LEONARD BOYD CHAPMAN was born in New Brunswick, Canada in 1880. Known as Chappie, he came to the US as a teenager where he got a job working with New England Telephone Co. putting up long distance lines from Washington, DC to Baltimore, MD to Boston, MA. At some point he discovered Sandwich, NH and decided to settle here.
Chappie had always had a natural ability with domestic animals; he also had a love for the outdoors. He was able to put all of this together when he moved to Sandwich with his horse and dog. In the early 30's sled dog racing became quite popular and he acquired a sled dog team of Alaskan Malamutes. His lead dog was a Chesapeake Retriever named "Drake" who was also his favorite hunting dog. It was said he could leave his team outside a store with the command "stay"; and with no other words spoken the team would obey as long as it took for Chappie to return.
Chappie had always had a natural ability with domestic animals; he also had a love for the outdoors. He was able to put all of this together when he moved to Sandwich with his horse and dog. In the early 30's sled dog racing became quite popular and he acquired a sled dog team of Alaskan Malamutes. His lead dog was a Chesapeake Retriever named "Drake" who was also his favorite hunting dog. It was said he could leave his team outside a store with the command "stay"; and with no other words spoken the team would obey as long as it took for Chappie to return.
Chappie won several ribbons with his Alaskan Malamutes at the Boston Dog Show. He was elected President of the New England Sled Dog Association and put on an annual sled dog derby on Squam Lake. Teams came from near and far to compete.
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At this point Chappie became friends with Leonhard Seppala of Alaska. Mr. Seppala was a Norwegian-born American sled dog musher best known for his heroic 750 mile run to deliver diphtheria serum to Nome, Alaska which is memorialized every year by the Iditarod sled dog race. He visited Chappie in Sandwich often and they remained in touch, keeping up a lifelong friendship.
By this time, farming in Sandwich was on the wane and the fields were no longer mowed. The woods began to creep in making ideal "cover" for partridge and woodcock. Because of this abundance Chappie decided to limit his activities to training bird dogs. He acquired two pedigreed English Pointers, descendants of champions. These he bred, raised the puppies and trained them in the the nearby "covers". The success of his business, Maple Leaf Kennels, resulted in a reputation as being one of the best bird dog trainers in NH. This supported Chappie as he bred and trained dogs for wealthy patrons from the Boston area.
Chappie loved to attend the dances at the Town Hall on Saturday night. He'd come dressed in a fine black suit, white shirt and black silk flowing tie. When dancing he always put his handkerchief on his hand before touching the ladies back or waist. He was know for his excellent renditions of the fox trot and waltz and as a result he probably was in demand as a partner.
Married once for a short time, Chappie's bride from Boston left hastily after finding the dogs and sportsmen received more attention than she did ... especially at feeding time when she was expected to fix the dog food, feed the dogs and then clean the bowls.
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Chappie retired at 75. His favorite companion was "Lucky" whom he taught to retrieve a can of Ken'l Ration at dinner time, as well as to sing over the telephone to friends. As he grew older and it became more difficult for him to support himself, his long time friends and patrons Buck Dumaine and Dr. Donald Hight bought the house and let Chappie live there as long as he needed to. After his death in 1972 at age 92, Buck Dumaine turned the property into a wildlife sanctuary in Chappie's name.
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These memories are from conversations with Ann Robbins, Pat Mudgett, Dave Anthony and Dr. Donald Hight - all personal friends of Chappie.
Thanks to Leonard Boyd Chapman archive stored at the Sandwich Historical Society, and an article published in the Society's 83rd Annual Excursion booklet.
Research and text provided by Sue Rowan, Chapman Sanctuary Board of Directors.
Thanks to Leonard Boyd Chapman archive stored at the Sandwich Historical Society, and an article published in the Society's 83rd Annual Excursion booklet.
Research and text provided by Sue Rowan, Chapman Sanctuary Board of Directors.