I think it is funny so much thought is put into the origins of .....things. Most often, and my belief, is like chili....it was simply a poor families "everlasting stew" made of whatever local ingredients made it palatable....over time, the tastiest and most practical ingredients survived. thus, for the southwest...chili.
In the northern climates....an "everlasting pot".....of settlers, immigrants...etc. invariably contained whatever they had. Likely potatoes, turnips, carrots, and whatever was dead...rabbit, venison, etc. Thus....stew.
In coastal areas...evolved into ....chowder. Kind of like saying....who invented the car? When in the late 1800s, a zillion different mechanics, inventors, all were dabbling with internal and external combusion engines, "steering...." to the same basic end result. A horseless carriage.
I live in upstate NY, where it is a constant debate of the origin of "Thousand Island Dressing". I know my grand ma mixed salad dressing with ketchup and chopped up pickles, as her ma did.....and countless other families did...before anyone ever commercially sold it, so labeled "Thousand Island Dressing".