Find A Grave Memorial# 30532121
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Revolutionary War veteran; prisoner on the prison ship "Jersey".
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Possible
USA Census, 1820
Name: John Chatfield
Event Place: Monticello, Jasper, Georgia
Page Number: 218
Affiliate Publication Number: M33
Affiliate Film Number: 6
GS Film number: 0175765
Digital Folder Number: 004433223
Image Number: 00130
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Possible
USA Census, 1830
Name: John Chatfield
Event Place: Macon, Bibb, Georgia
Page Number: 69
Affiliate Publication Number: M19
Affiliate Film Number: 16
GS Film number: 0007036
Digital Folder Number: 004410653
Image Number: 00134
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From Cheryl Chatfield Thompson.
John CHATFIELD, III, during the early years of the Revolution, was md. to an estimable lady of Killingworth, Middlesex, CT, her name has not been found. A patriot, he joined the army and proved a valuable soldier. He was captured by the British, put aboard the ship 'Jersey', and started for England. During a severe storm this John Chatfield and two other fellow prisoners threw overboard some heavy timber, leaped into the sea, got afloat of the timber, intending to make their escape.
They floated on the sea for two or three days without food or water.
Finally his two companions, famished for food and water, and despite the entreaties of John Chatfield gave up the struggle, fell into the sea and were lost. The next day John spied a sailing vessel in the distance. He tore off his shirt, waved it again and again, signaling for help, but the vessel moved steadily ahead. In despair he stood erect on his improvised raft and, once more, frantically waved To his overwhelming joy, his signal was answered and the ship rounded toward him. Exhausted and almost lifeless, he was picked up. To his disappointment the vessel proved to be an enemy, perhaps a pirate ship, to his country. He was kept prisoner, carried to unknown regions, and for years treated as a semi-slave. In the meantime reports had reached his home that he had attempted to escape during the voyage and had perished at sea. The grief of his wife lay heavily upon her; soon the little dau. passed away, dealing a crushing blow. Being a woman of unusual mental endowment and possessing great personal charm, she attracted the attention and admiration of a splendid man (I so much regret the loss of his name) of the village. They were md., and to whom were b. several children, and nowhere was to be found a happier family circle.
Years passed and the same John Chatfield was remembered by only a few survivors of those strenuous Times.
One evening in the early fall, (the year unknown), a stranger procured lodging at the little tavern of Killingworth. He was plainly but neatly clad and sat quietly listening to the general talk of the tavern.
Finally the stranger alluded to some of the earlier inhabitants, and made some inquiry of some of them. He asked about John CHATFIELD, II, who served in the Rev. War and of his son John, III, who was captured by the British and started as a prisoner to England. He was informed that the elder John, after the war, went on a whaling voyage, was taken sick with cramp colic and d. on the banks of Newfoundland, that the son drowned at sea, while attempting to escape. He learned of the death of his child and the mg. of her mother. He learned that she was treated kindly and was happy and prosperous. He paid his bill and left.
The man was the long lost John CHATFIELD, III. He crept to the window of the home of his former wife, looked in upon a happy family, father, mother and grown children. He turned away without disclosing his identity, breaking every cherished association, the memory of which had kept him brave and strong through the years of hardships and disappointment.
Many think that Tennyson got his idea of Enoch Arden from this occurrence. After leaving Killingworth, (now Clinton) CT, that night John made his way to GA where he had relatives. He had been in GA but a short time when he learned of the death of his wife in CT.
At the age of 50 he md. Sebra Jones of Sparta, Hancock Co., GA. To them was b. three children, one child being a son, from whom sprang the Chatfield's of that section of GA. He d. in Bibb Co., GA, in 1832.
John CHATFIELD, III, served one year in Captain Fithian (or Nathaniel) Sill's Co. and five years in Col. Hunnington's CT Reg. He fought in Battles of White Plains, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Stoney Point.
Pension Application #S38605: Rev. War CT Line. Application dated Apr 27, 1821. He was allowed a pension on his application. At time of Application he was a resident of Ocmulgee District, Jasper Co., GA, aged sixty-five years, with a wife, 2 dau.'s age 12 and 10 and a son age 8.
Ancestor of: Euna (Dumas) who md. Ben H. Zellner, Jr.