James Chappell (abt. 1694 - abt. 1769)

Born about 10 May 1694 in Charles City County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Briggs) Chappell — married 1720 in Charles City, Charles, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died about 12 Feb 1769 at about age 74 in Sussex County, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

'James Chappell was born May 10, 1694 in Charles City County, part of which later became Prince George County, Virginia. ^{[1] [2]} He was the son of Thomas Chappell and Elizabeth Jones. He died February 12, 1769 in Sussex County.^[3] He was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Briggs. Elizabeth Briggs was the daughter of Henry Briggs and Elizabeth Lucas. She died September 20, 1744. ^{[4] [1] [5]}

James Chappell was named after his grandfather James Jones, who managed the estate of Thomas Chappell for the benefit of the young Chappell children. James received his inheritance in 1715, the year he came of age. ^[6] His grandfather, James Jones died in 1719 ^[7] ,so he had no further assistance from this able gentleman. Despite this, and probably because of the influence and guidance during his growing up from his well to do grandfather, James became the wealthiest of his family. James served as vestryman of Sussex County. James Chappell was a Justice Surry Co. (later Sussex) from 1738, and was sheriff of Sussex Co. in 1754.^[8]

Property

There were a number of land patents granted to James Chappell in Surry and Sussex Counties. In 1725 he obtained 200 acres. Then in 1730 he obtained 350 acres, then 135 acres. In 1741 another 270 acres was secured. In 1746 he registered 68 acres, in 1755 another 636 acres, and in 1760 another 150 acres.^[9]

From BRUNSWICK COUNTY, VA - DEEDS - Deed Book 3 Abstracts Part 1 (1744-1749) : Commission to John Mason Thomas Avent and James Chappell, Gentlemen, dated 12 July 1745, and Certificate of Execution regarding acknowledgment and privy Examination of Isabel Beddingfield of Albemarle Parish, Surry County, on the 17 July 1745, to Indenture for 870a, to Moses Johnson of Surry County. Signed John Mason and James Chappell.^[10]Thomas Chappell (father of James) patented 904 acres in 1690, adjacent his own farm and Robert Bolling. In 1701, Thomas patented 994 additional acres southside on Warwick Swamp and Burchen Swamp, near lands of Capt. Busby and Arthur Allen. The southside section of Charles City became Prince George County in 1704. The family was moving southward. Before 1736, James Chappell owned land in Brunswick County south of Meherrin River. In 1742, James Chappell patented 270 acres on north side of Atsamoosock Swamp and the east side of Harrison's bridge joining "his own old lines," and Howell Briggs. In 1746, he paid 10 shillings for 68 acres on the west side of the swamp. In 1766, James Chappell owned 370 acres at this location adjacent to Col. William Allen.^[11]

In 1721 the following deed was recorded:

• Briggs to Chappell, Warranty Deed
• Isle of Wight County, Virginia; Deeds Wills Great Book, Vol. 2, pt. 1: 420-421
• Drawn 15 May 1721, proved 24 July 1721

HENRY BRIGGS of Surry County to JAMES CHAPPELL & ELIZABETH his wife of same place for 5 shillings sterling 120 acres of land in Isle of Wight, described as: Lying on the southside of the main Blackwater beginning at a marked pine tree on the eastside of Coshinikorron Swamp on both sides of said swamp to the northside of Bronne Branch, title and inheritance in fee simple. Part of a tract of land BRIGGS was granted by patent 16 June 1714. [Signed] HENRY BRIGGS Witnesses: Jos PARNELL; THOMAS (T) “his mark”; JOSEPH BRIDGER. 24 July 1721 property delivered by BRIGGS to JAMES CHAPPELL & ELIZABETH.

