>From the book "History of Washington and Kent Counties, Rhode Island" by J.R. Cole, published 1889, New York, W.W. Preston & Company. Beginning on page 330. [xxx] respresents either notes or the page number. THE CHAPMAN FAMILY. – Sumner Chapman was a prosperous farmer in the town of Westerly. To his wife, whose family name was Herrick, was born five sons: Timothy, Joseph, Sumner, Israel and Case, and one daughter, Betsey. Israel Chapman was born at Burden's Pond, now known as Chapman's Pond, in Westerly, on the 28th of June, 1770, and remained with his parents until his twenty-first year, when having reached his majority, he started alone to seek employment in Newport, R.I. Here he remained four years, and though not adding materially to his worldly possessions, was regularly employed by the month at fair wages. For several years, he leased farms in Connecticut and at Watch Hill, until 1812, when the property now the residence of his son, Sumner, was purchased. Here he settled and remained until 1840, the date of his removal to the farm owned by his son, Harris P. Chapman, where his death occurred in October, 1852. Mr. Chapman was a man of affairs, diligent in business, which enabled him to become the largest landholder in his town, and [331] influential and public spirited as a citizen, keeping fully abreast with all leading questions of the day. He was honored by his fellow citizens with many important trusts, being town sergeant, tax collector for twenty years, deputy sheriff, sheriff, and judge of the court of common pleas. As an evidence of his clear-headedness and vigor of mind, it may be mentioned that he filled the office of tax collector after he had attained his eightieth year. In politics a Jeffersonian democrat of the most unswerving type, his convictions were shaken neither by prejudice nor the hope of reward. His judgment, which was sound and almost unerring, rendered his opinion invaluable as arbitrator and referee in disputed land questions, as well as many controversies involving a knowledge of law. Mr. Chapman was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united October 20th, 1796, was Mary Kenyon, born February 5th, 1781, died November 4th, 1810. Their children were Joshua, born January 8th, 1798; John, September 30th, 1801; Amos, February 9th, 1804; Sumner, April 28th, 1806; Martha, May 25th, 1808; and Mary October 14th, 1810. Mr. Chapman married, March 17th, 1811, Nancy Kenyon, sister of his first wife. She was born February 25th, 1787. The children of this union were: George Nelson, born April 26th, 1812; Israel, February 12th, 1814; Israel, 2d, February 10th, 1816; Harris P., August 16th, 1817. Otis P., December 5th, 1820, and a daughter, Ann Elizabeth, whose birth occurred March 17th, 1824.