Person:William Chaffer (2)

William Chaffer was baptised on 6th October 1799 at Sidlesham in Sussex, son of Frances Chaffer, formerly Roper, and her husband William Chaffer. He was the third of the couple's six children, but two of his younger siblings died as infants. In 1810, when William was 10 years old, his eldest sister died aged 14 in March, then his father died in the June. William was therefore one of three surviving children that his widowed mother had to look after. His mother married again in 1811, with a John Apps becoming William's stepfather. John Apps died in 1820.

William was married on 29th April 1825, aged 25, to a Sarah Artlett. They settled in the Highleigh (or Highly or Highley as it was generally then spelt) area of Sidlesham. Between 1831 and 1845 they had four sons baptised at Sidlesham, although their second son, George, died as a baby. The 1841 census finds the family living at Highleigh and William working as an agricultural labourer. William's mother Frances died in 1847.

The 1851 census presents a similar picture to the 1841 census, with William and his sons working as agricultural labourers. In 1853 William's third son, Thomas, died aged 15. By the time of the 1861 census William and his two surviving sons, William and Samuel, were working as brickmakers.

William's wife Sarah died in 1868, aged 63. The following year, William's eldest son, William, died aged 37. William had therefore outlived his wife and three of his four sons. A couple of months later, William's only surving son Samuel married, and that marriage would produce several grandchildren for William in his lifetime. The 1871 census finds William living at a house called Brickyard House in Sidlesham. He was now described as a farmer of eight acres of land and brickmaker employing two men. He also employed a housekeeper.

William died in 1879, aged 79. He was buried on 21st January 1879 at Sidlesham, where he had lived his whole life.

1. ↑ Sidlesham (St Mary) baptisms, in Sussex, England. Online Parish Clerks.

   ch. 6 Oct 1799: William son of William & Fanny Chaffer

2. ↑ England. 1841 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 1103; Book 5; Folio 18; Page 2, 6 Jun 1841.

   Address: Highly, Sidlesham, Sussex
   William Chaffer, male, 40 [1796-1801], Ag. Lab, born in county
   Sarah Chaffer, female, 35 [1801-1806], born in county
   William Chaffer, male, 9 [1831/2], born in county
   Thomas Chaffer, male, 3 [1837/8], born in county

3. ↑ England. 1851 Census Returns for England and Wales. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class HO107; Piece 1652; Folio 65; Page 7, 30 Mar 1851.

   Address: Sidlesham, Sussex
   William Chaffer, head, married, male, 50 [1800/1], Agr Labourer, b. Sidlesham, Sussex
   Sarah Chaffer, wife, married, female, 46 [1804/5], b. Sidlesham, Sussex
   William Chaffer, son, unmarried, male, 19 [1831/2], Labourer, b. Sidlesham, Sussex
   Thomas Chaffer, son, unmarried, male, 13 [1837/8], Labourer, b. Sidlesham, Sussex
   Samuel Chaffer, son, unmarried, male, 5 [1845/6], Scholar, b. Sidlesham, Sussex

4. ↑ England. 1861 Census Schedules for England and Wales, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG9; Piece 617; Folio 58; Page 18, 7 Apr 1861.

   Address: Highley, Sidlesham, Sussex
   William Chaffer, head, married, male, 61 [1799/1800], Brickmaker, b. Sidlesham, Sussex
   Sarah Chaffer, wife, married, female, 56 [1804/5], b. Sidlesham, Sussex
   William Chaffer, son, unmarried, male, 30 [1830/1], Brickmaker (Journeyman), b. Sidlesham, Sussex
   Samuel Chaffer, son, unmarried, male, 15 [1845/6], Brickmaker, b. Sidlesham, Sussex

5. ↑ England. England and Wales. 1871 Census Schedules. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class RG10; Piece 1111; Folio 50; Page 4, 2 Apr 1871.

   Address: Brickyard House, Sidlesham, Sussex
   William Chaffer, head, widower, male, 70 [1800/1], Farmer of 8 acres & Brick maker employing 2 men, b. Sidlesham, Sussex
   Frances A. Dash, housekeeper, widow, female, 65 [1805/6], Servant domestic, b. North Mundham, Sussex

6. ↑ Sidlesham (St Mary) burials, in Sussex, England. Online Parish Clerks.

   No. 1033
   Name: William Chaffer
   Abode: Sidlesham
   When buried: 21 Jan 1879
   Age: 79y [1799/1800]
   By whom the Ceremony was performed: William Bruton