EIGHTH GENERATION

250. * George CHAPMAN was born in 1747 in Winchester, Fredrick, VA. He died in Jun 1812 in New Cumberland, Hancock, WV. He was buried at the top of the hill above Fort Chapman. The following three paragraphs were compiled and documented by Mr. Stanton Chapman Crawford - May 1, 1951.
"Captain" George Chapman is said to have served under George Washington at Valley Forge. Frank A. Chapman transmitted to S.C. Crawford his battle sword and a copper button, silver plated. A similar button is preserved at Mt. Vernon. This button was part of a uniform used in the Revolution. On the outer margin are engraved the initials of the thirteen colonies. While at the center are two letters "GW", standing for George Washington, and in a circle around this are the words "Long Live The President". Although he is known in the family histories as "Captain", the official military roster list only "George Chapman, Fifer" The War Department says that "The Revolutionary War records in this office are far from complete." One suggestion is the in civil life George may have been a boat captain. Captain George Chapman's people originally came from "Eastern Virginia, off the Potomac, and he held land near Fredericksburg, Maryland. George is said to have been living in Back Creek, Berkeley Co. near Mantinsburg, West Virginia. (then Virginia.) in 1782. He bought 218 acres on the Potomac in 1773 and sold land on Back Creek in 1790. A Virginia census of about 1782 shows that a dwelling and 5 other buildings. A paper signed on Sept. 15, 1783 by George and Johanna Chapman in Berkeley Co., Virginia. (later West Virginia) which was formed from Frederick Co. in 1773 authorized one Edward Beeson to sell some lots and 4 acres and a brick house in the neighborhood of Marquis Hook, on or near the River of Delaware in the Co. of Chester and state of Penn. This would seem to indicate that George came from that section to the country and was dissolving of his holdings there. In fact, Mrs. Ester S., Schmidt reports that George Chapman weaver of Chester Co. in 1750 and died in 1757 leaving an heir Gilley (Gilead) Chapman who was unmarried. George Chapman of Berkeley Co. inherited the 2 acres his father had bought in Aston Township in 1750 and sold them through Ed Beeson his attorney in 1783. The tax list of Aston, Chester Co. 1766 lists a George Chapman, freeman but no other Chapman's were listed prior to 1783. The next thing we hear of George, he was taking the "Ruthford Patent" in 1793. This grant of 1,000 acres was originally secured from Thomas Jefferson, Governor of Virginia, Dec. 23 1779. It ran two and a half miles inland. George Chapman purchased this tract (then only 814 acres) for $2,000.00 on Oct. 15 1793. On it he built a blockhouse known as "Chapman's Fort" for protection against the Indians. This fort, located in Clay District, Hancock County was held by his wife single handed at one time when he went back to Maryland to settle some affairs. One story is that a hired man, contemplating robbery, came to the house one evening and told her to flee to the nearest neighbors with her children, as there were Indians prowling about, and he feared they would attack, Mrs. Chapman suspecting his statement, drew down a gun from the wall and said, "If there is any Indians about, you are the one, and if you don't quit the place, I will shoot you". The man fled and was never seen afterwards. She remained there unmolested a week until the return of her husband, who shared her belief that the man himself had planned mischief. They lived upon the land until their deaths and were never disturbed by Indians. It is said the George set aside a portion of his land as a deer park. By later deeds, George increased his plot of land to 1,250 acres, which at his death in 1812 he divided among his sons and sons-in-law, He was buried on the "old farm". His will is persevered. He was married to * Johannah LEMASTER in 1775 in Berkeley County, WV.

251. * Johannah LEMASTER was born in 1753 in Fredrick County, MD. She died in 1843 in New Cumberland, Hancock, WV. She was buried at the top of the hill above Fort Chapman. Children were:

125 i. * Martha "Patty" CHAPMAN.
ii. George CHAPMAN Jr. was born on 1 Feb 1780 in Martinsburg, Berkeley, WV.
iii. William CHAPMAN was born on 23 Jan 1782 in Virginia. He died on 5 Apr 1875 in Berkeley County, WV.
iv. Elizabeth CHAPMAN.
v. Thomas CHAPMAN was born in 1785 in Berkeley County, WV. He died on 3 Jul 1845.
vi. Jean Jane CHAPMAN.
vii. Hugh CHAPMAN died in 1850.