CHAFIN, Bampfield (1592-1644), of Folke, Dorset

Chafin was apparently related to the Wiltshire family that produced three Members for Salisbury in early Tudor times.13 HP Commons, 1509-58, i. 607-9. His father, Thomas, emerged as a Dorset landowner during Elizabeth’s reign, acquiring the manor of Chettle in 1576 and half the manor of Folke a few years later. A relatively wealthy man, Thomas also owned the Somerset manor of Knowle, which (along with £3,000 in goods and money) he assigned as his wife’s jointure estate when he married (Sir) William Bampfield’s* sister in 1590.14 Hutchins, iii. 565; iv. 174; C142/235/99; PROB 6/4, ff. 121, 138v. When Chafin inherited as a minor three years later, John Boden* assessed the purchase value of his wardship at £1,000, but it was sold to Sir William Brooke† for only £100. Sir George Trenchard†, a leading Dorset gentleman who married Chafin’s widowed mother, also tried to acquire the wardship, and no doubt took a close interest in his stepson’s upbringing.15 HMC Hatfield, iv. 297-8, 420; WARD 9/221, f. 279; Hutchins, iii. 565. Chafin grew up ‘a personable, well-carriaged man of a good estate’, who ‘wanted neither understanding nor value for himself’. After attaining his majority he constructed a new house at Folke.16 W.D. Christie, Life of Shaftesbury, i. app. 1, p. xviii; T. Gerard, Survey of Dorset, 122.

As sheriff of Dorset, Chafin presided over the county’s parliamentary elections in 1625. He was reportedly also ‘the first sheriff that kept an ordinary’, offering cheap board to all visitors during his term of office.17 Dorset RO, D53. In 1628 he himself stood for election at Bridport, presumably relying on the Trenchard interest, but was rejected by the corporation. However, the borough’s return was declared void by the Commons, and Chafin won the subsequent election, which was held on 22 Apr. under a broader franchise. Having finally achieved membership of this Parliament, he left no further trace on its records.18 CD 1628, ii. 397, 428-9; OR.

‘An enemy to the puritan party’, Chafin sided with the king at the outbreak of the Civil War. Besieged by parliamentarian forces at Folke, he found refuge at Exeter, where he died in July 1644, being buried in the cathedral. No will or administration grant has been found.19 Christie, i. app. 1, p. xviii; Hutchins, iii. 565; Reg. Exeter Cathedral, 67. His grandson Thomas sat in six later Stuart Parliaments, representing Poole, Dorchester and Hindon.20 HP Commons, 1660-90, ii. 42.