Thomas and Edward are believed to be the sons of Richard & Susannah (?) (CONNELLY) CHAPMAN from Giles Co., VA.  They settled in the area of Cabell County that later became Logan County.  Thomas later moved to Pike Co., KY.

It is interesting to note that at least one researcher, Betty Ann Gebard, has an oral history from her family members that state that,  “Thomas Chapman, who was born in 1781 in Ireland, was a stowaway aboard a ship bound for the United States. By the time he was discovered by crewmembers, the ship was too far out to sea to turn back. This left the captain no other recourse but to bring him the rest of the way. Thomas had no identification on him, only a single piece of cheese. The Captain declared him a "free white". I found no documentation to back this up as yet. However, there are records showing that Thomas settled in Virginia, married and raised his family. He married a woman named Mary.

There is confusion about these two gentlemen.  I have seen reports from some of the descendants of Edward stating that Thomas and Edward are sons of Richard & Susannah (CONNELLY) CHAPMAN.  One researcher from Logan Co., WV believes that they are sons of John & Sarah (ABBOTT) CHAPMAN.  A certain semi-retired researcher from rural Arizona wants to claim them for her Wythe Co., VA CHAPMANS. :>)

I, on the other hand, believe that Edward is the son of the Richard that was first married to Margaret “Peggy” ABBOTT.  It is Thomas that I have a problem with.  In every record that I have seen indicated that Thomas was born in 1781.  But Richard and Susannah were married 5 May 1790 (some report 1792).  That would make Thomas the son of Richard and Margaret ABBOTT.  I think that David Johnston would have known about Thomas and reported about him in his book.  It’s a mystery!

Descendants of Thomas Chapman

    1          [1] Thomas Chapman              b: Abt. 1781 in VA  

..      +Jinny ?                          

....... 2      Edward Chapman     b: Abt. 1812 in Logan Co., WV               

...........                     +Elizabeth "Betty" Hunt          b: Abt. 1826 in Pike Co., Ky    d: 12 Apr 1861 in Logan Co., WV

....... 2      Chloe Chapman                      

...........                     +James Sanson                        

        *2nd Wife of [1] Thomas Chapman:                              

..      +Mary "Polly" Farley      b: 1801 in VA         

....... 2      Thomas Chapman, Jr.              b: 1830 in KY         

...........                     +Mary Harris                          

....... 2      Syntha Chapman      b: Abt. 1832            

...........                     +James Thompson   b: Abt. 1828            

....... 2      [2] Andrew J Chapman             b: 1839 in KY          d: Bef. 1910

...........                     +Rebecca ?                              

.......         *2nd Wife of [2] Andrew J Chapman:                     

...........                     +Deliah Frances       b: Abt. 1844            

....... 2      [3] James Burl Chapman          b: 1842 in Pike Co., KY          

...........                     +Lucy Young                          

.......         *2nd Wife of [3] James Burl Chapman:                   

...........                     +Martha J. Evans     b: 1843 in Logan Co., WV       d: 1937

Descendants of Edward Chapman

    1          Edward Chapman     b: 20 Nov 1792 in Giles Co., Va               d: 05 Mar 1871 in Logan Co., WV

..      +Mary Ann ( Polly?) Godby             b: 06 Apr 1799        d: 12 Jun 1871 in Logan Co., WV

....... 2      Burwell S. Chapman b: 13 Mar 1820 in Cabell/Logan Co., WV d: 31 Oct 1864

...........                     +Elizabeth Farley     b: in from Pigeon Creek          

....... 2      William B. Chapman                b: 22 Jan 1823 in Cabell/Logan Co., WV 

...........                     +Nancy Dingess       b: in from Peach Creek           

....... 2      John Russell Chapman              b: 28 Jan 1835 in Logan Co., WV - Chapmanville    d: 30 Apr 1894

...........                     +Harriet Adams        b: in from Crawley