1852 April 12, Death of Erasmus Chappel:

Scope and content:

Erasmus Chappel, a child, came to his death by a wound inflicted on his head by the hand of his father, Noah Chappel. Female neighbors testified that Noah Chappel asked them to come attend his child that "had fallen and nearly killed itself," but they found no evidence of a fall. Dr. D. H. Bright believed that the wound could not have come from a fall and testified that Noah Chappel had told him "the child was not his and he did not care what became of it." Noah Chappel claimed that his wife, who had left him some days prior to the incident, had "come back and done the mischief to get him in business."

Access and use

Location of collection:
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888