Person Page

     George D. Chapman married Ruth Trask, daughter of Jeremiah Trask and Hannah Wallis, on 12 December 1835 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2

     Andrew Woodberry married Hannah Trask, daughter of Jeremiah Trask and Hannah Wallis.¹

     Hepsibah Woodberry was born about 1776 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ She married first Jeremiah Thorndike on 5 October 1797 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.¹ She married second Jeremiah Trask, son of Jeremiah Trask and Hannah Wallis, on 7 November 1810 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^4,2 She died from dropsy on 20 October 1855 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³
     She and Jeremiah had the following known children, all born in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts: Herbert Woodberry (b 19 May 1813, d 1 June 1813), Hepsibah Pride (b 1 May 1814), Herbert Woodberry (b 18 May 1817, d 25 June 1819).^5,6,7

     John Groves Butman was born on 17 October 1797 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,3 He married Betsy Trask, daughter of Jeremiah Trask and Hannah Wallis, on 13 September 1824 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^4,5 He died on 20 March 1851 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 53 from Chagres fever.^2,6 He was buried in 1852 at Central Cemetery (Sub Division 11, Lot 489) in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.⁷
     He was a mariner², and in late 1832 was master of the brig Mexican, on a trip from Salem to Rio de Janeiro with a 13-man crew. On 20 September, at 34° north, 34° 30' west (roughly the middle of the Atlantic Ocean), the Mexican was attacked and captured by the pirate schooner Panda. The Mexican was looted of all valuables on board, including ten boxes with $20,000 in coins. Concerned about leaving witnesses, the pirate captain Pedro Gibert reportedly told his crew "Dead cats don't mew. You know what to do." The crew was confined below deck, and the Mexican was set on fire. Capt. Butman managed to escape through a small skylight and extinguished the fire, leaving enough still burning that the Panda, which was nearby, wouldn't get suspicious and return. Although badly damaged, the Mexican was able to sail back to Salem, arriving on 12 October.⁸
     About two years later, in June 1834, the Panda was spotted along the coast of Africa by the British brig Curlew. The pirates abandoned their ship, setting it afire. The Curlew's crew put out the fire for the most part, but later the Panda exploded, killing five of the 25 British then on board. Eventually twelve of the pirates were rounded up and taken to England, and then to Salem, arriving on 26 August 1834.⁸
     Their trial began on 11 November, with all twelve pleading innocent. After a trial lasting almost two weeks, seven were found guilty, including Capt. Gibert, although the jury recommended mercy for one of them, Bernardo de Soto. On 16 December all seven were sentenced to death, and five were hanged in Boston on 11 June 1835. De Soto had been granted a stay, and was later pardoned by President Andrew Jackson. Another, who had been granted a stay to determine his mental fitness, was hanged on 12 September.^8,9
     John Butman soon afterward quit his life as a mariner, and went into the fishing business in Beverly.⁶ He and his wife Betsy were listed there in the 1850 census with their children Charles and George (although he was then actually in California; see below).¹⁰
     In 1849 he and several others formed the San Francisco Company, hoping to capitalize on the frenzy started by the discovery of gold in California the previous year. He sailed from Beverly on 15 August in the bark San Francisco as mate, rounded Cape Horn, and arrived at San Francisco Bay on 11 January 1850. Their venture was unsuccessful, and four in the company died.¹¹
     He returned home after about a year, sailing first to Panama, then traveling overland, then taking the steamer North America and reaching New York on 7 March 1851. He arrived home in Beverly on 9 March. He died just eleven days later, on 20 March at age 53 from Chagres fever, a form of malaria originating along the Chagres River in Panama, and transmitted to humans through the bite of a sandfly.⁶
     He and Betsy had the following known children, all born in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts: John (b 7 May 1826, d 13 August 1853), James Hervey (b 27 February 1829, d 24 September 1829), Charles Henry (b 4 September 1832), George Chapman (10 January 1837).^12,13,14

