John Chapman was an Original/First Purchaser of land in the Colony of Pennsylvania in 1684.
He was purportedly the son of John Chapman of Froslerty, Durham, born about 1626 and baptized 3 Dec 1626 at Stanhope, a small market town in County Durham. Stanhope was located between Frosterly and Eastgate in Durham, about 50 miles northwest of Stanghow in North Yorkshire.
[This date is not verified to be one and the same as John Chapman, immigrant to the colonies in 1684 and merely follows tradition]
In Jan 1660, John Chapman, with Vincent Helm, Thomas Helm, Wm Wells, John Skafe, Wm Chapman, Thomas Watson, Philip Scarth, among others, were imprisoned at York Castle [implied but not stated nor was duration of imprisonment]. [Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings..." Vol II, Chapter 4 - Yorkshire, page 101]. Note that the 1st wife of John Chapman was Mary Helme.
On 2mo/Apr 14 1665 John Chapman, now of Stanghow, parish of Skelton in North Yorkshire, married Mary Helme of Moorsholm at Guisborough Mtg in North Yorkshire. On 4mo/Jun 21, 1667 their daughter Jane was born. Mary died 2mo/Apr 8 1688 and their only daughter, Jane, died 9mo/Nov 15, 1668; both mother and daughter are buried at "burying place of ye people of god att Liverton"
On 4mo/Jun 12, 1670, John Chapman of Stangah (sic) in Yorkshire married 2nd Jane Sadler of Lazenby, Yorkshire at Guisborough Monthly Meeting in Yorkshire. The marriage record is attached herein.
[Liverton, Moorsholm, Guisborough and Lazenby were villages in the unitary authority of Cleveland; Stanghow was a village in the parish of Skelton, also in the unitary authority of Cleveland. Guisborough was about 4 miles northwest of Stanghow and Lazenby was about 5 miles northwest of Guisborough. Both Moorsholm & Lazenby were mentioned in the 1089 Domesday Book as an ancient village of Viking origin]
He was persecuted again in 1670 and 1671 with Miles & Robert Corney, Philip, Jacob & Richard Scarth, Thomas Chapman, Mathew Wildman, Robert & Gregory Pearson, Robt Heaton, Thomas Rudd, Lawrence Peacock, George, James, Robert & William Atkinson, among others. Then again in 1675 with William Atkinson, John Pennett, James Burkett, William Radcliff & John Redhead of Guisborough [Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings..." Vol II, Chapter 4 - Yorkshire, pgs 131 & 141]
Many of the above surnames would be found with John Chapman in the Quaker Minutes at Guisborough in Yorkshire and later in the Quaker Minutes in Bucks County, PA. In example, John & Jane Chapman witnessed the marriage of Shadrach Walley and Mary Sharpe on 12 Mar 1688 at Neshaminy, as did John Croasdale, Robert Heaton, Jonathan Scaife, Mary Birkett, James Radcliff, among others.
It has been claimed that John Chapman spent 8 years in Yorkshire Gaol, however he signed as a witness to several marriages during that time [1660-1670] and he was married twice, 1665 with a daughter born in 1667 and again in 1670 with 5 children born between 1671 and 1682. It appears from the records to be 8 months rather than 8 years.
The births of his children with 2nd wife Jane are recorded at Guisborough Mtg: (1) Mara, 2mo/Apr 12 1671; (2) Jane 10mo/Dec 18, 1672; (3) Ann 2mo/Apr 30, 1676; (4) John 11mo/Jan 11, 1678; (5) Ruth 5m/Jul 9, 1682. Ruth lived but 1 month as her death is also recorded at Guisborough, buried 6mo/Aug 3, 1682 at Liverton.
In a list of Certificates of Removal received at Falls Monthly Meeting, there is recorded "John Chapman & wife of Stannah (sic Stanghow) part of Cleveland in Yorkshire, near Gainsborough (sic Guisborough) with family, and Ellinor Pearson of Kirkleatham also near Stanghow in Yorkshire". The Certificate from Guisborough Mtg is not dated, however the back side of same was dated 8mo/Oct 10, 1684 "from aboard the ship", signed by several and states "since their coming aboard with us".
