Name/Title
Champley. GeorgeDescription
Bookbinder, New York, cir. 1820-1840
Bookbinder, Xenia, Ohio,
born Hull, Yorkshire England, early 1800's
Died Oxford Indiana 1871
Son: Robert Champley, bookbinder 2 .
1. (1821) "returns his acknowledgments to his patrons, the booksellers,
publishers and citizens of new York... for the liberal encouragement he has
experienced during the past year and informs them that he still carries on the
above business, in its various branches of morocco, calf and Russia elegant
and plain bindings- the calf bindings colored in solid plain colors, or in
imitation of tortoise shell, japanning, wood and marbles of various kinds, and
in a very superior manner." New York Evening Post Jan. 17, 1821.
2.George Champley was a native of Hull, England, and at an early age learned
bookbinding, which he followed most of his life. In 1818, he and his family
immigrated to Montreal, Canada, where he worked as a journeyman one winter: he
then went to New York , began business for himself, and continued twenty
years, during which he spent three years in Mexico. After returning, he moved
to Warren County Ohio, and operated a store: this he continued two years after
which he went to Xenia, Ohio, resumed bookbinding, and five years later
removed to Center Township, Benton County, Ind. Mr. Champley was a member of
the Masonic fraternity, and died January 15, 1871 (1).
There is a strong possibility that the grave in the cemetery, located in Oak
Grove Twp. on state road 352 near Oxford, Indiana, ( row 11 lot 11 old
division) is his and Charlotte's final resting place. He appears in this area
in the 1870 Benton County, Oak Grove Twp. census.
FROM AN 1830 LETTER FROM MARTIN VAN BUREN REGARDING CHAMPLEY'S TRIP TO MEXICO.
MARTIN VAN BUREN. Department of State, Washington, 1830 December 28. Jackson's
future Vice President and eighth U.S. President writes to Anthony Butler in
Mexico.
In full: "Permit me to introduce to you, Mr. George Champley, a citizen of New
York who is about to embark for Mexico, on a tour through the Southern
Republics. His views are partly commercial & partly Scientific and any
friendly attentions you may have it in your power to show him will be esteemed
a favor by Your friend & Servant".
Democrat Martin Van Buren had been U.S. Senator (1821-1828) and Governor of
New York (January 1st to March 12, 1829) before serving as Jackson's Secretary
of State. George Champley had been born in England, emigrated to Montreal with
his wife and ten month old son in 1818 and then settled in New York City. They
traveled a great deal, spending three years in Mexico (1831-1833), and later
moved to Ohio, where they opened a bookstore. Champley was a Democrat and a
student of history, especially of his native England.
New York passenger lists 1820-1957 show George Campley arriving in NY from the
State of Tabasco, Mexico on the brigantine Tabasco on 7/16/1832 and also
George and 18 year old son, Robert, arriving in NY from Tabasco, Mexico on the
schooner Arent (or Areat) on 9/17/1835.
An article about GEORGE CHAMPLEY was in THE FAMILY MAGAZINE VOL. 1 1843 in
reference to his trip to Mexico and a letter he had written to a New York
newspaper on April 20, 1833.(2.)
Some of his bookbinding works include:
1. FAMOUS MEN OF MODERN TIMES by SG GOODRICH--BOSTON: BRADBURY, SODEN 1843
2. LETTER TO A YOUNG LADY by REV.JOHN BENNETT--Sp. Coll. BJ1681.BX4 1825
3. GEORGE CHAMPLEY'S binding of THE MINSTREL by JAMES BEATTIE, with a
medallion containing a globe, books, hourglass, quill pen and an inscription,
identifying it as a prize book given by the "Institution de Mme. O'Kill"
4. MEMOIRS OF DE WITT CLINTON--edited and published by Dr. Hosack--abt 1000
pages.(2.)
1. From "Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton Indiana" Pub. 1883-- A
Historical and Biographical History
page 397
2. Our thanks to David L. Dye of Goodland Indiana for this information on his
GGG Grandfather
(1826) Bookbinder,196 Broadway. Longworth's directory. pg.122 (not in 1825 directory)Also Known As
George Champley