William Chapman

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Keiran Williams on 30th December 2025

City Of York Calendars of Prisoners 1739-1851 - York Castle, Yorkshire, England. Provides crime info, age, description and outcome of 7 years transportation. I have new evidence-based information that may challenge historically recorded documents of a marriage between William CHAPMAN b 1765 and Ann MARSH b 1767. I have worked on a document that I believe provides DNA evidence that contradicts these long-held assumptions. My interpretation of this family line may be controversial, as it challenges many widely accepted and documented versions of William CHAPMAN’s identity. This research is offered respectfully and in the spirit of collaborative historical inquiry. The author welcomes the presentation of any additional documentary evidence that may challenge or refine this interpretation, particularly records not readily accessible to me in Melbourne, Australia. I am happy to provide my research to anyone with interest in researching my claims further. kezzwezz13@optusnet.com.au

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Michael Chapman on 1st November 2025

William Chapman's profile at Ancestry.com.au, created by his Great (x 4) Grandson Michael, can be accessed at: https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/15347664/person/250919334/facts

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C H on 25th February 2024

Old Bailey Online WILLIAM CHAPMAN. Theft; theft from a specified place. 13th April 1791. Text type Trial account Defendants WILLIAM CHAPMAN Offences Theft > Theft from place Session Date 13th April 1791 Reference Number t17910413-40 Verdicts Guilty Punishments Transportation 183. WILLIAM CHAPMAN was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 21st of January , four hundred pounds weight of lead, value 40 s. from the parish church of Stepney , belonging to Robert Hughes , John Ran , Isaac Graham , William Watson , and Richard Goby , then being the church-wardens of the said parish. A second count, laying it to be the property of the parishioners of the said parish. A third count, laying it to be the property of the Rev. Thomas Braithwaite , Clerk, the Rector of the said parish . (Mr. Garrow opened the case.) SARAH BRADLEY sworn. I am sextoness of the parish of St. Dunstan, Stepney ; on the 21st of January, two men came to me for the key of the church, to mend some leaks on the lead; I asked them whom they came from; they said from Mr. Meadows, the plumber, and that they should come the next morning for it; I told them they might have it as soon as it was light; they did, and I gave the key, and they brought it back again at night, about five in the evening: and on the next day, Saturday morning, they came again for it, and I gave it them then, and about the hour of four or five, they brought it me again on Saturday afternoon, and then said they were done. I did not hear any lead was taken away till the 30th of January; I cannot swear to the men, they were dressed very smart, in long coats, clean shirts, and very tidy. EDWARD PORTER sworn. I am a plumber and glazier; on the 21st of January I was at work on the top of the Ship at Stepney, facing the church; I saw two men on the top of the church pulling at something, as though it was the lead; the church parapet raises about four feet, I saw their backs, and when they saw me, they appeared to use a rule as if measuring the lead; I went down, and said, there are two men on the top of the top of the church, doing something they should not do, it is fit somebody should go to them, and the grave-digger went to them, and brought them into the public-house; I am sure the prisoner is one; they said they worked for Mr. Meadows. Whilst these two was there, my iron was in the fire; observation was made that they were going to prayers; one of them said, that makes no difference, we can go to work; so they went on the top of the church again. How soon afterward did you see the prisoner after he was apprehended? - It was about a fortnight ago. How long did you stay in the public-house with them? - About ten minutes, or a quarter of an hour. Had you ever known them before? - No, I had not known them, but I have seen them. SARAH HERBERT sworn. I am one of the pew openers of Stepney Church; on Saturday the 22d of January, I met the prisoner in the church, he told me he was a plumber. When I came back to do my work, he was out, and was gone from twelve to one; the prisoner came to my door and asked me for that key to go out; I told him I would not. From curiosity I went up to see what way the church was made; and I saw a chopper like a sugar chopper, and looked about for the prisoner, but could not see him there; on Sunday week following I heard there was four hundred pounds weight of lead gone. EDWARD MATTHEWS sworn. I am a grave-digger; I was up in the steeple chiming the bells, I cannot say to the day; the prisoner came up into the steeple, and said he had been at work on the top of the church, and wanted to go up to the top of the steeple, to see if there was any work to be done there: I let him go up; he came down again in a few minutes afterwards; says I, young man, is there any thing wanted to be done on the top? no, says he, it is all tight, and clever, and neat: I also saw him at the Ship, and am sure he is the man. JOHN MEADOWS sworn. I do the business of the church as a plumber; I know nothing of the prisoner at the bar, nor did employ him on the 21st of January, nor any time else. JOHN JOHNSON sworn. I am partner with Mr. Meadows; the prisoner was never employed by me nor Mr. Meadows, to my knowledge, nor were any of my men employed at that time about the church. I went up on the church, and by a calculation I had made of it, there appeared to be three or four hundred pounds weight of lead missing, the value of which must be upwards of three pounds, taken from the body of the church. I did not go upon the steeple. Mr. Knowlys. Did you take particular notice, whether this was taken from the body of the church or the chancel? - From the body of the church. How long before that time had you seen the church? - About twelve months. Mr. Garrow. Were any repairs done to the church in the last ten days? - No, none. Court. Could you discover whether this lead had been recently taken away, or been lately cut or torn? - I cannot answer, it was taken away from where it lapt over. Will not lead carry an appearance of being cut, when it is done lately? - Not when it is lapped over. ROBERT NEWELL sworn. I am one of the beadles; I went up and found it just the same as Mr. Johnson represents it. Mr. Knowlys. When did you see this lead before? - I do not know that ever I was on that part of the church before in my life. ROBERT HUGHES sworn. I am one of the church-wardens in January last; the others were John Ran , Isaac Graham , William Watson , Richard Goby . WILLIAM READ sworn. I went up to the top of the church and found the lead recently cut, by the brightness of the lead; they took some from the top, where the rain would have come in. Did you point out that to Mr. Newel? - Yes, we both remarked it; Mr. Newel has forgot it at least. I never saw this man till I saw him before the Justice. GODFREY HOLDWORTH sworn. I work for Mr. Porter, and was at work with him, and saw two men working on the church; the prisoner was one, pulling and hauling the lead, as if he wanted to divide it asunder; I saw him also in the public-house. Mr. Knowlys. You did not go on the church? - No. GUILTY . (Aged 23.) Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Baron HOTHAM .