Elinor Pearson, a single woman, accompanied the Chapmans on the same ship, as did Ann Peacock. Ann Peacock married Ezra Croasdale on 2mo/Apr 6 1687 at the home of John Chapman and he witnessed the 9mo/Nov 21, 1687 marriage of Elinor Pearson to Jeffrey Hawkins, both under the auspices of Neshaminy/Middletown Mtg.
In "History of Buck's County" by William Joseph Buck & Charles W. Smith, page 114 states John Chapman arrived in Pennsylvania on the ship The Shield of Stockton, Daniel Towes, master, beginning of the 8th month [Oct] 1684 and from thence in this River, the latter end of the same month" and he was accompanied by his wife Jane and children Mary, Ann & John. ["Mary" was in fact "Mara" as verified/recorded in the Guisborough Mtg Minutes in Yorkshire]
The same publication, on pg 115, writes: “Chapman’s place was the farthest back, in the woods, of any English settlement. The Indians, being numerous, much frequented his house in considerable companies and were very kind to him and his family. . .often supplying them with corn and other provisions; which in those early times were very scarce and hard to be procured”
John Chapman was one of the first (with John Penquite -1665-1719 & William Smith - 1669-1743) to settle in the woods of what would become Wrightstown, Bucks Co as indicated by a deed of Lease and Release dated 16 & 17 June 1682 from the Proprietor to Richard Pender of Northshields, Northumberland, Miner & Joseph Williamson of Hexam, Northumberland, Grocer; then by deed of Lease & Release dated 2 & 3 Jun 1684 to Daniel Towes of Stockton, Co Durham, Master and Mariner, of which Towes conveyed to John Chapman by deed of Lease & Release dated 7 & 8 October 1684. [Early Pennsylvania Land Records, Minute Book G, page 454].
On 25 Oct 1684, John Chapman,"in right of Richard Pender", requested a warrant for survey of the same 500 acres. The Newtown tract was vacated and on 9mo/Nov 15, 1684, another was laid out in "Wright's Towne" in the name of John Chapman. This tract was re-surveyed on 5mo/Jul 9, 1705 for John Chapman, Jr. at 536 acres, for which Jr agrees to pay £24 in 3 months for the 96 acres over-plus. [Property Book 7, pg 295]
This land was located in the southern part of the township, extending from the park square to the Newtown line, and upon which the village of Wrightstown and the Friends' meeting house stand.
Note: Daniel Towes was the master of the "The Shield" - the ship that purportedly carried the Chapman family to America. No records exist to document the Chapmans being on the ship, however historical publications such as stated above, "History of Buck's County" by William Joseph Buck & Charles W. Smith, pgs 114-115 and "Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. IX. Residents of Bucks County, Pa", 1677-1687, pg 227 make the same claim.
John Chapman died in 1694 and was buried 5mo/Jul, 1694 in Wrightstown. His wife Jane lived another 5 years, died in 1699 and was buried 9mo/Nov 27, 1699 in Wrightstown.
He was purportedly the son of John Chapman of Froslerty, Durham, born about 1626 and baptized 3 Dec 1626 at Stanhope, a small market town in County Durham. Stanhope was located between Frosterly and Eastgate in Durham, about 50 miles northwest of Stanghow in North Yorkshire.
[This date is not verified to be one and the same as John Chapman, immigrant to the colonies in 1684 and merely follows tradition]
In Jan 1660, John Chapman, with Vincent Helm, Thomas Helm, Wm Wells, John Skafe, Wm Chapman, Thomas Watson, Philip Scarth, among others, were imprisoned at York Castle [implied but not stated nor was duration of imprisonment]. [Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings..." Vol II, Chapter 4 - Yorkshire, page 101]. Note that the 1st wife of John Chapman was Mary Helme.
