M. (1) before 1592 in (probably) Titchfield, England1
Wife: Mary ______
M. (2) 14 Jul 1606 in Titchfield, England1
Wife: Agnes ______
D. after 21 Oct 1618 in Titchfield, England1
A generation before his oldest son founded a family in America, Francis Littlefield operated a fulling mill in late 16th century England. His origins are sketchy, but he was thought to have been born in about 1565 in Hampshire, England.1 Although his parents’ names are unknown, he had at least one brother named James who lived in Droxford in 1618.1
The earliest record of Francis was for the baptism of his son Edmond in the parish records of the village of Titchfield dated June 27, 1592.1 The records began in 1589, so there may have been other children before that date, as well as a marriage to his wife who is only known as Mary. There were four other children that followed, but three of them died as infants. When the last infant was buried on October 29, 1605,1 Mary was as well, so she likely died because of the childbirth. Francis then married a widow named Agnes Wygg on July 14th of the following year,1 and they had two children, both of them sons.
The village of Titchfield is located near the south coast of England near Southampton, and it has ancient origins.2 During Francis’ time, it was dominated by Titchfield Abbey, the manor house of the Earl of Southampton, who was a patron of Shakespeare.2 The region had a large cloth-making industry, and this was how Francis made a living with his own mill. The geography of Hampshire offered many small streams with the right sort of water flow for fulling.3 The process involved machinery that pounded wool with wooden hammers, working it into a finished product.4
Fulling mill machinery (Source: Wikipedia)
In October 1618, Francis dictated his will, and he died soon after.1 The details in the will and the inventory taken of his possessions gave a sense of what his life was like. He left his fulling mill to his second oldest son, James, who was age 23; the building was said to be adjoining his house, which was designated for his wife Agnes. He seems to have had enough wealth to afford a maid, and must have had a good relationship with his brother because he he bequeathed him “my best doublet and breeches.” The inventory of his estate listed large quantities of green, blue and black wool, product that was likely being made ready to sell.
Agnes died within a year after Francis did.1 At least three of his four surviving children took up the cloth-making business to some extent, although oldest son Edmond moved to America sometime during the 1630s to began a new life there.1 Francis was the ancestor of President Millard Fillmore5.
Children by Mary:
1. Edmond Littlefield — B. before 27 Jun 1592, Titchfield, England;1 D. Dec 1661, Wells, Maine; M. Agnes Austin (1597-1678), 16 Oct 1614, Titchfield, England1
2. Nicholas Littlefield — B. before 21 Jul 1595, Titchfield, England;1 D. before 12 Aug 1595, Titchfield, England1
3. James Littlefield — B. before 18 Jun 1598, Titchfield, England;1 M. Joane Jeffrey, 17 Jan 1619, Titchfield, England1
4. Anne Littlefield — B. before 3 Apr 1601, Titchfield, England; D. before 10 Apr 1601, Titchfield, England1
5. Frances Littlefield — B. before 6 Oct 1605, Titchfield, England;1 D. before 29 Oct 1605, Titchfield, England1
Children by Agnes:
1. Nicholas Littlefield — B. before 28 Aug 1608, Titchfield, England;1 D. 23 May 1677, Titchfield, England1
2. John Littlefield — B. before 13 Jan 1611, Titchfield, England1
Sources:
1 “Genealogical Research in England,” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol 37-52, 1913
2 Titchfield (Wikipedia article)
3 “Ancient Mills of Hampshire,” T.W. Shore, The Antiquary: A Magazine Devoted to the Study of the Past, Vol. 24, 1891
4 Fulling (Wikipedia article)
5 FamousKin.com
