Taliaferro County GaArchives Biographies.....Chapman, Thomas November 1 1788 - October 12 1853 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Rhoda Taylor Fone http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002953 October 23, 2004, 7:15 pm Author: Rhoda Taylor Fone THE THOMAS CHAPMAN FAMILY Thomas Chapman was born 1 November 1788 in South Carolina, son of John and Elizabeth Chapman. He died 12 October 1853 in Taliaferro County, GA. (“Rest In Peace, A Cemetery Census of Taliaferro County, Georgia,” by Wiley B. Jones). His wife was Sarah Hart, daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Boring) Hart but no marriage record has been found for them. Although we have no exact birth date for Sarah, it is estimated from census records that she was born circa 1778 in North Carolina, which would make her about 10 years older than her husband. John Chapman, father of Thomas, is first found in Halifax County, Virginia. The search for John Chapman’s father was ongoing for many years without success. A few years ago, through the joint efforts of AnnaLee Anderson, Kathy Duncan, Mary Gregg, Russ Henderson and myself, it was discovered that he was son of Nathan/Nathaniel Chapman of Halifax County, Virginia. My main contribution was in knowing the right people and putting together what each of them had contributed. Thomas Chapman’s line of descent: I. NATHAN CHAPMAN of Halifax County, VA, sometimes seen as Nathaniel Chapman. His date and place of birth are unknown. We think he was the same Nathan Chapman first found in the records of Caroline County, VA, but that is unproved at this time. Unfortunately the early records of Caroline County are not extant except for most of the order books. Nathan Chapman first appears in the records of Caroline County in 1740 in an action of trespass filed by Nicholas Battaile Gent. Later, in 1741, Chapman confessed his guilt. The last date on which Nathan appears in Caroline County records is Feb. 10, 1757, when he acknowledged his deeds of lease and release to Robert Kay. (Caroline County information provided by Mary Gregg from Order Book abstracts by John Frederick Dorman and T.L.C. Genealogy.) The first mention of Nathan Chapman in Halifax County, VA, is January 17, 1758, when he purchased 205 acres on the south side of Dan River from Abraham Rogers. One of the land owners bordering this property was Roger Cason. The Casons were involved with Nathan Chapman in Caroline Co, Halifax County, and associated later with John Chapman in South Carolina. Nathan Chapman left a will in Halifax County, abstracted by Marian Dodson Chiarito in “Will Book 0, 1752 1773, Halifax County, Virginia,” (Halifax Co., VA Will Bk. 0, p. 327) NATHAN CHAPMAN Will (original) "...sick & weak..." To SON JOHN CHAPMAN 300 acres on Deep Bottom Creek, 3 negroes Frank, Dinar and Jude and increase. Likewise all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs and movables except the beds & he is to have first choice of a bed and the rest are to be divided among my four children but if son John die without heir the negroes, etc. to be divided between MY FOUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN, SUSANNA DILLARD, MARY CHAPMAN, SARAH CHAPMAN AND THOMAS CHAPMAN and their heirs. I likewise give to my four youngest children the tract of land whereon I now live on Dan River, containing 205 acres, that is, the sd. land to be sold and the money equally divided between them and if one die without heir their part shall be equally divided between remaining children. SON JOHN CHAPMAN to keep part that falls TO SON THOMAS TILL HE COMES OF AGE. SUSANNA DILLARD to have a living upon the tract of land I have given to my eldest son John as long as she remains a widow. TO ELDEST DAUGHTER ANN BOLLING 5 shillings and no more. EXECUTOR: JOHN CHAPMAN Dated Ma__ 4, 1772 /s/ Nathan(X) Chapman Wit: James Watts, William Boyd, James (X) Mullins, William Powell Proved May 21, 1772. Presented by the executor and