. We doubt not then that their whole number in this county and Cayuga are at least four hundred.”– Wayne Sentinel, March 4, 18311

Mormon Emigration from New York to Ohio, May 1831

“Mormon Emigration. — About two hundred men, women and children, of the deluded followers of Jo Smith’s Bible speculation, have arrived on our coast during the last week, from the State of New York, and are about seating themselves down upon the “promised land” in this county.” — Painesville  (Ohio) Telegraph. (Ontario Repository, Canandaigua NY- May 25, 1831)

Several families from Palmyra including Martin Harris joined the westward migration.

“Mormon Emigration. — Several families, numbering about fifty souls, took up their line of march from this town last week for the “promised land,” among whom is Martin Harris, one of the original believers in the “Book of Mormon.” Mr. Harris was among the early settlers of this town, and has ever borne the character of an honorable and upright man, and an obliging and benevolent neighbor. He had secured to himself by honest industry a respectable fortune — and he has left a large circle of acquaintances and friends to pity his delusion.”– The Wayne Sentinel, May 27, 18311

The family of Walter Ellis and Clarissa Nichols in the 1890s

Walter Ellis

Clarissa Jane Nichols Ellis

On July 4, 1839 Walter Ellis married Clarissa Jane Nichols. Clarissa was born in Penfield, New York on September 22, 1820. Both Walter and Clarissa descended from Puritan ancestors.

Walter was reared in farming and pursued this occupation through his life. By 1850 they left New York and bought a farm in Marshall, Illinois where Walter farmed until 1855. That year he moved to Polk County, Iowa to Beaver Township. They lived there on a farm of 160 acres until 1870. Thereafter, he lived or developed the land in a number of locations, Rising Sun, Polk, Iowa; Dexter, Dallas County, Iowa, Clay County Iowa; and Faulk County, South Dakota. He moved to Marysville, Missouri in 1889 where he now (1890) lives with his loved wife. Both are devoted members of the Christian Church.2

1- Dennis Ransom Ellis, oldest of seven children, was born in Orleans County, New York on August 3, 1841. At age 18 he united with the Christian Church in Rising Sun, Iowa. Four years later, he became a minister of that congregation. The following year (1864) he was married to Mary J Ellis (no relation). By 1879 they had seven children, though two died in infancy.2,3

2-  Jason L .Ellis  b. October 25, 1842, Orleans County, New York. He enlisted in the Iowa Eighteenth Infantry July 19, 1962 and died in the service during the Civil War in Springfield, Missouri, February 28, 1863. “Father, I hope you are not sorry because I went; ma, I hope you are gratified that you had a son that was willing to take up his cross and help sustain the good old Flag, that was purchased by our forefathers in the time of Washington.” Letter dated Sept. 7, 1862, five miles from Springfield.8

Frank Burke

Minerva Jane Ellis

3- Minerva Jane Ellis, b. March 9, 1845. Orleans County, New York. She married November 24, 1864 Frank Burke now a farmer in O’Brian County, Iowa, (1890). Minerva died November 18, 1931

4- James Lyman Ellis, b. August 4, 1854, Marshall, Illinois. He married Mattie C. Hoyt and they made their home (1890) in Coon Rapids, Carroll County, Iowa. James died April 1, 1943.

5- Mary Eva Ellis b. December 15, 1855, Rising Sun, Polk, Iowa. She is the the wife of Harry Chamberlain of Spencer, Clay County Iowa. Mary died October 19, 1917.

Elmer Ellis, photo 1904

Jane Ellis 1830-1915, sister of Walter Ellis

6- Nelson Alphonso Ellis, born August 12, 1857 married Mary Jane Corsbie August 14, 1883. They live on their farm in Warren County, Iowa (1890). Nelson died December 24, 1930.

