Orwell S. Chaffee Papers

Collection

Identifier: 1998-0138

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection contains correspondence, receipts, bills and invoices addressed to Mr. Chaffee concerning both his personal and professional life.

Dates

Creation: 1846-1854, 1903

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

Orwell S. Chaffee was the son of Frederick Chaffee, a prosperous farmer who resided in northeast Mansfield, Connecticut, and Katherine Knowlton Chaffee. Orwell was born 10 June 1807 in Ashford, Connecticut and moved with his parents to Mansfield as a boy. Upon his marriage to Lucinda Amelia Conant, daughter of Joseph Conant, Orwell began his career in the silk manufacturing industry working in his father-in-law's mill. After Mr. Conant's retirement from the business, Orwell Chaffee continued to manage the business until about 1838, when he purchased a factory site in what is now the Chaffeeville area of Mansfield.

Mr. Chaffee tore down the existing building and erected a larger structure, a dam and commenced production of silk thread and braid. In later years, his son, J. Dwight Chaffee, became a partner and in 1872 they established a factory in Willimantic, Connecticut under the title of O.S. Chaffee & Son.

Mr. Chaffee was active in the business until his death on 2 April 1887. Mr. Chaffee is buried in the Gurleyville Cemetery in Mansfield, Connecticut.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Orwell S. Chaffee (1807-1887) was a silk manufacturer in the Mansfield/Willimantic area of eastern Connecticut. Son-in-law to Joseph Conant, he worked in, and later managed, Conant's silk mill until 1838 when he purchased property in Chaffeeville and established his own silk mill. The collection contains correspondence, receipts and invoices addressed to Mr. O.S. Chaffee.