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Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/iRI.2ACIB/274.3
Message Board Post:
Hi Kathleen, I assume you heard the tragic news about Glenn. He passed away earlier this
year.
I don't have any new information about Thomas, but think I may have found out some
information about Matthew, the other Chaffee mentioned at that same period.
According to the William H Chaffee book (page 573) Matthew Chaffee and his wife Sarah were
in the Boston area as early as 1636. Matthew is described on numerous occasions as being a
ships carpenter.
There is a marriage record which I found in the register for St Dunstan's, Stepney
(which is in east London, near the docks) dated June 1 1631 for the marriage between
Mathew Chaffy of Wappingwall (another part of the docks right on the Thames), Shipwright
and Sara Bowry.
The names, his profession and dates all fit. I also have a very strong hunch that this
might be the same Matthew born in Stock Gayland, Dorset Sept 22, 1602. There are no other
Matthew's that I can find anywhere, and again the dates fit.
The fact that there are misleading references to Thomas and Stepney might not be totally
unconnected.
Having exhausted the records in Somerset I think our next trip to the UK might have to
include a visit to the Dorset records office.
If you're interested the results of our 2 year research project in Somerset are online
at
http://canda.watson.home.comcast.net/
Best wishes