7- Elmer Ellsworth Ellis, born August 12, 1857 married Emma J. Wooley November 30, 1883. They are living in O’Brian County, Iowa, (1890). Elmer died January 2, 1906.2,3

The Reverend Dennis R. Ellis and his sister Mary

Dennis R. Ellis

Dennis Ellis worked on his farm where he grew ornamental trees in addition to his other crops. However, he did not let his farming distract him from his church work. His services were given cheerfully and freely when ever needed for the good of his fellow man. His upright life and consecration to the work won many hearts. Apparently a powerful speaker, his work was blessed by many additions to the church with fifty being added at one time under his preaching.2

Dennis seemed to have close bonds to his sister Mary and the Chamberlain family. In 1876 he helped establish the Christian Church in Spencer, Iowa. At that time he baptized Mary. Her husband, Harry Chamberlain, helped with the construction of the Church building.4

There were regular visits between their families. My grandfather, Harry Ellis Chamberlain enjoyed the train rides to Des Moines when his Dad and Mother visited her brother in Rising Sun, a suburb just east of town. He related this story of when he was six or seven years old, (1897 or 1898):

“On one visit I went with Dad to the railroad station in Des Moines to check the train time. As we were walking up Court Street Dad said to me, ‘If you ever get lost, take a right down Court Street to Uncle Den’s.’ (which I believe was three miles). Well, everything was interesting to me and as Dad was checking on the train information I was not keeping track of him. When I started to take hold of Dad he was not in sight (but was close).  I got  panicky, but sure enough remembered what Dad said. When Dad got through with his business he could not find me. He got frightened and I believe he got a taxi, but I beat him back (to Uncle Den’s) and was lying down tired out.”5

Dennis Ellis was a loving brother and uncle, nevertheless, he was a challenging opponent to the Mormon preachers. The following report of April 12, 1890, is from the Altoona Harold:

“Rev. D. R. Ellis has been preaching doctrine, to the people of Runnels, that completely upsets Mormonism. It appears that the Mormon preachers challenged him to debate. He accepted the same and presented himself for the purpose of discussing the questions. His Mormon opponents failed to put in an appearance, however he proceeded to deliver two discourses to the people that knocked the bottom out of Mormonism and established the truths of the Bible.” 6

Why did Mary Ellis Chamberlain do it?

I have often asked myself this question. Why did Mary Ellis Chamberlain join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?

22- Mary Ellis Chamberlain

Mary Ellis Chamberlain

There was no boy friend encouraging her to learn about his religion. She didn’t know anyone who was a Latter-day Saint. No one in her family were members. If fact, the decision to join would certainly cause her father, brother and other family members, whom she loved, some emotional distress. There was no congregation that would  provide fellowship, or who would support and strengthen her family. There was no apparent personal or family crises to bring her to her knees in the search for deliverance.

These are all good reasons that have drawn people toward the Restored Church. However, in Jesus’ parable of the sower and the seeds, these reasons by themselves do not provide the “good ground” by which seeds (the word of God) will spring up and bare fruit. (Luke 8:4-15)

Mary’s decision was based solely on the message that was first brought into her home by a couple of missionaries from Colorado and Utah. Their religion had been driven out of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa some fifty years earlier. To understand Mary’s faith, it will be helpful to understand the faith and experience of the Mormon Missionaries who had returned to Iowa to bring her the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“The honest in heart shall be prepared to receive thy testimony”

On May 4, 1897 Joseph Francis Thomas, age 39, left his home in Manassa, Colorado. He left a wife and five children, their ages between 12 years and 4 months, to wait his return. He headed for Salt Lake City, Utah where he met with Apostles Francis M. Lyman and George Teasdale. They appointed  him to serve in the Northern States Mission.

These apostles laid their hands on Elder Thomas’ head. Then Elder Francis Lyman blessed him… “by virtue of the Holy Priesthood” and set him apart…. “to preach the Gospel and to bear testimony to the Mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. To preach the first principles of the Gospel of life and salvation.”

His blessing continued with the following prophetic promise:  “The honest in heart shall be prepared to receive thy testimony, to feed and clothe and give thee money. Thou shalt always find friends and attentive listeners and thy testimony shall be powerful under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.”

The missionary program has changed over the past 120 years. Today (2018) it is more family friendly, calling only young, single men and women and retired couples. Also, today’s missionaries receive a monthly allowance funded by contributions from their family and friends. However, the only means of support for Elder Thomas in 1897 was faith in an apostles’ promise. “The honest in heart shall be prepared…. to feed and clothe and give thee money.”

