My family had a link to the early Chapman family and their many many decendents. Here is brief sketch of their start.
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ROBERT CHAPMAN, born 1616, in Hull, England. No hardier pioneer ever touched the rock-bound shores of New England than young Robert Chapman. He came early, landing there in 1635. Operating under the patent of Lord Say and Seal and Lord Brook, a company of twenty men was sent over by Sir Richard Saltonstall to erect a fort at the mouth of the Connecticut River and establish a settlement there. This band of adventurers landed in Boston in August, 1635, and among them was Robert Chapman, a young man of about nineteen years of age. This company left Boston on November 3, 1635, under the leadership of Lyon Gardiner, and proceeded to the mouth of the Connecticut River, where they erected a fort and called it "Say-Brook" in honor of Lord Say and Lord Brook. The Indians gave them so much trouble that it became necessary to ask for reinforcements, and in a short time John Underhill arrived with nineteen men. The most ferocious tribe in that vicinity was the Pequots. They became so aggressive and committed so many depredations that in 1637, a special court was summoned at Hartford to devise means of defense. A company of ninety men was raised and Captain Mason placed in its command. This group surprised the Pequots in their stronghold and completely routed them, forever destroying their power in New England.
Robert Chapman was also a man of influence in the Colony of Say-Brook (later Saybrook). He represented the Colony in the House of Representatives for 43 years and in the Senate for 9 years. Robert Chapman lived on a tract of land in Oyster River Quarter, about two miles west of Saybrook Fort. This land had been inherited by the youngest son in each generation, never having been bought or sold, and is still in possession of the family. On April 29, 1643, Robert Chapman married Ann Bliss, daughter of Thomas Bliss, Jr. and Margaret Lawrence. His wife died on November 20, 1685; he died on October 13, 1687. The second of the seven children born of this marriage was Robert Chapman, Jr.
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Many families from that area travelled to Niagra, some with Rogers Rangers, others a Soldiers and Pioneers.
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