Deed d. 15 Jul 1757 JAMES CHAPPEL Sr to JAMES CHAPPEL Jr both of Sussex Co for 20sh, 366A Beg at a pine corner tree between sd CHAPPEL & JOHN KENNIBREW, thence KENNIBREW's line S30E 183p to a pine thence S12E 82p to a small pine corner between sd KENNIBREW & JAMES MASSINGALE Sr thence by MASSENGALE's line N26E 9p to a pine, N10E 204p to a turkey oak N80E 134p to a white oak close on the side of Birtchin Island road thence by a new line N10W 152p to a turkey oak, N44W 218p to a pine, S64W 64p to a small white oak, S25W 6p? to a pine corner on his old land thence by the lines of his old land to the tree begun at. Being part of a tract of land granted sd JAMES CHAPPEL by patent d. 10 Sep 1755. To have & to hold the 366A etc.

Signed sealed & delivered in presence of: BEN WHITE, JOHN LAMB, THOMAS TOMLINSON - signed JAMES CHAPPEL - Ack in Ct by sd CHAPPEL & rec 15 Jul 1757 ^[12]

Marriage & Children

James Chappell married Elizabeth Briggs about 1720 in Surry County, Virginia. No marriage record has yet been located. Henry Briggs, father of Elizabeth, sold 120 acres in Isle of Wight County for 5 shillings to James Chappell and wife Elizabeth on 15 May 1721. This certainly has the appearance of a wedding present. Elizabeth is said to have died 26 September 1744 in Surry County.^[2]

Based on birth dates as recorded in Boddie, Southside Virginia Families, Vol.2, and in Births, Deaths, ... Albemarle Parish Register, also by Boddie, the children from James' first marriage to Elizabeth Briggs appear to be those listed below from James to John Chappell.

Children from his second marriage to Elizabeth Howell seem to be Ann, Lucretia and Howell Chappell, born 1739-1744. Note they named their only son Howell and daughter Ann Chappel, who possibly married a Tatum, had a son named Howell.

If this is accurate, then Elizabeth Briggs Chappell died about 1734, not 1744. James appears to have married Elizabeth Howell about 1738 in Albemarle Parish. She is apparently the wife who died in 1744.

Children of James Chappell

Children of James Chappell and Elizabeth Briggs:

1. James Chappell II b. 1717 (alt bd 1720)
2. Amy Chappell, b c 1721md James Smith
3. Rebecca Chappell, 1722, md Nathan Northington
4. Elizabeth Chappell, 1723, md John Mason
5. Thomas Chappell, b. 1725, d. before 1790 , md Mary Briggs
6. Mary Chappell, 1729, md Charles Gee
7. Sarah Chappell, 1731, md Christopher Mason
8. John Chappell, 1734, md Mary, dau of Thomas Hines

Children of James Chappell and Elizabeth Howell:

1. Ann Chappell+ b. 22 Dec 1739, md maybe --- Tatum and was mother of Thomas and Howell Tatum named in James, Sr.'s will as grandsons.
2. Lucretia Chappell b. February 10, 1741/42, md ---- Carter
3. Howell Chappell b. August 16, 1744, md Rebecca, dau of William and Mary (Cook) Briggs^[13]

1. Elizabeth Chappell b. 6 Jul 1745^[13] is listed in the Albemarle Parish Register as daughter of James and Elizabeth Chappell. Given the death of James, Sr.,'s wife in 1744, this Elizabeth appears to be the daughter of James, Jr. It certainly didn't help that James, Sr. was married to two Elizabeths and James, Jr. also married an Elizabeth.

Death & Legacy

James Chappell's will, dated Oct. 31, 1768 was probated March 16, 1769 in Sussex Co. It mentions his sons, James and Thomas, dau. Elizabeth Mason, Mary Geo, Sarah Mason, Rebecca Nothington, grandsons, Thomas and Howell Tatum, daughter, Damy Smith, son John, daughter Lucretia Carter, son Howell, and grandchildren, James and Henry Chappell, sons of James, Howell Chappell, son of John and Mary Chappell, dau. of Thomas.^[1]

