Legal Records Concerning Family of John Chapman and Nancy West
(Transcribed by Nancy Mallory Archer, Feb. 2011)
Know all men by these present that we William West and Littleberry West both of the Parish of St. Tammany,
and State of Louisiana are held and firmly bound unto James Tate Esquire Parish Judge for St. Tammany or his
successor in office in the sum of Three hundred and seventy five 62/100 dollars lawful money of the United
States to be paid to the said James Tate Esquire or his successor in office attorneys, heirs, executor,
administrators, or assigns to which payment will and truly to be made we do bind ourselves and each of us for
and in the whole, our and each of our heirs, executor administrator and assigns jointly and severally by these
presents sealed with our seals and dated the Eighth day of November 1815.
In condition of the above obligation is such whereas Zilla Chapman a minor over the age of 14 did petition the
Honorable court of Probate praying…….
The next document reads:
Court of Probate Nov. 8th 1815
This day came before me James Tate Judge of said Court Zillah Chapman one of the heirs of William West
deceased a minor over the age of fourteen and being examined apart saith that she makes choice of her Brother
in John Chapman to be her Curator and in all things to attend to the administration of her concerns and asks the
said John to be confirmed by the Court in said appointment.
By her mark – Zilla Chapman
Signed, James Tate Judge, St. Tammany
The next document reads:
Know all ___by their presents that we John Chapman and Jesse Chapman both of the Parish of St. Tammany
and State of Louisiana are held and firmly bound unto James Tate Esquire Parish Judge for St. Tammany or his
successor in Office in the sum of Three Hundred and seventy five dollars 62/ lawful money of the United States
to be paid to the said James Tate Esquire or his successor in Office their certain Attorney, heirs, executors,
administrators or assigns, to which payment will and truly to be made we do bind ourselves and each of us for
and in the whole, our and each of our heirs, executors administrators and assigns jointly and severally by their
presents sealed with our seal and dated the Eighth day of November one thousand eight hundred and fifteen.
The condition of the above obligation is such whereas Wiley Chapman a Minor under the age of fourteen this
day did Petition the Honorable Court of Probate praying that John Chapman might be appointed his Curator
which by appointment was Confirmed by the said Court. Now therefore if the said John Chapman will well and
faithfully discharge the duty of Curator as directed by the Laws of this State then this obligation to be void
otherwise to remain in full force and verture.
By his mark – John Chapman and Jesse Chapman
Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of us