Chace Genealogy

"It often happens that the outcasts of one generation are those who are reverenced as the wisest and best of men by the next. The securest fame is that which comes after a man's death."

Nathaniel Hawthorne,Grandfather's Chair
"The people of bygone ages seem infinitely remote from us. We do not feel justified in ascribing to them any underlying intentions beyond those they formally express; we are amazed when we come upon a sentiment more or less akin to what we feel today in a Homeric hero, or a skillful tactical feint by Hannibal during the battle of Cannae, where he let his flank be driven back in order to take the enemy by surprise and encircle him; it is as though we imagined the epic poet and the Carthaginian general to be as remote from ourselves as an animal seen in a zoo."
Marcel Proust, The Guermantes Way
The information on this website is intended to record the Chace lines descended from the enigmatic William Chace of England. From where in Blighty did he originate? Essex, probably. All we know for certain is that he and his family arrived with Governor Winthrop to establish the Massachussetts Bay Colony in 1630. You might also find a bit on this website about the equally mysterious Aquila and Thomas Chase also from old Blighty, and lately of Martha's Vineyard.
I have set up a Guest Book and you are all welcome to participate. And you can use the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner for finding information on this website.
Jeffrey Chace

December 28, 2022. BREAKING NEWS:
Likely Origin of William Chase has been discovered.

Please see menu item Origin of William Chase on the left for more details.

Welcome to this website about the history and genealogy of the Chace family in America.


In 1630, William Chase, his wife Mary, and their son William embarked on a voyage as members of the Winthrop Fleet, which left England headed for the Massachusetts Bay Colony, later Boston.

If you have questions, or wish to contribute, you can reach the owner of this site Jeffrey Chace at j.b.chace@gmail.com

Thomas Chace Sr, 1807-1895