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Obituary
Benjamin Chapman
Western Weekly Review
September 25, 1846
Departed this life on Tuesday 1st inst. at his residence in Williamson County, Tenn., in the 83rd year of his age. Mr. Benjamin Chapman the deceased was a native of the state of New Jersey. In early youth he was left an orphan by the death of his parents, and was compelled almost unaided to urge his way through the ever varying and conflicting scenes of life.
When but a youth, he enlisted as a soldier in the American Army, and was one of the actors in the war of the Revolution which terminated in our independence - - - (sic) About the year 1779 or 1779, he removed with an elder brother to Virginia, where he continued to reside until the year 1817. He then with his family, removed to Tennessee and settled in Williamson County. He was esteemed and loved by all who knew him, as a good citizen, and kind master, a faithful parent, but above all he was a devoted Christian. The tone of his piety was of a high order. He was not only believed in, buit illustrated the truth of that devine declaration, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." In the death of this venerable man, his children and numerous grandchildren have sustained a loss that can never be repaired, and the community and the Church a void that will be long felt. Whatever of talent or influence he possessed it was devoted to his country and his God. He ever acted under the deliberate conviction that man was not his own, but created to be useful, and the thought of passing through the theater of life as a mere blank filled his mind with horror! In carrying out the great principals of religion and philanthropy, his numerous friends can testify to this faithfulness in giving reproof or admonition and in administering consolation to the distressed in everytime and place where an opportunity offered. The deceased was a consistent, useful and influential member of the Presbyterian Church sixty years, much the largest portion oif which time he acted as a ruling Elder, - under whose direction he had fought many battles, and through whose strength he had gained many victories, saw good in his wise providence to call his weary sentinel from his out post into his immortal presence. His love was of that kind which casteth out all fear. The writer of this notice has frequently heard him say that he had not the shadow of a doubt, but that the battle was fought, and the victory won; and that he waited with eagerness to hear the note of discharge sounded by the great captain of his salvation - - - (sic) He had for a number of years before his death entirely dismissed the world. It had no charms for him. Eternal realities absorbed his contemplations, and when he would contemplate and realize (as he often did) the trust of that devine declaration "God is love," his contenance would brighten and his heart would struggle in vain to give expression to those joyious emotions which can only be felt.
He was an Isralite indeed. He lived the life of religion and died a death of a Christian. As calmly as passes away the summer evening, do did his soul cut loose from its worn tenement, and soar aloft to its eternal home. Death stripped of all its terrors was to him a kind messenger. It was but the dawn the morning twilight of an eternal day. Blessed or the dead who die in the Lord.
©Chapman Family Association
All contents copyrighted by the Chapman Family Association unless copyrighted by individual contributors.