Genealogy and Family History Publications
About James B (Burnham?) Chapman
From Western New York, pages 459-460:
"The surname Chapman, which signifies merchant, occurs among the earliest of surnames, and the family in many of its branches was somewhat distinguished at an early period. In the year 1298 a John Chapman was returned to parliament as burgess for Chippenham.
"Sir John Chapman, Knight, of Tower street, in London, was elected alderman in 1679, and served in the office of high sheriff in the same year. He was the heir of Sir William Chapman, Bart. 'The Chapman family,' says Young, in his history of Whitby, England, 'resided at Whitby and Yburn Dale prior to the year 1400, as appears from the rolls and registers of Whitby Abbey.' Sir Thomas Chapman, of Ireland, and Admiral Chapman, of Sweden, belonged to this family. This family settled at or near Whitby in the time of Henry III, as appears on ancient records, and in the time of Richard II. Some of them were prosecuted and imprisoned by the abbot of Whitby for maintaining their just rights, but were soon set at liberty without fines. They increased much in a century or two, and many of them were in the parliamentary army. Robert Chapman and John Chapman were at Yburn, near Whitby, county York, in 1387. Names of Robert and John Chapman are found through nearly every generation. The Whitby family of Chapmans bore arms, per chevron, ermine and gules, a crescent, counterchanging in chief, three amulets of the second. Crest: Two spear heads, saltier, in front of a dexter arem embowed in arms, the hand gauntleted and grasping a broken tilting spear proper, entitled with an amuletor. Motto 'Crescit sub pondere Virtus.' (Virtue grows under the imposed weight.) This idea owes its orgin to the palm tree which grows the more under proportion to the incumbent weight. The history of the Chapman family both in England and America bears out this idea. There were several families of Chapmans among the early New England immigrants, many of whom achieved distinction in their several localities. The patriotism of the family is shown in the fact that seventy-seven are found on the Connecticut Roll of Honor, who had served in the war of the revolution. Most of those who settled in New England are probably related.
"(I) Josiah Chapman, of this family, was born in Connecticut, where he grew to manhood. He came to New York state, settling in Seneca county, in the town of Ovid, where he died. He married and among his children was a son James.
"(II) James, son of Josiah Chapman, was born in Ovid, Seneca county, New York, about the year 1804, died at Gasport, Niagara county, New York. He was educated in the public schools of Ovid, and in early manhood came to Niagara county, locating in Wilson, where he opened a grocery store, continuing for two years. He then purchased the Wilson Albright farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, situated on the Youngstown road. Here he conducted general farming for about twelve years. He prospered in business and later purchased the old Wisner farm of two hundred acres, lying on the Lake road, town of Newfane, on which he resided until his death. This farm is now the property of his son Josiah B. James Chapman was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics a Democrat. He held several local offices and was greatly respected by all who knew him. He married (first) Elizabeth, died December 28, 1866, daughter of Stephen Wilson. He married (second) Charlotte A. Wilson. Children of first marriage: Hugh, born February 1, 1848; Horace, June 22, 1850; Josiah B., of whom further; Stephen, January 1, 1854, deceased; Howard, January 21, 1857, deceased. Children of second marriage: William and Fay.
"(III) Josiah B., third son of James and Elizabeth (Wilson) Chapman, was born in Wilson, Niagara county, New York, October 13, 1852. He was educated in the public school, Lockport union school and at Gasport Academy. After completing his studies and arriving at maturity he joined with his brother Hugh in the operation of one of the farms owned by his father. Later the two young men purchased the farm and conducted it as a partnership for ten years. In the spring of 1882 Josiah B. purchased Hugh's interest, the latter removing west. Since 1882 Mr. Chapman has been sole owner. The farm consists of two hundred acres of very fertile land, well improved, with commodius buildings, and operated along the best modern lines. There is an abundance of fruit, a fine chestnut grove and springs of cold, running water. The farm house, of Medina sand stone, is one of the finest in the county, and the whole estate bespeaks the prosperous, modern, American farmer. In politics he is a Prohibitionist. He is held in the highest regard in the county where so large a portion of his life has been spent. His beautiful home is always open to his friends and a warm-hearted hospitality is extended to all.
"He married, May 25, 1880, Nellie Stout, born October 29, 1861, died December 22, 1910, daughter of Martin Stout, of Olcott, New York. Children: 1. James B., born May 15, 1890; educated in the public schools of Olcott and Lockport, Ovid high school, and took a course in horticulture at Cornell University. He is now at home. He married Esther Getsinger, of Hornell, New York, June 8, 1911. 2. Josiah Victor, born May 24, 1898; was a student at Ovid, New York, and now at home with his father."
