General Notes

The John Chapman family married into the Roach and Smith families. Hiswife Freelove, was a sister of Elizabeth Weeks, who married WilloughbyAdams, and also perhaps a sister of Rosanna Weeks, who married JosephCox. (Hyde Co., NC Will Book 1, page 40.) He came from Maryland, throughNorth Carolina, and settled in Craven Co., NC. On 10 Aug 1747, JohnChapman and wife Freelove sold 50 acres on east side of Matchapungo Riverto Joseph Cox, weaver. (Hyde Co., NC Deed Book A, page 326.) On 25 Oct1754, John was appointed by the Court of Craven County to serve as one ofthe foot soldiers to patrol the district where he lived. (NC StateRecords, by Clarke, Vol 22, page 319.) Others in the same companyincluded Jacob Johnson. John Chapman's will (unrecorded) was found amongloose papers in steel files, in Craven County Clerk's office, No. 99,dated 1784. It shows his heirs: 1. Wife, Freelove, the plantation where Inow live, and other items. 2. Son, Jesse, all the land I now possess andthe land willed to my wife during her lifetime. 3. Daughter, DeliveranceClark, a negro girl. 4. Remainder of my estate to five of my children:Rosanna Sutton, Weeks Chapman, Lydda Cammel (sic), Deliverance Clark,Jesse Chapman, after the decease of my wife. 5. Son, James, gets 1shilling sterling of N.C. 6. Wife and son Jesse to be executors of thewill. Dated 9 Oct 1784 and signed by his mark.