CHAPPELL

CHAPPELL

Captain John Chappell, master of the Speedwell came to Virginia in 1635, but did not remain. His 23 year old son, Thomas Chappell, came to America on theVirginia in the same year. He stayed in Jamestown only a few days, then sailed up the James River about 30 miles, locating on the south side in Charles City County (opposite Westover) at the mouth of Chappell's Creek. It is thought he may also have been a relative of Captain William Barker, master of the America, to whom this desirable land belonged. Thomas Chappell died there in 1658, leaving his lands to his eldest son, and two breeding cattle to each of his other children. Neither the name of his wife nor those of his children are mentioned in his will. His widow married Walter Vernham.

Thomas Chappell (II) first appears in the records in 1661, when he acknowledged receipt of a legacy to his daughter from Lt. John Bannister (probably his wife's father), who died that year. Thomas was granted 90 acres of land in Charles City County in 1665.

In 1670, he and his wife had a son, Thomas (III), and later, perhaps a daughter. In 1690, this third Thomas was granted 904 acres of land in the part of Charles City County which later became Prince George County. Other large grants were made to him later, including 423 acres in 1694; at that time, he also bought nine "African slaves". Thomas' wife was Elizabeth Jones,the daughter of James Jones and Sarah Wallis Mumford of Charles City and Prince George Counties. Their four sons were Robert, Thomas, and Samuel. Thomas died before 1704, when his widow Elizabeth married Thomas Taylor with whom she had at least four more children: John, Thomas, Elizabeth (Chambliss), and Katherine (Holloway).

The son James Chappell (1694 - 1769) married Elizabeth Howell and Elizabeth Briggs.His children were James, Thomas, Elizabeth (Mason), Mary (Gee), Sarah (Mason), Rebecca (Northington), Amy (Smith), John (see Hines), Ann (Tatum?), Lucretia (Carter), and Howell. (The three younger sons all married Briggs cousins.) James (with his brother Samuel) moved to Surry County where, in 1725, he patented 235 acres of land. He later acquired other large tracts of land. He was a Vestryman of Albemarle Parish from 1743, a Justice of Surry (later Sussex) County from 1738, and Sheriff in 1754.

James' son,Thomas Chappell (1735-1803), married Mary Briggs.

            Their daughter Mary Chappell married Thomas Wrenn of Sussex County (possibly born in 1730), the son of Joseph Wrenn. This may be the Joseph Wrenn who was born about 1707 and died in Isle of Wight 10 May, 1750.  No will has been located, but there is an inventory for a Joseph Wrenn in that county in 1757.  [Our Wrenn family information was graciously supplied by Marie Blocher of Chelmsford, MA. and Christie Canfield of Redwood City, CA]  Thomas Wrenn's Sussex County will of 1793 does not name Mary, but does mention son Jesse Wrenn, son-in-law, Henry Porch, daughters Amy Porch, Sarah Bendall, Hulda (Hilda) Adams, Mary Weathers - to who he leaves negroes man Peter & woman Judy,  deceased daughter Hannah Porch. Distribution lists Ann Porch, Amos Adams, Sarah Bendall, Edmond Weathers, children of Hannah: Mary Porch, Seth Porch, Sarah Porch, Hartwell Porch, Lucy Porch, Nancy Porch, Henry Porch, Thomas Porch, and Rebecca Porch. Another son was Nathan, a Captain in the Revolutionary War.

            Mary Wrenn and her husband Edmond Weathers were the parents of Polly Chappell Weathers.