From "Some Memorials of the Mercer Family" by Sir William J Collins KCVO, MS, MD, BSc.
(As Collins was a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order this was written from 1896. He refers to visiting a chapel in 1919 so it would have been written after that date.)
"The Chatfield family from whom Mrs. Tempest Mercer [Elizabeth Chatfield] came were like her husband's, one of very ancient settlement in Sussex, and also prominent in the General Baptist community.
There were Chatfields (or Cattesfeldes) in Westmeston (near Ditchling, Sussex) assessed to poll tax in 1378. Later they are described as of "Bedyles," or Ditchling manor and of Streat.
Robert Chatfield of Streat who died in 1736 founded the General Baptist meeting house at Ditchling. The Chatfields are connected with the Motts, Clarkes, Nettlefolds, and Chamberlains."
I, Colin John CHATFIELD, owns a copy of "The History of Ditchling in the County of Sussex" by Henry Cheal published in 1901. It includes a Genealogy of the Chatfield's from Thomas Chatfield c1446 to the late 1600's.
