282 Notes on the History of Mere. 
“The Second accompt of the said James Lucas, and Moses Wilkins, Church- 
wardens there for one whole yeare then ended the xxixth Daie of March 1630. 
In w*". yeare the said Churchwardens were appointed Sequestrators of the Tithes 
and pflits of the Vicaridge of Meere aforesaid by the Right Wor!’ Edmund 
Mason then Deane of Sarum uppon the Death of Richard Potter, Batchelor in 
Devinitie and late Vicar of Meere aforesaid, whoe died about the ffeast of St. 
John Baptist 1629, and Thomas Chafin, Doctor in Devinitie was vicar in his 
place.” 
Dr. Tuomas CHAaFyn 
was Vicar from 1630 to 1646,! when he succumbed to the treatment 
he experienced from the Parliamentarian soldiers, as before related. 
Walker, in his “ Sufferings of the Clergy,” also states that he was 
Prebendary of Durnford, and further says :— 
“Where this reverend person was born, or in what university he had his 
education I am not informed ; but bearing the name of an ancient family in the 
neighbouring county of Dorset it seems probable that he might be related to it, 
especially as I find he was a man of such note as to be in the Commission of 
Peace. One Dr. Chaffin was, soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion sent 
for by the House of Commons as a delinquent. I take him to have been the 
same person with this Dr. Chaffin.” 
The following entry in Rushworth’s Collection confirms this 
supposition :— 
“Mere. Dr. Chafyn was brought to the bar for certain words delivered at a 
visitation sermon at Salisbury &c. Anno 1640.” 
In the Mere Churchwarden’s book for 1636 is this entry :— 
“To the Ringers when M* Dockter Chafin went through the Towne on 
p cession 123,” 
He appears to have been an energetic man; during his ncumbency 
the Church was paved, the south aisle re-leaded, the tower loft 
repaired, the churchyard walls restored, the Church new-pewed, ~ 
and various other works carried out. Also two charities which had 
been withheld some years were appropriated to their proper use. 
1 Dr. Chafin was also Rector of Fovant, Wilts. 
2 Thomas, son of William Chafin, of Zeals, was baptised 1595. 
