William Field (1548 - 1619)

Born 1548 in Halifax Parish, Sowerby, Yorkshire, England

Husband of Susan (Midgley) Field — married 1 Jun 1591 in Yorkshire, England

Descendants

Died 24 Jul 1619 at about age 71 in Northowram, Yorkshire, England

Biography

William Field aka William Feild

Field Genealogy: Being the Record of All the Field Family in America..., p. 78.

52 WILLIAM FIELD <Christopher, John, Christophe,r John, Richard, Thomas, Adam, Richard, Roger> bap. Halifax Parish, Sowerby, England; 1548; m. June 1 1591, Susan Midgley of Northowram. She d. March 6, 1623. He d July 24, 1619, Res Sowerby and Northowram England. He was baptized in Halifax parish, Sowerby, England, and married in Halifax church as is recorded in its registers. His wife Susan Midgley was baptized there in 1574, when she is called daughter ot John Midgley of Northowram. She belonged to an old family of that neighborhood the Midgleys of Midgley---whose arms sable, two bars gemelle or, on a chief of the second three caltrops of the first, were painted on the roof of the Halifax church, together with those of the principal families who attended service there. The residents of Sowerby worshiped at their own chapel. William Field removed from Sowerby to Southowram within a year or two of 1593, and we find a confirmation of this in the Wakefield rolls which show that Grace, daughter of Richard Barestow, surrendered in 1594 lands in Northowram to William Feild ot Southowram. This deed is also mentioned under the same year in the dockets at Wakefield. Shortly after purchasing this property, in Northowram, which was the home of his wife's family, he removed there, and passed the remainder of his days there. There is a survey of this neighborhood among the Duchy of Lancaster court rolls, made April 20, 1607, in which it is stated that William Feilde doth hold by copy ot his majesty a message called Causeye. This was a road or footpath raised above the surrounding land usually passing over a morass, or damp ground. A small hamlet in Northowram is called Causeway End at the present day [1902]. Besides this causeway he held three acres of land whereof half an acre, used as pasture and one and one half acres used as arable. Also the same William Fielde holdeth of his majesty by deed from my Lord of Leicester one acre and half a rod. According to the Wakefield rolls William Field, of Northowram, paid his fine in 1610 for one tenement called Cawsey, with all his coppiehold lands, and in the same year he took of the lord four acres waste at Blackyers. In 1616 he was juror at Brighouse court and in 1618 he is referred to as a sub-tenant of William Sympson. In his last year William Field Senior de le Cawsey surrenders lands after his decease to William his son and heir. In 1619 William Field, of Northowram, clothier surrenders Horwithins to use of Joseph his son. On July 15 1619, he made his will which is in the registry at York and died soon after as it was proved on the 10th of November following:

Birth

William Field was baptised on 7 Jul 1548 at St John the Baptist Church, Halifax, Yorkshire, England ^[1]

Occupation

Field Genealogy: Being the Record of All the Field Family in America..., p. 80. As is stated in his will William was a clothier. This word may have two meanings---a manufacturer of cloth or a cloth merchant. William Field's calling must have been the latter. Henry VII. brought Flemish cloth weavers to England and settled some of them at Wakefield. This industry soon became the chief one of the neighborhood and has continued so to the present day [1901], when the adjacent town of Leeds is the largest cloth market in the world. At the period we are writing of and even within the recollection of living men, all the cloth was made by hand, and in the cottages of the weavers. When a piece was finished it was taken to the merchant, or sold to him at a market where makers and buyers met. The merchant distributed the goods acquired in this way to his customers at home and abroad, and such was the high reputation of the cloths made in the neighborhood of Wakefield that they found their way, at this early date, to all parts of the civilized world. Great changes have taken place at Wakefield, and in that vicinity since that day. Now large mills dot the banks ot the Calder, the machinery in which is driven by steam or water power and often both.

The old village of Sowerby and the Field house stand on the hillside and at some distance from the river and are consequently less affected by the change than if they were nearer to it

Marriage

William Field married Susan Midgley, at St John the Baptist Church Halifax, Yorkshire, England on 6 Jun 1591 ^[2] Susan d. 14 May 1623^[3]

Local Geography

Halifax Parish Church, aka Halifax Minster, Yorkshire, England (now UK), There has been a church at Halifax for about 900 years. The Minster, formerly a Parish Church until 23 November 2009. It was completed by about 1438.

Northowram Village is 2 miles to the north.

Sowerby is located about 3 miiles to the west.

Ardsley is located about 15 miles to the east.

Blackmyres (Black Carre) was an estate acquired by William in 1610 in Northowram.

These early villages have been absorbed by more modern communities, as the population increased, making it hard to precisely locate their 17th century location. For example Sowerby was a main community in the early 17 century, but has since been overtaken by Halifax.

