Source:  History of The Pan-Handle
Submitted to the USGenWeb Project by:
Janet Waite   1998
This information may be copied freely, but may not be copied for resale.


GEORGE CHAPMAN

George Chapman, located a thousand acre tract of land in now Hancock county,
in the year 1783, near New Cumberland, and upon a part of which tract a portion
of the town is situated.  He came from eastern Virginia, off the Potomac river.
Soon after he settled, he built a block house to protect himself and family from the 
invasion of the Indians, who were numerous, having entire possession of the Ohio
about that time;  however, there were some settlements made by the whites near the
banks of the Ohio river.  After completing his house, he returned east to secure money
that was coming to him, leaving his wife and children in the care of a man whom  he
had working for him.  When the time approached for his expected return, this fellow,
contemplating the murder of Mr. C. for his money it was thought, came into the house
early in the evening, pretending to be somewhat excited, and telling the woman (Mrs.
Chapman) to take her children and flee to her nearest neighbors, as there were
Indians prowling about, and he expected they would attack them.  In order that her life
might be preserved as well as the life of her children, he insisted on her going.  Mrs. C.
suspecting him and his statement, drew down a gun that was placed on wooden pins
against the wall, and pointing it at the fellow, told him to leave the house, saying: "If 
you don't quit the place I will shoot you."  This so frightened the man that he fled and 
was never seen afterwards.  She remained there nearly a week unmolested before her
husband arrived and the story was told him.  It was thought by Mr. C., that he intended
to rob him on his return, but his brave wife scared the cowardly villain away.  They 
lived on that land until her death, and were never once disturbed by the red men.
Whether it was because of his strong house or not, he was permitted to live many years
unmolested.