23. Simon³ Chaffin (Robert², Robert¹)⁽³³²⁾ was born in Acton, Middlesex Co., MA 27 Sep 1764.⁽³³³⁾ Simon died 8 Aug 1837 in E. Union, Wayne Co., OH, at age 72.⁽³³⁴⁾

He married twice. He married Hannah Sanderson Bef 7 Mar 1786.⁽³³⁵⁾ Hannah was born 12 Jul 1766 in Littleton, Middlesex Co., MA.⁽³³⁶⁾ Hannah was the daughter of Moses Sanderson and Mary Flagg. He married Mercy Sanderson 7 Mar 1786 in Littleton, Middlesex Co., MA.⁽³³⁷⁾ Mercy was born 3 Feb 1768 in Littleton, Middlesex Co., MA.⁽³³⁸⁾ Mercy was the daughter of Moses Sanderson and Mary Flagg. Mercy died 13 Jan 1854 in Wayne Co., OH, at age 85. She migrated with Simon Chaffin from Acton, Middlesex co., MA to Union, Lincoln co., ME 9 Aug 1804.⁽³³⁹⁾

Simon served in the military 1 Sep 1780 in Acton, Middlesex Co., MA.⁽³⁴⁰⁾ He migrated from Acton, Middlesex co., MA to Union, Lincoln co., ME 9 Aug 1804.⁽³⁴¹⁾ Simon was a blacksmith. His shop was in front of where the Acton [MA] Monument stands. He dug the well at the town pump. On 9 Aug 1804, he bought 75 acres of land in Union, Maine, and with his wife and four children he took up his residence there, remaining until late in 1811, when he started for the West with his family, selling his 75 acres of land in Union on 11 Sep 1811. Three other children were born in Union. Starting for a new home among strangers he thought it important to take with him a certificate of good character, as appears from the following, which was found among his old papers: "Union, state of Maine, Sept. 18, 1811. This may certify that Mr. Simon Chaffin has lived in this town for eight or ten years past, during which time he has, so far as ever came to our knowledge, sustained the character of an upright, fair dealer, and of good moral character, and very industrious and good blacksmith, signed: Nathan Robbins, Joel Adams, Select men of Union." Shortly after tha above date he started with his family, consisting of his wife and six children and his son-in-law, Obediah Luce, and journeyed to Ohio. They went in a four-horse wagon, traveling for fifty-seven days, a distance of 1050 miles, never unloading the wagon until he reached Poland, Trumbull Co., Ohio. There he remained until the winter of 1812-13, when he removed to lands he had purchased of Isaac Poe and John Nagle. They had bought the same of Winn Winship, and concerning his right to sell said lands the following interesting statement tells the story: "Whereas the Congress of the United States granted to the State of Ohio certain lands for the use of schools in the Virginia Military District, the Assembly of the State of Ohio aforesaid appointed Winn Winshhip to lease and dispose of said lands according to certain acts of the legislature of the State of Ohio concerning the aforesaid lands." The aforesaid Isaac Poe and John Nagle of Wayne Co., for $65.00 sold their right and interest in the north half of Section No. 10 in Township No. 16 of Range No. 12, 80 acres, to Simon Chaffin. That these lands rapidly appreciated in value is evident from the fact that only a few years after this purchase Simon sold a part of this 80 acres on Dec. 12, 1826, to his son, Gladwin, for $300.00. On Sept. 5, 1814, the township of East Union was formed, and this name was suggested by Simon Chaffin in recollection of his home in Union, Maine, and was adopted by the inhabitants. The first white man to die there was Vesta Frary, and Simon Chaffin helped to lay him out and to dig his grave. Mr. and Mrs. Chaffin were both members of the Methodist Church and meetings were held in their house. The Reb. Harroy O. Sheldon was the M. E. presiding elder and a good specimen of a muscular Christian. He could carry a barrel of salt or a barrel of cider with ease. On one occasion at a campmeeting two drunken men disturbed the assembly and the Reb. Sheldon choked them into silence. As before stated, Simon d. Aug. 8, 1837, and Mercy, his wife, Jan. 13, 1854.

Simon Chaffin and Mercy Sanderson had the following children:

28 i. Mercy⁴ Chaffin⁽³⁴²⁾ was born in Littleton, Middlesex Co., MA 23 May 1786.⁽³⁴³⁾ Mercy's birth was recorded CHAFFIN, "Mercy, d. Simon and Mercy, May 23, 1786, in LITTLETON". All records show the parents to have been married 2 1/2 months when this child was born. She married Obediah Luce 1804 in Union, Lincoln Co., ME.⁽³⁴⁴⁾ Obediah was born 22 Jan 1789 in Martha's Vineyard, MA.⁽³⁴⁵⁾ (See Obediah Luce for the continuation of this line.)

29 ii. Lois (Loiws) Chaffin was born in Acton, Middlesex Co., MA 25 Sep 1791.⁽³⁴⁶⁾ She married Dr. William Stillson abt 1812 near Bellevue, Huron Co., OH.⁽³⁴⁷⁾ Dr. was born abt 1790.⁽³⁴⁸⁾ (See Dr. William Stillson for the continuation of this line.)

30 iii. Polly Mary Chaffin was born in Acton, Middlesex Co., MA 20 Jun 1794.⁽³⁴⁹⁾ She married Daniel Fairchild abt 1815.⁽³⁵⁰⁾ Daniel was born 26 Sep 1790 in New Milford, CT.⁽³⁵¹⁾ Daniel died 1849 in Cass Township, Hancock Co., OH, at age 58.⁽³⁵²⁾ (See Daniel Fairchild for the continuation of this line.)

31 iv. Rhoda Chaffin was born in Acton, Middlesex Co., MA 12 Dec 1796.⁽³⁵³⁾ She married David Day abt 1816.⁽³⁵⁴⁾ David was born abt 1795.⁽³⁵⁵⁾ He was ordained a minister abt 1830.⁽³⁵⁶⁾ (See David Day for the continuation of this line.)

32 v. Joseph Chaffin was born in Acton, Middlesex Co., MA 13 Nov 1799.⁽³⁵⁷⁾

+ 33 vi. Gladwin Chaffin, M.D. was born 10 Oct 1804.

+ 34 vii. Simon Chaffin, Jr. was born 1 Mar 1808.

35 viii. Milly Chaffin was born in Union, Lincoln Co., ME 1810.⁽³⁵⁸⁾

Send email to preparer: mhmarsh@swbell.net

Return to Table of Contents or Index

Go to Next Page

Go to Previous Page