The children of William Henry Chapman and Sarah Hulda Bullock Chapman,
went on to use either Chapman or Chatman as their surname. Many of the family members did not read or write so when their names were written,
it was the person writing it down, that spelled it like they thought it should be. As the children grew into adults, some chose
spelling it one way and others chose the other spelling. I have seen my great grandmother's name spelled both ways.
I want to thank Leah(Pearson)Reich, for all of the family history she has shared with me.
Some of the names have opened up an entire new avenue of research that has given me different new directions to follow.
Many of the Chatman/Chapman photos on this page were sent to me by Leah.
You can find a link to Leah's website, on the Family Sites link on my homepage.
My grandfather, Charley Stephens, who was Edith's son carried this photo with him always.
It was a tin type photo and he had copies made of it for family that wanted a copy. This is a scan of my copy.
He said she was a beautiful woman that walked with such grace that she seemed like an angel.
According to his stories she was an American Indian, associated with a reservation, when his father met her.
I have spent quite some time researching the American Indian background. More on that at a later time.
I use the spelling Edith for her name because that is the way it was spelled on their marriage license and census records.
However, I do not believe she was actually called by her formal name. Many of us go by a nickname in shortened form of our names,
so the name she went by was not that unusual. Writing it the way my grandfather said it is a bit of a task. The first part of the name
he pronounced EDGE, like the edge of a cliff. Then it rolled into JA, but sounded more like the ju in the word just.
I saw him write it as Edja or Edya. It seems to be quite common to spell her name Edyie. If anyone else out there has heard her name
pronounced by a grandmother or someone else I would love to hear. Also if your family has stories passed down, through the
generations, about any of the Chatman/Chapman family members, please share your stories with us.
Chatman/Chapman Family
(Left to Right) Starting from back row going foward Robert Smith, Daniel B. Stevens, Charlie Freeman, Berta Chapman, Arrie Chapman,
John M. Chapman, Rothie Stevens, Jesse P. Chapman, Minerva J. (Asberry) Chapman, Lucinda Chapman, Ruby Chapman,
Gleen Smith, Bessie Chapman, Lottie Chapman, Erby Reese,
William and Hulda(Bullock)Chapman
William Jr. and Cassandra(Heath)Chapman.
To see the photo used to make the background of this page click HERE.
This photo was taken by Carol League, as part of a nature collection.
All photos © and backgrounds are the property of owner of the picture. Do not use without permission.