Constantia (Pearson) Chapman (1714 - 1791)

Born 1714 in Overton, Stafford, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of Nathanial Chapman — married 1732 in Charles County, Maryland Colony

Descendants

Died 21 Feb 1791 at about age 77 in Summerhill Plantation, Fairfax, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Ron Pearson [send private message] and DK Clews [send private message]

Biography

Constantia (Pearson) Chapman is buried in Pohick Cemetery.

Constantia was born in 1712. She was the daughter of Simon Pearson. ^[2] She passed away in 1791.

Sources

1. ↑ 11.11.2014 Personal visit to Pohick Cemetery by DK Clews
2. ↑ Will of Simon Pearson names his daughter Constantia.

See also:

History of the Hunter Family Page 172 ff His wife, Constantia, often called Constant, and in the Chart and Pamphlet mistakenly called Constance, survived her husband many years. Seemingly she continued to reside in Charles County, Maryland, and, upon her death, she left two Wills, one made in 1774, which was proved in Fairfax County, Virginia, Feb. 21, 1791, the proving of the Will in Virginia having been made necessary by reason of property situated therein.

The other Will was the first one drawn. It is dated in 1768, but was not proved in Fairfax until 1798. The explanation of this strange circumstance must be found in the supposition that the first Will was not destroyed upon the making of the second; that it either was lost and later discovered, or that the executors thought the later Will would supersede the earlier one and that the earlier one need not be probated; then subsequently determining that the older Will should, properly, be probated.

So far as the records go in Fairfax County, the record of the older Will is fragmentary, but it appears the main beneficiary under both Wills was the same person.

Will of 1768 In the name of God, Amen. I, Constant Chapman of Charles County, in the province of Maryland, widow and relict of Nathaniel Chapman, Gentleman, etc. do make this my last will and testament. Etc. etc.

I direct my said Executors to build a vault fronting the creek in the square of the garden, opposite to the graves on the old plantation at Four Mile Creek in Fairfax County, Virginia, where I formerly lived, in which vault I desire my body to be deposited, and also the bodys of my children, my son in law Dr. John Hunter, deceased, and such other of my relatives as there are buried, and as to the remains of Mr. Chapman, my late husbands father, (who lies buried in the same place) I leave it to the discretion of my sons and daughters, whether the same shall be interred in the vault or not.

I direct my Executors to erect a tombstone over my late husband, who lies buried in Baltimore County in Maryland, inscribed with his age and the time of his death, for which purpose I leave the sum of Ten Pounds Sterling.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Hunter the sum of One hundred pounds, current money of Virginia in trust to be laid out in the education of her children in such manner as she thinks proper. I also give and bequeath unto my said daughter Elizabeth Hunter my two riding chairs or chaises, with all the harness and everything else thereunto belonging, and my two chair horses, the one being a Roan and the other a Dun horse; also four calves or yearlings and four cows and three heads of cattle, also one killable beef and 10 fatted Hogs to be delivered to her by my Executors next Fall or Winter after my decease.

Item: I give and bequeath unto each of my three grandchildren, Viz. Nathaniel Chapman Weems, Jas. William Locke Weems and Sarah Louisa Weems the sum of Five Guineas, to be laid out for them in silver plate, as their mother shall think proper, the said plate to be engraved with the arms of the Chapman and Pearson Familys.

Item: I give to my eldest son Pearson Chapman a mourning ring the value of one Guinea and no more, he having inherited the greatest part of his father's estate.

Unto my friend Mrs. Ann Mason, a mourning ring, to be set around with Diamond Sparks.....

THE WILL OF 1774. IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Constant Chapman of Charles County in the Province of Maryland Widow and relict of Nathaniel Chapman deceased being of a sound and disposing mind memory and understanding thro the blessing of God do make ordain and publish and declare this my last will and Testament

First I resign my soul to Almighty God and hope for Salvation thro the merits of my blessed redeemer Jesus Christ.

Secondly I give and bequeath unto my dear son George Chapman his heirs Executors Administrators and assigns for ever the following slaves with their present and future increase. Billy, James Joe, Tom Wood, George, Daphne and her two children and pender all in Maryland, Also Bob and Nanny his wife at a plantation called the pignut Quarter in the County of Fauquier in the colony of Virginia the said two slaves having been of the Maryland estate of the said Nathaniel Chapman and removed since his death to the said plantation and also all my estate Interest goods chattels rights and credits whatsoever and wheresoever they be which I have of in and to any of her slaves goods and chattels whatsoever except the two following legacies which I hereby give and order to be paid out of my estate

To wit fifteen guineas to my grandson John Weems to be laid out in plate as his mother shall direct and also one gold ring of the price of one guinea

To Sally Harrison, daughter of Robert Hanson Harrison of Alexandria

Lastly I do make and appoint my said son George Chapman sole Executor of this my last will and Testament In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and seal this 18 day of September in the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy four.

Consta. Chapman (SEAL)

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Constant Chapman as and for her last will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereto set our names as Witnesses in her presence at her request and in presence of each other

Thos. Fleming, Robt. H. Harrison Rd. Harrison W. Henry Terrett

Slaves

1. Billy

2. James

3. Joe

4. Tom Wood

5. George

6-8. Dephne and her two children and pender all in Maryland

9. Bob (husband of #10 Nanny) at a plantation called the pignut Quarter in the County of Fauquier in the colony of Virginia the said two slaves having been of the Maryland estate of the said Nathaniel Chapman and removed since his death to the said plantation

10. Nanny (wife of #9 Bob) at a plantation called the pignut Quarter in the County of Fauquier in the colony of Virginia the said two slaves having been of the Maryland estate of the said Nathaniel Chapman and removed since his death to the said plantation