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
http://www.us-data.org/ga/taliaferro/bio/chapman-thomas-family.txt
