George Chapman Sr (bef. 1838 - 1912)

Born before 9 Dec 1838 in Patterdale, Westmorland, United Kingdom

Husband of Elsie (Bisset) Chapman — married 8 Jun 1866 in Lyttleton, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 7 May 1912 after age 73 in Purangi, Taranaki, New Zealand

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Biography

George Chapman started life in the Village of Patterdale, County of Westmorland in the beautiful English Lakes District. George was born in the last quarter of 1838 and was baptised on 9 December 1838.^[1] In his early years, George and his mother Mary lived with his Grandmother and his Uncles.^[2]In 1843, Mary Chapman had another son, a brother for George. He was named Anthony.^[3]

By the 1851 Census, George's Mother Mary had married William Mitchell (b.1820, Church Coniston), a Copper MIner and Farmer. They were residing at Penny House, Hawkshead and Monk Coniston with Skelworth in the County of Lancashire. George was not actually present at Penny House, on Census night. Rather the Census records that he was visiting the Bensons, who were the neighbours. He was 13 years old at the time. His brother, Anthony as well his Mother and Step-Father were recorded at home.

By the 1861 Census, which would be the last Census that George was recorded on, He along with his brother Anthony were working for Daniel Green at Pavement End, Grasmere, Westmorland.^[4]

Sometime after 1861, George Chapman emigrated to New Zealand. He found work on the construction of the Lyttelton railway tunnel.^[5] George married Elsie Bisset on 8 June 1866 at Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand^[6]George and Elsie had the following children,

1. Mary Chapman (1867 - ? )
2. George William Chapman (1872 - 1952)
3. Thomas Arthur Chapman (1874 - Deceased)
4. Anthony Richard Chapman (1876 - 1950)
5. Henry Chapman (1878 - 1957). They were all born in Canterbury.

Some time after the birth of their youngest son Henry, the Chapmans left Canterbury and moved to Taranaki. They took up land at Purangi in the District of Ngati Maru. "They planted a large orchard, kept bees and were great gardeners. George was an expert in the use of a scythe and used to mow the orchard for hay".^[7]

George died in 1912 at the age of 73 and was buried in Purangi cemetery on 10 May.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ CHAPMAN, GEORGE, GRO Reference: 1838 D Quarter in WEST WARD UNION Volume 25 Page 444, baptism date sourced from https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=R_962556069, original record from Mother's Name: Mary Chapman "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NB8X-747 : 11 February 2018, George Chapman, 09 Dec 1838); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 97,410.
2. ↑ 1841 Census, England and Wales
3. ↑ 1851 Census, England and Wales
4. ↑ 1861 Census, England and Wales
5. ↑ Laurel Aitken & Meryl Webb, Purangi 1891 - 1991 (New Plymouth, 1991)
6. ↑ Family Tree of Descendant, Debra Hopkins
7. ↑ Laurel Aitken & Meryl Webb, Purangi 1891 - 1991 (New Plymouth, 1991),p.14 URL: http://new-plymouth.org/pdf/ps.pdf
8. ↑ Laurel Aitken & Meryl Webb, Purangi 1891 - 1991 (New Plymouth, 1991),p.14 URL: http://new-plymouth.org/pdf/ps.pdf - See also Name: George Chapman, Death Date: Apr-May-Jun 1912, Registration Place: Inglewood, Taranaki, New Zealand, Folio Number: 958