Recently I went to the New England Gen Soc in Boston to see if I could get
any ideas about the parentage of Elizabeth Davis who married John CHAPMAN II
in Ipswich. Even the best experts there, whose names you would recognize,
had no ideas other than look at the IGI for ideas. The other suggestion which
is painful but probably where I will have to go...Look at all the land
dealings in Ipswich between any DAVIS and any CHAPMAN...
This would involve another trip to Salem, not on my itinerary!
I also went to Tewksbury where I copied the town and church records and tried
to locate the cemetery and grave of the two Marthas who married John Chapman
III. I found a copy of the original covenant of the church at Tewksbury
adopted in 1735 with the signature of John Chapman II on it.
" Wee (whose names are underwritten)sensibly acknowledge our
unworthiness of such a favour and unfitness for such a business, yet
apprehending ourselves into a way of church communion and seek the settlement
of all the Gospel Institutions amongst us; do therefore in order thereunto
and for the better promoting therof, as such in us lies, knowing how prone we
are to backslide adjuring all confidence in ourselves and relying on the Lord
Jesus Christ, alone for help do Covenant as follows:
As to the Confession of Faith put forth by the Last Synod of Churches held at
Boston in New England, wee do heartily close with it so far as we are, or may
be acquainted with it, and find it agreeable to the holy scriptures and wee
promise to stand by, maintain and if need be Contend for the faith therin
delivered to the people of God; and if any among us go about to undermine it,
we will bear due testimony against them.
Wee also combine together to walk as a particular church of Christ
according to all these holy rules of the gospel prescribed to such a society
so far as God has revealed or shall reveal his mind to us in that respect.
..................[two paragraphs here of good stuff but not enough space in
this email.]
But this next paragraph was the one which was to cause major trouble and
schism later on...as shall become apparent:
Wee do likewise acknowledge our posterity to be included with us in the
Gospel Covenant and blessing God for so rich a favour, do promise to bring
them up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord, with Greatest Care and to
acknowledge them in their Covenant relations according to the Gospel rules.
Finally wee-do promise and acknowledge preserve communion with the faithful
church of Christ here, for the giving and receiving of counsel and assistance
in all cases wherein shall be needful....
One of the signers was Jacob Correy, who may be familiar to some of you.
Fifth from the bottom was John Chapman.
The first generation was Edward who came around 1634. He had five children.
One of the younger ones was John who had fought in King Phillips War and was
evidently not in good health because when the father made out his will he
left the home place to him for the use of his infant son John who was born in
1676. When he was only a year old his father did die and Rebecca Smith
remarried Francis Young who helped raise young John to manhood. He claimed
the place left by his grandfather and lived in Ipswich for sometime. He met
and married Elizabeth Davis there. [1702]
By 1735 he was in Tewksbury and signed the covenant for the first church.
Sept 26, 1736, Elizabeth Davis CHAPMAN died in Tewksbury at the age 57 3m
and 6da.
The vital records of Massachusetts say that John died in 1739 but it does not
mention Tewksbury nor the place of burial. It is assumed he was buried next
to Elizabeth?
John and Elizabeth had two sons Davis and John. They had some land dealings
in Topsfield and Tewksbury which I was not able to explore fully.
Davis CHAPMAN married Mary Davis[?] and had Davis who died with the cold in
the night on Feb 15, 1774. John the son of Davis and Mary died of fits Jan
2, 1750.
John III married Martha Perley Boardman a young widow. They had several
children. I will list what I found about them and the trouble in the church
in another installment...
Also an interview with the mayor of Tewksbury and a visit to the church.
The church at Tewksbury burned in 1918. However it was rebuilt on the same
ground and next to it is an old rather run down house with this historic
marker on the corner of it: 1790 CHAPMAN house. Wm E. Briggs owned it at
the time a history of the old houses of the town was written. The records of
the church are not kept in the church so they did not burn...but I did not
get to see them. I wrote a letter since returning to the church historian
but have not heard from her.
Judy Bedford
descendant of Captain Nathaniel Chapman