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iain Frazier on 18th February 2022

In relation to George (Chapman): William (Chapman) arrived in NSW as a convict on 14 2 1792 after a voyage of 8months on PITT. He had a relationship with Ann (Marsh). Ann (Marsh) arrived in NSW as a convict on 3 6 1790 after a voyage of 12months on LADY JULIANA. They were both Free by Servitude when their fifth child George (Chapman) was born on 25 8 1808 & baptised on 25 9 1808 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. George was recorded in 1822-4 as apprentice to J (Irving) at Newcastle (J (Irvin) is recorded as a mariner at Sydney), in 1823-5 as apprentice to John (Irvine) at Newcastle, in 1828 as Protestant a shipwright & in 1830 as an apprentice. He married Mary Ann (Hassleburgh-many spellings) in 1831. He was recorded in 1834 as a seaman. He died in 1842 age about 33 at Brisbane Waters. Mary Ann (Hassleburgh), daughter of James Frederick (Hesselberg)/Catherine (???), was born in the colony in 1831 & baptised at St Phillips CofE Sydney. Their child George Frederick (Chapman) was born in 1833 in Sydney. He seems to have married Margaret (Dumphy/Dunphey) in 1859 at Sandhurst Victoria & is mentioned in a book by Annette O'Donohoe/Bev Hanson 'Eaglehawk Vic Pioneer Register Books 1850-1855'. Margaret (Dumphy/Dunphey) was born about 1842 in Sydney. Their child George Frederick James (Chapman) was born about 1860 at Myers Flat Victoria.

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iain Frazier on 8th October 2021

Ann Eliza (Chapman) wife of Hugh Hector Innes (Noble) was married in St Phillips Sydney on 27 3 1820. Her first daughter Margaret was baptised in 1821 at Wesleyan Methodist Sydney. Ann Eliza, with 2children by this time, moved to Port Macquarie on SALLY in 1823 (the same voyage as her father?). Ann Eliza's third child William Alfred was born on 24 1 1825 & baptised on 3 4 1825 at Pt Macquarie.

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iain Frazier on 28th February 2020

George Frederick, the son of George & Mary Ann, married in 1859 Margaret (Dumphy/Dunphey) at Sandhurst Victoria & produced a son George Frederick James born in 1860 at Myers Flat Victoria. Margaret (Dumphy/Dunphey) was born at Sydney about 1842. Also in 1860 George Frederick was a juror at Creek Hotel Myers Flat. This corrects above erroneous information that this George Frederick was the son of George & Clara. Frederick William son of William Henry & Ann was educated at Sydney College. He first worked in a friend's shipping office. His marriage was in 1853 (not 1823 as previously erroniously stated). In 1873 he moved to Clarence River as a timber merchant. In 1907 he was living at Randwick.

