John Chapin

Other Events:

• Probate: 24 Mar 1676, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; Will proved; estate inventory filed, £45.09.00
• Will: 4 Jan 1674/5, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; To son Henry Chapin: 20 shillings; to grandson Thomas Gilbert: £10 at age 21; to wife (unnamed): all other estate; unnamed wife, executrix

Notes:

CHAPIN Deacon Samuel Chapin, "The Puritan", was undoubtedly the progenitor of all in this country of the name. There is a tradition that he was of Welsh origin and another that he was of Huguenot descent. The late President A. L. Chapin, of Beloit College, after an exhaustive study of philological records abroad was of the opinion that he was of French Huguenot descent and probably fled with other persecuted Huguenots to Holland, where he associated with the English Puritans who had also fled to Holland. The coat-of-arms also points to French origin and the name of Deacon Samuel Chapin's wife, which was Cicely, or Cecile, is one found in early French families.

Tradition says that he was born or lived in Dartmouth, England, for a time, or at least sailed from that port, about 1635, while there is reason for the belief that he came over in 1631 or 1632 in the "Lyon," if he was not of the original Pyncheon company. He was a contemporary with Pyncheon in the settlement of Roxbury, Massachusetts. He followed him to Springfield and was known as "Pyncheon's right-hand man" and one of the "founders of Springfield". He was made a freeman, June 2. 1641, and elected to town office in 1642. The Chapins of this country are all descended from him, according to the best authorities. He was a distinguished man in church and state. He was deacon of the Springfield church, elected in 1649, and employed to conduct services part of the time in 1656-57 when there was no minister in town. He was appointed commissioner to determine small causes, October 10, 1652, and his commission was indefinitely extended in 1654. His wife, Cicely (???), died February 8, 1682-83; he died November 11, 1675. Of their children five were born in Europe: Catherine, Sarah, David, Henry and Josiah. Japhet was born August 15, 1642, and Hannah, December 2, 1644. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was a descendant of Catherine Chapin and President William H. Taft is of the Josiah Chapin line."264 He "Samuel CHAPIN - bap. Oct. 8, 1598, Church of St. John the Baptist, Paignton, Devonshire, England.; d. Nov. 11, 1675, Springfield, MA. Son of John CHAPIN and Pillipe EASTON. Member of Rev. John ELIOT's First Church of Roxbury, MA. Removed to Springfield by 1643, where he was a Deacon, constable, selectman, and commisioner. The statue of The Puritan by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in Springfield memorializes Deacon Samuel Chapin. Married in England on Feb. 9, 1623/4.

-- William Richard Cutter, New England Families Genealogical and Memorial, v. IV

Buried:
Springfield Cemetery

Died:
"Samuel Chapin Deacon of the Church at Springfield died the 11 day of November 1675"

Samuel married Cicely Penney 9 Feb 1622/23, Paignton, Devon, England. Cicely (daughter of Henry Penny and Jane) was born 27 Feb 1600/01, Paignton, Devon, England; was christened 21 Feb 1601/02, Paignton, Devon, England; died 8 Feb 1682/83, Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Probate: 5 Mar 1682/83, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; Estate inventory taken, net value was about £30
• Probate: 27 Mar 1683, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; Will proved
• Will: 16 May 1676, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; To son Henry Chapin of Springfield: 20s, my great Bible; to son Josiah Chapin of Braintry in this Colony: 20s; to daughter Catharine Mashfield wife of Samuel Mashfield of Springfield: clothing; to daughter Sarah Thomas: clothing; to daughter Hannah Hitchcock: bedding and kitchen implements; to Henry Gilbert now an apprentice to John Hitchcock of Springfield, at age 21: £10 paid in corn; to son Japhet Chapin of Springfield: all remaining estate; executor, Japhet Chapin

Notes:

Died:
"Cisely Chapin the widow of Deacon Sam'l Chapin was sicke & dyed Febr' 8 1682"

John married Phillipe Easton 14 Sep 1590, Paignton, Devon, England. Phillipe (daughter of Henry Easton and Joan Cliffee) was born Abt 1569, Paignton, Devon, England; died Aft 20 Jan 1614/15, England. [Group Sheet]

Henry married Jane 10 Jul 1589, Saint Andrew, Plymouth, Devon, England. Jane was born 1573, Paignton, Devon, England; died 29 Oct 1637, Paignton, Devon, England. [Group Sheet]

Roger — Mrs-Roger Chapyn. Mrs-Roger was born 1538, Totnes, Devon, England; died 9 Sep 1590, Totnes, Devon, England. [Group Sheet]

Henry married Joan Cliffee 25 Feb 1599/00, Brixham, Devon, England. Joan (daughter of John Clieffe) was born Abt 1545; was christened 19 Feb 1550/51, Braunton, Devonshire, ENG. [Group Sheet]