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Deacon Samuel Chapin
chr.8 Oct 1598 Paignton, Devon, England
d.11 Nov 1675 Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts
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m. 14 Sep 1590
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m. 9 Feb 1623/24
Facts and Events
Note: Of Springfield, MA "THE PURITAN", sailed about 1635, freeman 3 June 1641 1 Note: Christened October 8, 1590, Church of St. John the Baptist, Paignton, Devonshire, England. Samuel Chapin came to America in 1635. He is on the records of Roxbury, MA by 1639. He had moved to Springfield, MA by 1643. Soon after his arrival, he began to hold public office. On September 26, 1644, he was chosen as one of 5 for the first Board of Selectmen in Springfield. They were elected by a vote of all the freemen of the town and had a general supervision of the affairs of the town including settling disputes, regulating highways, bridges, finances, etc. He served in that capacity for 8 years. On May 1, 1645 he is on record as a constable. It is not certain how long he served.
In 1648, a still more troublesome disturbance broke out. Hugh Parsons and his wife were accused of witchcraft. The excitement was intense and they were brought to trial. They were tried in Boston where they were finally convicted in 1650. Mary died in prison and Hugh escaped and left the country. But before this trouble was settled, a worse one began. William Pynchon, the mainstay of Springfield, was convicted of heresy by the General Court. He was immediately deprived of his office and in 1652, with his son-in-law Henry Smith, and the minister Mr. Moxon, returned to England...thus leaving the magistracy vacant. Three men came to the front and took control of the affairs of the town, governing it until their deaths. Two of these men were closely related to William Pynchon - his son John and his son-in-law Holyoke-the third was the Deacon, Samuel Chapin. On October 19, 1652 [they] were appointed Commissioners... That is they had full power and authority to govern the inhabitants of Springfield. The new commissioners soon established a strong government in Springfield. A vigorous enforcement of the law and the prompt prosecution of criminals showed that firm and earnest men were directing the affairs of state. Samuel Chapin was actively interested in the church and appears to have been a deacon as early as 1650. [During 1656, the town was without a minister for a long time and church services were conducted by the deacons, including Samuel Chapin.] He served in the government more than 20 years. For forty years, the inhabitants of Springfield had lived side by side with in Indians in Perfect peace and tranquility. Therefore on the outbreak of King Phillip's War, Springfield was not in the least alarmed. As the conflict spread westward, Springfield still felt confident that the Indians who surrounded it would not join Phillip in the war. On October 5th, 1675 [the Indians attacked.] Mrs. Matthews was captured and killed, and the greater part of the town was set on fire. About 30 houses were burnt, which was almost half the town. The inhabitants set to work to rebuild the town. Samuel Chapin, however, did not live to see the town rebuilt for according to the diary of his son, Japhet, "My father was taken out of this troublesome world the 22nd day November about eleven of the clock, 1675." COLONIAL JUSTICE IN WESTERN MA (J H Smith, 1961) p 62-65 m in Eng Feb 1624; b POigntonprobably to New England in 1635 with his father and family. At Roxbury 1641.At Springfield 1642. Farmer, also served a magistrate 1652-1664. Apparently educated, possibly as a lawyer. THE CHAPIN BOOK (C G Chapin, 1924) same basic info. "The CHAPIN statue at Springfield" b 'PAignton' See also LIFE OF DEACON SAMUEL CHAPIN of SPRINGFIELD (H M Chapin, 1928)
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