1852: An Acadia Tragedy Unfolds (Part 21, Jun 26/25)

Professor Chipman’s body found on 26 June

“Professor Chipman was upon the mainsail, which had got adrift when the boat upset. He was heard to call aloud for help, but none could be rendered. [Charles] Benjamin saw him at about twenty rods distance, a few minutes before Mr. Very sunk: he appeared to be then dead.” (Distressing Calamity, Christian Messenger extra, 11 June 1852, 1) The story told by Charles Benjamin and recounted in the newspaper by Dr. Cramp tells us that Isaac Chipman floated away from the others, holding onto the mainsail. Archivist Wendy Robicheau found a wealth of information about Acadia’s Professor Isaac Chipman and his family, mostly through the Chipman family papers preserved in the Acadia University Archives.

Isaac Logan Chipman was born on 17 July 1817 in the Township of Cornwallis, Kings County, Nova Scotia. He was educated at Horton Academy (1837) and Waterville College (A.M. 1839, M.A. 1843). Although he died on 7 June 1852 from drowning in the Minas Basin, his unrecognizable remains were not found until 26 June 1852, near the Cornwallis Bridge in Kentville. A Coroner’s inquest was held on 27 June, for which no records have survived. His remains were buried immediately in the Old Burying Ground, Wolfville, next to William Grant and Rev. E.D. Very.

The January 1895 Acadia Athenaeum notes that, “In June 1829, he went to Horton Academy and entered upon the usual Classical Course. He early acquired a knowledge of Latin and Greek and even began Hebrew is his 18th year. He became assistant teaching in 1834, but continued his studies and was so far advanced that when he went to Waterville [College] in June 1837 he was admitted to the Junior year.” (34) The course calendar for Waterville College indicates that Isaac lived in the President’s house while studying in Maine. Still engaged in his studies, he was offered a position at the newly founded Acadia College and at the young Horton Academy. After graduating with an A.M. in 1839, he came back to Nova Scotia and at once resumed work at Wolfville. Here he spent the remainder of his life. The Memorials of Acadia College, published in 1881, claimed that Professor Chipman worked for twelve years with almost no remuneration, teaching Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Mineralogy, and Geology. He “taught these branches with such efficiency as to awaken a general enthusiasm for them among the students. He obtained books for the Library and collected a cabinet of minerals for the Museum. He is most gratefully remembered for erecting the College building.” (86) The Athenaeum of January 1895 also commented on his achievements, saying

He soon began the collection of minerals and the investigation of geological phenomena and his ardor in these pursuits increased with his knowledge. He made yearly excursions to Blomidon and was able to secure large and valuable collections of minerals from different parts of the world, so that the collection in the old college building was at the time of its destruction by fire in 1877 one of the best in the Province. It will be difficult ever to replace the beautiful amethyst geodes, and fine crystals of zeolites that went to ashes on that memorable Sunday evening. Under his direction apparatus was obtained for illustrating the principles of Natural Philosophy and for performing some chemical experiments, but the latter were never given due prominence till the appointment of Prof. Elder. (34)

The Athenaeum of January 1895 continued with comments on his character saying,

Prof. Chipman was an indefatigable worker, though his remuneration was very inadequate. He loved Acadia with his whole heart and gladly gave, not only his time, but his means of support. He made the science work at this institution equal, if not superior to that of any college in the province, while at the same time care for other subjects and giving a large share of his time to the general welfare of the institution. (34)

Hints about his character were also provided by Thomas A. Higgins in June 1853, who gave a tribute oration.

As long as Acadia College has a friend, or truth and pure religion an advocate, the name of one dear Professor will be held in grateful remembrance. His warm attachment, his anxious solicitude, his sympathetic care for all under his charge, bound him to use with a strong cord of affection…He was a man of uncommon power, ready in perception, keen in discernment, comprehensive in knowledge, possessed of varied talents, and devoted to whatever he believed to be for the good of his fellow-man. (The Memory of the Departed, Christian Messenger, 25 August 1853, 1)

For an account of his other services as well as his sad loss by drowning in 1852 the reader is referred to the Memorials of Acadia College published in 1881. Numerous other Acadia publications pay tribute to Professor Chipman’s contributions to the College, many of which can be found online through the Acadia Archives. His diary is especially interesting and reveals a tortured soul.

Isaac Chipman’s body was badly decomposed. The Christian Messenger noted on 2 July 1852 that he was “identified by his clothes and various articles found on his body.” Rev. Dr. Cramp gave the funeral sermon, but the published text has not yet been found. His gravestone in the Old Burying Ground reads ‘AT REST Meek-Upright-Perserving- “in labors more abundant” DEI GRATA.’ The stone is badly decayed making it difficult to confirm the etchings.

The Chipman Hall residence, opened in 1874, was named in his honour; it burned down in 1914. No other memorials to Professor Chipman exist on campus. His ‘Greek temple’, being College Hall, burned down in 1877. He was survived by his father, William, his stepmother, and several siblings. The family donated Isaac’s papers, some items, and a drawn portrait to the Acadia University Archives.

Let me tell you about a historical commemoration being planned on 27 June 2025. 173 years after his funeral, Professor Chipman, and the other victims, will be commemorated at the Wolfville Baptist Church and the Old Burying Ground in the style of an 1852 funeral service. The family-friendly commemoration is open to everyone. Please join us at 6.30pm in the Wolfville Baptist Church to hear Rev. Dr. Cramp give a short funeral sermon before we process to the graves of Isaac Chipman and William Grant.