Abner enlisted in the Confederate States Army on 13 July 1862 at Camp Caraway, Texas. He was mustered as a Private in Company D, 11th (Robert's Regiment) Texas Infantry. He was sent to the General Hospital, Fort Johns' College, in Little Rock, Arkansas on 12 November 1862. A Certificate of Disability for Furlough was issued on 24 November 1862 from the same location stating he had chronic bronchitis and was issued a 60 day furlough. His residence listed as Titus County, Texas. On the muster rolls for January and February 1863 he was listed as absent on sick furlough. No later records found. (Source: National Archives Compiled Military Service Record)

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Abner Chapman
Age: 17
Birth Year: abt 1833
Birthplace: Georgia
Home in 1850: Marion, Georgia, USA
Gender: Male
Family Number: 213
Household Members - Name/Age:
Ambrose Chapman 45; Elisabeth Chapman 42; Wm Chapman 26; Elisabeth Chapman 18; Abner Chapman 17; David Chapman 15; Emily Chapman 14; Joseph Chapman 12; George Chapman 10; Jane Chapman 7; Dananga Chapman 4; Taylor Chapman 2; W S Perry 24

1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Absalom Chapman
Age in 1870: 36
Birth Year: abt 1834
Birthplace: Georgia
Home in 1870: Titus, Texas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Post Office: Mount Pleasant
Household Members - Name/Age:
Absalom Chapman 36; Martha Chapman 35; Thomas Chapman 16; Vinson Chapman 13; Martin Chapman 11; Susan A Chapman 10; Absalom Chapman 8; William Chapman 3; Martha Chapman 1; Caroline Chapman 18; Ambers Chapman 15

1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Ab Chapman
Age: 48
Birth Year: abt 1832
Birthplace: Georgia
Home in 1880: Precinct 1, Titus, Texas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Self
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Martha Chapman
Father's Birthplace: South Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: South Carolina
Occupation: Farming
Household Members - Name/Age:
Ab Chapman 48; Martha Chapman 47; Thomas Chapman 27; Vincent Chapman 26; James M. Chapman 23; William Chapman 12; Mattie Chapman 10; Margaret Chapman 8; Isaac Chapman 4