Francis Marion Chapman Biography

Francis Marion Chapman

Mr. Chapman, like many other men, has had his "ups and downs," financially speaking. Sometimes he was doing well, at others he had nothing, especially after his return from Lauderdale County, where he had been getting along very well. But fortune's wheel made another revolution, and he found himself at the bottom of the ladder once more. Such, however, was his ambition, that whenever he fell he made a desperate effort to rise again. At this time, when his fortunes were at their lowest ebb, the most important episode of his life occurred.

Note: Francis Marion Chapman and Mary Ann Biggs, my great-Ggreat grandparents, were married November 13, 1842. He was 23 and she was 17. After rearing 11 children, he died 5/26/1897 and she died 3/2/1903. They are both buried in Tipton County, Tennessee. He was not only a victim of misfortune and hard times, but had fallen a victim to the beauty and charms of Miss Mary Ann Biggs, who at that time was absent from home, boarding at Mr. Tucker's and attending school.

Mr. Chapman, working near there, became acquainted with her, and that friendship developed into a more tender attachment, and he realized for the first time in his life that love which almost everyone experiences at some time. Therefore he at once laid siege to her heart, which by his attractive manners, he finally succeeded in capturing unconditionally. They vowed eternal love and constancy to one another. There were difficulties in the way of their happiness.

Chapman had nothing in the world. He rode a borrowed horse, anòd earned money enough by picking cotton to buy for himself a homespun suit, made on a handloom by one of the neighbors. He had a pair of shoes, the hide of which they were made being tanned nearby, and the shoes were homemade, tied with strings from a "coon" hide. In this costume he swung his Mary Ann. He felt strong in his love for her and in the confidence she had in him. He cared nothing for the future, it being his disposition to let every day provide for itself. Another cause, however, for uneasiness on the part of the lovers, was that they did not know how Mary Ann's father would take the matter. He was wealthy, owning several plantations, many slaves, and much livestock.

MR.Chapman decided it was better to be relieved of the suspense, he determined to visit the old gentleman and ask for the hand of his daughter in marriage. So mounting his borrowed horse, he started for Mr. Biggs home to have this trying interview with him. For so in deed it proved to be, and Mr. Chapman himself pronounces it the Most trying ordeal through which he ever passed. Popping the question to Mary Ann was nothing in comparison with it. Mr. Biggs had never seen him, and this added to his fears On reaching the Biggs' residence he saw an old man at the barn hAnging some harness on a peg. This he took to be Mr. Biggs. Mr. Biggs came to the door in answer to his call. She was Mr. Biggs' second wife, who had married him for his money alone, but having some trouble with her marriage contract, which brought on a lawsuit, she finally lost her property. Now Mr. Chapman had met Mrs. Biggs before, but under the most unfavorable circumstances, so far as he was concerned, that certainly were not calculated to impress her with admiration for him. She recognized him at once, and he called her out to the gate. There, sitting upon his horse, with one leg carelessly thrown over the horn of the saddle, he told her of his meeting Mary Ann, and how he had become attached to her, and they had engaged themselves to be married. He asked her if she thought her father would consent to their marriage. She replied that he was a very contrary old man, and she did not think it likely that He would she, however, was very anxious for Mary Ann to marry and made no secret of it to Mr. Chapman. He asked her to aid him in getting Mr. Biggs' consent, which she gladly promised to do, telling him to ride on and return in an hour or so to find out the result. Upon Mr. Chapman's return, Mr. Biggs' hearing his call, dropped his hoe and came to the gate. He invited Mr. Chapman down, which invitation he accepted, and they sat on the door steps conversing upon all sorts of topics until finally Mr. Biggs took Mr. Chapman to his barn to show him his fine stock. While there Mr. Chapman said, "I supposeÿ, Mr. Biggs, you know my business here, do you not?" "I can't say that I do, sir," he replied. Now Mr. Chapman was sure that Mrs. Biggs had told him he had come to ask for his daughter, for he had watched her go and speak to him. Being somewhat disappointed at the manner in which Mr. Biggs received his announcement, he gathered all his courage up and repeated his request. Whereupon the angry parent let all his pent up wrath burst forth, exclaiming: "Who are you any way? I don't know you." "My name sir, is Marion Chapman, from South Carolina. I came from there when but a boy, and had nothing and have succeeded in holding my own pretty well, for I have nothing yet. I am closely related to the most prominent and wealthy family of South Carolina, but I do not desire to build up a reputation on some one else's capital. I am plain Marion Chapman; I love your daughter, and believe she loves me, and we want your consent to the marriage. That is all, sir" Mr. Biggs questioned him closely about his former life; thought long on the subject before he spoke; finally telling him as he and Mary Ann had gone so far he would say no more about it for the present. However, he did not give his entire consent, thus leaving Mr. Chapman in suspense; yet he did not feel that he had sustained an entire defeat, but decided not to push the matter any further at presðent, he bade the old man good day and rode off.