proved by the witnesses. Securities: James Watts and Thomas Douglas The will was presented in Halifax County May Court 1772 by John Chapman, the Executor. At July Court 1772, John Bolling and his wife Ann (daughter of Nathan Chapman) sued John Chapman as the executor of Nathan’s estate. The entry reflects that John and Ann Bolling were not residing in Halifax at the time. (Sources: (1) Information provided by AnnaLee Anderson, Kathy Duncan, Mary Gregg and Russ Henderson, (2) Caroline Co., VA Order Book abstracts, published and abstracted by John Frederick Dorman, (3) “Halifax County, Virginia, Deed Book 1, 1752 1759,” by Marian Dodson Chiarito (4) “Will Book 0, 1752 1773, Halifax County, Virginia,” by Marian Dodson Chiarito, (5) “Halifax Co. VA Court Orders 1771-1773 (Plea Book No. 7 Part 2,” by T.L.C. Genealogy) ----------------------- II. JOHN CHAPMAN of Halifax County, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia. The proof that John Chapman was the son of Nathan of Halifax was found by Russ Henderson in the papers of his Gr. Aunt Rachel Ethelyn Chapman Overstreet in the form of a receipt signed by Thomas Chapman (younger son of Nathan of Halifax). These papers were originally in the possession of Samuel Chapman of Taliaferro County (thought to be Samuel Whatley Chapman, grandson of John Chapman). This receipt gave us the necessary proof that our John Chapman was the same as the son of Nathan Chapman of Halifax. “Hallifax County Virginia this day I Reced of John Chapman, Executor of Nathan Chapman Deced fore pound ten Shillings current money it being in full of all Demand that I have aginst the said Nathans Estate Witness my hand Feabuary 16 day 1778. /s/ Thomas Chapman William (+) Taylor” (Note from Rhoda: William Taylor was likely William TRAYLOR.) There are several entries in Halifax County, VA records regarding John Chapman. One of the most important of these is a deed dated June 14, 1786, showing JOHN CHAPMAN OF LAURENS COUNTY SC, selling 100 acres on Dan River in Halifax County, VA, to Richard Carter. This is important because the release of John's wife’s dower rights reveals that her name was Elizabeth. For many years it has been circulated that his wife was Mary Thompson but no documentation was ever given for this claim. Although no absolute proof has been found, there are indications that John did have a second wife, Mary, the widow of Josiah Spikes who died in Greene County, GA, ca. 1792. The evidence for this is found in another document provided by Russ Henderson from his Aunt Ethel’s papers. It is an accounting of the estate of the orphans of Josiah and Mary Spikes, which seems to indicate that the widow Spikes has married John Chapman. "Estate of Josiah [torn off] to Mary Spiks/or Spikes? admin. 16th November 1792, To the suport(?) and maintanence of four orphans four year at $12.78 ??? cash - -- per year - $206 to schooling 5 ____ $211 17th November 1796 to JOHN AND MARY CHAPMAN to three years maintanence of three orphans at $12.87 cash $115.87 211 _______ 326.87" John Chapman died intestate about 1803 in Abbeville County, SC. There are many estate records which name his sons as well as Littleberry Bostick who apparently was married to a daughter of John Chapman. Four of John Chapman’s sons are later found in Georgia. It is interesting to note that three of his sons married three daughters of Samuel and Susannah (Boring) Hart. Children of John and Elizabeth Chapman. 1. [Daughter] Chapman married Littleberry (L.B) Bostick in SC. Some think that John Chapman had five daughters but none are mentioned in his estate records. It does appear that a daughter married L.B. Bostick as he received a share of John Chapman’s estate equal to that of John’s sons. (“Nov 16, 1808 – To cash paid L. B. Bostick his wifes Legacy - $644.86”) 2. Nathan Chapman, born 11 Feb. 1777, Halifax County, VA, died 8 July 1868, Taliaferro County, GA. Married Elizabeth Hart, daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Boring) Hart, 20 Feb. 1800. 