Any information on the father of William Washington Chapman would be MOST
appreciated. W.W. Chapman was born in AL, lived in MS for a while, married
Caroline Todd in Madison County, TN and they both are buried in Atkins Cemetery in
Newbern, TN. Their son James Solomon (often seen as J.S. and in one census is
listed as Silas) was my great grandfather. In the 1850 census there is an
Elizabeth Chapman living next door and we believe that is W.W.'s mother as it
too has her being born in AL and gives her age as 60.
The only thing I have found that remotely is a possibility is that I know
W.W. lived in the Amory, MS area and the only Chapman I found there in Monroe
County was Benjamin Chapman (there was a boy between 15 and 20 living in that
household and W.W. would have been approximately 16 then.) There was also a
female between 50 and 60 which would be the correct age for Elizabeth. I am
inclined to think that W.W. was the only boy in a household of girls because I have
only found sisters thusfar and this is born out in the 1840 census. The
other reason I believe Benjamin Chapman is his father is because in W.W. is listed
as being born in AL and there is a Benj. Chapman in Franklin County, AL in
the 1830 census. Franklin county is across the state line from Itawamba County,
MS and Itawamba County, MS is the county right above Monroe County, MS. In
this 1830 census, there is a boy between 5 and under 10 and a woman between 40
and 50. I see there is a male listed that is aged between 15 and 20 so it is
possible that he did not go with them to MS.
I realize I am throwing this stuff out and it appears to be all conjecture
but the evidence, while circumstantial, seems pretty logical! I just wondered
if any of you have come across William Washington Chapman and Caroline Todd
Chapman in your research...and if so, I would love to know if I am on the right
track!
Melanie Young
Martin, TN