Traveling “without purse or script”, meant preaching the Gospel required faith that the Lord would prepare someone, not only to listen to your message, but that they would also feed you and invite you to stay in their home overnight!7

The first day without purse or script

Denver, Rio Grande and Western Pacific Union Depot, Salt Lake City, Utah,

Elder Thomas boarded the Denver and Rio Grande Western train on the morning of May 6, 1897 bound for the Northern States mission home in Chicago. His three traveling companions from Salt Lake were assigned to serve Omaha, Nebraska, Oshkosh, Wisconsin and Ohio. Elder Thomas was sent to Sioux City, Iowa. He arrived at the Sioux City depot at 7 am May 13 where he met the President of the Iowa Conference, Levi A. Polvin, from Payson, Utah. He assigned Elder Thomas to labor with Elder James D. Coon of Ritter, Utah. They would open a new field in Clay County, Iowa.

On the morning on May 15, he left by train for Sheldon, Iowa to meet Elder Coon, his first companion. He caught a ride with a farmer to shorten the five mile walk to the farm house where he received a warm welcome from Elder J. D. Coon and Elder Henry Bisel. He stayed over for the Sunday  service at Beving School house. There, Elder Thomas gave his first mission speech “The Lord Hears Us”. That afternoon they attended a Baptist meeting in Matlock.

Spencer Iowa

On May 17 Elders Coon and Thomas started at noon for Spencer, Clay County to open a new field. They walked about five miles south and east to Sheldon and took the train at 3:50 pm for Spencer, arriving at 5:05 pm.

At a small grove of trees one mile north of town, they knelt in prayer, asking the Lord to lead them in their work, and take them to the door of the honest in heart, and to someone who would give them food and lodging. They then proceeded to distribute their tracts and to declare their mission.

They visited eight houses and at each they were refused entertainment. Only two families invited them inside. At another house the lady told them she would keep them overnight were it not that her husband was not at home. 

They arrived at the tenth house, between seven and eight o’clock. There they were invited to spend the night, given supper, a good bed and breakfast in the morning. This family’s name was J. M. Earle.

The two Elders had a nice long conversation with the Earles on the gospel.  Judging from her comments, Mrs Earle believed the doctrine they taught. She also told them that she knew the night before that she had to keep them overnight.  She said that something influenced her.7

In answer to prayer the spirit said, “Go to the right”

Elder Thomas and Elder Coon continued to labor diligently and with great faith every day handing out tracts and discussing the Gospel with anyone who would listen. They often sold or gave away “A Voice of Warning”, a book by Parley P. Pratt, to those who showed interest. The regular price was 15c. One time when Elder Thomas  sold one, he said, “Now I have money to by postage stamps.”

They traveled afoot from town to town within the Clay County lines and returned to Spencer occasionally to pick up their mail. They often did not know where they would receive their next meal nor where they would sleep that night, trusting only that the Lord would guide them.

June 1, 1897 was rainy and cold. The two elders visited houses and distributed tracts all day. At one house, Charles Fritz gave them dinner. He conversed with them on nearly every topic except the one they wanted to talk about. When they left it was drizzling rain and the wind was blowing very cold.

As they walked east down the road, Elder Thomas prayed, asking the Lord to guide them to a place where they could get warmth and shelter. They came to a cross road with houses to the right and to the left. In answer to his prayer the spirit said, “Go to the right”. Saying nothing to his companion, he turned right. They knocked on the door of the first house. A kind lady invited them in and made them comfortable. Unfortunately, she had no room available.

Soon a teacher, who was boarding there, came in and said, “I am going home and will not be here tonight”.  The lady of the house (Mrs H. M. McConick) then said to the missionaries, “I was worried to know how I could take care of you gentlemen, but now the teacher has gone home and his room and bed will be empty and we can keep you very nicely”.

Elder Thomas told her the Lord sent him home so they would have a place to stay. He then gave thanks to the Lord.”7

“We teach Christianity”

Elder Thomas and Elder Coon inquired on the various churches in town asking for permission to use their building to preach their Sunday Service. At the Congregational Church, the Friends Church, Methodists and Free Baptists they were turned away. Their next visit was to Mr. George Runyan, principle trustee of the Christian Church where their request to hold meetings on Sunday was granted. They purchased some cardboard and a lead pencil and started making signs to advertise the event.

