The Chapman family originally came form Hinkley in Leicester but settled in Ireland in
the sixteenth century. One of Lawrence's ancestors, Benjamin Chapman, was granted the
castle and estates of Killua as recognition for services in Cromwell's army.
The Chapman baronetcy was created in 1782, and in March 1914 Lawrence’s father was
the seventh to receive the title. He was listed thereafter in Debrett as Sir Thomas Robert
Tighe Chapman, but used the name 'Thomas Lawrence'.
Although the family title was usually cited as Chapman of Killua, Thomas Lawrence did
not inherit Killua castle itself. The last Chapman to live there was Sir Montagu Richard,
the fifth baronet, who died in 1907. The house was subsequently inhabited by his widow,
and when she died in 1920 it was sold.
There is no record to suggest that T. E. Lawrence ever visited Ireland, but in the
early post-war years he dreamed of owning land there, and hinted in letters that he might
one day buy Killua itself.
J. M. Wilson
