Descendants of Benjamin Chambers (from Scotland) emigrated in 1682 to Pennsylvania. The family lived in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio. Includes the related families of Miller and Hutchison.

Some ancestry and many descendants of various Chambers emigrants from Scotland or England to the United States (and one immigrant to Canada). Descendants lived throughout the United States, and in Canada.

This family history documents the life of George and Elizabeth Chambers; their three children, George Washington, William, and Emma; and their seven grandchildren who were the children of George Washington Chambers. The first part of the narrative describes what little is known about the arrival of George and Elizabeth Chambers in America and the early history of the Chambers family in Philadelphia. The second part of the narrative documents what is known about George Washington Chambers' service in the Civil War, his work as a boatman, and his married life. The third part of the narrative profiles the life of each of George Washington Chambers' children - first the girls and then the boys. The purpose of the document is to chronicle the sequence of major events in the life of the Chambers family; to bring the family back to life, albeit only momentarily; and to depict their fundamental character and outlook on life as a working class family living in Philadelphia during the period 1840 to 1940.

A quiet Peebles childhood and education is disrupted by war and rapid economic change, resulting in 1813 in the move of the Chambers family to Edinburgh and a new life, initially in 'one of the second-rate streets in the southern suburbs'. In this second, 1872, edition of the history of the personal and business life of the publisher Robert Chambers, his brother William adds his own reflections on the story that followed. It is a lively, fascinating slice of social history - stretching from 'an almost ceaseless drudgery' to a 'luxurious and learned leisure'. At its core is the world of 19th century Scottish book - selling and publishing - book auctions, premises on Leith Walk, publishers' agents, trade-sales, remainders, book - stalls in the open air, printers, book-binders and publishers, book-hawkers, poets, essayists and editors, and patronage and finance. It was also an age of 'progressive steps towards a thoroughly cheap yet original and wholesome literature' for education and entertainment; the establishment of W. & R. Chambers; and the influence and legacy of Sir Walter Scott.

Published on the occasion of the exhibition, Courtauld Gallery, London 10 October 1996-5 January 1997, Natiobalmuseum, Stockholm 20 February-20 April 1997.