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iain Frazier on 19th December 2019

Some more snippets Frederick William, son of William Henry & Ann (Marsh), moved to Mcleay River in 1849 & worked on friends runs meatworks cooperage; became a timber merchant at Clarence River. He became a magistrate & commissioner for crown lands; mayor of Grafton for 6years. Frederickton on Macleay River was named for him. One of George & Clara (Brown)'s children was George Frederick James born at Myers Flat Victoria in 1860. Their sixth child Emma Ann was born about 1833. She married James William (Wilson) in 1855. She died without children in 1910 age77 at Kempsey. The monument for William (from PITT) was moved from George St to Elizabeth St in 1820. Keith A Johnson & Malcolm R Sainty 'Sydney Burial Ground 1819-1901 (Elizabeth & Devonshire Sts) and History of Sydney's Early Settlement From Early 1788' Ann Eliza's marriage to Hugh Hector (Noble) in 1820 took place at St Phillips Sydney. George (Turner) & Mary Ann (Rogers) had Mary (Turner) born & baptised at St Peters Richmond in 1820.

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iain Frazier on 17th December 2019

However the entry for Robert (Flanagan) from BODDINGTON shows the John (Hunter) to be a crewman from colonial brig ACTIVE who arrived NSW in 1817 & continued to trade with Tahiti.

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iain Frazier on 17th December 2019

William was also a plumber & glazier. The two children he adopted also had lives. 1.Susannah (Flanagan/Chapman) was born in 1797 at Sydney (Sydney Cove & Parramatta are mentioned) & baptised at St Phillips Sydney in 1799 at about nearly 2yo. She married John (Hunter) emancipist St Phillips Sydney in 1817 and produced 5children. John (Hunter) came variously as crew on ACTIVE in 1817 or as convict on COROMANDEL in 1802. 2.Elizabeth (Flanagan/Chapman) was born in 1798 at Sydney (Sydney Cove & Parramatta are mentioned) & baptised at St Phillips Sydney in 1799 at about 1yo. She married Edward (Priest) at St Phillips Sydney in 1817 & produced 12 children. Edward (Priest) was born in Warwickshire (probably); he was transported for sheep stealing on OCEAN in 1816. John (Hunter) from PERSEUS & COROMANDEL has an entry on this Website. Edward (Priest) has an entry on this Website.

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iain Frazier on 26th October 2019