“A True Exposition of the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes called ‘Mormonism’, at the Christian Church at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 6, 1897. No collection. Everyone invited.”

On Sunday, the meeting began at 3:00 pm. They sang “Redeemer of Israel”, then opened with prayer by Elder Joseph F. Thomas, followed by another hymn “The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning“. Elder Coon spoke of their travels and on “Faith, What It Is”. Elder Thomas spoke on “The Godhead, Faith in God and His personality, Repentance, Baptism by Immersion and Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost, Apostasy from the Primitive Church and Restoration by an Angel.” It was a great meeting with 50 or 60 attending.

Meetings were held there on Sundays for a several weeks. However, for Sunday, July 11 the churches in town rescheduled their times to conflict with the 3 pm meeting to obstruct attendance. The missionaries waited until 3:30 pm. No one came so they had no meeting.

On July 15, Elder Thomas prepared an article for the newspaper. It pointed out the kindly treatment given to the Society of Christian Endeavor on tour to San Francisco. When they arrived in in Salt Lake City on July 4, a large building known as the Mormon Tabernacle with seating for 12,000 and a large organ was made available to the them. In order to do this the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints postponed its own regular Sunday services. He wrote, “It occurred to me to inquire why such favors may not be reciprocated here in Iowa by professing Christians”. 

In his article, Elder Thomas’ proclaimed “We teach Christianity.” And in the six paragraph article he taught much church doctrine including the following:

“The Latter-day Saints or ‘Mormons’ believe in God the Eternal Father and His Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost, and that these three constitute the Godhead, the supreme governing power over all things. That the Son of God is in the express image of the Father’s person, as Paul says. (Hebrews 1:3) That the Latter-day Saints look to Christ the Lord as their Redeemer, Savior, King and Lord. They believe that in Him they receive all things. That He has spoken and does speak to His Church through the Prophets and by the voice of His Spirit.”

Elder Thomas previously had met the editor of the Clay County News, Mr. Samuel Gillespie, describing him as “broad minded.” He carried his article to Gillespie who read it over carefully.

“That is very good, I will publish it”, he said. The article was published in the Clay County News on July 25, 1897. Thereafter, Gillespie published notices from Elder Thomas without charge.7

Visits with Harry and Mary Chamberlain

The following are direct quotes from the Journal of Joseph Francis Thomas. These only include portions of his entries directly pertaining to the Chamberlain family, plus a few entries which I found to be especially interesting.

July 29, 1897– This morning there was an eclipse of the sun showing quite plainly. We visited houses in the town of Spencer and delivered tracts to them and talked to them. Had a discussion with Mr. Rev. L. J. Anderson, a Baptist minister, in the front yard of Mr. Jaynes. Returned to Mr. Earle’s and stayed all night again.

July 30, 1897– Another awful hot day. We shall not attempt to travel much because of the heat. This afternoon we went to south Spencer and had a visit with Mr. Chamberlain (Harry) and a very pleasant conversation with him and Mrs. Chamberlain. Left them a “Friendly Discussion” tract and sold them a “Voice of Warning”. We were invited to stay all night, but knowing we would be waited for until quite late at Mr. Earle’s, we returned there, promising Mr. Chamberlain to come there and visit again.

Home where missionaries met Harry and Mary Chamberlain, July 30, 1897

August 4, 1897 Wednesday. Wet and cloudy this morning. We returned to Spencer, got our mail, and after some conversations with various persons on our doctrines, we went to Harry Chamberlains and spent the night.

August 16, 1897 – Monday. Stayed at Mr. Walker’s till afternoon. Administered to Mrs. Walker at her request, for gout or something like it. Came to Spencer this afternoon. Went to H. Chamberlain’s house where we were kindly entertained for the night.

August 17, 1897 – Tuesday. Raining this morning. Stayed at Mr. Chamberlain’s house reading, singing and talking until noon. Ate dinner, rain stopped and we went out and visited the rest of south Spencer.

August 30, 1897– Monday. This morning we are to start toward Spencer where we will probably spend the rest of the day. The air is cool this morning and light frost is reported in some parts. At 11:00 am we reached Mr. Walker’s house and had dinner. We found Mrs. Walker well. She told us she had had none of her old trouble since we administered to her and that since she was a child she could not walk with out pain nor place her feet flat on the floor and walked only on part of her foot, but she can now set her feet flat on the floor and her malady is gone. In the afternoon we came to Spencer. Stayed all night at the house of Mr. H. Chamberlain.

