Note: Frederick was not listed in the 1851 Census for Histon or Oakington, Cambridgeshire.
At Frederick's marriage to Martha Storey in 1846, Frederick was described as Under Age, bachelor, carpenter of Histon, father Francis Chapman, carpenter. Martha of full age, spinster of Histon, father John Storey, labourer. Both signed. Witnesses George Wilson and Sarah Bates. We do not know what happened to Martha.
On 8 June 1854 Frederick married Catherine Wiseman Norman at the minister's residence, Albert Street, Collingwood (Melbourne). There is no mention of Frederick's status as widower. The following information was on the Victorian Marriage Index Certificate ref. 1814:
Frederick Chapman, born Oakington, Cambridgeshire, wheelwright, age 27 of Collingwood, late of Histon, County of Cambridge, parents Francis Chapman, carpenter and Ann Wilson, housekeeper. Catherine Wiseman Norman, born London, house servant, age 21, of Collingwood, late of London, parents John King Norman, cabinetmaker and Mary Effort Making, house servant. Both signed. Witnesses were John Woods and Anna Jennings. Wesleyan Methodist. Frederick was mentioned in his father's Succession Duties File: "Came to Australia 25 years ago and has never been seen or heard of since by any member of his family." (Succession Duties File, State Record Office, GRG 84/10 1876-1893 613)
Bronte found this reference to Frederick in Victorian Inquests 791 1885: Frederick died suddenly in Collins Street, Latrobe Ward, City of Melbourne. At the inquest which was held into his death it stated that he was seen to totter against the wall of a house in Collins Street and then...fall face down on the footpath in a faint. He was at once taken to the Hospital in a cab where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy revealed disease of the heart and lungs. It also noted that his body was well nourished. A statement by his daughter Mary Ann stated that he had not been complaining of ill health other than feeling cold. [The inquest was held on 30 June 1885 by R. Youl, Corner.]
Biographical Notes
Note: Hello Graham and Martha,
Recently I have made contact with descendants of Frederick CHAPMAN (brother of David CHAPMAN) who have proved very helpful.
I have a photograph of someone thought to be Frederick CHAPMAN plus photos of his daughter Elizabeth FORD and a son Alfred CHAPMAN and a four generation photograph that has Frederick's wife Catherine. I guess you would be interested in same? I have asked for permission to copy these and forward and today received a letter saying I could do so. I did say there was a possibility of these photographs appearing on your website. This lady is in her 80s now - I wrote to her husband just before Christmas (as he is descended from Frederick) only to learn he had died in October age 92. He had been passionate about family research but alas did not have a great deal on the CHAPMAN family. What a pity I did not find out about him sooner! His wife believes he would have been thrilled!
I was also given a chart showing Frederick's family - interestingly David CHAPMAN was on the chart but without additional information. I have checked out some of the information. I think the MURDOCH family's dates of death are the correct ones but will hopefully check with the newspaper for the area to confirm. The actual birth dates of the children were supplied in a transcript from a family Bible belonging to Frederick.
Below is a report on Frederick and his children. Also a report for Frederick's first marriage to Martha STOREY. I recently viewed the Hemingford Abbotts film but still cannot locate a burial or death for Martha. Presumably she died, the infant daughter Mary Ann was left with Martha's sister Elizabeth as Mary Ann appears in the 1861 and 1871 Census with this family. I am absolutely confident this is the correct Frederick CHAPMAN. At her marriage in 1874 Mary Ann gave her father's name as Frederick CHAPMAN carpenter. Frederick and Martha married at Histon and Mary
Ann was baptised there. At his marriage Frederick stated his father as Francis CHAPMAN carpenter. There are no other Frederick's to fit.