William was born about 1765 Westminster London. He was the son of ??? & Mary. In 1791 he was tried at Old Bailey & sentenced to 7years & held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery. In 1792 he arrived in Port Jackson on PITT. He lived with then married Ann (Marsh) in about 1799 & produced 6children; he was a painter butcher inn-keeper-proprietor Kings Head tavern at Sydney; he adopted? Susannah & Elizabeth (Flanagan daughters of Ann Marsh). He died in 1810 age about 45 at Sydney buried at CofE Devonshire/High St Sydney Burial Ground (now Town Hall-headstone moved to Elizabeth St burial ground-now Central Station-moved to Bunnerong cemetery 1901). Ann (Marsh) was a convict 7years from LADY JULIANA Free by Servitude who had been partner/wife of Richard (Alley) & John (Irving) & Robert (Flanagan) with 1child (Alley deceased), 1child (Irving) & 1stepchild (Irving) & 2children (Flanagan). (see also below) William was Free by Servitude by 1800, a plumber & glazier & owner from time to time of general store, butchery, bakery. Their first child Ann Eliza was born in 1800 & baptised at St Phillips Sydney. She married Hector Hugh Innis/Hugh Hector J (Noble) in 1820 at Sydney & produced 7children 1821-1840 (see below) at St Phillips Sydney & St Thomas Port Macquarie. She died at Ipswich 1875 age75. Hugh Hector J (Noble) was born about 1796 in Scotland & was transported on LARKINS to NSW in 1817 (He has an entry in this Website). He was a clerk to commandant of Port Macquarie CofE with 1daughter. He was sentenced to 10 years at Port Arthur Tasmania for theft. He died as a pauper in Cascade insane asylum Hobart in 1869 age75. Their second child William Henry was born in 1801 & baptised at St Phillips Sydney. In 1823 he married Ann (Chenhalls) at St Phillips Sydney & produced 6children (see below). He may have been a gunsmith in 1822 employing Thomas Baily (Corns). Ann (Chenhall) was born in Chatham Kent about 1805. She arrived at Port Jackson with convicts on LORD WELLINGTON as a child age14. She died at West Kempsey in 1889 age84. Their third child Mary Ann was born in 1804 & baptised at St Phillips Sydney. She married George (Turner) in 1821 at St Phillips Sydney, lived Sydney & produced 4children 1824-1829 (see below) baptised St Phillips Sydney & Christ Church Newcastle (1829). She was at muster North Richmond in 1828. George (Turner) was from 48th Regiment arriving supposedly on EARL SPENCER in 1813 age19. Their fourth child Edward was born in 1805 & baptised St Phillips Sydney. Their fifth child George was born in 1808 & baptised St Phillips Sydney. He married Mary Ann (Hesselburgh/Hesselburg/Hasselbourg) at St Phillips Sydney in 1831 & produced maybe 1child George Frederick born 1832or3 in Sydney. He died in 1842 age33. Mary Ann (Hesselburgh/Hesselburg/Hasselbourg) was born about 1807 and baptised at St Phillips in Sydney in 1807 or 1815.. Their sixth child James was born in 1810 & baptised St Phillips Sydney. In 1819 at age8 he went to Sydney Orphan School & in 1822 was trained as a carpenter. In 1831 he married Esther Martha (O'Hara) at St Phillips Sydney & produced 10children (see below). He died Sydney in 1856 age46 buried at Camperdown. Esther Martha (O'Hara) was born at Sydney about 1811. She died at Sydney in 1863 age52? buried Camperdown. They employed John (Chapman) for a time in 1839. John was unrelated and a convict 7years from JAMES PATTISON. William Henry & Ann's first child Elizabeth was born about 1823 & baptised 1831 St Phillips Sydney. She was recorded at musters 1823, 1824, 1825 & 1828; in 1823 & 1824 she was employed by Mr (Tibbutt) of Sydney; in 1828 she was Protestant of Windsor lodger with Jno (Tebbutt). She married James (Cheers) at Yarrabindi in 1841 & produced 8children before dying in 1891 age68 at Frederickton. Their second child Matilda Mary was born about 1825 & baptised St Phillips Sydney. In 1841 she married Clement (Hodgkinson) & produced 1child. In 1842 she died as CofE at Bunnerong. Their third child Frederick William was born at Princes St Sydney about 1827 & baptised St Phillips Sydney. In 1823 he married Jane Agnes (Scott) at St Thomas & produced 12children 1854-1872. He died in 1920 age93 at Randwick or Manly. Jane Agnes (Scott) was born about 1834 at London. She died in 1907 age73 at Randwick. (One of Frederick William & Jane Agnes's children was Phoebe Eleanor who was born at Yarrabandini Macleay River about 1854. She married William (Sedgewick age26? died 1919 St Leonards NSW) in 1881 at Grafton NSW producing 8children. She died in 1925 age70 at Gladesville.) Their fourth child William Edward was born about 1828 & baptised St Phillips Sydney. He married Ann Hale (Wilson) in 1852 & produced 4children 1853-1857. He died in Manly in 1905 age76. Their fifth child was George James born about 1831. He married Clara Goldsmith (Brown) in 1859 & produced 10children 1860-1876. He died in 1882 age51. Their sixth child Emma Ann was born about 1833. She married James William (Wilson) in 1855. She died without children in 1910 age77 at Kempsey. James & Esther Martha's first child Ann Susannah was born in 1831. She married Thomas Andrew (Drysdale) in 1852 & produced 2children. Their second child Esther Rosa was born in 1833. Their third child James Edward was born in 1836. He married Elisa Jane (Garner) in 1860 & produced 5children in 1861-1869. Their fourth child Emma Jane was born in 1838. She married Alexander Sinclair (Paton) in 1862 & produced 6children Their fifth child George was born in 1840 at George St Sydney. Their sixth child Jane Ann was born in 1841. She married Henry (Pettit) in 1861 & produced 7children. Their seventh child Elizabeth Martha was born in 1844. Their eighth child William George was born in 1847. Their ninth child George Robert was born in 1849. Their tenth child Thomas Frederick was born in 1851. Ann Eliza & Hugh Hector (Noble)'s children include:- Margaret born 1821. She died in 1853 age32?. Ann Eliza born & baptised in 1823 at St Phillips Sydney. She died in 1893 age70. William Alfred born & baptised in 1825 at St Thomas Port Macquarie. He died in 1906 age81. Alexander Luke born & baptised in 1827 at St Phillips Sydney. He died in 1907 age80. Jane Ann born & baptised in 1828 at St Phillips Sydney. She died in 1841 age12. Caroline born & baptised in 1830 at St Phillips Sydney. She died in 1875 age45? Mary Ann & George (Turner)'s children include: George** born & baptised in 1821 at St Phillips Sydney. He died in 1906 age85. Mary Ann born & baptised in 1823 at St Phillips Sydney. Eliza Ann born & baptised in 1827 at St Phillips Sydney. John Andrew born & baptised in 1829 at Christ Church Newcastle. **The reference to George's life shows shows his father George as being a convict from EARL CORNWALLIS although his mother is shown as our Mary Ann. There is confusion here with the similarities of Mary Ann (Rogers) b.1803 in colony defacto of George (Turner) convict from EARL CORNWALLIS who had children in the same decade. Ann (Marsh) convict 7years from LADY JULIANA was remarkable & has an entry on this website. Hugh Hector (Noble) has an entry on this Website. George (Turner) the convict has an entry on this Website.