Person:John Chapman (104)

John Chapman's origins are unknown. His first confirmed sighting is in 1716, when he married Dorcas Meagre at Little Hadham in Hertfordshire. At the time of their marriage John was described as living ar Ardeley. After their marriage John and Dorcas moved to Benington, where they had three daughters baptised: Lydia in 1717, Dorcas in 1719 and Mary in 1721. John was a yeoman. In 1724 John acquired from a Robert Moore a messuage (house) and land at "Cudden End" in Benington (later known as Curtain End and Cutting Hill).

Dorcas died in 1726. John married again shortly after her death to a lady named Ann. However, the marriage would be a short one; John died in 1727, being buried at Benington on 11th August 1727. The following month his widow Ann renounced her right to administer John's estate, apparently including the guardianship of John's three daughters, who were put in the care of a guardian named Thomas Smith.

1. ↑ Church of England. Parish Registers of Benington. (Hertford: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies).

   Sepulti Anno 1727 / Johannes Chapman Aug[us]ti 11o Affid 30o
   Buried 1727 / John Chapman August 11th Affidavit 30th

   There are two other John Chapman burials at Benington around this time:
   Anno 1725 / Johannes Chapman Martii 19o Affid 22o
   1725 / John Chapman March 19th [i.e. 19 Mar 1725/6] Affidavit 22nd
   
   Sepulti Anno 1727 / Johannes Chapman Nov 11o Affid 13o
   Buried 1727 / John Chapman November 11th Affidavit 13th
   
   The 1725 burial can be discounted - that will be the John Chapman, grocer of Benington, whose will was written on 12 Mar 1725/6 and proved on 31 Oct 1726. The November 1727 burial is too late - the guardian renunciation bond makes clear that John had died some time before 29 Sep 1727.

2.   Hertfordshire, England. Huntingdon (Hitchin) Archdeaconry Wills. (Hertford: Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies)
   H22/301.

   Know All men by these presents that I Ann Chapman Widow and Relict of John Chapman late of Bennington in the County of Hertford and Archdeaconry of Huntingdon and Diocese of Lincoln Yeoman deceased Intestate for diverse Good Causes and Considerations me thereunto moving Have Renounced relinquished and Disclaimed And by these presents to renounce reliquish and Disclaim All my right title and Interest of in and to the Administration of the Goods Chattels rights and Credits of my said late Husband And to the End that this my Renunciation may have its due effect in Law I Do hereby constitute and appoint Mr William Weale and Mr Avery Wagstaffe jointly and Severally to be my proctors to appear before the Worshipfull George Hewell Esq Batchelor of Law Vicar General of the Lord Bishop of Lincoln Or his lawful Surrogate or other Compotent Judge in that behalf to exhibit this my proxy of Renunciation And to pray that the same may be admitted and enacted.
   In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of September Anno Domini 1727
   Ann Chapman
   Sealed and delivered (being first stampt with the treble sixpenny Stamp) in the presence of
   Jane Smith
   John Gardner
   
   ~
   Aston November 9th 1733
   I believe Thomas Smith the Bearer to be a Substantial man & capable of Executing the Trust; he has already given proof of it by taking care of the children beyond what their fortunes will allow.
   I am Sir
   your most humble servant
   John Barnwell
   
   ~
   Bond:
   Bound: Thomas Smith of Aston in the County of Hertford Butcher
   Date: 9 Nov 1733
   Whereas Letter tutulary and of Guardianship for and during the minority of Lydia Chapman Dorcas Chapman and Mary Chapman the natural & lawful Daughters and Co-heirs of John Chapman late of Bennington in the above mentioned County of Hertford Yeoman deceased... [one line obscured - probably giving Lydia's age then naming Dorcas] ...of the age of fifteen years and upwards and the said Mary of the age of Twelve years and upwards are in due form of Law granted to the above bound Thomas Smith Now the Condition of this Obligation is such that if the above bound Thomas Smith do and shall well and faithfully performe and execute the office of Guardian or Tutor of the said Lydia Dorcas and Mary Chapman for and during their minoritys and to their sole and best advantage and benefit shall manage and dispose of all such rents goods Chattles moneys and Personal Estate as of right by Law it or shall belong to the said Lydia Dorcas and Mary Chapman and do and shall enter a true and just account of his said Guardianship when the... [one line obscured] ...shall be and remain in full force and Vertue.
   Seal and delivered being first stamped with a treble sixpenny stamp in the presence of
   Thomas Smith
   William Barker
   Richard Pilkam junior

   There is also an inventory for John's estate under reference H22/1478: needs to be confirmed at Hertfordshire Archives.

3.   Manorial records: Abel Smith Family of Woodhall Park, in Discovery Catalogue, The National Archives (Kew)
   DE/AS/1074-5, Hertfordshire Archives.

   Lease and release: Robert Moore to John Chapman of Benington, yeoman.
   Date: 10 & 11 July 1724
   Property and land as in DE/AS/1069-70 [i.e. messuage etc. at Cudden End, Benington]

   Needs to be confirmed at Hertfordshire Archives.