Chaffin Chasers
Dear C. C:
Hope you have a great time while on vacation at Panama City.Don’t blame J. W. for not answering my e-mail sooner. To get a book published you need to get your book typed set, an ISBN number and a Library of Congress Catalog Number.Since 911 you have to do this by e-mail.I have just applied for a PCN for my new history and Civil War book. It should be out in September.It going to be a great book.
I get asked a lot of questions.I work full time as an engineer and write history, Civil War and genealogy of my family lines as a pastime.No, I do not do genealogy research for others or settle any disputes as to who you are.I do not look at or review any manuscripts sent to me and very seldom trade information.In most cases after I sent my information, I never received anything in return.I do my own research, go to the state archives, libraries, courthouses, etc.Most cases the researchers you have hired, will provide you with data you don’t need and nothing on what you do need.
I have completed my research on the Chaffins. It’s been a long tedious process, but it’s been fun.I have been luckier than most.All ancestors of the 13 families I am working on, settled in Middle, TN.That made it easier to find all the official documents needed to prove my identity.Also, my ancestors left a paper trail along the way as they came to TN.That made it easy to follow.To prove who you are, you must have a will, deed, guardian papers, Land Grant, war record, other court records, census 1850 or later, etc.I found them on the internet, in the DAR, LDS, someone’s book or manuscript or I was told by a relative is helpful but does not count.The proof is in the pudding.It has to be an official document.
I try to answer all queries as best I can.In many cases, I will be unable to help you.Some have read my 4-6 page letter and have decided to purchase the book though they could not make a connection.Some have been upset on answers to some queries I answered between two groups in two states, North and South, claiming to be descendants of the same ancestor.Joshua Chaffin Jr and Amos Chaffin are among those in dispute.
I have also, been criticized for giving out helpful hints, such as, probably the son of Isham, Joshua, Christopher, Simon, etc. I would like to be helpful when ever I can.However, I do not attempt to settle any dispute as to who you might be or who may be your ancestor.
There is a story, a test given to three wise men.Three white dots and two black dots were dropped into a basket.The three men were blindfolded and three of the dots were drawn out and one placed on each man’s forehead. The first man’s blindfold was taken off and he was asked what color dot was on his forehead.His answer, I don’t know.The second man’s blindfold was removed and he was asked the same question and his answer was I don’t know.The third man said you don’t have to take my blindfold off.I know what color my dot is from the answer the other two men gave.
By Mathematical Deduction and Elimination, we can eliminate some of the supposed fathers of Amos and Joshua Chaffin Jr.Was John Chaffin of Cumberland County the father of Abner, Amos and Joshua Chaffin Jr?No, John left a will.They were not named in his will. He also deeded his children some land.Therefore, we can exclude John as being their father.
Was Joshua Chaffin Jr the son of Joshua Chaffin Sr of Charlotte County, VA?No, he was not named in Joshua Sr’s will.He was not deeded any land, nor listed on Joshua Chaffin’s Parish Levies or any other official document connecting him to Joshua Chaffin Sr of Charlotte, VA.Was he the son of Joseph Chaffin Sr of Cumberland County, VA?No, he was not.Joseph wrote a will in which he named his children.One of his sons was named Joshua but he was not married and he died in VA in 1813.Joshua Chaffin Jr died about 1835 in Jasper County, GA.Therefore, we can eliminate Joseph Chaffin of Charlotte County, VA as being his father.
Since writing the Chaffin book, I have gotten an e-mail from a person in GA that said he was a descendant of Joshua Chaffin Jr of GA.He said Joshua Chaffin Jr of GA was a son of Joshua Chaffin Sr of Amelia County, VA; was a son of Thomas Chaffin; was a son of John Chaffin born April 1, 1716 Middlesex County, VA; was a son of Christopher and Sarah Chaffin of Middlesex County, VA.This sounds good.I have not checked it out and I don’t know if the person sending that information had proof or was speculating.
There has been lots of speculationmade on the Chaffin brothers (Abner, Joseph, Amos, Elias and William) of Flynn’s Lick, TN.Their case is quite complicated. Are they the same brothers that lived in NC?When they lived in NC, they did not spell their name Chaffin.They spelled their name, Chaffin on the 1800, 1820 and 1830 census in Jackson County, TN when the census was taken.They also, fit the age limit.Were they the sons of John Chaffin of Cumberland County, VA?No, they were not named in John’s will and they were too young to be his children.Therefore, John Chaffin of Cumberland is eliminated.
Were they the sons of Joseph Chaffin Sr and Mary Moore of Cumberland County, VA?No, Joseph’s wife, Molly, died and he married a second wife, named Nancy, who was living when Joseph wrote his will in 1806, probated in 1812.This eliminates Mary Moore, Joseph’s first wife dying in MS in the 1840’s.Also, the Chaffins brothers of Jackson County, TN were not named in Joseph Chaffin’s will.Therefore, they are not the sons of Joseph Chaffin Sr of Cumberland County, VA.
John Fults