CHAPIN, Roderick R. (c. 1816-before 1880) and Desdemona (1812-after 1891)

Listed as a “pedlar” and “farmer” in the censuses of 1850 and 1860, R. R. Chapin was an active layman-preacher in the period 1850-1853, living in Rochester, New York, and vicinity. By 1854 notices appeared in the Review indicating that R. R. Chapin had joined the offshoot group of Hiram Case and C. P. Hall. The October and November 1854 issues of the Messenger of Truth (periodical of the Messenger Party) contained letters from Chapin rejecting Ellen White's visions and charging that Sabbatarian Adventists were making them a test of fellowship.1EGWLM 807.5

Ellen White's only mention of Chapin occurred in a vision account from 1850 (Ms 5, 1850 [July 29]). The vision indicated that already by 1850 Chapin had been “in darkness,” from which God had rescued him “as a bird is rescued from the snare of the fowler.” It is not known whether the “darkness” referred to in 1850 involved the same issues that three years later led to his break with the movement. Chapin's name is also connected with the publication of the purported “Camden vision” of Ellen White, which sought to show her close ties to an extreme shut-door position.1EGWLM 807.6

See: 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Roderick Chapin,” New York, Monroe County, Greece, p. 154; 1860 U.S. Federal Census, “R. R. Chapin,” New York, Monroe County, Sweden, p. 2; search word “Chapin” in Words of the Pioneers; R. R. Chapin, “Who Are the Remnant?” Messenger of Truth, Oct. 19, 1854, p. [2]; R. R. Chapin, in Messenger of Truth, Oct. 19, 1854, p. [4]; R. R. Chapin, “To the Publishing Committee,” Messenger of Truth, Nov. 30, 1854, p. [3]; Ellen G. White, Ms 5, 1850 (July 29); The Rochester Directory for the Year Beginning July 1, 1891 (Rochester, N.Y.: Drew, Allis & Company, 1891). For further information on the Messenger Party and the “Camden vision,” see SDAE, s.v. “Messenger Party”; EGWEnc, s.v. “Messenger Party” and “Camden Vision.”1EGWLM 808.1