Thomas Chapman (abt. 1730)

Born about 1730 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia

Ancestors

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Biography

Thomas was born about 1730. He is the son of John Chapman.

Sources

• Chapman family traces back to 1711 resident

(Smithfield reflections – Sig Dashiell)

Chapman ~Foursquare Rd~ Cemetery Transcribed by members of the Grave Site Survey Task Force (GSSTF) Under the Auspices of Isle of Wight County Historical Society (IWCHS) Visited July 10, 2005

The Chapman family, though not one of the earliest to settle in Isle of Wight County, has been here just about 300 years. From "The Chapman Family Association" we learn "The name Chapman is of Saxon origin, from ceapman — a chapman, or merchant.

As early as 1216 the name appears in Whitby, England, being recorded on the rolls of Whitby Abbey. The family was granted patents of nobility at an early date in England, Scotland and Ireland. They became distinguished in civil and military life, as well as in the realm of letters. George Chapman, poet, was a friend of Shakespeare. Sir John Chapman was Lord Mayor of London in 1689. One of the family, Melior Chapman, so distinguished himself in life that in death he found a resting place in Westminster Abbey. The Chapmans were always ready to shoulder their muskets, and representatives of the family are to be found in all the Indian Wars. In the great struggle for Independence-.and in the Confederate War." Charles Chapman is the first of the name to be found in the Isle of Wight records, and is believed to have many descendants still living in the area. In Deed Book 1, p28, a deed of March 9, 1693, conveys to Mr. Charles Chapman 200 acres of land for the importation of himself and Ann Day Chapman, his wife, and John and Charles, his sons, into this country, being legally proved in Court. Signed by Henry Applewhaite. His name frequently occurs thereafter as attorney for various people and as witness on wills and other documents; he served as Clerk of the County Court from 1696 until his death in 1710. In his will, dated Dec. 20, 1709, and recorded Feb. 26, 1710, he mentions son John, grandson Charles, friend Arthur Smith, and names son Joseph executor. (Will Book 2,p516). The wife of Charles Chapman was Anne Day, daughter of Mary Bennett and her first husband, who is believed to have been John Day of London. Mary Bennett Day was a daughter of Edmund Bennett, and an account of this Bennett family is given in John Bennett Boddie's "17th Century Isle of Wight." Charles and Anne Day Chapman had three sons:

1. John Chapman — who inherited from his father his "Great Bible” which was in possession of N. W. Norsworthy as late as 1901. It is the German translation known as the "Old Breeches Bible" and in it John Chapman recorded the birth dates of several of his 10 children and other family information.

2. Charles Chapman — mentioned in the deed of 1693, but not in his father's will of 1710; may have died young,

3. Joseph Chapman — whose will was recorded (Will Book 3, p189) Dec.22, 1729, in which he mentions his wife Alice, leaves to his son Charles "land I bought of John Butler and John Rodaway; son-in-law John Applewhaite; and daughters Mary, Martha, Elizabeth and Alice. Some of the descendants of these two brothers — John and Joseph —will be traced in future articles.

Charles Chapman (died 1710) the first of the Chapman family to settle in Isle of Wight County, and his wife, Ann Day Chapman, had the following sons:

I. John Chapman

II. Charles Chapman

III. Joseph ,Chapman

I. John Chapman — married on Feb. l5, 1704, to Frances, daughter of Thomas Ward. Their children and grandchildren were:

1. Patience Chapman — married Moses Wills Feb. 15,1723.

(a) Mary Wills, born May 3,1725

(b). Ann Wills, born Nov 29, 1730.

2. Benjamin Chapman — born Feb. 8,-1796 and baptized 10th day following; died Aug. 23,1723, in his 16th year.

3. John Chapman (descendants • undetermined.)

4. Charles Chapman (descendants undetermined.) , 5. Mary Chapman.

6. Rachael Norsworthy Chapman — baptized Aug. 6, 1722; Mary Forbes and Wm. Norsworthy, witnesses.

7. Joseph Chapman —born Nov. 13,1724; married Lydia.

(a) Sabra Chapman, born Sept. 22,1755.

(b) John Chapman, born Feb. 29,1763. Frances Ward Chapman died July 22, 1727, in the 39th year of her age. Chapman then married Mary Marshall, widow, and daughter of Thomas Bevan, by whom he had:

8. William Chapman, born Dec.- 28,1729.

9. Thomas Chapman.

10. Elizabeth Chapman. The will of John Chapman, of the Lower Parish, dated Sept 10, 1738, and recorded Nov. 28, 1737, in Will Book 4, pl83, mentions daughter Patience. Wiles (Wills); to son John my Bath Seal, and requests him to care for his own brother Joseph; son Charles; daughter Mary; son Joseph; sons William and Thomas to live with their mothor until they are 14; wife Mary; daughter Elizabeth. Executors, wife Mary and son Charles Chapman. Witnesses: Charles Fulgham Jr. and Mary Bevan.

II. Charles Chapman— who is believed to have died young.

III. Joseph Chapman- married Alice.

(a) Charles Chapman

(b) Mary Chapman

(c) Martha Chapman

(d) Elizabeth Chapman

(e) Alice Chapman

The will of Joseph Chapman was recorded Dec. 22, 1729 (WB 3, pl89) and mentions wife Alice, leaves to son Charles "the land I bought of John Butler and John Rodaway"; son-in-law John Applewhaite; daughters Mary, Martha, Elizabeth.