Marry gave a photo to the missionaries of her youngest son Harry

August 31, 1897– Mrs. Chamberlain gave us her youngest son’s photograph. His name is Harry.

(Note: Harry was six years old at this time and the only one of their four children who would  join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized in 1910)

September 10, 1897– Went to friend Chamberlain’s house and stayed tonight. Talked till late. Mr. Chamberlain claims to be an atheist, yet agrees with us in our ideas of eternal progression and eternal judgment, but does not believe in Christ’s atonement. We are always treated kindly by him.

September 17, 1897 – Friday. Visited about 37 houses in Spencer today. Stayed the night at Mr. Harry Chamberlain’s.

September 21, 1897 – Came to Spencer in the afternoon, having spent the forenoon at  Mr. Doty’s house. Saw Mrs. Earle and Mr. Chamberlain and several of their friends. Stayed at  Mr. Chamberlain’s all night, having preached at the North Side School House at 7:30 pm and went from the school to his house.

September 22, 1897– This morning the conversation of last night was resumed by Mr. Chamberlain on resurrection.

September 23, 1897– I went to Mr. Earle’s. His garden potatoes and other vegetables have been blessed of the Lord for his kindness to us and he himself is surprised at it though he does not acknowledge the reason. Stayed all night at Mr. Chamberlain’s.

September 26, 1897 – Spent the night at Mr. H. J. Chamberlain’s* house again. He says he has always been an “infidel”  when judged by orthodoxy, and that our doctrine (Mormonism) is the only one he ever heard that he could like to have come true or be true. Had a long conversation with him and his wife and daughter. Sat up and listened till 11:30 when we retired.

*(Note: This is the first time I have ever seen both of his initials together. Apparently his full name was Harry John Chamberlain. He is currently known in all my writings as John Harry Chamberlain.)

September 27, 1897– Monday. Left Mr. Chamberlain’s and went to the post office and down to Mr. Earle’s.

October 6, 1897– Went to Mr. Harry Chamberlain’s and stayed all night. Conversed with him and his family past eleven o’clock.

October 7, 1897– This morning I bade Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain and family good-bye and went to Mr. Earle’s, bade him and Mrs. Earle good-bye, and taking leave of them went to the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad depot and bought a ticket to Sioux City, Iowa.7

The visit to Hanna R. Turby

Elder Joseph F. Thomas was chosen to be President of the Iowa Conference. His headquarters was located in Des Moines, Iowa.

President Joseph Francis Thomas (seated in center) and elders of the Iowa Conference, Northern States Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. About 1898. Elder James D. Coon seated farthest right.

On December 11, 1897 Elder Thomas visited Hanna R. Turby in Des Moines. She was a widow with three children. She had lived in Iowa since she was a child and as a child was a witness to two important events in Church history. There are other witnesses of these events, however, they are in Utah. She didn’t emigrate to Utah and therefore has been isolated from other witnesses of these events. I believe this makes her vantage point especially interesting.

“She told me of the meeting in which Brigham Young was made president of the Church. She said when the meeting opened she was sitting where she could not see the stand on account of a post in her way. It was an outdoor meeting. When the speaker, Brigham Young, began, it was the voice of Joseph Smith, and so perfect, in surprise, she got up and stood on the seat and looked at the speaker- that it was the face of Joseph and she knew the mantle of Joseph had fallen on Brigham.”

“Also of a meeting in Des Moines where Martin Harris, then an old man, testifying to the people of the city that an angel descended before his eyes and those of his brethren, the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, and showed them the (gold) plates. The angel told him he would fall away in darkness for a while but he thought then that it was impossible, but that it had come to pass, said he, ‘I am now an old man returning to the fold of which it had strayed.’ He went to Utah and lived the rest of the days of his life in the Church and died in Utah.”7

Elder Joseph F. Thomas returns to visit Spencer, Iowa

May 19, 1898– Thursday. Elders Garner and Rasmussen go today to Dakota City, Humboldt County and I take Elder Hansen and will make a visit to my old “field of labor” in Clay County.

