Joseph Chaffe, second son of Thomas Chaffe, was probably born in Nantasket, MA (later called Hull), sometime between 1639 and 1646, and died in Swansea, MA, October 28, 1694. He married there, December 8, 1670, Annis, daughter of Richard Martin of Rehoboth, MA. She died in Barrington, MA (formerly Swansea) probably early in March 1729-30.

Joseph Chaffe probably moved with his parents and brother from Hull to Rehoboth between 1657 and 1660. In 1667, the part of Rehoboth where they lived, called Wannamoisett, was formed into a separate town and called Swansea. So it is in the Swansea records that we find the first mention of Joseph Chaffe, about 1670: "Joseph Chafy his ear mark for all sorts of cattell is a slit in the upper side of the left ear and a slit in the under side of the right ear." On January 22, 1673, he signed as one of the proprietors and from that time on for several years his name appears on the Swansea records in that capacity and in other offices. His is also mentioned in Bicknell's History of Barrington and in Rehoboth Land Records. March 28, 1693 and March 27, 1694 he was again chosen for the office of Fence Viewer, the last office which he held; the duty of Viewer of Fences being to adjust all matters of difference between contiguous owners, as to proper fences, location of boundary lines, and other matters of like nature. He made his will, "...being Sick and Weake in Body" September 22, 1694, five weeks before his death. It was filed with his inventory November 13, 1694, by his widow and two sons.

Annis Chaffe had no sooner recovered from the shock of her husband's death than she was called upon to bear another of a like nature, the death of her father. He died in the spring of 1695, the signature of his will being sworn to by the witnesses thereto May seventh. Her name is mentioned in connection with several land transactions during the next few years (Rehoboth Land Records). April 25, 1721 Annis Chaffe made her will which was offered for probate March 17, 1730, probably soon after her death.

Joseph and Annis are thought to be buried in the Ancient Chaffee Burying Ground which lies on what was once their own farm, but no memorials to them of any kind remain.

Children, born in Swansea:

i. Mary (Chafy), b. Feb. 21, 1671-2; d. in Swansea, May 7, 1674.

ii. JOHN, b. Dec.16, 1673; m. (1) Sara Hills; m. (2) Elizabeth Hayward.

iii. Mary, b. Oct 23, 1675; m. Daniel Whitaker.

iv. Joseph, b. Feb. 6, 1677; m. (1) Abigail Hils; m. (2) Jemima Chadwick.

v. Annis (Ann, Anne Anna); m. Oct.15, 1743, Daniel Allen of Barrington.

vi. Dorothy (Chafey), b. Sep. 4, 1682; d. Aug 27, 1698.

vii. Elizabeth (Chafee), b. Mar.18, 1685; m. Josiah (Joseph) Paine.

viii. Sarah (Chafey), b. Mar. 18, 1687; m. Mar 26, 1713 in Swansea, Samuel Luther.

ix. Abigail, probably m. in Providence, RI, April 28, 1737, Thomas Field.

From 1909 CHAFFEE GENEALOGY p. 20. Compiled by H. L. Chaffee, 1928.