Descendants of William Chapman of New London, CT

First Generation  

The following is taken from the E Mail received from Paula D. Zerfas

"Notes for William Chapman: A Catalogue of the names of the early Puritan settlers of the Colony of CT with the time of their arrival in the country and colony, their standing in society, place of residence, condition in life, where from, business, &c, as far as is found on record. Collected from records by Royal R. Hinman, Hartford, 1852.

Chapman, William, of N. London, in 1657, had the house and lot which had been Capt. Denison's, purchased of Mr. Blynman, agent of John Chynnery. (Caulk, N.L., p. 93) He rang the first bell at N. London, "a large brass bell," as Miss Caulkins says, "to signalize the entrance of Mr. Saltonstall on his official duties. It cost £25 in current money, and for ringing it, he had 40s. added to his salary of £3, as sexton." Wm. was a freeman at N. London in 1669. There is no evidence that Robert, of Saybrook, and William, of N. London, or John, of N. Haven, were relatives. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ The Chapman Family: or the Descendants of Robert Chapman, one of the First Settlers of Say-Brook, Conn.. with Genealogical Notes of William Chapman, who settled in New London, CT.; Edward Chapman, who settled at Windsor, CT; John Chapman, of Stonington, CT and Rev Benjamin Chapman, of Southington, CT by Rev. F. W. Chapman 1854 (Henceforth, this book will be referred to as The Chapman Book.

(Typed as written)

At the commencement of these researches it was supposed that William Chapman, of New London, might be a near relative of Robert Chapman of Say-Brook, but on further investigation, no evidence has been found that they were kinsmen. It is not know from whence William came. He appears first on the New London records, in 1657.

In the book of town grants, appears the following: "William Chapman hath given him thirty ackers of upland bounded towards the south with Mr. Douglas his land, and towards the east with the small brook that leads to Jordan River, and towards the north with Arkaubukie Meadow, and towards the west with a ledge of rocks and a tree marked on four sides." The above grant was made at a meeting in 1663.

At a town-meeting, August 25, 1691, it was "Voated that whereas William Chapman had formerly allowed him by the town three pounds for his sexton's place by the yeare, they now add forty shillings more and order him five pounds per year for sweeping the meeting house and galleries and ringing the bell."

 

1. Probate; After 18 Dec 1699; New London, New London, CT. ³From the records of the court of probate, it appears that he lived over thirty years after making his will. The inventory of his estate was exhibited in court, (the appraisal bearing date January 2, 1669/70) amounting to £28 0s 6d.

According to the will he had seven children.

2. Will; 1 Apr 1669; New London, New London, CT. ⁴

The Last Will and Testament of William Chapman, of New London

I, William Chapman, of New London senior, being sick and weak of body, but threw the goodness of God, in perfect memory and good understanding, do make this my last Will and Testament revoking and making void all others:

First I resine up my sole to God who gave it and my body to the ground to be buried decently and handsomely, and what of the things of this world God hath grasassly given me I despose of the followeth, first I will that all my just debts be honestly discharged and payed, and as my funeral charges I will that they be discharged next.

Item, I give unto my eldest son John Chapman, a double portion of my estate.

Item, I give unto my son William Chapman his equal proportion with his brothers allowing John his double portion as afore of my estate.

Item, I give unto my son Samuel his equal proportion of my estate with his brother allowing his eldest brother John as above said.

Item, I give to my son Jeremiah Chapman his equal proportion of my estate with his brothers allowing John as abovesaid.

Item, I give to my son Joseph Chapman an equal proportion of my estate with his brothers allowing his eldest brother as abovesaid.

Item, I give unto my two daughters, Sarah and Rebeccah, all the utensils and moveable household stuff, within or that belongs to ye house, to be equally divided between them: next I will that my son Jeremiah, if he please, have my house and home lot, paying out too his brothers the several legasys I have given them by this my last Will and Testament. I appoint my son Jeremiah Chapman to be my Executor to this my last Will and Testament, in witness whereof I have here set to my had and seal this the first day of April 1669. William (his mark W) Chapman

Witnesses, John Plumb Greene Plumb

3. Researcher. Robert Medernach Looking for info on William's ancestors.

William married Sarah LIDIA in 1660 in New London, New London, CT ¹. (Sarah LIDIA was born about 1641 in New London, New London, CT ¹.)

+ 2 M    i. John CHAPMAN ¹ was born NOV 1653 OR 1663 in Colchester, New London, CT ^1,5 and died on 19 Feb 1750 in Colchester, New London, CT ⁶.

+ 3 M    ii. Samuel CHAPMAN ^1,5 was born in 1655 in New London, New London, CT ^1,5 and died 2 NOV 1756 OR 2 NOV 1758 in New London, New London, CT ^1,5,7.

+ 4 M    iii. William CHAPMAN ^1,5 was born in 1665 in Groton, New London, CT ¹ and died on 24 Aug 1734 in New London, New London, CT ⁶.

+ 5 M    iv. Lt. Jeremiah CHAPMAN ^1,5 was born in 1667 in New London, New London, CT ² and died on 6 Sep 1755 in New London, New London, CT ^1,2.

   6 F    v. Sarah CHAPMAN ^1,5.

The following was received via E Mail from Paula D. Zerfas

"Notes for Sarah Chapman: John Lewis and Sarah Chapman were presented to the court in 1670, for sitting together on the Lord's day, under an apple tree in Goodman Chapman's orchard."

   7 F    vi. Rebecca CHAPMAN ^1,5.

It is not known if Rebecca every married.

Rebecca married David MINARD on 20 Mar 1722 in New London, New London, CT ⁶.

   8 M    vii. Joseph CHAPMAN .

William next married Elizabeth PALMER on 26 Oct 1677 ⁶.