3. Benjamin Chapman, b. 3 Sept. 1779, Halifax County, VA, died 24 Jan. 1841, DeKalb County, GA. Married Phebe Hart, daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Boring) Hart, 12 Jan. 1809. 4. John Chapman, Jr. He is mentioned in the estate records of John, Sr. and was a minor when his father died. No further information has been found. 5. Thomas Chapman, see below. 6. Randal Chapman, b. ca. 1791, SC, d. before 1850. He is likely the Randol Chapman found in Greene County, GA while still a minor and under the guardianship of John and Mary Mapp but this has not been proved. Randol Chapman of Greene County, GA married (1) Unknown; (2) Elizabeth Tally, 23 July 1822, Greene County, and (3) Nancy Perkins, 30 May 1833, Greene County (SOURCES: (1) Information provided by Mary Gregg, (2) the papers of the late Mrs. Rachel Ethelyn Chapman Overstreet provided by Russ Henderson (3) Halifax County, Virginia, deed and will abstracts published by T. L. C. Genealogy, (4) Estate Records of John Chapman, Abbeville County, SC, (5) Will of Samuel Hart, dated 3 Dec. 1807, Hancock County, GA Will Bk E, p. 121, (6) Will of Susannah Hart, dated 22 Nov. 1830, Taliaferro County, GA Will Bk. A, pp. 215-16), (7) Marriage Records of Greene County, GA.) ----------------------------- III. THOMAS CHAPMAN of Taliaferro County, Georgia was born 1 Nov. 1788, SC, died 12 Oct. 1853, Taliaferro County. He married Sarah Hart (b. ca. 1778, NC, daughter of Samuel and Susannah (Boring) Hart. Taliaferro County Roster of Militiamen 1827 (First County Census) 603rd District G.M. (Captain Chapman’s) Thomas Chapman 3 males under 18 1 male 18 to 45 1 female under 18 1 female over 18 2 slaves. 1840 Census, Taliaferro County, GA G.M.D. 601 Thomas Chapman 1 male, 1 female, 3 slaves 1850 Census, Taliaferro Co, GA Division 78 Roll 83, page 327 Dwelling 163, Family 163 Thomas Chapman, age 61, m, farmer, val. real est: 4400, b. SC Sarah Chapman, age 71, f, b. NC Thomas Chapman left a will dated 25 Oct. 1852, probated 7 Nov. 1853 (Taliaferro County, GA Will Rec. A, pp. 228-231) and a copy has previously been posted in the Taliaferro County GenWeb Archives. His will names wife Sarah, son Nathan and Nathan’s daughter Elizabeth, son William H. Chapman and his children, daughter Nancy Reynolds and her “afflicted” daughter George Ann, and son James R. Chapman. The executors were son William H. Chapman and Alexander H. Stephens. Obituary of Thomas Chapman The Augusta Chronicle October 25, 1853 OBITUARY Died at his residence, in Taliaferro county, on the night of the 18th instant, Mr. Thomas Chapman, age 64 years. The deceased was a worthy, good citizen and a most excellent man. In all his dealings with the world, he was scrupulously exact and honest. He left a disconsolate widow and several children and grand-children, besides numerous friends, to mourn his loss. (Note that the above obituary states that Thomas died Oct. 18th but Wiley Jones’cemetery book shows he died Oct. 12.) Children of Thomas and Sarah (Hart) Chapman: 1. William H. Chapman, b. ca. 1812, GA, d. after 1880. Married 21 Sept. 1834, Taliaferro County, to Ann (Connell) Andrews, widow of Marcus Andrews. (See separate bio later.) ----------------------------- 2. Nancy Chapman, b. 25 Dec. 1814, GA, d. 27 Feb. 1867, Taliaferro County, GA. Buried Crawfordville Baptist Cemetery. Married (1) George W. Reynolds (aka Runnells) 19 July 1835, Taliaferro County, GA. Married (2) John W. Reynolds, 27 Feb. 1851, Taliaferro County, GA. George W. Reynolds is listed in the 1840 Census of Taliaferro County in Militia District 607. His household consisted of 1 male, 4 females and 1 slave. He apparently died before 1850 since Nancy is listed in the 1850 census as head of household with 4 minor daughters. Children of Nancy (Chapman) and George W. Reynolds (1) Sarah Ann H. Reynolds, b. ca. 1836, Taliaferro County, GA. Married Edward A. Holmes, 2 Nov., 1854 Taliaferro County (2) Susan Ann R. (Rebecca?) Reynolds, b. ca. 1837. No further info. (3) Martha Ann Reynolds, b. ca. 1840, Taliaferro County. No further info. (4) George Ann Reynolds, b. ca. 1841. Mentioned in the will of her grandfather, Thomas Chapman, as Nancy’s “afflicted daughter.” 