mason chapman
1885-1964
Life Story
Early Life and Family
Mason Chapman was born around 1885 to Make Chapman (1855–?) and Jane Evans Chapman (1860–1927). He grew up in Newton County, Mississippi, where he worked as a farm laborer on the home farm during his early years.
Census records place Mason as an adult living in his parents’ household in 1920. At that time, he reported his marital status as widowed, a term that was sometimes used interchangeably with separated or divorced in census reporting, particularly among African American households.
Marriage History
During his World War I draft registration, Mason listed Mattie Chapman as his wife and next of kin. In late 1929, Mason filed suit in the Chancery Court of Newton County against Minnie Chapman, who appears to be the same individual previously identified as Mattie. The court action indicates that Mason was attempting to locate her in order to legally dissolve the marriage so that he could remarry.
The divorce was granted on December 12, 1929.
Following the divorce, Mason married Lillie Mae Sorey (1901–1994). This marriage became the foundation of his later family life.
Children
From his marriage to Lillie Mae Sorey Chapman, the following children were born:
- Johnnie Lee Chapman (1927–1997)
- Ernestine Chapman (1929–1967)
- Michael Chapman (1938–2009)
- Geneva Chapman (1940–1981)
- James Albert Chapman (1945–2024)
Later Years and Death
Mason Chapman passed away in 1964. He is believed to be laid to rest at Saint John Missionary Baptist Church graveyard, alongside members of the Chapman family whose lives span multiple generations of the community.
Sidebar: Conflicting Birth Information
Mason Chapman’s headstone lists his lifespan as 1868–1964. However, this birth year conflicts with multiple primary records. Census enumerations and Mason’s World War I draft registration consistently place his birth around 1885. Additionally, his mother, Jane Evans Chapman, was born in 1860, making it biologically impossible for her to have given birth to a child in 1868.
It is likely that the headstone was placed later and reflects an incorrect birth year rather than contemporaneous documentation. For the purposes of this biography, the birth year of circa 1885 is used, as it is supported by census and military records. The headstone date is preserved here as part of the historical record.
Interpretive Note
Mason Chapman’s life illustrates the complexity of reconstructing African American family histories in the early twentieth century. Variations in marital status terminology, name usage, and memorial inscriptions are common and must be evaluated against contemporaneous records. By documenting these discrepancies transparently, this biography preserves both accuracy and historical context.
Resting Place
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, The State of Mississippi to Minnie Chapman, Thu, Nov 14, 1929 ·Page 4
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
- U.S., WWI Civilian Draft Registrations, 1917-1918
- The Newton Record, Mason Chapman vs. Minnie Chapman, Divorce Granted, Thu, Dec 12, 1929 ·Page 1
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