Person:Alpheus Chapman (1)

From A History of Montville, Conn, Chapman Families Chapter, pages 533-536

... Was an inhabitant of Montville and lived on the farm afterwards occupied by Gilbert Allen, and subsequently by John McAlpine. He was one of the appraisers on the estate of Samuel Holmes, his nearest neighbor, Oct. 8, 1774.... and was one of the witnesses to the last will of Samuel Holmes, August 4, 1774... James Babcock, Alpheus Babcock, Thomas Babcock, and Mary Babcock, Henry Minard, Sophia Minard, Emiline Minard, and Ann Bird were heirs at law of the estate of Alpheus Chapman. He was born about 1750 and was living in 1812. His wife's name was Martha _____, and was one of the witnesses to the last will of Samuel Holmes, August 4, 1774. He had sons Alpheus, who married Elizabeth Allen; Jesse married Hannah Holmes, daughter of Jabez, and his children were Jesse, Mary, married Nehemiah Fargo.

[Further research indicates that Jesse is also named as Jason in various sources. Much of the confusion over the correct placing of Alpheus and his daughter Mary, who married Nehemiah Fargo, comes from this book. Baker tacks Alpheus at the end of the Chapman pages, and neglects to assign him a number, merely says he is the son of Joseph and Mary ---. I would assume from the way the pages read, that Baker includes Alpheus because he thinks Alpheus is a son of Joseph and Mary (Perkins), but that he has no proof, so will not conclusively place him in the family. The ambiguity of his placement has not been solved as of yet. Too bad Baker could not elaborate.]

From Chapter Seven, page 683

Alpheus Chapman was among those who were resident in Montville when it was incorporated October 12, 1786 and was admitted to the privileges of a freeman at a meeting held November 13, 1786.

From various newspapers of the time

August 14, 1805 Connecticut Gazette ...Richard Maynard... was found dead, in a brook in Montville, near the house of Alpheus Chapman.

January 13, 1824 Connecticut Courant Died - At Montville, Alpheus Chapman, aged 86

Sgt. - for 8 days of service at Lexington, Mass April, 1775 under Nicholas Bishop, Captain from the town of New London.

The card at the State Library, Hartford, says Alpheus was a Lieutenant.

From General Index to Compiled Military Service Records of Revolutionary Soldiers Series M860- Roll 9.

Alpheus CHAPMAN / Lieutenant Lieutenant / Index #407619 Regiment, Continental Troops

From James Rogers of New London, CT, p. 53

... a deed to Lebbeus Rogers of Colchester, from Alpheus Chapman of N.L., is in the possession of a descendant...

From the Diary of Jabez Fitch, Jr.

Nov. 17, 1757... After we Came Back there arose a Quarrel Betwende Summers & Alpheus Chapmn - & In ye Contlusion John Shaw & Samll Billings Had a Vary Handsom Fight & Shaw Conquerd &c...

In the 1790 census, his numbers were 2-0-4-0-0 In the 1800 census the Alpheus in Hartford may be this man's son. In the 1810 census, his numbers were 0-0-0-0-1-0-1-0-0-2-0 In the 1820 census, there are three Alpheus's in Connecticut - this man in Montville, one in Hartford, Hartford, and another in Vernon, Tolland. The man in Tolland is from another family (see below).

To lessen confusion - proven wrong

From East Cemetery, Tolland County, Vernon, Connecticut

Thomas Chapman, d. Dec. 11, 1797 a. 77 Mary Chapman, wife of Thomas, d. Feb. 23, 1777 a. 58 Alpheus Chapman, son of Thomas & Mary, b. 11-26-1756 d. Feb. 23, 1777 a. 58 Thomas Chapman d. March 13, 1819 a. 69 Rebecca Chapman widow of Thomas, d. April 13, 1820 a. 68

From Margaret Swanson

I am looking for proof of the parents of Enos Greenfield. He is said to be the son of James Greenfield b. ca. 1715 and Elizabeth Raymond b. ca. 1715 who were married at Lyme 25 June 1740/41.

Enos was born in New London? Lyme? about 1749 and died at Pompey, Onondaga Co., N.Y. 23 Nov 1824. In Dec. 1775 he enlisted in New London as a private in Capt. Nathan Hale's Co., Col. Webb's Regiment Connecticut Line and served 1 year being discharged 1 Jan. 1777 at Flatbush, N.Y. His military service was attested to by Alpheus Chapman of Montville, Conn. who stated he knew the Enos Greenfield family of New London. [Pension application].

