Phineas Chapin

Cooper’s Clarksburg Register., March 10, 1852
Newspaper clipping depicting the results of the election

Excerpt–
We are authorized to announce Phineas Chapin, as a candidate for Clerk of the County Court of Harrison County at the ensuing election.

Cooper’s Clarksburg Register., June 02, 1852

Excerpt–
Davisson, (dem.) and Chapin, (Whig,) are elected Clerks of the Courts.

Cooper’s Clarksburg Register., July 07, 1852

Excerpt–
FOURTH OF JULY.–Very little attention was paid to this day in this place. During the service at the M. E. Church, the Declaration of Independence was read by Phineas Chapin, Esq., and was followed in an eloquent patriotic sermon, by Rev. Alex. Martin, which we hope to lay before our readers, in a short time.

OBITUARY.

Headstone of Phineas Chapin

Cooper’s Clarksburg Register., May 22, 1857

Died, in the town of Clarksburg, on the 18th inst., PHINEAS CHAPIN, Esq. His death was very sudden.

A few days before , he was severely attacked with cramp of stomach, but was soon relieved, and his friends supposed he would be permitted in a few days to return to his accustomed duties, but God had determined otherwise.

After conversing freely and cheerfully with his friends and acquaintances during the day, he retired to rest at night, and in a few moments afterwards his soul was separated from his body.

Mr. Chapin was a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, and was about 65 years of age at the time of his death. He was twice married, and had eight children by his first wife, six of whom are still living. His last wife still survives to unite with his children in mourning the loss of an affectionate husband and kind father.

The departed resided in Clarksburg about 40 years, and during that time filled some important stations with honor to himself and profit to others. At the time of his death he was Clerk of the County Court of Harrison County. For 28 years he has been a consistent and worthy member of the Presbyterian Church of Clarksburg, and all of this time he filled the office of Ruling Elder, in that church.

Mr. Chapin will be greatly missed. His home will miss him, and the friends and connections that he has there left behind him. There his familiar footsteps will no more be heard, and none will greet his return. For God has changed his countenance and sent him away. The church, the town, the community, and all the relations which he sustained in life will often feel that he is wanting.

The Vision of Death-1868 Gustave Dore

One of the prominent traits of Mr. Chapin’s character was amiability. It is supposed that he had not an enemy. The law of kindness was the rule of his life. He was a man of strict integrity, as the various trials through which he passed fully proved. As the transition, in his case, from life to death was instantaneous, his friends may not have his dying words to remember and ponder; but they have his christian life and spotless reputation to console the sorrows of bereavement.

He has left to his friends the hope that he has died the death of the righteous, and that although he has fallen suddenly, he has fallen safely. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”

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