Interview with Jabez Chapman, formerly of Cooperstown, NY, an article cut
from an 1895 Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, the original clipping in
the possession of and transcribed by Jean Chapman Snow.

*NOTE BY JEAN CHAPMAN SNOW: Jabez may no doubt be forgiven, at age
ninety-nine for confusing Lebanon with  Lancaster (there is no Lancaster
CT). And his grandfather Ezekiel was born 26 Oct 1741 in Norwich CT; his
father Zenas born 22 Apr 1770 in Lebanon CT. I have no proof that Jabez was
born in Lebanon, but Zenas married Anna Randol 24 Feb 1794 in Chatham
Congregation Church, Middlesex, CT, which is not that far from Lebanon.
Jabez' grandfather Ezekiel was in the Revolutionary War as an armorer,
stationed in Albany, but moving down the Hudson as needed. He was doubtless
too old for the War of 1812, as was Zenas. SOURCES: Chapman Family Bibles,
Bailey's CT Marriages, MA Soldiers and Sailors in the Revolutionary War.
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HE LIVED IN COOPERSTOWN 96 YEARS AGO.-- The Girard, Erie county, Pa.,
correspondent of the Chicago Times-Herald, sends to that paper the
following letter of Oct. 9th. It will be read with interest by the older
inhabitants of this town. Our Mr. I.K. Williams says that he very well
remembers Mr. Chapman, whose blacksmith shop stood on the southeast corner
of Main and Chestnut streets. He had a son Charles, who was in business
here with Robert Davis, forty years ago. The letter in question says:

Ninety-nine years ago to-day, in the little town of Lancaster, New London,*
Co., Conn., was born a boy whom the women folks of the village said would
not live twenty-four hours. But the wee mite of humanity fooled the people
of Lancaster, and to-day he celebrated the 99th anniversary of his birth.
Jabez Chapman--that is his name--is the oldest man living in Erie county,
and without doubt the most active man of his years in the whole State of
Pennsylvania. For one of his advanced years he is in remarkably good
health, and the chances are that he will live to be more than 100 years
old.

Mr. Chapman enjoys the distinction of having shod James Fenimore Cooper's
horse while America's great novelist kept off the flies. He has always
voted the straight Democratic ticket since that party came into existence,
and it is his wish that he live to vote for another candidate for the
Presidency. Sitting in an old arm chair in front of the glowing grate, Mr.
Chapman this afternoon told the story of his life. It was a simple story,
devoid of thrilling adventure, but interesting, nevertheless.

"I was born," said the old gentleman, "at Lancaster, Conn., Oct. 9, 1796.
My mother used to tell me that the women folk of the village shook their
heads gravely and said I would not live twenty-four hours. I was a very
small child, and was what the women folk call puny. But I have lived to
bury every man, woman and child who lived at that time in Lancaster.

"When I was three years old, my father moved to Cooperstown, N.Y., and I
remember the trip very well. My grandfather went with us. He was a
blacksmith and so was his son, my father. When I grew old enough I learned
the blacksmithing trade and worked at it for more than fifty years.
Grandfather and father put their tools aboard of a ship and it was six
weeks before the vessel reached Albany. The family traveled by wagon. -- We
were a week going from Albany to Cooperstown on account of the bad roads.
Mother trudged along behind the wagon carrying a baby in her arms. Although
it is 96 years since Washington died, I have distinct recollection of
hearing my father say: 'The country is now undone. Washington is dead.'

"I well remember the war of 1812," resumed the old gentleman. "While a
regiment was being organized at Cooperstown father got me an old snare drum
which I learned to beat. I used to march around town ahead of the soldiers
and taught them to keep step. Grandfather went to the war, but before the
company got to Albany the Captain found out that he could make guns and
repair them. He was kept in Albany while the war lasted repairing firearms.
When he came home he and I used to work  together in the blacksmith shop
making cowbells. There was so much forest around Cooperstown that the
cattle used to stray away and get lost.

"Judge Cooper was a regular customer at my grandfather's blacksmith shop.
He used to wear knickerbockers and fancy silk stockings that came up to his
knees. When the men working in the shop would see the Judge coming to have
his horse shod, they would put barrel hoops in the fire and then hammer
them on the anvils so that the sparks would fly all over the Judge's fancy
stockings."  The old gentleman shook with laughter as he recalled the
pranks played upon the Judge.

"Many a time has Fenimore Cooper kept the flies off his horse while I shod
the animal," continued Mr. Chapman. "And he often told me that many ideas
came to him while he was thus employed."

Mr. Chapman has lived with his daughter, Mrs. Philip Northrup, for the last
fifteen years. He splits all the wood and cords it up for the winter. On
his 90th birthday Mr. Chapman made a horseshoe that would do credit to any
blacksmith.