The history of our family starts in Newton, Mississippi, with the marriage of John Henry Chapman and Bettie (Harper) Chapman. They married and had 9 children, their children names were Alberta, Lola Bell,  Willie Lee (Mae), Queen Ester, John Douglass, Bonnie Lee, Minerva, Nathan Thomas, and Dora Jane.  John Henry Chapman was a Pastor and Bettie Chapman was a Praying Mother. 

With family help we are able to trace our family history back a very long way. It is important that we can see the people that came before us, hopefully we can see a path and a journey that can help us in leading the life we make in the future.

Bettie Harper and John Henry Chapman are the parents of the 9 children. I would like to use "The 9 Children" as a point of reference that way we as a family should all be able to relate to where we fall. If you are reading this in 2026, one of The 9 Children could be:

your mother or father, like Bettye Jean (Willie Mae) and Bessie (Alberta); or 

your Grandparent, like Chris (Alberta), and Wanda "Ann" (Queen Esther)  or

your Great Grandparent, like Akia (Alberta) and Mike Steve (Bonnie Lee)

Bettie Harper was born in 1889 to the parents: Pete Harper and Minerva Myers. 

Pete Harper was born in 1885.  Minerva Myers was born in 1865 to David Myers and Tempa. David Myers was born in 1820. Tempa was born in 1822. 

John Henry Chapman was born in 1884 to the parents of Sherman Chapman and Allice Dixon. Allice Dixon was born in 1867.  Sherman Chapman was born in 1867 to the parents Polk Chapman and Manda. 

Polk Chapman was born 1842 and Manda was born 1844.  

So we are able to trace our history back to the1820's with the births of Bettie Harper's Grand Parents. What we know is slavery ended in 1865. We can trace our roots to before slavery ended!

Willie Lee (Mae) Chapman had three children. Betty Jean, Merdis, and Mertis Bell.

Bonnie Lee Watkins had 8 Children.  Mae Ree, JW Jimmie Watkins, Bettye Jewel (Sissy), John Douglas, Peter, Bonnie Faye, Kenneth Adrian

Dora Jane had 6 chidren. Hady Mae, Lisa, Oliver, Micheal Paul, Loretha, Fannie Jewel