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This is such an incredible place! I’ve been reading some of the threads in the different forums and am so intrigued by the information and diverse ideas. I’m now hoping to find more clues about my own ancestry. I can’t prove that I have Native American ancestors, but I have no doubts.
Many of my european forebears were from Brunswick co, VA in close proximity to Fort Christiana. Their surname was SHORT. Around 1790, one moved to Mecklenburg Co. and then to Granville Co., NC. His name was William, son of William. His grandaughter, Sallie SHORT, bore 2 children to a man named Robert CHAPMAN, from 1837-1842. Thier son, Robert Edward, is my gg-grandfather.
Sallie SHORT and Robert CHAPMAN never married. Family mythology describes him as being a dark, handsome man, “like an Indian.” I’ve yet to discover the reason as to why they never married (such a taboo in those days and twice she had to go to court and he posted bond). My best guess is that it would have been illegal for a white and non-white to marry during that time. If anyone knows about anti-miscegenation laws during the Colonial Period, please let me know.
I have yet to be able to definitively trace this Robert, but I am fairly certain that his Chapman ancestors were also from Brunswick Co., VA with significant land holdings along the Meherrin River and Fort Road. They were white as far as I can tell.
I have no more names or surnames, but I’m guessing that Robert’s mother was Native American, specifically Saponi. Robert was born in 1800, so she would have been born somewhere approximately between 1760 and 1780.
I am looking for any information that might give me direction in my search.
Thanks!
Welcome to Saponitown. Becky and I live right next door to Granville co. I have seen both Chapman and Short connected with our people. Let me check our resources and see what I find….. may be a few days…. we are going to a gathering tomorow then have family here for easter sunday. Maybe someone on the forum with Ancestry can do a lookup for you.
I have a strong connection to the Chapman surname, The name John Chapman shows up quite alot with my ancestral lines. Do not know if this will help, but here is an online book that is made up, primarily, of my ancestors from Virginia that may or may not tie-in to your lines.
http://www.kinyon.com/westvirginia/midnewriver/contents.htm
Thanks to Dreaminghawk and Steve-O. I don’t think the Chapman’s in the book are mine, but the name John does run through mine, also. Interesting, none the less. I am anxiously waiting the next reply from Dreaminghawk as my Shorts are definitely from Granville and the Chapmans in Warren Co. Hope you had a pleasant weekend. Oh, how can I get someone to do a look-up?
Carla
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