Samuel Chapman Armstrong papers
Scope and Contents
The Samuel Chapman Armstrong papers contain the personal and professional papers of Armstrong, his first wife, Emma Walker Armstrong, and their extended families. Armstrong, who was born to missionary parents in Hawaii, graduated from Williams College in 1862, served as an officer during the Civil War, and later founded the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute (also known as the Hampton Institute). Armstrong dedicated his life to the education of African Americans and Native Americans during a unique transitional period in American history, and the collection provides an opportunity for scholars to examine the life of a leading figure in 19th-century educational philosophy within the context and influence of the community in which he was reared.
Dates
- Creation: 1826 - 1947
Language of Materials
In English and Hawaiian.
Conditions Governing Access
The Samuel Chapman Armstrong papers is open for research. Researchers are encouraged to contact Special Collections staff prior to a visit.
Conditions Governing Use
In consultation with Special Collections staff, reproductions may be made upon request. Please consult with staff regarding questions about publishing materials from Williams Special Collections. Researchers are responsible for handling any copyright issues that may be associated with collections and materials.
Samuel Chapman Armstrong (1839-1893)
Biographical Chronology
- 1839
- born January 30, 1839 in East Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii, the sixth of ten children born to Richard and Clarissa Chapman Armstrong
- 1840
- moves with family to Honolulu where he receives his education at the Royal School and Punahou, later Oahu College
- 1860
- upon the sudden death of his father, travels to the mainland to complete his education at Williams College
- 1862
- graduates from Williams College
- 1862
- enters the Union Army as Captain in the 125th N.Y. Volunteers
- 1863
- given command of the 9th U.S. Colored Troops
- 1865
- musters out as Brevet Brigadier-General of Volunteers
- 1866
- appointed Bureau Agent for the Freedman's Bureau at Fortress Monroe in Hampton, Virginia
- 1868
- founds Hampton Institute (April 1) with fifteen pupils, one teacher and one matron
- 1869
- marries Emma Dean Walker (1849-1878) October 13
- 1870
- first child, Louise Hopkins Armstrong, born July 30
- 1872
- second child, Edith Hull Armstrong, born August 30
- 1878
- first fifteen Indians admitted to Hampton in April (chiefly Kiowa and Cheyenne prisoners released from Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Florida)
- 1878
- Emma Armstrong dies October 10
- 1881
- travels to Hawaii
- 1887
- receives honorary LL.D. from Williams College
- 1889
- receives honorary LL.D. from Harvard University
- 1890
- marries Mary Alice Ford, a teacher at Hampton Institute
- 1891
- travels to Hawaii and speaks at the 50th anniversary of Punahou School; third child, Margaret Marshall Armstrong, born
- 1893
- Armstrong dies at the age of 54, February 11; fourth child, David William Armstrong, born
Extent
24.5 Linear Feet (23 boxes)
Arrangement
This collection is organized into eleven series: I. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, II. Emma Walker Armstrong, III. Mary Alice Ford Armstrong, IV. William and Louise Scoville, V. Edith Armstrong Talbot, VI. Richard and Clarissa Chapman Armstrong, VII. George and Harriet Hull Walker, VIII. Daniel and Frances Walker Williams, IX. Armstrong Family, X. Walker/Williams family, XI. Photographs.
Physical Location
L2 Storage F5b
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Margaret Howe and Samuel Scoville (daughter and grandson of Samuel Chapman Armstrong), 1951.
Processing Information
Processed by Lynne Fonteneau McCann, May 1995.
- Title
- Samuel Chapman Armstrong papers
- Author
- Nash, Katie
- Date
- 2017
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Williams College Archives Repository
Sawyer Library
26 Hopkins Hall Drive
Williamstown, MA 01267
specialcollections@williams.edu