1850 Census, Taliaferro County, GA Division 78 Roll 83, Page 325 Dwelling 137, Family 137 Reynolds, Nancy, age 36, f., b. GA Susan Ann R., age 13 f, b. GA Sarah Ann H., age 12, f., b. GA Martha Ann, age 10, f, b. GA George Ann, age 9, f, b. GA 1860 Census, Taliaferro County, GA P. O. Crawfordville Roll 137, Page 40 Dwelling 321, Family 315 Reynolds, John W., age 54, m, farmer, val. real est: 5000, pers. est: 18,000, b. GA Nancy, age 36, f, b. GA Martha A., age 18, f, b. GA P. Mo___(?), age 40, m, Merchant, b. Prussia John W. Reynolds was married first to Dorothy Shorter, 7 Jan. 1838. She was widow of Henry Shorter and a good deal older than John W. Reynolds. Dorothy is buried in the Crawfordville Baptist Cemetery in the same section as Nancy and John W. Her tombstone shows her age as 64 when she died in 1850. They are enumerated in the 1850 census, as follows: 1850 Census. Taliaferro County, GA Division 78 Roll 83, Page 335 Dwelling 298, Family 298 John W. Reynolds, age 40, m, Farmer, val. real est: 4400(?), b. GA Dorothy, age 66, f, b. GA Nancy, age 30, f, b. GA In the past a daughter Rebecca has been given for Nancy and John W. Reynolds. It now seems doubtful they had any children. In Mell Lunceford’s book “Taliaferro County Georgia Records and Notes,” he shows an agreement to divide and sell the property of Thomas Chapman which reads, in part: “. . . John W. Reynolds, gdn of Susan Ann, Rebecca, Martha Ann and George Ann Reynolds, THREE minor children of said Nancy Reynolds . . .” Notice that there is a comma between Susan Ann and Rebecca, which makes one think they are two separate children. However, note also that they are called “THREE” minor children of Nancy, not four. In the 1850 census, Susan Ann is referred to as Susan A. R. Reynolds and it is likely that the “R” stands for Rebecca. (Nancy’s fourth daughter, Sarah A. H. was mentioned as wife of A. H. Holmes thus not given as one of the minor daughters.) If Nancy and John W. Reynolds had a daughter together named Rebecca, she should show up in the 1860 census but only Martha A., age 18, is listed. Nancy (Chapman) Reynolds left a will in Taliaferro County dated 2 March 1867, probated 1 April 1867. She names her husband, John W. Reynolds, deceased, and sisters Pheriba [Reynolds] Pierce and Mrs. Emily [Reynolds] Jordan. These were likely her sisters-in-law. Also named in her will were nephew Jabez M. Lacy and his son Charles P. Lacy, niece Mary Frances Jourdan, brother-in-law S. L. Jourdan. Others named were Mary, wife of Dr. John J. Kent (no relationship stated) and the Georgia Baptist Convention. (Taliaferro County, GA Deed Bk. F, p. 98) George F. Bristow and John J. Kent, excrs of Nancy Reynolds, decd, to Littleberry R. L. Jennings. 20 acres in Crawfordville “on the road leading from Crawfordville to Hello . . . it being the house and Lot purchased from Sylvester J. Farmer by John W. Reynolds, decd, and whereon the said John W. Reynolds and Nancy Reynolds resided at the time of their deaths.” Test: GWM, JDH. 2/18/1868 (“Taliaferro County Georgia Records and Notes,” by Alvin Mell Lunceford, Jr.) (SOURCES: (1) Will of Thomas Chapman, (2) “Taliaferro County Georgia Records and Notes,” by Alvin Mell Lunceford, Jr., (3) Tombstone Inscriptions, Crawfordville Cemetery, (4) Taliaferro County, GA Marriage Bk. A, (5) Taliaferro County, GA Census Records.) ----------------------------- 3. James R. Chapman, b. ca. 1817, GA, d. after 1896, Taliaferro County, GA. Married 22 March 1836 to Nancy King, daughter of Richard and Rachel (Dearborn) King. Children of James R. and Nancy (King) Chapman: (1) William Thomas Chapman, b. 1 Feb. 1837, Taliaferro County, GA, d. 27 March 1920, Taliaferro County, GA. Married 8 Oct. 