On 2mo/Apr 14 1665 John Chapman, now of Stanghow, parish of Skelton in North Yorkshire, married Mary Helme of Moorsholm at Guisborough Mtg in North Yorkshire. On 4mo/Jun 21, 1667 their daughter Jane was born. Mary died 2mo/Apr 8 1688 and their only daughter, Jane, died 9mo/Nov 15, 1668; both mother and daughter are buried at "burying place of ye people of god att Liverton"
On 4mo/Jun 12, 1670, John Chapman of Stangah (sic) in Yorkshire married 2nd Jane Sadler of Lazenby, Yorkshire at Guisborough Monthly Meeting in Yorkshire. The marriage record is attached herein.
[Liverton, Moorsholm, Guisborough and Lazenby were villages in the unitary authority of Cleveland; Stanghow was a village in the parish of Skelton, also in the unitary authority of Cleveland. Guisborough was about 4 miles northwest of Stanghow and Lazenby was about 5 miles northwest of Guisborough. Both Moorsholm & Lazenby were mentioned in the 1089 Domesday Book as an ancient village of Viking origin]
He was persecuted again in 1670 and 1671 with Miles & Robert Corney, Philip, Jacob & Richard Scarth, Thomas Chapman, Mathew Wildman, Robert & Gregory Pearson, Robt Heaton, Thomas Rudd, Lawrence Peacock, George, James, Robert & William Atkinson, among others. Then again in 1675 with William Atkinson, John Pennett, James Burkett, William Radcliff & John Redhead of Guisborough [Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings..." Vol II, Chapter 4 - Yorkshire, pgs 131 & 141]
Many of the above surnames would be found with John Chapman in the Quaker Minutes at Guisborough in Yorkshire and later in the Quaker Minutes in Bucks County, PA. In example, John & Jane Chapman witnessed the marriage of Shadrach Walley and Mary Sharpe on 12 Mar 1688 at Neshaminy, as did John Croasdale, Robert Heaton, Jonathan Scaife, Mary Birkett, James Radcliff, among others.
It has been claimed that John Chapman spent 8 years in Yorkshire Gaol, however he signed as a witness to several marriages during that time [1660-1670] and he was married twice, 1665 with a daughter born in 1667 and again in 1670 with 5 children born between 1671 and 1682. It appears from the records to be 8 months rather than 8 years.
The births of his children with 2nd wife Jane are recorded at Guisborough Mtg: (1) Mara, 2mo/Apr 12 1671; (2) Jane 10mo/Dec 18, 1672; (3) Ann 2mo/Apr 30, 1676; (4) John 11mo/Jan 11, 1678; (5) Ruth 5m/Jul 9, 1682. Ruth lived but 1 month as her death is also recorded at Guisborough, buried 6mo/Aug 3, 1682 at Liverton.
In a list of Certificates of Removal received at Falls Monthly Meeting, there is recorded "John Chapman & wife of Stannah (sic Stanghow) part of Cleveland in Yorkshire, near Gainsborough (sic Guisborough) with family, and Ellinor Pearson of Kirkleatham also near Stanghow in Yorkshire". The Certificate from Guisborough Mtg is not dated, however the back side of same was dated 8mo/Oct 10, 1684 "from aboard the ship", signed by several and states "since their coming aboard with us".
Elinor Pearson, a single woman, accompanied the Chapmans on the same ship, as did Ann Peacock. Ann Peacock married Ezra Croasdale on 2mo/Apr 6 1687 at the home of John Chapman and he witnessed the 9mo/Nov 21, 1687 marriage of Elinor Pearson to Jeffrey Hawkins, both under the auspices of Neshaminy/Middletown Mtg.