Ms. Swanson replied to my query on Alpheus

... Only that Alpheus was from Montville. I have had difficulty searching Montville records. It was set off from New London and records seem to be in both locations--It looks to be almost exactly halfway between New London and Norwich-- Since Alpheus was 1st Lt. and then temporary commander, his family was probably fairly prominent and there should be land and probate records for him and the family. The Montville probate district was constituted 1851 from New London [Manwaring] so the early records should be in New London.

From the Barbour Collection

Alpheus' will names the following people: "my wife Molly Chapman" : received dower rights "my grandson Silas Chapman, Junior" : inherited Alpheus' house and land (Silas is the probably the son of Alpheus, Jr. or Zebulon) "the children of my son Alpheus, deceased" : inherited land "children and lawful heirs of my son Zebulon, deceased" : $200.00 to be split between them "daughter Mary wife of Nehemiah Fargo" : $150.00 "the children of my daughter Anna" : $150.00 divided between them "my daughter Anna" : $1.00 "my daughter Martha the wife of Amasa Maynard" : cancellation of an IOU note "the children of my daughter Hannah"... their father Thomas Babcock : cancellation of an IOU note and an additional $20.00 per child. "Polly Bill, daughter of Zadowick Bill" : a cow, half a dozen new fiddle back chairs, a table and a feather bed and bedding "she being born in my house and lived with me to the present time." Giles Turner, Executor

The inventory for Alpheus' estate reveals a prosperous household. The list includes such items as 1 hat, 11 coats, calfskin shoes, 8 coverlets, 24 linen or cotton sheets and 13 pillowcases, 10 hand towels, 5 bedsteads with cords.

His furniture was ample with such things as a cherry desk, assorted tables and chairs including 18 smaller chairs. Alpheus' kitchen was well provisioned with a tin oven, brass kettle, 1 grid iron for toasting, 3 candlesticks, 2 wine glasses, a decanter, and a half dozen silver tea spoons, among other items. He even had two looking glasses.

The farm was well stocked with tools. 2 ploughs, 5 rakes, 5 axes of various types, a sled and a cart, 2 compasses, a man and a woman's saddle, sheep shears and other implements indicate a busy farm. Alpheus had a musket, along with a powder horn and shot.

When you add to the inventory 36 bushels of corn, with 15 each of rye and oats, 17 bushels of potatoes, 350 pounds of pork and ham in casks, 2 swine, 15 sheep, 1 horse, and 2 oxen, the picture of a prosperous farm comes complete.

Alpheus Chapman's estate was worth $3,609.64. Part of that figure were IOUs due to Alpheus from various people. He must have been a rather generous man: $1,128.94 was owed to him. (Known) relatives Amasa Minard ($262.50), Thomas Babcock ($196.00), Silas Chapman ($80.00), and Jesse Chapman (11.30) are on the list of debtors. The executor, Giles Turner ($200.00) may have been related to the Chapman family while Samuel Hillhouse ($150.00), Zadowick Bill ($10.18) and Samuel Rathbone ($106.25) may have been just friends.

The estate paid $10.00 for grave stones.

Death notices are to be found in the Connecticut Journal and New Haven Post-Boy January 13, 1824 (p. 268), Hartford Courant January 13, 1824 (p. 563), Columbian Register January 10, 1824 (p. 87) and the New London Gazette January 7, 1824 (p. 307) among others. These notices give the date of death and little else. His death was also reported in the New York Evening Post!

From Pat Maher

looking for MINARDS In North Parish/Montville - David Minard/Miner b.1752 in North Parish Rev War soldier, m. circa 1775 resided Colchester and Lebanon after war. Removed to New York 1800. If you have any response from MINARD people would you pass along the contact with me? Appreciate it. Pat Maher

A Sophia Minard, b. Apr. 5, 1806, d. Mar. 15, 1892 and was buried in Uncasville Cemetery, Montville.

1. ↑ Vital Records - Miscellaneous Sources
   Military records: Connecticut Officers and Soldiers, 1700s-1800s.

   Record of Service of Connecticut Men, Part I, Outbreak of the War, 1775, p. 18

2. ↑ George E. Bowman, Editor. Mayflower Descendant
   Vol. VIII, p. 46 from the Diary of Jabez Fitch, Jr.
3. ↑ Connecticut, United States. The Barbour Collection of Connecticut Town Vital Records
   Burial at Raymond Hill at age 86.