May 20, 1898– Friday. Left with Elder Hansen over the “Rock Island”  for Spencer, changing cars at Ruthren, through C.M.&Sp.P. to Spencer 13 miles. Arriving there I went to my old friend Harry Chamberlain’s house. All seemed glad to see me and made me welcome.

The Chamberlain family about 1898. Seated left to right, Harry, Harry Jr. Mary Ellis. Standing left to right Myrtle May, Alonzo W., Ernest C.

May 21, 1898– Rained all day, and at times very hard. Stayed indoors. (Apparently at Chamberlains)

May 22, 1898– Sunday. Leaving our friend’s house this morning we attended church (M. E.) and at 3:00 pm attended the men’s meeting. At the request of Mr. Larsen, I spoke for a few minutes. We stayed all night with Mr. Chamberlain.

June 4, 1898– Spent day in Spencer, changed my linen and wrote letters and stayed at Mr. Chamberlain’s tonight, talking and singing songs till late bed time.

June 5, 1898– Was invited to dine with Mr. Chamberlain. Did so, and preached again at evening, after which Brother N. Hansen bore testimony. Stayed at Mr. Chamberlain’s.

June 10, 1898– Still raining. Oh! My! Stayed at Mr. Chamberlain’s.

June 13, 16, 17, & 22, 1898– I stayed with Mr. Chamberlain tonight.7

On June 24 the elders contacted Mr. Hoffman, the Christian Minister, desiring to speak at his church next Sunday. After obtaining approval of the official board, Mr. Hoffman requested that they speak on the following subjects: 1- Was Joseph Smith a prophet? 2-What relation does he sustain the Christian Church? 3- The Book of Mormon, 4- Do men in the Church have the same power as the Apostles had? 5- Is the so-called Mormon Church, the true Church of Christ?

Elder Thomas went to the “News” office in Spencer and had 300 hand bills printed for $1.00. They distributed the handbills and invited people to attend Sunday at 4 pm.

June 26, 1898– Sunday. (Note: Apparently Harry Chamberlain attended the meeting with Elder Thomas.) This pm I spoke for an hour and a half on the subjects alluded to in the hand bills and had good liberty. After closing quite a discussion ensued between people in direct relation to the doctrine taught. Went home with Harry Chamberlain.7

Elder Joseph F. Thomas’ visit to the Reverend Dennis R. Ellis.

On June 27, 1898 Elder Thomas took the train and returned to Des Moines. Apparently, Mary Chamberlain gave him a referral to visit her brother Dennis Ellis who lives near Des Moines. This he did and recorded it in his journal:

July 21, 1898– Thursday. Went to Rising Sun, seven miles east of Des Moines.  Spent the night at the house of Mr. D. R. Ellis, a brother of Mrs. Chamberlain of Spencer. Left some tracts, but got no opportunity to talk on the Gospel as he was busy.7

Visit to Spencer again, arrived on August 25, 1898

August 28, 1898– Went to visit Mr. Chamberlain today. Ate dinner with him.

August 31, 1898– Came to Mr. Chamberlain’s today at his urgent request. Spent the evening with him and stayed all night.

September 3, 1898– Got my report almost completed. Took a bath, shaved and went to visit Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain. Stayed all night with them, conversing till 11:00 pm.

September 4, 1898– Accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain, in a buggy, to meeting at 11:00 am. Heard Mr. Hoffman. (the Christian minister)  Evening heard Mr. Frank Knowles, “Christian” church-men. Stayed at Mr. Chamberlain’s all night.

September 7, 1898 Left Mr. Chamberlain’s rather early and went to Mr. Earle’s to write letters to Elders. Spent most of the day there. Had a letter from home. Stayed at Mr. Earle’s tonight.

September 7 was the last post regarding the Chamberlain family.

“I have something I want to tell you”

Mr and Mrs Earle were the ones who invited Elder Thomas and Elder Coon into their home on the first night they arrived in Spencer. They became very good friends.  Their home was a dependable place for them to stay when they were in town. Mrs Earle told a surprising story to Elder Thomas on the last day he was in Spencer. He recorded it in his journal:

September 8, 1898– After returning to Mr. Earle’s house. I spoke of going east on the train. Mrs Earle said to me, “I have something I want to tell you.” She proceeded thus:

“You remember the first night you came to our house on May 17, 1897? I did not know you were Mormons. You said you were Ministers of the Gospel, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but I did not think of Mormons. When you asked for lodging, I was about to refuse you, but something told me not to.”