1859, Taliaferro County, to Emeline Jane Gunn, b. 4 April 1840, Taliaferro County, d. 19 April 1904, Taliaferro County She was the daughter of John Robert and Sarah (Chapman) Gunn. (Sarah Chapman was the daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Hart) Chapman.) Emeline is mentioned in the will of her father, John Robert Gunn, as Emeline J. Chapman. The will of John Robert Gunn was dated 3 May 1887, probated 4 June 1888 and two of the witnesses were S. H. Chapman and S. W. Chapman. (2) James Samuel Chapman, b. 3 June 1839, Taliaferro County, GA, d. 10 April 1918. Married Dec. 11, 1865, Taliaferro County to Mary Susan Greison (aka Greeson), b. ca. 1843-44, probably daughter of Peyton and Narcissa (Battle) Greison. 1850 Census Taliaferro County, GA Division 78 Roll 83, Page 328 23 Sept. 1850 Dwelling 186, Family 186 Peton Gresian, age 35, m, farmer, val. real est: 60, b. GA Narcisa, age 30, f, b. GA SUSAN, age 7, f, b. GA Masuria, age 5, f, b. GA Lueze, age 3, f, b. GA Talbot, age 5 mos., m, b. GA (3) Mary Frances Chapman, b. 2 Oct. 1842, Taliaferro County, GA, d. 28 July 1921, Taliaferro County, buried Crawfordville Baptist Cemetery. Married 8 April 1869, Taliaferro County, to Wyatt A. Hill. (SOURCES: (1) Information from Ross Kelly, Snellville, GA; (2) Will of Thomas Chapman, (3) Taliaferro County Marriage Book A, (4) Tombstone inscriptions (5) Will of James R. Chapman, (6) “Taliaferro County Georgia Records and Notes,” by Alvin Mell Lunceford, Jr.; (7) “The Gunns” by Robert R. Gunn (1925-Clem G. Moore’s Print Shop, Crawfordville, GA). ----------------------------- 4. Nathan Chapman, b. ca. 1818, in GA; died after 1880. He married (1) 27 Sept. 1838, in Taliaferro County, GA, Rebecca Allen, and (2) 6 May 1847, also in Taliaferro County, GA, Jane A. W. McMikle. Although some have stated that there were two Nathan Chapmans, one married to Rebecca Allen and the other married to Jane A. W. McMikel, I think that the will of Thomas Chapman and records of the 1850 census, considered together, show that both marriages were for Thomas' son Nathan. That Thomas Chapman's son Nathan had a daughter named Elizabeth is proved by Thomas' will, in which he made bequests to his son Nathan and to Nathan's daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth can be placed as daughter of Nathan's first marriage based upon the 1850 census which lists Nathan with wife Jane, age 18, and daughter Elizabeth, age 8. This shows that Jane would have been about 10 years old when Elizabeth was born, thus could not have been Elizabeth’s mother. There are no records that show any children by the second marriage to Jane McMikle. 1850 Census, Cass County, GA 12th Division Roll 63, page 145 14 Sept. 1850 Dwelling 636, Family 643 Nathan Chapman, age 31, m, farmer, value real est: 400, b. GA Jane Chapman, age 18, f, b. NC Elizabeth Chapman, age 8, f, b. GA 1860 Census, Cherokee County, GA, Fair Play District, P.O. Fosters Mill Roll 116, Page 722 Dwelling No. 450, Family No. 469 Nathan Chapman, age 42, m, physician, val. real est: 1100, pers. est: 5000, b. GA Jane A., age 28, f, b. NC 1870 Census, Bartow County, GA, Town of Kingston, P.O. Cartersville Subdiv. 5 Roll 135, Page 552 Dwelling No. 71, Family No. 71 Chapman, Nathan, age 51, m, w, physician, val. real est: 900, pers. est: 500, b. GA Jane A.W., age 38, f, w, keeping house, b. NC Cobb, Lorena, age 74, f, w, (occupation unclear), b. GA 1880 Census, Rockmart, Polk County, GA Roll 161, Page 221 Dwelling 61 Family 62 Nathan Chapman, w, m, age 61, Head, physician, b. GA, parents b. SC Jane Chapman, w, f, age 48, Wife, keeping house, b. NC, parents b. NC (SOURCES: (1) Will of Thomas Chapman, (2) Taliaferro County, GA Marriage Bk. A, (3) “Taliaferro County Georgia Records and Notes” by Alvin Mell Lunceford, Jr., (4) Census Records, 1850-1880.) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/taliaferro/bios/gbs422chapman.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 20.5 Kb