Chapman, Caroline (c. 1818–1876)

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Chapman, Caroline (c. 1818–1876)

American actress. Born c. 1818 in London, England; died May 8, 1876, in San Francisco, California; possibly dau. of William Chapman (actor); possibly illeg. dau. of his son, William B. Chapman, later known in America as Uncle Billy Chapman.

Worked as child actor in NY; made adult debut in NY in A Husband at First Sight (1846); won acclaim at Burton's Theatre (1848–52); debuted in California at Maguire's Jenny Lind Theatre (1852); known primarily for roles on CA stage (1850s); joined company at San Francisco Theatre and played opposite a young Edwin Booth in Hamlet (1853); ridiculed Lola Montez in burlesque pieces; last major role was in Death, or the Angel of Midnight.

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