VIRGINIA
Charity C. Richards was named for her father's sister, Charity Richards [1763-1838], who married Charles Stewart.
Her parents lived in Franklin County Virginia, where her grandfather Edward had settled and built a large plantation in 1758.

TENNNESSEE
Charity's father, Edmund Hendley Richards Sr. [1783-1840]; moved his family in 1814 [following his father's death in 1812] from Franklin County VA into Robertson County TN via the Cumberland Gap. Charity would have been only 6-8 months old on that long journey.

MARRIAGE
Charity spent her childhood there and, at age 15, married John D. Chapman in Robertson County on August 18 1828. Though her parents were not happy about the wedding, they reluctantly consented.

A GREAT ADVENTURE
John and Charity left for Macoupin County IL immediately thereafter with a horse [no wagon] and their few personal items. They were accompanied by a young married couple with two small children, the Prathers. When Mrs. Prather died soon after leaving Tennessee, Charity had to step in as mother for them. Their harrowing trip to IL and hardship filled first winter are documented in a Carlinville IL newspaper story published in 1967 [ask me for it, I have it].

HOME IN MACOUPIN COUNTY ILLINOIS
Her father's family, several siblings, and other related families from VA/TN joined she and John in North Otter Township of Macoupin Co where they purchased land, built homes, and raised their families.

Their children:
1. Sarah [1830] +John F. Brown 2.Patterson Nevins
2. Daniel [1830] +Lucrettia V. Rice
3. Stewart [1832-1859]
4. George W. [1834] +Charlotte Nevins
5. Sina [1837] +Aaron Hays
6. Franklin [1838-1862] Civil War
7. Thomas J. [1840] +Elizabeth England
8. Edward A. [1842-1862]
9. John Wesley [1844-1847]
10. William B. [1847] +Sarah A. Henderson 2.Anna Goldsmith
11. Mary Jane [1848-1864]
12. Emily F. [1851] +Isaac N. Johnston
13. Amanda A. [1852-1852]
14. Enoch M. [1856] +Eliza G. Wyatt

John and Charity raised 14 of their own children, and 14 adopted or fostered. Four of their sons who served in the Civil War died [three of measles, one of tuberculosis]. They lived out a life of love and service as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Census of 1850:
Children
Sarah Chapman 20
Daniel Chapman 19
Stewart Chapman 18
George Chapman 16
Sina Chapman 13
Franklin Chapman 12
Thomas Chapman 10
Edmund Chapman 8
William Chapman 3
Mary J Chapman 1

Census of 1860:
Children
Franklin Chapman 21
Thomas Chapman 19
Edmund Chapman 17
William Chapman 13
Mary J Chapman 11
Emily F. Chapman 9 [Johnston]
Enoch Chapman 6


LINEAGE:
Edmund Hendley Richards Sr. [1783] Franklin Co VA/TN/IL
Edward Richards [1731] MD/old Lunenburg/Franklin Co VA
Benjamin Richards [1710] MD/old Lunenburg/Franklin Co VA
Edward Richards [1678] Manchester, Lancashire England/MD