     Elizabeth Dowliing was born on 24 September 1790 (based on her age at death of 60 years, 1 month, 19 days) in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.² She was married by Rev. Abiel Abbott to Oliver Trask, son of Jeremiah Trask and Hannah Wallis, on 28 December 1817 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,1 She died from consumption (i.e., tuberculosis) on 12 November 1850 (town clerk's records say 12 December 1850) in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 60.^2,3
     She and Oliver had the following known children, all born in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts: James Dowling (b 17 January 1819, d 8 September 1819), James Dowling (b 16 August 1820, d 2 September 1883), George Oliver (b 5 September 1822, d 3 March 1844), Gustavus (b 11 December 1825, d 28 February 1847), Hervey (b 11 January 1829), Payson (b 4 September 1831).^3,4,5

     Lovina Wood was born on 28 October 1799 in Fitchburg, Worcester Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 She was married by Rev. E. W. Bullard to Oliver Trask, son of Jeremiah Trask and Hannah Wallis, on 12 June 1851 in Fitchburg, Worcester Co., Massachusetts. This was her second marriage.¹ She died from apoplexy on 29 December 1883 in Worcester, Worcester Co., Massachusetts, at age 84.²

     Mary Foster was born on 29 April 1807 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She married first Richard Butman, intentions published on 21 December 1834 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,4,2 She was married second, by Rev. Christopher T. Thayer, to William Barr, son of William Barr and Ruth (?), on 3 September 1848 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^5,2 She died from enteritis and chronic heart disease on 15 August 1887 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 80.^6,2

     Eliza Foster was born on 12 May 1800 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She married Richard Woodberry, son of Richard Woodberry and Anna (?), on 4 October 1825 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2 She died from "fever" on 23 January 1859 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 58.⁴
     She and Richard had two known children, Eliza Foster (b 2 July 1827) and Richard Augustus (b 3 March 1834), both born in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.⁵

     Nancy Foster was born on 28 June 1802 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She was married by Rev. David Oliphant to David Lefavour, son of Amos Lefavour and Abigail Dodge, on 9 October 1827 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,4,2 She died from dysentery on 8 September 1885 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 83.⁵
     She and David had the following known children: Nancy Wallis (b 8 October 1828), David (b 1 January 1832, d 20 September 1849), Joseph (b 11 March 1836).³

     Samuel Foster was born on 22 September 1805 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 He died on 14 January 1806 (the Foster genealogy says 22 January 1806) in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2

     Abigail Foster was born on 25 April 1810 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 She died on 4 July 1810 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,2

     Richard Butman married Mary Foster, daughter of Samuel Foster and Anna Wallis, intentions published on 21 December 1834 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,3,2

     William Barr was born on 26 December 1793 (based on his age at death of 63 years, 7 months, 19 days) in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts.³ He married as his second wife Mary Foster, daughter of Samuel Foster and Anna Wallis, on 3 September 1848 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^2,1 He died from brain disease on 14 August 1857 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 63.³
     He was a harness and saddle maker.^2,3

     Richard Woodberry was born on 12 September 1796 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^3,4 He married Eliza Foster, daughter of Samuel Foster and Anna Wallis, on 4 October 1825 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^1,2 He died on 7 November 1842 from consumption (i.e., tuberculosis) in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 46.⁴
     He and Eliza had two known children, Eliza Foster (b 2 July 1827) and Richard Augustus (b 3 March 1834), both born in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.⁵

     David Lefavour was born on 21 September 1805 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^4,3 He was married by Rev. David Oliphant to Nancy Foster, daughter of Samuel Foster and Anna Wallis, on 9 October 1827 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts.^5,1,2 He died from cystitus on 4 March 1882 in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts, at age 76.³
     He was a shoe manufacturer.³ He and Nancy had the following known children: Nancy Wallis (b 8 October 1828), David (b 1 January 1832, d 20 September 1849), Joseph (b 11 March 1836).⁵