clara bell chapman williams
1901-1917
Life Story
Early Life
Clara Bell Chapman Williams was born on July 10, 1901, in Newton County, Mississippi. She was the daughter of Alfred Chapman and Marietta “Mary” Evans Chapman (1864–?), members of the long-standing Chapman and Evans families whose histories are deeply connected to the Evans Settlement and surrounding communities.
Clara Bell grew up in a household shaped by the agricultural rhythms and strong kinship networks that defined early 20th-century rural life.
Marriage & Family
Clara Bell married a man whose surname was Williams. His full name is not listed in surviving records, but their marriage placed her within the extended Williams family of Newton County.
No children are documented before her early passing.
Occupation
Her occupation was listed as housekeeping, reflecting the traditional domestic responsibilities held by young women of her era—caring for the home, supporting family labor, and contributing to the stability of her household.
Death
Clara Bell passed away at the very young age of 15, on February 6, 1917. Her cause of death was puerperal eclampsia, a dangerous condition associated with pregnancy and childbirth. Medical care was extremely limited in rural communities at the time, making such complications often fatal.
The informant on her death certificate was Landy Chapman, indicating a close family member—likely her brother or another relative within the Chapman family.
Burial
She was laid to rest in the Evans Cemetery, where many members of the Chapman and Evans families are interred. Her grave stands as a reminder of the hardships faced by young women in early 20th-century Mississippi and the fragility of life during that era.
Legacy
Though her life was short, Clara Bell Chapman Williams remains part of the deep lineage of the Evans and Chapman families. Her story reflects both the joys and tragedies of family histories preserved within the Evans Cemetery grounds.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910 Federal Census
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
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