William Field, bap at Halifax ca. 1548; was of Sowerby untill 1593; was at Southowram in 1594 and 1595; Afterwards of Northowram. Bought land there in 1594; and in 1607 had a house there called Causey and land. In 1610, acquired land at Blackmyres and in 1619 had a place called Horwithins both in Northowram. Will dated 16th July 1619. Buried at Halifax 24th July following^[4].

Children

Children of William Field and Susan Midgley (all were baptized at the Halifax Parish Church, however actual birth would have occurred at Northowram) :

• WILLIAM bap Aug 8 1591 m Susanna Longbothom 9 Dec 1617. He Remained at Northowram

• ALICE bap 6 Aug 1593 m Nov 11 1611 Robert Rawson of Bradfield, Yorkshire ^[5]

• JANE bap Nov 23 1595 m. June 10 1622 John Mitchell of Thornton^[6]; named in both father's and mother's wills

• GEORGE bap. Aug 20, 1598. He is named in both his father's and mother's wills

• SUSAN bap. 15 Mar 1600, m. Dec 4, 1638, Samuel Holdsworth^[7].

• ROBERT bap. Aug 29, 1602, d. in infancy

• JOSEPH bap. June 19, 1603, m. Oct 25, 1624, Elizabeth Nichols of Halifax, Yorkshire.

• ROBERT bap. May 9, 1605, m. Ruth Fairbank, Elizabeth Taylor, and Charity.

• ISABEL bap. March 26. 1609, named in both father's and mother's wills

Death

William Field was buried on 24 Jul 1619 at St John the Baptist Church, Halifax, Yorkshire, England ^[8] Res., Sowerby [1605-1653], Southowram 1694, 1695 and at Northowram [1657-death], Yorkshire, England.^[9]

Susan the widow of William Feild did not long survive her husband. She died March 6, 1623^[10].Her will is also recorded at York dated Feb 24, 1622/3, and was proved 14th of May following. She describes herself in it as of Black Carre or Carr: this is an old Yorkshire word signifying morass or swamp. Blacker, in Northowram is mentioned as far back as 1300.^[11]

Will of William Field

Field Genealogy: Being the Record of All the Field Family in America..., pp. 78, 79.

On July 15 1619, William Field made his will which is in the registry at York and died soon after as it was proved on the 10th of November following:

Will of William Field of Northowram---"In the name of God amen. I Willm Feild of Northourome in the Countie of York clothier thoughe sicke and weake in bodie yet of whole mind and of sound and pfect memorie praysed be God for the same. Do this fifteenth day of Julie in the yeare of our Lord God 1619 ordeyne and declare this my psent Testament conteyninge therein my whole last will in manner and forme followinge towitt ."

"First and principally I comitt and comend my soul unto the mercifull goodness of Almightie God my Creator beseaching his goodness to pardon all my offences in by and throughe the meritts death and obedience of Jesus Christ his onely sonn my onely Saviour and Redemer for in and by his meritts is my only hope of Salvacon."

And my bodie I willingly yield to the Earthe to be buried in such place of Xstian burial as it shall please God my endinge to be. And as consigne my worldly goods whereof I am posessed my wille and minde that the churches have right duties thereof. And such debts as I owe in right and conscience to any psone or psons be first answered and paid out of the same.

Also I give and bequeath to Susan my wiffe all such interest right and title and term of years as I have yet to come and expend in one Tente nowe in the term of occupation of me the said Wm Feild late of the Lands of one I Bothomley, also my will and minde is that all the Legacies wch l owe to all or any of my children be paid out of my whole goods to witt to my daughter Jane tenne pounds to Joseph Feild my son tenne pounds to Susan Tenne pounds and to Isabell and Robert one bond of thirtie pounds already taken to theire use. Item I give and bequeath to Robert Rawson my sonne in law Five shillings. All the residue of my goods cattells, credits and debts not before given or bequeathed I give and bequeath to George Field, Jane Field, Susan, Robt and Isabell Feild equally to be divided amongst them. Also I comit the custodie and tuicon of Robert Feild and Isabell Feild and of theire porcons to my brother Edward Feild duringe and until they come to and accomplishe their several ages of Twentie and one years .

And I name ordeyne and appoint the said Edward Feild my brother Executor of this my Last will and Testament praying him to be agdinge and assistinge to my wiffe and childien as my hope and trust is in him.

In witness whereof to this my psent Last will and Testament l putt my hand and seale and publish and declare it to be my will in the presence of these whose names are subscribed. Proved 10th Novr 1619

Will of Susan Field of Northowram

Field Genealogy: Being the Record of All the Field Family in America..., pp. 79, 80.

