|
Welcome to the
|
Written by Boyd Seevers
Samuel Chapman was born ca. 1700 in Amelia Co., VA, and died ca. 1773, also in Amelia Co. Later information indicates that the family was probably of English descent. The name of Samuel's wife is unknown. She is not named on their marriage record in Caroline Co, VA and so far there are no known records stating what her name was. Little is known about Samuel apart from his will, which gives the names of six children and seems to indicate the kind of relationship Samuel had with them. It also shows that that Samuel owned cattle and some seven slaves.
Samuel Chapman's will shows that he favored his one son, John (who later apparently served in the Revolutionary War), and three married daughters, Tabitha, Delpha and Unity. Samuel calls John "my loving son" and bequeaths to him half his cattle as well as two slaves, one male and one female. John is also named one of the executors of the will. Tabitha also gets a male slave, and Delpha receives three female slaves plus five cattle. To John and these two sisters Samuel wills equal shares of both his money and the balance of his estate. Samuel likewise seems to favor his "loving daughter" Unity, who is apparently married to a man who takes part in "lewd and gaming" activities. Unity receives a female slave on the condition that her husband not use her to pay gambling debts.
Married daughters Anne and Mary are not so favored by their father. They receive an inheritance of only one shilling apiece.
The text of the will is as follows:
Will of Samuel Chapman, from Will Book 2, p. 81, Amelia Co., VA. "In the Name of God. Amen. The twenty third day of April 1773. I, Samuel Chapman of the County of Amelia, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buryd in decent Christian burial at the discression of my Executors nothing doubting but at general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching my worldly estate wherewith it has been pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
"First, I give and bequeath to my loving son, John Chapman, half my cattle to be equally divided by two men chose for that purpose, likewise a Negro boy named, Joe.
"I give and demise to Delpha Green, one Negro wench named, Bett. Likewise to Delpha Green, I give another Negro girl named, Ester.
"I give to my loving daughter, Unity Loving, a negro girl named, Judo and if her husband should by any means by any lewd way by gaming or any other way to satisfy any of his debts part with the said negro girl, Judo, she shall be immediately recovered by the heir at law of my own body.
"Likewise I give to my loving daughter, Delpha Green, another Negro wench named, Hanner.
"I give to my loving daughter Tabitha Meadors a Negro fellow named, Harry.
"I give to my loving son, John Chapman, a Negro girl called, Little Hannah.
"I give to my daughter, Anne Portwood, one shilling.
" I give to my daughter, Mary Cambell, one shilling.
"And my money I give to be equally divided among my son, John Chapman and Tabitha Meadors and Delpha Green and the rest of my estate likewise to be divided among John Chapman, Tabitha Meadors and Delpha Green only five cattle excepted and them I give to Delpha Green particular. John Chapman and William Ware whom I likewise constitute make and ordain my sole Executors of this my last will and testament, and I do disallow hereby Revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills anyways before.
"By me named, willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to by my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written, signed, sealed, published and pronounced and declared by the said Samuel Chapman to be his last will and testament.
"Signed, Samuel (his mark) Chapman. (seal).