James Chalmers Papers

Papers chiefly concerning James Chalmers (1841-1901), appointed to Rarotonga 1866, and to the New Guinea mission 1877. 1865-1905. Includes Ms. autobiography of James Chalmer's life up to 1878; letters from Jane Chalmers (née Hercus) and Sarah Chalmers (née Harrison), 1869-92; letters from James Chal...

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Order number: CWM/LMS/Papua/Personal/Box 1
Date(s) of creation: c 1865-1901
Level: Sub-series
Format: Archive           
Main author: Chalmers; James (1841-1901); missionary and explorer

Order number: CWM/LMS/Papua/Personal/Box 1
Summary: Papers chiefly concerning James Chalmers (1841-1901), appointed to Rarotonga 1866, and to the New Guinea mission 1877. 1865-1905. Includes Ms. autobiography of James Chalmer's life up to 1878; letters from Jane Chalmers (née Hercus) and Sarah Chalmers (née Harrison), 1869-92; letters from James Chalmers to various people, 1865-1901; notes of speeches made by James Chalmers during his last furlough, 1895; photocopies of letters from Chalmers to James Lampard Green of Tahiti, 1875-1884; memorabilia, comprising letters, photographs and memoirs, c1865-1905; press cuttings and obituaries, 1901; letters and photographs of Ardrishaig, Chalmer's birthplace, n.d.
Main author: Chalmers; James (1841-1901); missionary and explorer
Extent: 1 box
Admin history: Born 4 Aug 1841 at Ardrishaig, Argyleshire; studied at Cheshunt College and Highgate; appointed to Rarotonga; ordained 19 Oct 1865; married Jane Robertson Hercus, 17 Oct 1865; sailed in the 'John Williams', 29 Jan 1866; arrived at Adelaide, 4 May; sailed from Sydney, 21 Aug; arrived at Aneiteum, 5 Sep; proceeded to Loyalty Islands and thence to Niue, arriving 3 Jan 1867; proceeded to Samoa and arrived 23 Feb; proceeded to Tahiti, and thence to Rarotonga, arriving 20 May 1867; sole charge of mission devolved to James Chalmers on 13 Jul ... View more
Custodial history: The papers were deposited with the London Missionary Society and form part of the special series of personal papers of individual LMS missionaries and officers.
Acquisition: Deposited on permanent loan with the records of the London Missionary Society by the Congregational Council for World Mission (later Council for World Mission) in 1973.
Access status: Open
Language: English
Finding aids: Detailed list of James Chalmer's Papers (list A3), available for consultation in the Special Collections Reading Room, SOAS Library.
Related material: CWM/LMS papers for the South Seas and Papua includes correspondence and other papers by James Chalmers. See also South Seas Personal Box 5.
Format: Archive