In "History of Buck's County" by William Joseph Buck & Charles W. Smith, page 114 states John Chapman arrived in Pennsylvania on the ship The Shield of Stockton, Daniel Towes, master, beginning of the 8th month [Oct] 1684 and from thence in this River, the latter end of the same month" and he was accompanied by his wife Jane and children Mary, Ann & John. ["Mary" was in fact "Mara" as verified/recorded in the Guisborough Mtg Minutes in Yorkshire]
The same publication, on pg 115, writes: “Chapman’s place was the farthest back, in the woods, of any English settlement. The Indians, being numerous, much frequented his house in considerable companies and were very kind to him and his family. . .often supplying them with corn and other provisions; which in those early times were very scarce and hard to be procured”
John Chapman was one of the first (with John Penquite -1665-1719 & William Smith - 1669-1743) to settle in the woods of what would become Wrightstown, Bucks Co as indicated by a deed of Lease and Release dated 16 & 17 June 1682 from the Proprietor to Richard Pender of Northshields, Northumberland, Miner & Joseph Williamson of Hexam, Northumberland, Grocer; then by deed of Lease & Release dated 2 & 3 Jun 1684 to Daniel Towes of Stockton, Co Durham, Master and Mariner, of which Towes conveyed to John Chapman by deed of Lease & Release dated 7 & 8 October 1684. [Early Pennsylvania Land Records, Minute Book G, page 454].
On 25 Oct 1684, John Chapman,"in right of Richard Pender", requested a warrant for survey of the same 500 acres. The Newtown tract was vacated and on 9mo/Nov 15, 1684, another was laid out in "Wright's Towne" in the name of John Chapman. This tract was re-surveyed on 5mo/Jul 9, 1705 for John Chapman, Jr. at 536 acres, for which Jr agrees to pay £24 in 3 months for the 96 acres over-plus. [Property Book 7, pg 295]
This land was located in the southern part of the township, extending from the park square to the Newtown line, and upon which the village of Wrightstown and the Friends' meeting house stand.
Note: Daniel Towes was the master of the "The Shield" - the ship that purportedly carried the Chapman family to America. No records exist to document the Chapmans being on the ship, however historical publications such as stated above, "History of Buck's County" by William Joseph Buck & Charles W. Smith, pgs 114-115 and "Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. IX. Residents of Bucks County, Pa", 1677-1687, pg 227 make the same claim.
John Chapman died in 1694 and was buried 5mo/Jul, 1694 in Wrightstown. His wife Jane lived another 5 years, died in 1699 and was buried 9mo/Nov 27, 1699 in Wrightstown.
John Chapman was an Original/First Purchaser of land in the Colony of Pennsylvania in 1684.
He was purportedly the son of John Chapman of Froslerty, Durham, born about 1626 and baptized 3 Dec 1626 at Stanhope, a small market town in County Durham. Stanhope was located between Frosterly and Eastgate in Durham, about 50 miles northwest of Stanghow in North Yorkshire.
[This date is not verified to be one and the same as John Chapman, immigrant to the colonies in 1684 and merely follows tradition]
In Jan 1660, John Chapman, with Vincent Helm, Thomas Helm, Wm Wells, John Skafe, Wm Chapman, Thomas Watson, Philip Scarth, among others, were imprisoned at York Castle [implied but not stated nor was duration of imprisonment]. [Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings..." Vol II, Chapter 4 - Yorkshire, page 101]. Note that the 1st wife of John Chapman was Mary Helme.
On 2mo/Apr 14 1665 John Chapman, now of Stanghow, parish of Skelton in North Yorkshire, married Mary Helme of Moorsholm at Guisborough Mtg in North Yorkshire. On 4mo/Jun 21, 1667 their daughter Jane was born. Mary died 2mo/Apr 8 1688 and their only daughter, Jane, died 9mo/Nov 15, 1668; both mother and daughter are buried at "burying place of ye people of god att Liverton"
On 4mo/Jun 12, 1670, John Chapman of Stangah (sic) in Yorkshire married 2nd Jane Sadler of Lazenby, Yorkshire at Guisborough Monthly Meeting in Yorkshire. The marriage record is attached herein.
