CHESTER, Joseph Lemuel, American genealogist: b. Norwich, Conn. 30 April 1821; d. London, England, 26 May 1882. His earlier life was taken up chiefly with mercantile pur suits. His literary tastes found expression in contributions to the From 1845 to 1850 he was musical editor of Godey's 'Lady's Book,' and in 1852 became one of the editors of the Philadelphia Inowirer and of the Daily Sun. In 1858 he went to England to sell some patent rights, hut not succeeding in the undertaking, settled in London, and devoted himself to genealogical investigation. For more than 20 years he collected materials illustrating the ancestry of American families, made special researches for clients, and investigated the Eng lish descent of noted Americans, especially that of George Washington. His greatest work was the editing and
of 'The Marriage, Baptismal and Burial Registers of the Colle giate Church or Abbey of Saint Peter, West minster,' dedicated to the queen (1876), a work that cost him 10 years' labor, and which he generously allowed the Harleian Society to issue as one of its publications. He was a
founder of this Society in 1869, and edited five of its volumes. He was also a member of the Royal Historical Society, and of many other learned societies in England and America. His non-genealogical writings were (Greenwood Cemetery, and Other Poems' (1843); 'Treat ise on the Law of Repulsion> (1853); 'Educa tional Laws of Virginia: the Personal Narra tives of Mrs. Margaret Douglas' (1854) ; (John Rogers, the Compiler of the First Authorized English Bible, the Pioneer of the English Reformation, and its First Martyr' (1861), a work of great industry and research.