Re: CHAFFEE Fam Reunion- Where, When?
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In reply to:
Re: CHAFFEE Fam Reunion- Where, When?
7/05/98
Pat - you certainly ask the "$64,000 question".I am also one of many looking for the parents/ancestors of Thomas Chaffe (Chafe, Chafy, Chaffee), probably born about 1610-15 in England, possibly near or in the towns of Hingham, Hull, or Chaffcombe; probably arrived MA 1630-1635, possibly in the 900 Puritans with John Winthrop in 1630; records indicate he was living single in Hingham, MA in 1635. In 1642 he was granted land for farming and house in Nantasket. Nantasket was renamed Hull in 1644 because the Indian name, which translated as "Bare cove", apparently offended Puritan sensibilities,and some of the residents were from Hull, England. (Possibly Thomas?) Thomas probably married a Dorothy in Hull; however, the town records of that period have been lost. Sons Nathaniel and Joseph were born in Hull. Apparently moved from Hull about 1660 to the area known at various times as part of the towns of Rehobeth, Swansea, Barrington, Seekonk, Cumberland, Attleboro, Pawtucket, and East Providence; ceded to RI in 1861. Died shortly before his will was filed on Mar 6, 1682/3. Most Chaffee families in US are his descendants. Origins of family name in Chafecombe, now Chaffcombe, near Chard, Somerset County (Somersetshire), England, and descendants in America are documented in "The Chaffee Genealogy" by William H. Chaffee, 1908, The Grafton Press, NY,NY, available in many of the better libraries.Another interesting book is "Emma of Normandy", written 10 or 15 years ago by a professor whose name escapes me right now. Emma was accompanied by "Hugo the Thane" when she came to Enland to become Queen about 1002AD.Thanes were roughly equivalent to Barons; they were granted land to supervise and the job of collecting the King's taxes from the people whom came to live there.The size of the land granted to the typical thane was intended to support a population that could in turn supply about 100 adult males that would take up arms for the King in times of local conflict. Hugo was granted the land that became Chaffcome.When surnames were added about 1400AD, the last names of the local residents became "Chaffe" or something similar.
Pat, if you already had this info, fine, it may be helpful to others. If anyone else can add to or correct the above info, please do.
More Replies:
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Re: Thomas CHAFFEE Ancestry
7/10/98