[Liverton, Moorsholm, Guisborough and Lazenby were villages in the unitary authority of Cleveland; Stanghow was a village in the parish of Skelton, also in the unitary authority of Cleveland. Guisborough was about 4 miles northwest of Stanghow and Lazenby was about 5 miles northwest of Guisborough. Both Moorsholm & Lazenby were mentioned in the 1089 Domesday Book as an ancient village of Viking origin]
He was persecuted again in 1670 and 1671 with Miles & Robert Corney, Philip, Jacob & Richard Scarth, Thomas Chapman, Mathew Wildman, Robert & Gregory Pearson, Robt Heaton, Thomas Rudd, Lawrence Peacock, George, James, Robert & William Atkinson, among others. Then again in 1675 with William Atkinson, John Pennett, James Burkett, William Radcliff & John Redhead of Guisborough [Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings..." Vol II, Chapter 4 - Yorkshire, pgs 131 & 141]
Many of the above surnames would be found with John Chapman in the Quaker Minutes at Guisborough in Yorkshire and later in the Quaker Minutes in Bucks County, PA. In example, John & Jane Chapman witnessed the marriage of Shadrach Walley and Mary Sharpe on 12 Mar 1688 at Neshaminy, as did John Croasdale, Robert Heaton, Jonathan Scaife, Mary Birkett, James Radcliff, among others.
It has been claimed that John Chapman spent 8 years in Yorkshire Gaol, however he signed as a witness to several marriages during that time [1660-1670] and he was married twice, 1665 with a daughter born in 1667 and again in 1670 with 5 children born between 1671 and 1682. It appears from the records to be 8 months rather than 8 years.
The births of his children with 2nd wife Jane are recorded at Guisborough Mtg: (1) Mara, 2mo/Apr 12 1671; (2) Jane 10mo/Dec 18, 1672; (3) Ann 2mo/Apr 30, 1676; (4) John 11mo/Jan 11, 1678; (5) Ruth 5m/Jul 9, 1682. Ruth lived but 1 month as her death is also recorded at Guisborough, buried 6mo/Aug 3, 1682 at Liverton.
In a list of Certificates of Removal received at Falls Monthly Meeting, there is recorded "John Chapman & wife of Stannah (sic Stanghow) part of Cleveland in Yorkshire, near Gainsborough (sic Guisborough) with family, and Ellinor Pearson of Kirkleatham also near Stanghow in Yorkshire". The Certificate from Guisborough Mtg is not dated, however the back side of same was dated 8mo/Oct 10, 1684 "from aboard the ship", signed by several and states "since their coming aboard with us".
Elinor Pearson, a single woman, accompanied the Chapmans on the same ship, as did Ann Peacock. Ann Peacock married Ezra Croasdale on 2mo/Apr 6 1687 at the home of John Chapman and he witnessed the 9mo/Nov 21, 1687 marriage of Elinor Pearson to Jeffrey Hawkins, both under the auspices of Neshaminy/Middletown Mtg.
In "History of Buck's County" by William Joseph Buck & Charles W. Smith, page 114 states John Chapman arrived in Pennsylvania on the ship The Shield of Stockton, Daniel Towes, master, beginning of the 8th month [Oct] 1684 and from thence in this River, the latter end of the same month" and he was accompanied by his wife Jane and children Mary, Ann & John. ["Mary" was in fact "Mara" as verified/recorded in the Guisborough Mtg Minutes in Yorkshire]
The same publication, on pg 115, writes: “Chapman’s place was the farthest back, in the woods, of any English settlement. The Indians, being numerous, much frequented his house in considerable companies and were very kind to him and his family. . .often supplying them with corn and other provisions; which in those early times were very scarce and hard to be procured”
John Chapman was one of the first (with John Penquite -1665-1719 & William Smith - 1669-1743) to settle in the woods of what would become Wrightstown, Bucks Co as indicated by a deed of Lease and Release dated 16 & 17 June 1682 from the Proprietor to Richard Pender of Northshields, Northumberland, Miner & Joseph Williamson of Hexam, Northumberland, Grocer; then by deed of Lease & Release dated 2 & 3 Jun 1684 to Daniel Towes of Stockton, Co Durham, Master and Mariner, of which Towes conveyed to John Chapman by deed of Lease & Release dated 7 & 8 October 1684. [Early Pennsylvania Land Records, Minute Book G, page 454].