He did not feel satisfied with the results of his visit, but as áMr. Biggs did not forbid his continued visits to his daughter, he felt hopeful that all would be well at last. He called at once on his fiance; and gave a full report of his attempt at reconciliation.

The school that Mary Ann attended was drawing to a close, and she was preparing to return home. Mr. Chapman, feeling that the end justified the means, and realizing that faint heart never won fair lady, resolved that nothing short of absolute disaster should hinder him in his suit. So accordingly he set out to pay her a visit, arriving at her home on Sunday evening. To speak of the cold reception that was given him does not half express its frigid nature. Everyone seemed to be restrained before him. He tried by pleasant conversation to dispel this restraint, but all to no avail. He almost felt his cause was lost, but thought after the family retired Mary Ann could enlighten him as to what it all meant. Preparations were presently made for retiring and Mr. Chapman seated himself to have a long chat with Mary Ann, when Mr. Biggs handed him a candle to light him to bed. He politely told him he was not ready to retire and looked toward Mary Ann, who became so confused that she dropped her eyes upon the floor. Mr. Biggs seeing this, sent her to her room immediately. Mr. Chapman felt that his cause was lost and left at once for his room. As he lay awake thinking of his treatment, he resolved to have the matter settled before he left the house. The next morning early, as Mr. Biggs went out to attend to his stock, Mr. Chapman followed him and asked him when it would suit for them to get married. Mr. Biggs told him it did not suit at all; that he did not approve of his daughter's conduct, he had tried to raise her right and have her show some ambition and pride, and not throw herself away, after he had gone to the expense of educating her. At this Mr. Chapman became very indignant and said: "Sir, I want you to distinctly understand, I don't want your daughter and would not marry her if she were the last woman in the world. I am as good as you or any of your kin. I wash my hands of the entire business. You may go your way; I will go mine" Upon going to the house he found Mary Ann, and after telling her the same thing he left the house and went home. She, too, was disappointed, but knew her father's disposition too well to say anything about it, so she kept it to herself. Mrs. Biggs, upon finding that she had been and Mary Ann was not married, was probably more disappointed than any of them. She was willing to put forth any reasonable amount of exertion to accomplish the end in view, and notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Biggs was contrary and stubborn, and the insulted lover had gone, she put her wits together to lay plans to get him back, in all of which schemes Mary Ann took an active part and heartily cooperated with her stepmother.

Mr. Biggs was called at this time to Mississippi to attend personally to some business there. He accordingly left home to be absent several days. A letter was at once written to Mr. Chapman requesting him to embrace this golden opportunity by calling at the Biggs homestead immediately. He was very much surprised, but lost no time in complying with the request, thinking perhaps that the old gentlemen had relented. He was both surprised and relieved upon arriving to find no one present at the house but the two ladies. Mrs. Biggs informed him of Mr. Biggs departure, and that he would be absent several days, and if he and Mary Ann ever expected to marry, now was the opportunity. They might never have a better chance. Mr. Chapman, being very much pleased with the suggestion, and not caring particularly to please Mr. Biggs, but rather rejoicing over his victory, they determined to be married at once in defiance of Mr. Biggs. How they were to live afterward never entered his mind, but only one idea was there, and that was "now or never." How they were married and what Mr. Biggs did about it, and the hardships they endured in early married life will appear next.