Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-12-19
OBITUARY.

PETER CHAPDU, the subject Of this memoir
was born at st. Domingo in September, l779
and died in this place December 9Th. His
parents were natives of France, and emigrated
to that Island when it was in part French
colony, and settled in that division known as
Haytf, purchased coffee estate and a stock oi
negro slaves to cultivate it.
At the breaking out of the insurrection in
1871, they were enjoying the profits of quite
an extensive estate, which enabled them to
live in afiuence and at ease, having on hand
at that time some ten thousand bags Of coffee
The population of HaYti at that time contain.
ed 30,S3l whites, 24,732 free negroes, and
480 900 slaves.
With such a disparity IN favor Of the black
population, it was foreboded that at no very
distant day a revolution would be imminent
a large portion of the emigrants from France
disposed of their estates and returned back
again. While the creoles and others with
greater temerity, continued in possession Of
their lucrative estates until the horrors of a
servile insurrectlon, revolution, pervaded the
whole Colony. 1t was q war of independ-
ence; it continued ten years. During that
period the entire body Of slaves belonging to
the Chapdu estate, were associated with or
under the control of the leaders of the revolu-
ton; the real estate was confscated, thus re-
ducing the family to destitution.
While the revolution was in progress the
most revolving scenes of barbaritY were COM
mitted. To escape impending danger many
families flew to the mountains, seeking hiding
place in caverns or other businesses, while
Others crowded on vessels IN port bound to
other ports.
While these narrowed scenes were being en-
acted, the father of Peter Chapdu died, leaving
a widow and sons and daughters, each having
to provide for themselve. The widow left st.
Domingo and settled In Cuba where she died.
Peter Chapdu and a brother sailed for the
United States and landed at New York
There our friend found himself without mon
ey or the means of procuring any. Beg he
would not neither would he steal; some
thing had to be done While in his wander
ing and unsettled state of mind, he settled
upon plan by which he could provide for
the future of his life; 1t was 10 learn trade
The trade of saddler he preferred, and in
short time apprenticed himself to Mr.. Ed
mund Kinnv, of Philadelphia, with whom be
continued to reside three years. After the
expiration of his apprenticeship he located al
Gallipolis and opened shop for the manu-
facture of saddles, which he carried on sue
cessfully for some thirty years.
After being established in business promIs
ing an easy independence he took to himself
wife, by whom he had family Of sons and
daughters, whom he has lived to see well es
tablished in business, and ranking as usefu
and respectable persons in the community in
which they reside
When war was declared against Great
Britain in 1912, Mr.. Chapdu rendered his
service to the Government, which was &C
cepted, and in company of cavalry, wher
danger threatened few to the standard of hii
adopted country, which he aided and assisted
in bearing triumphantly over the enemy
Subsequently for these very services his adop
ted country presented him with gratuity o
160 acre land warrant.
In all the relations Of life Peter Chapd
discharged his duty in the most exemplar
manner. He was proverbially honest, an
punctual in the fulfllment of his promise:
was ready at all times when duty called
risk his life in maintaining the dignity an
integrity of the laws of the country; was
true spartan.
He was of that great family of Christian
who preferred that his faith should be know
BY his works. No man strove harder to hV
up to the golden rule of "doing unto others 6
he would wish that others should do unit
him." than Peter Chapdu.