On 25 Oct 1684, John Chapman,"in right of Richard Pender", requested a warrant for survey of the same 500 acres. The Newtown tract was vacated and on 9mo/Nov 15, 1684, another was laid out in "Wright's Towne" in the name of John Chapman. This tract was re-surveyed on 5mo/Jul 9, 1705 for John Chapman, Jr. at 536 acres, for which Jr agrees to pay £24 in 3 months for the 96 acres over-plus. [Property Book 7, pg 295]
This land was located in the southern part of the township, extending from the park square to the Newtown line, and upon which the village of Wrightstown and the Friends' meeting house stand.
Note: Daniel Towes was the master of the "The Shield" - the ship that purportedly carried the Chapman family to America. No records exist to document the Chapmans being on the ship, however historical publications such as stated above, "History of Buck's County" by William Joseph Buck & Charles W. Smith, pgs 114-115 and "Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. IX. Residents of Bucks County, Pa", 1677-1687, pg 227 make the same claim.
John Chapman died in 1694 and was buried 5mo/Jul, 1694 in Wrightstown. His wife Jane lived another 5 years, died in 1699 and was buried 9mo/Nov 27, 1699 in Wrightstown.
He was purportedly the son of John Chapman of Froslerty, Durham, born about 1626 and baptized 3 Dec 1626 at Stanhope, a small market town in County Durham. Stanhope was located between Frosterly and Eastgate in Durham, about 50 miles northwest of Stanghow in North Yorkshire.
[This date is not verified to be one and the same as John Chapman, immigrant to the colonies in 1684 and merely follows tradition]
In Jan 1660, John Chapman, with Vincent Helm, Thomas Helm, Wm Wells, John Skafe, Wm Chapman, Thomas Watson, Philip Scarth, among others, were imprisoned at York Castle [implied but not stated nor was duration of imprisonment]. [Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings..." Vol II, Chapter 4 - Yorkshire, page 101]. Note that the 1st wife of John Chapman was Mary Helme.
On 2mo/Apr 14 1665 John Chapman, now of Stanghow, parish of Skelton in North Yorkshire, married Mary Helme of Moorsholm at Guisborough Mtg in North Yorkshire. On 4mo/Jun 21, 1667 their daughter Jane was born. Mary died 2mo/Apr 8 1688 and their only daughter, Jane, died 9mo/Nov 15, 1668; both mother and daughter are buried at "burying place of ye people of god att Liverton"
On 4mo/Jun 12, 1670, John Chapman of Stangah (sic) in Yorkshire married 2nd Jane Sadler of Lazenby, Yorkshire at Guisborough Monthly Meeting in Yorkshire. The marriage record is attached herein.
[Liverton, Moorsholm, Guisborough and Lazenby were villages in the unitary authority of Cleveland; Stanghow was a village in the parish of Skelton, also in the unitary authority of Cleveland. Guisborough was about 4 miles northwest of Stanghow and Lazenby was about 5 miles northwest of Guisborough. Both Moorsholm & Lazenby were mentioned in the 1089 Domesday Book as an ancient village of Viking origin]
He was persecuted again in 1670 and 1671 with Miles & Robert Corney, Philip, Jacob & Richard Scarth, Thomas Chapman, Mathew Wildman, Robert & Gregory Pearson, Robt Heaton, Thomas Rudd, Lawrence Peacock, George, James, Robert & William Atkinson, among others. Then again in 1675 with William Atkinson, John Pennett, James Burkett, William Radcliff & John Redhead of Guisborough [Besse's "Collection of the Sufferings..." Vol II, Chapter 4 - Yorkshire, pgs 131 & 141]
Many of the above surnames would be found with John Chapman in the Quaker Minutes at Guisborough in Yorkshire and later in the Quaker Minutes in Bucks County, PA. In example, John & Jane Chapman witnessed the marriage of Shadrach Walley and Mary Sharpe on 12 Mar 1688 at Neshaminy, as did John Croasdale, Robert Heaton, Jonathan Scaife, Mary Birkett, James Radcliff, among others.
It has been claimed that John Chapman spent 8 years in Yorkshire Gaol, however he signed as a witness to several marriages during that time [1660-1670] and he was married twice, 1665 with a daughter born in 1667 and again in 1670 with 5 children born between 1671 and 1682. It appears from the records to be 8 months rather than 8 years.
