John Hassett Chandler

Written as recorded:

JOHN HASSETT CHANDLER (Silas, Silas, David, Joseph, John, William1) and Helen Marr Crossman.

John Hassett Chandler was a skillful mechanic and artist in wood and metals. Inventor, engineer, designer and engraver, punch- cutter and type- founder, printer and bookbinder. He was appointed a lay missionary to Burmah by the Am. Bap. Missionary Society in 1841 to labor in connection with the printing department. He arrived there 6th Jan., 1842. Was sent to Siam in 1843 to labor in the department, and arrived there on the 18th Nov., same year, He was author of several religious and scientific publications in Siamese. His connection with the Foreign Missionary Society was dissolved on the 6th July, 1856. He was U.S. consul at Bankok, Siam, from Dec., 1859 to 12th Feb., 1862. He had a school of the sons of the highest nobility in 1866- 7. Was tutor to the Prince Royal (present, 1882, King of Siam) in 1867- 8. Was translator and interpreter to Siamese government from 1st Feb., 1866 to 1st Aug., 1880.

All the early improvements in building, machinery, steamboats &c, which have done so much to improve the country, were introduced by him. Amid all his varied duties and employments, he never gave up his missionary work.

Owing to the failure of the health of his wife, he returned to the United States in 1880, and arrived in New York on the 3d Oct., of that year, being a little over thirty- nine years from the time he first went out.
He now resides in Camden, New Jersey, 573 Line Street.
His wife, Helen Marr Crossman, educated at the Utica, N.Y. Female Academy; commenced teaching school when only fifteen years old. Taught school in the native language in Burmah and Siam. Had great tact in teaching and training children. Had a school of young nobles and princes during the last few years of her teaching. She continued the work of teaching during all her missionary life, until her health broke down in Oct., 1872.
Source: THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM AND ANNIS CHANDLER; WHO SETTLED IN ROXBURY, MASS 1637; by George Chandler; printed for the family on the press of George Hamilton of Worcester, Mass; 311 Main Street, 1883; pg. 942-943

Links:<a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=h2JmAAAAMAAJ&dq=decendents%20of%2..."><img src="https://books.google.com/books?id

The Chandlers were missionaries to Burma and Siam from 1841 to 1878. Mr. Chandler made translations into the Siamese and did considerable printing, making a font of type in the Siamese characters. Mrs. Chandler taught and did religious work. Mr. Chandler was honored with the appointment of United States Consul by President Buchanan and became confidante and personal advisor of the late king. For many years he acted as court interpreter.

Link: http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv44827

Link: https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11607907

D. Glenn-2017