James Chalmers: Chronology of Events
 James Chalmers (1841-1901) was a Scottish missionary-explorer who
served in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands for ten years, and
in New Guinea from 1877 until his brutal murder by cannibal
tribesmen on April 8, 1901, during a missionary trip to Goaribari
Island. |
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| 1841 | Born In Ardrishaig, Argyllshire, Scotland, August 4. |
| 1851 | Rescued a schoolmate from drowning. |
| 1856 | Hearing a letter read in Sunday-school, resolved to be a missionary. |
| 1859 | Converted in a November revival meeting in Inveraray, age eighteen. |
| 1862 | Entered Cheshunt College, September. |
| 1864 | Entered London Missionary Society college at Highgate. |
| 1865 | Married Jane Hercus, October 17. Ordained two days later, October 19. |
| 1866 | Sailed from England for Rarotonga, Cook Islands in
South Pacific, January 4. Arrived in Sydney, Australia, late in year. |
| 1867 | Shipwrecked on Savage Islands, January. Reached Somoa; sailed for Rarotonga on ship of pirate Bully Hayes. Arrived at Avarua, Rarotonga, more than sixteen months of travel, May 20. Chalmers named "Tamate" by the natives. |
| 1867-1877 | Rarotonga partially Christianized when Chalmers arrived. Supervised operation of established mission; reorganized training institution for native missionaries; explored interior of island; regularly visited native churches; began educating native children. |
| 1877 | Chalmers left Rarotonga for Port Moresby, New Guinea, May
21. Selected Suau, Stacey Island, as first mission center. |
| 1878 | Explored coast visiting over one hundred villages and made extended
journeys inland while Mrs. Chalmers remains at mission station with
native teachers continuing the work there despite constant peril
from savages. Mrs. Chalmers sailed for Sydney, Australia, seeking recovery of her health, October. |
| 1879 | Death of wife Jane Chalmers at Sydney, Australia, February 20. Chalmers writes "Let me bury my sorrow in work for Christ..." |
| 1885 | Work and Adventure in New Guinea by James Chalmers and W. Wyatt Gill published. |
| 1886-1887 | Takes first furlough in twenty years, May, 1886 to September, 1887. Visited early boyhood home in Inveraray, addressed many large audiences, wrote missionary book. Engaged to widow Sarah Eliza Harrison. |
| 1887 | Pioneering in New Guinea by James Chalmers published. |
| 1888 | Married Sarah Eliza Harrison in Cooktown, Australia. Headquarters moved to Motu-motu. Facilitated establishment of British rule in northern New Guinea. |
| 1891 |
Chalmers took trip to Rarotonga (after absence of thirteen years) and Somoa. Became acquainted with Robert Louis Stevenson. |
| 1892 | Mrs. Chalmers in poor health sailed for England, March. Headquarters moved to Saguane, near the mouth of the Fly River. Explored interior along Fly River, visited new tribes, sought peace between tribes. |
| 1894-1896 | Furlough May, 1894, to January 20, 1896 at request of London Missionary
Society to be a speaker for centenary celebrations. Mrs. Chalmers still not well. Chalmers returned to New Guinea alone. |
| 1895 | Pioneer Life and Work in New Guinea, 1877-1894 by James Chalmers published. |
| 1897 | Mrs. Chalmers returned to New Guinea. |
| 1900 | Death of second wife, Sarah Eliza Chalmers, October 25, Daru, New Guinea. |
| 1901 | Chalmers, fellow missionary Oliver Tompkins, and twelve native Christians massacred and eaten by cannibals on Goaribari Island, New Guinea. April 8. |
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