Will Will of James Chappell. Sussex Co., VA, WB B, pp. 193-195, w. 31 Oct 1768, p. 16 Mar 1769. Digital image at Ancestry.com - https://ancstry.me/2lH5Drs

son James Chappell
son Thomas Chappell
daughter Elizabeth Mason
daughter Mary Gee
daughter Sarah Mason
daughter Rebeckah Northington
grandson Thomas Tatum (under 21)
grandson Howell Tatum
daughter Amy Smith - all the residue of my money in the hands of James Smith
son John Chappell
daughter Lucretia Carter. It appears she had no children at the time the will was written.
son Howell Chappell
grandson James Chappell son of my son James Chappell
grandson Henry Chappell son of my son James Chappell
grandson Howell Chappell son of my son John Chappell
granddaughter Mary Chappell daughter of my son Thomas Chappell
Exrs: sons James, Thomas, John & Howel (sic) Chappell
Wit: David Jones, John Mason Jr, William Hunt

Will of James Chappell written in 1768, and filed in March, 1769.^[14]

I give to my son James Chappell Privilege to get Timber off of the Plantation I now live on, for the use of his plantation, During his life. I also give my said son, James Chappell, one negro man called Ben and my part of the Brandy Still. Also one feather bed and furniture, my gray mare, bridle, and saddle and my great Bible.

I give to my son Thomas Chappell seventy pounds current money. I give to my daughter Elizabeth Mason one Negro girl named Sarah, one negro boy called Davy and 20 shillings to buy her a mourning ring.

I give to my daughter Mary Gee two negro girls called Hannah and Sealy and 20 shillings to buy her a ring.

I give to my daughter Sarah Mason^[15] one negro girl named Pegg and one negro man called Jacoborn

I give to my daughter Rebecca Northington one negro man called Dick and one negro girl called Judy.

I give to my grandson Thomas Tatum, if he should live to the age of twenty one years, forty five pound of my money in the hands of James Smith to be paid out by my executors for as likely a Negro girl as can be bought in two years from my death. But my will and desire is that if my grandson Thomas Tatum should die before he comes to the age of twenty- one years then the said forty five pounds or negro and Increase, if any, go to my grandson Howell Tatum and his Heirs.

I give to my daughter Amy Smith all the residue of my money in the hands of James Smith after paying the forty five pounds to my Executors for the use of my grandson Thomas Tatum.

I give to son John Chappell one negro man called Roger and the Plantation whereon he now lives containing 240 acres. Also one feather bed and furniture.

I give to my daughter Lucretia Carter one negro woman called Sucky, one negro girl called Nan, one Iron Pott, one Gray horse and three cows and calves.

I give to my daughter Lucretia Carter, provided she has any Child living at her Death two negro Girls which she has now in her possession called Priss and Milley. But my will and desire is that if my said daughter Lucretia Carter dies without any one living that then the Negroes Priss and Milley be sold and the money arising from them be equally divided among my other five daughters.

I give to my son Howell and to his heirs forever, the land and Plantation where he now lives containing 350 acres more or less. I also give him on negro woman called Patt, and he increase, and one negro boy called Steve.

I give the Plantation whereon I now live, containing 368 acres, to my grandson James Chappell and his heirs forever.

I give to my grandson Henry Chappell, son of my son James, all my land lying on Major’s Branch containing 370 acres.

I give to my grandson Howell Chappell, son of my son John, one negro by named Natt.

I give to my granddaughter Mary Chappell daughter of my son Thomas one negro girl Kate.

My will and desire that all the residue of my estate be sold and the money arising from the sale be divided equally between my sons James, Thomas, John, and Howell and my granddaughter Mary Chappell, daughter of my son Thomas.

Lastly, I do nominate and appoint my sons James, Thomas, John and Howell Executors….”

Witnesses: David Jones, John Mason Jr. and William Hunt

Research Notes

Other sources indicate that Elizabeth Howell and Elizabeth Briggs may be the same person. The death date for Elizabeth Briggs is given as 26 Sep 1744 - Surry County, Virginia^[16][17], which is the same death date given for Elizabeth Howell. Wikitree profile Briggs-2607 also indicates that Eiizabeth Howell and Elizabeth Briggs are the same person. However, Wikitree profile Briggs-2048 indicates that she is not the same person as Elizabeth Howell. Additional research and merges may be needed.