Will of Susan Field of Northowram---In the name of God Amen. The four and twentieth day of February in the twentieth year of the Reigne of our Sovereinge Lord James by the grace of God Kinge of England France and Ireland Defender of the faith &c

And of Scotland the six and Fiftieth and in the yeare of or Lord according to the computation of the Church of England of 1622. I Susan Feild of Black Carre wthin the Dioces of Yorke widowe late wife of Willm Feild late of Northourome deceased being sicke in bodie but of good and perfect memory for wch I praise Almightie God doe make and ordeigne this my Last will and Testament in manner and forme following. And first I give and comend my soule unto the hands of Almighty God assuredly believinge to have free remission of all my sinnes and everlasting life amongst the blessed Sts in the Kingdome of heaven through the meritts and passion of my alone Savior and Redemer Jesus Christ. And I comitte my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executrs hereafter named. And as touchinge the disposition of my worldly goods First my will and minde is that my debts and funeral expenses beinge discharged) I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto Willm Jf eild my oldest sonne the somme of twelve pounds of Lawful money of England and unto Alice my daughter now wife of Robt Rawson of Wrose the some of five shillings of Like Lawful money of England and no more nor other Legacies in regard the said Willm and Alice are already sufficiently p'vided for and p'ferred by my said late husband deceased their late father.

Item I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto George Feild my sonne the some ot Twelve pounds of lawful money of England to be paid unto him in twelve years to witt yearly and evri yeare the some of Twenty shillings duringe the terme of Twelve years at the feast of St Michaell The arch Angell and the first paymt thereof to beginne at the feast of St Michael th' arch Angell wch shall fall next after that Joseph Feild my sonne shall have accomplished his full age of Twenty one years and the same payments to be made by my Executors hereafter named.

Item my further will and mind is and I do hereby give devise and bequeath all the residue of my goods chattells and debts unto the said Joseph Feilde my sonne and unto Robert Feilde my sonne and Jane now wife of John Mitchell Susan Field and Isabell Field, my three daughters to be equally divided amongst them.

And I do hereby make and ordeyne the said John Mitchell and Joseph Feild Executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said Susan Feild the Testatrix have hereunto sett my hand and sealle the day and yeare above said. These beinge witnesses J Midgley, Jonas Mitchell, Mathew Mitchell

Sources

• Book: The Fields of Sowerby Near Halifax, England, and of Flushing, New York: With Some Notices of the Families of Underhill, Bowne, Burling, Hazard, and Osgood (Google eBook); Osgood Field, publisher not identified, 1895 - Genealogy

• Book: Field Genealogy: Being the Record of All the Field Family in America, Whose Ancestors Were in this Country Prior to 1700. Emigrant Ancestors Located in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Virginia. All Descendants of the Fields of England, Whose Ancestor, Hurbutus de la Field, was from Alsace-Lorraine, Volume 1 (Google eBook); Frederick Clifton Pierce; W.B. Conkey, 1901 - New England - 1196 pages

• Source: S-483388412 Repository: #R-998465296 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Page: Ancestry Family Tree Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=64241365&pid=824
• Repository: R-998465296 Name: Ancestry.com

1. ↑ Baptism: "West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1512-1812"
   West Yorkshire Archive Service; Wakefield, Yorkshire, England; Yorkshire Parish Records; New Reference Number: WDP53/1/1/1
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 2256 #8845920 (accessed 18 March 2022)
   Willm Field baptism on 7 Jul 1548, child of Joseph, in Halifax, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire, England.
2. ↑ Marriage: "West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1512-1812"
   West Yorkshire Archive Service; Wakefield, Yorkshire, England; Yorkshire Parish Records; New Reference Number: WDP53/1/1/3
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 2256 #8891079 (accessed 18 March 2022)
   Wm Field marriage to Susan Midgley on 6 Jun 1591 in Halifax, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire, England.
3. ↑ Field Genealogy: Being the Record of All the Field Family in America..., p. 78.
4. ↑ The Fields of Sowerby Near Halifax, England, and of Flushing, New York...p. 25.
5. ↑ Halifax Parish Church records
6. ↑ Halifax Parish Church records
7. ↑ Halifax Parish Church records
8. ↑ Burial: "West Yorkshire, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1512-1812"
   West Yorkshire Archive Service; Wakefield, Yorkshire, England; Yorkshire Parish Records; New Reference Number: WDP53/1/1/5
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 2256 #45628497 (accessed 18 March 2022)
   Willm Feeld burial (died in 1619) on 24 Jul 1619 in Halifax, St John the Baptist, Yorkshire, England.
9. ↑ Field Genealogy: Being the Record of All the Field Family in America..., p. 78.
10. ↑ Halifax Parish Church records
11. ↑ Field Genealogy: Being the Record of All the Field Family in America..., p. 79.

Acknowledgements

• Field-1798 was created by Rachel Neal through the import of The Neal_Bunton Family_8-14.ged on Aug 4, 2014.