First Church of Springfield Massachusetts 1645

Source: Wikipedia....

The First Church was organized in 1637, the year following Springfield's founding by Puritan iconoclast and businessman, William Pynchon. The first church building was built in 1645 by Thomas Cooper, on what is now the southeast corner of Court Square. It had two towers: one for the bell, and the other to watch for approaching Indians. It was replaced in 1677 by the second meeting house, and the third was built in 1752. The third one was, in turn, replaced by the current building in 1819.^[3]
Noted abolitionist Dr. Samuel Osgood was the pastor of the congregation from 1809 to 1854. It was during this time that the present building was visited by notable figures such as Daniel Webster and John Brown, who resided in Springfield for some time. In addition, Jenny Lind performed a concert in the church in July 1851, and in 1848, the body of President John Quincy Adams lay in state in the center aisle of the sanctuary.<sup>[4]

For more information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Church_of_Christ,_Congregational_%28Springfield,_Massachusetts%29</sup> 

Chapin Lincoln Connection

Lincoln Isham - Grandson of Abraham Lincoln and Deacon Samuel Chapin

There is another connection that Abraham Lincoln's family tree intersects with the Chapin tree. The connection is through Charles Bradford Isham 1853-1919 who married Mary Todd Lincoln (1869-1938). Charles is a direct descendant of Deacon Samuel Chapin through Catherine's line. Lincoln Isham (1892-1971) is their son and the great Grandson of President Abraham Lincoln. He is a 7th great grandson of Deacon Samuel Chapin.

Lincoln Isham had a stepdaughter Francis Mantley (1908-1983), but no other children.

Grave site link...
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=14859048

Chapin cousin Andy Chapin was a keyboardist with the Ricky Nelson Band.

Chapin cousin Andy Chapin was a keyboardist with the Ricky Nelson Band. 

Andy Chapin (February 7, 1951 – December 31, 1985) was an American keyboardist best known for his short stint with the Ricky Nelson Band, which ended in 1985 when he and his bandmates died after their plane crashed on New Year's Eve in De Kalb, Texas while en route to a performance in Dallas, Texas. Prior to joining Ricky Nelson, Chapin had been a member of The Association and before that of Steppenwolf, with whom he'd recorded Hour of the Wolf in 1975,[1] the band's first album recorded without founding keyboardist Goldy McJohn. The official explanation for his departure from Steppenwolf was that he didn't like touring. He was replaced by Wayne Cook. 

My drawing of Ricky Nelson...