Shield Whitfield (abt. 1861 - abt. 1930)

Born about 1861 in Allendale, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret Jane Walton — married about 1 Sep 1883 in St Thomas' Church, Stanhope, Durham, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died about 1930 at about age 69 in Weardale, Durham, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

Shield Whitfield had been a difficult man to trace. This may have been caused by the Romany nature of the man and him not been present when the various censuses were carried out. He was the only Shield Whitfield in the country for a long time after he was born. Shield was born at Corn Mill Cottages in Allendale in 1861. These are located in a very small hamlet near to the small village of Spartylea on the B6295 road a few miles north of Allendale. It was within the centre of the lead mines that were scattered around the area. His parents were Shield Whitfield and Mary Nixon (page 2/103). He was unique when he was born, because he was the only man named Shield Whitfield in the country. He was born into a family of four girls and three boys with Shield being the youngest. He was born in the third quarter of 1861. Unfortunately his father died in the first quarter before Shield was born. It would appear therefore that he was named after his father.

In 1871 Shield was living with the family in Coaton Hill, this is a very small hamlet consisting of a few houses and is again located near to the small village of Spartylea. He was recorded as being at school.

Ten years later in 1881 he was shown to be living as a boarder with Elizabeth Jacques in Stanhope. How did he get to Stanhope from Allendale? Nowadays there is a road between the two villages of Allendale and Stanhope but in the 1870’s this would have been a difficult journey. But a more relevant question is why did he come to Stanhope? Was it because of work? We will never know. His job at the time was a smelt mill labourer. The most likely workplace was the Stanhope Dene Smelt Mill at Stanhope.

Sometime after 1881 and before his marriage in 1883 it would seem that he moved to Ushaw Moor. He was coal miner and it was probable that he worked in the Ushaw Moor colliery. It does seem strange that once he had a job in Stanhope why did he move to Ushaw Moor? Was this part of his make up that he rarely held a job for a long time? In 1883 Shield married Margaret Jane in the Parish Church at Frosterley. He was 22 years old when he married and his bride was 19. His witness at the marriage was Mary James. It has not been possible to accurately locate Mary in the census information. The next piece of evidence, his marriage certificate indicates that he was working as a coal miner at Ushaw Moor. After his marriage he appears to have come back to Weardale and he was recorded as living in Frosterley and working as a cartman. This would have been driving a horse and cart delivering goods. He could have been delivering goods from the shop or another alternative could have been delivering goods from the station at Frosterley.

In 1901 he was recorded as living with his wife’s parents, William and Mary James (page 2/137). This could have been because of their illness as William died within a year and Mary three years later. Perhaps this was one of the reasons that the properties were left to Shield. Bryan’s father had stated that William Shield was a man of property and owned many houses in and around Frosterley. He was still working as a cartman in Frosterley. They were all living in a four-roomed house, two bedrooms and two other rooms. Nine people were living there at the time of the census.

In 1911 Shield Whitfield was living in his newly acquired home at Prospect House. His mother and father-in-law had died. All his children, except Shield his oldest child, were still living there at the time. At sometime between 1901 and 1911 Shield had once again changed his job from a cartman to a limestone quarryman.

It would appear that after his father-in-law died (William Walton) he along with his wife inherited the wealth of the Walton’s. Unfortunately according to Bryan’s father the wealth went to his head and he liked the drink, so much so that on occasions he would not, or could not, feed his family. Bryan’s father would recall him as a waster. Finally it was noted that in 1913 he was working as a quarryman. He clearly was a general worker not staying in one job for too long.

Shields wife died in 1916 and Bryan’s father remembers that he found another woman from Wolsingham. They formed an association with each other and were the best of drinking buddies. Shield did not marry this woman. He moved into the workhouse at Stanhope at sometime after his wife’s death.

Shield died in 1930 at the age of 69 after outliving his wife by 14 years. The following information comes from the England and Wales National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administration). “Shield Whitfield of the Poor Law Institute at Stanhope in the County of Durham died on 15th November 1930. His effects were resolved by Administration in Durham on the 24th April to William Shield Whitfield shop assistant to the value of £7 1s 0d “. William Shield Whitfield was his son and the estate was worth £348 in today’s money. (2011)

Sources

• Birth: 3rd Quarter 1861 (10b: 229: Hexham) at Corn Mill Allendale
• Christened: 25th March 1865 St Peter’s church Allendale
• Marriage: 1st September 1883 (10a: 355: Weardale) to Margaret Jane Walton
• Death: 14th November 1930 (10a: 294: Weardale) aged 69

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