I have always proudly proclaimed that Dalhousie Law School is the oldest law school in the British empire (including England). I graduated from Dalhousie Law School in 1973. I articled with Macdonald, Affleck, 100 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario 1973 – 1974; attended Osgoode Hall for the Bar Admission 1974 – 1974; practiced with Macdonald, Affleck 1975 – 1976; joined Galligan & Sheffield, Almonte, Ontario 1976 – 1978; conducted my solo law practice in Almonte 1978 – 2014.
What curiously arises from the following information is the distinct possibility that I am remotely related to Richard Chapman Weldon who started the law school. The connections by name and the association with New Brunswick are inescapable.
As a post scriptum in deference to my burgeoning complement of cherished American acquaintances, not to mention the expatriate family members who have joined the ranks of the Revolutionaries, I understand that the oldest law school in the world is Harvard.
Dalhousie University – Weldon Law Building
Named after the first dean of the Dalhousie Law School, Richard Chapman Weldon, this building is the latest home for the law school that marked its beginning in 1883.
In 1967, the Weldon Law Building became the latest home for the Dalhousie Law School. It bears the name of Richard Chapman Weldon (1849-1925), the founding dean and one of the most important figures in the history of Dalhousie’s law school.
Under Weldon’s leadership from 1883 to 1914, Dalhousie’s became the first university common-law school in the Commonwealth. The “often referred to, seldom defined” Weldon Tradition defines the essence of Dalhousie law, which emphasizes public service and an expectation that graduates will “leave their ivory towers to see the world as it really is,” and to apply their knowledge of the law to improve their communities and society.
WELDON, RICHARD CHAPMAN, educator, lawyer, and politician; b. 19 Jan. 1849 in Sussex Parish, N.B., son of Richard Chapman Weldon and Catherine Geldart; m. first 11 July 1877 Sarah Maria Tuttle (d. 1892) in Stellarton, N.S., and they had four sons and one daughter; m. secondly 28 Dec. 1893 Louisa Frances Hare (d. 1957) in Halifax, and they had two sons and five daughters; d. 26 Nov. 1925 in Dartmouth, N.S.
| Richard Chapman Weldon, Ph.D. | |
| Birthdate: | January 19, 1849 |
| Birthplace: | Sussex, Kings County, New Brunswick, Canada |
| Death: | November 26, 1925 (76) Dartmouth, Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Immediate Family: | Son of Richard Chapman Weldon and Catherine Weldon Husband of Sarah Maria Weldon and Louisa Frances Weldon Father of Robert George Weldon; Joseph William Weldon; John Russell Weldon; Richard Chapman Weldon; Helen Hart Stacey and 7 others Brother of James Byron Weldon; John A. Weldon; Robert Alder Weldon; Florence Eliza McLeod; Stephen Bamford Weldon, Ph.D. and 4 others |
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William Chapman, Converted to Methodism and fled to Canada
| Gender: | Male |
|---|---|
| Birth: | October 12, 1729 Hawnby, North Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom |
| Death: | January 22, 1794 (64) Amherst, Cumberland County, NS, Canada |
| Immediate Family: | Son of Thomas “of the Hall” Chapman and Ann Chapman (Sadler / Sandler) Husband of Mary Jane Ibbitson and Jane Chapman (Thompson) Father of William Wesley Chapman, Jr.; Thomas Chapman; Jane Smith (Chapman); John Chapman; Mary Taylor and 16 others Brother of Sarah Barker; Thomas Chapman; Mary Nodding and Richard Chapman |
CHAPMAN, C. G. William
Group Captain C. G. William Chapman born August 17, 1918 in Hillsborough, NB (son of George Chapman and Meta Steeves); deceased April 8, 2014 at The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre, Ottawa; survived by loving spouse M.M. Yvonne Chapman; proud children L.G. William Chapman (Denis J. Arial) and Linda C. M. Chapman (Edward M. Hladkowicz); and devoted grandchildren Jennifer and Julia Hladkowicz; also survived by siblings: Geraldine Kitchen (Fredericton, NB), Douglas Chapman (Windsor, ON) and Eric Chapman (Montreal, PQ). In 1939 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force; 1942-1943 Command Navigation Officer Eastern Air Command, Halifax, N.S.; 1943-1944 Commanding Officer No. 162 (BR) Sqn., Dartmouth, Iceland and Northern Scotland; 1944-1945 Staff officer anti- submarine operations, Coastal Command Headquarters, Northwood, England; 1945-1946 Secretary Post War Planning Committee, Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa; 1947 Graduated from RCAF Staff College, Toronto; 1947-1948 Commanding Officer No. 426 (T) Sqn., Dartmouth and Dorval; 1948 Graduated from RCAF School of Service Management; 1948-1949 Staff Officer at Royal Air Force Staff College, Bracknell, England; 1950-1953 Director of Operational Requirements at Air Force Headquarters, Ottawa; 1953-1957 Commanding Officer RCAF Station, Greenwood, N.S.; 1957 – 1959 Chief Staff Officer and Assistant Air Attaché at Canadian Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.; 1959 – 1963 Commanding Officer RCAF Station, Penhold, Alberta; 1960-1961 Commander of the United Nations Air Transport Force in Congo, with Headquarters at Leopoldville, rank Air Commodore; also T33 Pilot jet course at Gimli; 1963-1966 Air and Military Attaché in Stockholm, Sweden and Helsinki, Finland; Decorations and awards: Distinguished Service Order (DSO), Defence Medal, C.V.S.M., Atlantic Star, Coronation Medal, UN Congo, CD, Pilots Wings, Operation Wings. A private family Memorial to be held at The National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces, Ottawa.
Published in The Ottawa Citizen on Apr. 12, 2014
“Coincidence is the messenger of truth”
Madame Justice Jennifer MacKinnon