“Well, that night shortly after retiring, I lay thinking of your conversation, when suddenly the room became bright as if it were filled with fire. I sat up in bed wondering, and there came a being and sat on the side of the bed near me. My husband was lying beside me. This was bright and beautiful, brighter in countenance than any earthly being. He had on a loose robe rather low at the neck, and of very pure white material. He said to me, ‘These, my brethren, teach you the truth.’ He remained only a moment more, then with a  kindly smile, departed. The light began to grow dim as he started, and faded away when he left. I lay for some time musing on the glorious scene, and I know it was from God, and that the Gospel taught by the Latter-day Saints is true.”

(Mrs Earle told me last year, she wanted to be baptized but her husband opposed it)

Stayed at Earle’s tonight.7

Jesus’ parable of the Sower of the Seed

Mary Ellis Chamberlain was baptized on May 8, 1899. Elder Joseph Thomson was given an honorable release on August 14, 1899. Unfortunately, there are no journal posts available between February 11, 1899 and August 14, 1899.

Because of Mary Chamberlain, her son Harry Ellis Chamberlain became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Most of Harry’s 200 descendants (estimate 2018) also are Latter-day Saints, about twenty have served, or are now serving full time missions through out the world.

The prophetic blessing from an Apostle, Elder Francis M. Lyman on the head of Elder Thomas, described Mary and others when he said: “The honest in heart shall be prepared to receive thy testimony, to feed and clothe and give thee money. Mary is one of these honest in heart.

Elder Thomas and Elder Coons were sowers of seed much like Jesus’ parable found in the Book of Luke:

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, an bare fruit hundred fold. And when he had said these things, he cried. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:5-8)

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are those that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts lest they believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:11-15)

To be continued….

Chapter 23- The Early Life of Harry Ellis Chamberlain. Harry’s life in Spencer, Iowa and Visalia, California. The terrible tragedy and a spiritual moment that changed the life of my grandfather, Harry Ellis Chamberlain and his family forever.

Other stories:

Chapter E6- Sir Isaac Newton: the Athanasian Creed and Bible Prophecy.  Isaac Newton wrote over 1.3 million words on the prophecies of the Bible and early Christian Church History. These writings were hidden until they were discovered in 1936. Newton believed that Christian Church doctrine had been corrupted. As a result, this “Apostasy” would continue until just before the 7th trumpet and second coming of Christ. At that time, Newton believed, there would be a universal teaching of the truth through out the world. He implored those who are seeking truth to study the scriptures an ask God.

Chapter E18- The Promise of Passover in the Last Days  Jewish tradition, Bible prophecy, and a promise of Passover in the last days. Temples and the ordinance of Passover. A call to prepare to meet the Bridegroom. A Latter-day Saint perspective of “The Rapture”. Readers may also find interesting my interpretation of the recent fulfillment date of the prophecy of Revelations 7:9-10.

Joseph Smith Music Video 

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© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Story, 2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the written content of this site without express and written permission from the author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to www.thechamberlainstory.com.

References:

1- Uncle Dale’s Reading in Early Mormon History, Newspapers of New York. 1829-1831
2- The Family of Walter and Clarissa (Nichols) Ellis, Familysearch.org, memories, Portrait
and Biographical Album of Polk County, Iowa, Lake City Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1890.
pp 626-627
3- Familysearch.org
4- Obituary of Mary Eva Ellis, Spencer Reporter, Wednesday, October 24, 1917.
5- Life Story of Harry Ellis Chamberlain (Given to Martin and Genene Chamberlain in
October, 1972) Unpublished.
6- The Altoona Harold, Altoona, Iowa, April 12, 1890.
7- Record of Travels and Incidents in the Missionary Life of Joseph Francis Thomas, Northern States Mission, May 4, 1897 to August 14, 1899.
8- Leonard Brown, American Patriotism: Or, Memoirs of “Commen Men”, (1869), p. 244-248 article found in Familysearch.