and Catharine Chapman
(d. 1785)
« return to database listJohn Backhouse is the paternal great-grandfather of Burwell School Students Mary Snead Chapman and Catharine Chapman
John Backhouse first appeared in Carteret County, NC records about 1758. That year he became a justice of the peace for Carteret County. He was a legislator, planter, mariner, and salt maker.
Backhouse represented Carteret County in the NC House of Commons during the third, fourth, and fifth assemblies under Colonial Governor Arthur Dobbs. Dobbs served as Colonial Governor of NC from 1754-1764.
Backhouse was married twice first to Elizabeth Jarratt Dudley, widow of Thomas Dudley. She died on 30 May 1767 at 59 years of age. They were the parents of one son Allen Backhouse. His second marriage was to Mary Williams; the bond for this marriage was dated 31 December 1768. It is speculated they were the parents of four children: John Pugh, Sarah, Mary, and Catharine (Kitty), grandmother of Burwell School students Mary Snead Chapman and Catharine (Kate) Chapman.
Apparently Backhouse died in late 1784 or early in 1785. His will was probated in March 1785 but by that time his widow, Mary Williams, had married Guil-laume (William) Ferrand, who together with her administered Backhouse's estate. Backhouse's last residence was on Pettiver's (Pettiford) Creek in Carteret County near the mouth of the White Oak River, where it is presumed he was buried.
Online source: NCPedia, http://ncpedia.org/biography/backhouse-john
John died 1784 or 1785.
(great-granddaughter, 1835-1882), Catharine Chapman (great-granddaughter, 1834-1890), Samuel Edward Chapman (grandson, 1807-1862) and Caroline Chapman (granddaughter).