My Family Tree

THOMAS CHATFIELD born 1796 Ditchling, Sussex, England.
Entry from Ditchling St Margaret
First names Thomas
Surname CHATFIELD
Baptism Date 04-Dec-1796
Father first names John CHATFIELD
Mother first names Celia CHATFIELD

Death GRO 2nd qtr 1867
CHATFIELD, Thomas 72 Maidstone 2a 314

Deaths and Burials
name: Thomas Chatfield
gender: Male
burial date: 09 May 1867
burial place: Maidstone, Kent, England
indexing project (batch) number: I04778-2
system origin: England-EASy
gs film number: 1835479
reference id: Roll 194 P R1434

Census, 1841
name: Thomas Chatfield
gender: Male
age: 45
birthplace:
record type: Household
registration district: Maidstone
sub-district: Maidstone, West
civil parish: Maidstone, Kent

In 1841, Thomas and Elizabeth were living in Maidstone Parish of Scrubb Lane. Both were listed as 45 years old, both "N" or not from Kent, Thomas was a stone quarryman.

Census, 1851
name: Thomas Chatfield
age: 54
gender: Male
birthplace: Ditchling, Sussex
relationship to head of household: Head
record type: Household

In 1851, he continues to live in Maidstone, at Scrubbs Lane Cottages, ag laborer/laundress, ages 54 and 57, born in Ditchling/Plumton.

In 1861, the couple continues to live in Maidstone, on what looks like London Road, ag laborer/laundress, ages 65/67, born Ditchling/Plumton.

Between the time of their marriage in Ditchling in 1820 and living in Maidstone, Kent, they obviously lived somewhere else and possibly had daughter Rebecca found in Maidstone in 1841 (then never to be seen again that I can find). If we could find a birth for Rebecca, we'd know where. Outside Sussex, London, and the Medway District of Kent, I don't have access to any PRs to check things out so I'm rather flying by the seat of my pants. Any suggestions about what to do next?

All I can say is I'm pretty sure this is our guy. According to the SFHG Database for St. Margaret's Ditchlinhg (1557-1837), there were two Thomas Chatfields born in Ditchling, Thomas baptized 17 Nov 1576 (father Thomas) and our Thomas, baptized in 1796 (John and Celia). This guy says he was born there, gets married there (although has no children there - maybe in Plumpton?), consistently gives his age as born in that year, and his death certificate is 1795. I think we have enough to claim him.