Twelfth Generation

1372. Norman "Champion" Chatfield was born on 26 October 1803 in Aurelius, Cayuga Co., New York, USA. He appeared in the census in 1850 in Zodiac, Gillespie Co., Texas, USA. He died on 28 June 1864 at the age of 60 in Marengo, McHenry Co., Illinois, USA. Champion was buried on 29 June 1864 in Marengo City Cmtry., Marengo, McHenry Co., Illinois, USA. Buried Plot: Block 4, row Q, plot 20, grave 158.
Find A Grave Memorial# 19538484
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Letter received 29 Oct 2018.
Yes, sir, the folklore says that he was named "Champion," but clearly his given name was Norman. I've researched him for a number of years. The folklore that was published in various Navarro County history books is inaccurate in a number of details, but there are kernels of truth in the story.

In 1844 (not 1838), while Texas still was a Republic, Norman Chatfield was granted a license to trade in a part of Robertson County, Texas which became Navarro County. The area was unsettled, and likely some of his customers included Kickapoo and various Caddo tribes. His trading post came to be called "Chatfield Springs" or "Chatfield Point," later shortened to Chatfield. He was there until 1847 or 1848, on the tax roll, which was subsequent to Navarro County being carved from Robertson.

He left his trading post with his wife and children, and they then settled at Lyman Wight's Zodiac settlement at Fredericksburg, Texas. This was an early Mormon colony, so it is true he joined a Mormon settlement, but not at Salt Lake City. He probably already was Mormon when he came to Texas, but I don't have any records of that.

Although I have extensive information on him, I do not have a photograph. Have you ever heard of anyone having a photo of Norman? There is a photo of his brother, Oliver, and I think others in the family. But for obvious reasons, I want a photograph of Norman. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated regarding who to contact about a photo.

Rob Jones
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USA Census, 1850
Name: Norman Chatfield
Event Place: Zodiac, Gillespie, Texas
Gender: Male
Age: 46
Birthplace: New York
Birth Year (Estimated): 1804
House Number: 266
Family Number: 266
Line Number: 6
Affiliate Publication Number: M432
Affiliate Film Number: 910
GS Film number: 24889
Digital Folder Number: 004191104
Image Number: 00620
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Norman Chatfield M 46 New York
Sarah Chatfield F 45 New York
Silas Chatfield M 16 Missouri
Martha Chatfield F 13 Missouri
Juliette Chatfield F 7 Texas
Byron Chatfield M 3 Texas

Norman "Champion" Chatfield and Sarah "Sally" Eames were married on 14 November 1824 in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, USA. Sarah "Sally" Eames was born about 1805 in Cayuga Co., New York, USA. She appeared in the census in 1850 in Zodiac, Gillespie Co., Texas, USA.

Norman "Champion" Chatfield and Sarah "Sally" Eames had the following children: