Jonathan Chapman

Jonathan Chapman (January 23, 1807 – May 25, 1848) was an American politician, serving as the eighth mayor of Boston, Massachusetts from 1840 to 1842.

Chapman's father also named Jonathan Chapman served as a member of the Town of Boston's Board of Selectmen.

Chapman attended Phillips Exeter Academy and he graduated from Harvard College and studied law under the direction of Judge Lemuel Shaw.

Chapman was elected mayor in December 1839; he was sworn into office in 1840; he served three one-year terms.

Because of a large increase of the debt of the city of Boston in the 18 years since it was incorporated, Mayor Chapman had as a chief aim of his administration the reduction of the city's debt. Provided by Wikipedia