The births of his children with 2nd wife Jane are recorded at Guisborough Mtg: (1) Mara, 2mo/Apr 12 1671; (2) Jane 10mo/Dec 18, 1672; (3) Ann 2mo/Apr 30, 1676; (4) John 11mo/Jan 11, 1678; (5) Ruth 5m/Jul 9, 1682. Ruth lived but 1 month as her death is also recorded at Guisborough, buried 6mo/Aug 3, 1682 at Liverton.
In a list of Certificates of Removal received at Falls Monthly Meeting, there is recorded "John Chapman & wife of Stannah (sic Stanghow) part of Cleveland in Yorkshire, near Gainsborough (sic Guisborough) with family, and Ellinor Pearson of Kirkleatham also near Stanghow in Yorkshire". The Certificate from Guisborough Mtg is not dated, however the back side of same was dated 8mo/Oct 10, 1684 "from aboard the ship", signed by several and states "since their coming aboard with us".
Elinor Pearson, a single woman, accompanied the Chapmans on the same ship, as did Ann Peacock. Ann Peacock married Ezra Croasdale on 2mo/Apr 6 1687 at the home of John Chapman and he witnessed the 9mo/Nov 21, 1687 marriage of Elinor Pearson to Jeffrey Hawkins, both under the auspices of Neshaminy/Middletown Mtg.
In "History of Buck's County" by William Joseph Buck & Charles W. Smith, page 114 states John Chapman arrived in Pennsylvania on the ship The Shield of Stockton, Daniel Towes, master, beginning of the 8th month [Oct] 1684 and from thence in this River, the latter end of the same month" and he was accompanied by his wife Jane and children Mary, Ann & John. ["Mary" was in fact "Mara" as verified/recorded in the Guisborough Mtg Minutes in Yorkshire]
The same publication, on pg 115, writes: “Chapman’s place was the farthest back, in the woods, of any English settlement. The Indians, being numerous, much frequented his house in considerable companies and were very kind to him and his family. . .often supplying them with corn and other provisions; which in those early times were very scarce and hard to be procured”
John Chapman was one of the first (with John Penquite -1665-1719 & William Smith - 1669-1743) to settle in the woods of what would become Wrightstown, Bucks Co as indicated by a deed of Lease and Release dated 16 & 17 June 1682 from the Proprietor to Richard Pender of Northshields, Northumberland, Miner & Joseph Williamson of Hexam, Northumberland, Grocer; then by deed of Lease & Release dated 2 & 3 Jun 1684 to Daniel Towes of Stockton, Co Durham, Master and Mariner, of which Towes conveyed to John Chapman by deed of Lease & Release dated 7 & 8 October 1684. [Early Pennsylvania Land Records, Minute Book G, page 454].
On 25 Oct 1684, John Chapman,"in right of Richard Pender", requested a warrant for survey of the same 500 acres. The Newtown tract was vacated and on 9mo/Nov 15, 1684, another was laid out in "Wright's Towne" in the name of John Chapman. This tract was re-surveyed on 5mo/Jul 9, 1705 for John Chapman, Jr. at 536 acres, for which Jr agrees to pay £24 in 3 months for the 96 acres over-plus. [Property Book 7, pg 295]
This land was located in the southern part of the township, extending from the park square to the Newtown line, and upon which the village of Wrightstown and the Friends' meeting house stand.
Note: Daniel Towes was the master of the "The Shield" - the ship that purportedly carried the Chapman family to America. No records exist to document the Chapmans being on the ship, however historical publications such as stated above, "History of Buck's County" by William Joseph Buck & Charles W. Smith, pgs 114-115 and "Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. IX. Residents of Bucks County, Pa", 1677-1687, pg 227 make the same claim.
John Chapman died in 1694 and was buried 5mo/Jul, 1694 in Wrightstown. His wife Jane lived another 5 years, died in 1699 and was buried 9mo/Nov 27, 1699 in Wrightstown.
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