Edmund Littlefield

Edmund Littlefield, the father of Wells, Maine, established a permanent home, sawmill and gristmill as early as 1640-41 at the falls of the Webhannet River.  

Christened on June 27, 1593 in Titchfield Co., Hants, Hampshire, England. Titchfield is in the southern part of England not far from Southampton. This family arrived in America in 1637 during the Puritan Movement from England. Records show that Edmund first brought his sons, Francis & Anthony with him. They landed in Boston, MA. We find this family living in Wells, ME. Records of their Wills are published in ME. Wills Court records on July 16, 1662, p. 3 & 4. Will dated Dec. 11, 1661. In 1638 Agnes (his wife) & 6 children came to America on the ship, 'Bevis'. In 1639 they were assigned 21 acres of Upland & were a signer of Exeter Combinations (an agreement for self gov't. (June 5, 1639). In 1641 they left Exeter, N.H. with Rev. John Wheelright for Wells, ME. On July 14, 1643, in Wells, ME., they were granted 100 acres by Sir Thomas Gorges. In 1645 Edmund served on the grand jury. He was the Selectman of Wells in 1654 & 1657. He had grants on Webhanset in Wells & mills for lumber & grinding grain. He was the first settler & built the first house. He owned a saw & grist mill & was the richest man in Wells. He & his sons were millmen & farmers. He was one of a committee to settle boundry between Wells & Cape Porpoise. Littlefield, from the original settlement of York Co., ME. up to the present time. Many of their names have figured prominently in public affairs, developing its agricultural & industrial interests. A sturdy, energetic people whose parent stock was inclined to favor free thought in the matter pertaining to religion. They were stern supporters of the theological doctrine advocated & practised by the Rev. John Wheelright. In Maine he was known as 'Old Edmund L'.

Sources:

Records from the Littlefield family (Hazel Bell Littlefield Dunham & Lucie Legal Littlefield.

'Genealogical Dictionary of ME. & N.H.', by Noyes, Libby & Davis.

'Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America.', by Henry Whittemore.

Directory of Heads of N.E. Families 1620-1700, Frank R. Holmes.

Will of Edumund Littlefield.

Will of Richard Austin (Edmund's father-in-law).

New England Historical & Genealogical Register V. LXXXVIII 1934 Oct.

'Gleanings from English Records', G. Andrews Moriarty Pub. by the Society, Boston, MA.

'Marriage Records Before 1699', Wm. Montgomery Clemens.

'History of Wells & Kennebunkport', E.E. Bourne.

'Soldiers in King Philip's War', George Madison Badge.

'Historical Genealogical & Biographical Sketches of Littlefield Family', Ntl. Research Soc.

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   Occupation: A Clothier, as was his father before him. The decline of the wool trade may have contributed to his decision to leave England.<nowiki>----</nowiki>Trial Juror, Grand Juror

Religion: Episcopalian
Called "the father of Wells". (Wells [Images of Americaseries],Hope M. Shelly, Arcadia Publishing, Dover, NH, 1996, p.7)He probably came to New England in the summer of 1635 withhistwo eldest sons. He is on record as being in Boston in Spring of 1637, and in 1638. His wife and six children followed on the Bevis in May of 1638, with servants John Knight and Hugh Durdal. He was present in England when his wife Annis became pregnant with their last child, Francis the younger, and absent by the time the suit below was brought--by February1635/36.(LFN Vol. V, No. 4, pp. 72-73)His name appears on theExeter Combination, signed on 5 June1639. He was granted 21acres of land there, in two lots in the first divison of uplands.In 1643 he joined the Rev. John Wheelwright in the purchase of a large tract of land on the Maine coast from Thomas Gorges, sonof Sir Ferdinando Gorges, which is now the town of Wells, ME.There is a plaque in Wells (next to the Webhannet Falls on the site of his mill) stating that his sawmill and gristmill were the first permanent structures in the town.On 14July 1643, Thomas Gorges granted him 100 acres of land adjacentto the mill and the neck of the marsh between that and Webhannet River. The first year he was the agent for Richard Vines(appointed governor of the plantation at Saco 2 September1639)to give possession of the land to settlers. (NEHGRegister105:262)In November 1645, he and John Wadleigh were granted 200acres onthe southwest side of the Ogunquit River, notentrenching onthe town of Wells.He took the oath of allegiance on 5 July 1653 at Wells, ME.(NEHG Register 3:193.)He was authorized in 1654 to sell wine and strong liquor to Indians.He was selectman in 1654 and 1657.His will is dated 11 Dec, 1661; a family compromise was signed17 December by his sons Francis,Sr., Thomas, and Francis, Jr.as well as his widow. Inventory was taken 24 December 1661.About the lawsuit of 1635/6, which named Edmund and Nicholas as defendants, March v. Littlefield et al:Theamount in the lawsuit seems to be 16 pounds sterling. The lawsuit had something to do with Edmund buying some wool and not paying for it. His brother, Nicholas, also named in the lawsuit, did reply to the effect that he didn't know anything about it and that Edmund did the buying.Nicholas answered 17 Jan 1636 that this brother had been in trade many years as a clothier buying wool in various places and the defendant knew not whence the wool came, whether from the complainant or other; that he bought wool of his brother and did not inquire as to the source; and he knows nothing beyond this, and prays for damages unjustly incurred in the suit.The complaint of Stephen March, Esq. of Newport, Isle of Wight(Hants.) against Edmund Littlefield of Titchfield, clothier,Anne, his wife and Nicholas Littlefield, his brother, sworn to 12February, 11Charles I (Feb 1635/6) is apparently on file at Court of Requests, Charles I, Bundle 77 , Part 4. This suit was found bythe late Col. Charles Edward Banks.

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Edmund Littlefield 8:6/21/1592

The Littlefield family is one of the oldest families in New England. This line traces back to Edmund of Wells, ME. Edmund came to Boston around 1636. He then went to Exeter, NH with the Reverend John Wheelwright, and was one of the original settlers there. In about 1641, he went to Wells, ME and erected the first permanent structure there. At one point the Littlefield's owned all of Ogunquit, MF and most of Wells, ME. Unfortunately, none of this land made it down to me. My line removed to Northern, NH after the Revolutionary War, and then moved to Southern NH. Thomas and Anne were twins

OCCUPATION: Clothier

He came to New England in abt 1636, probably with his two eldest sons. On record as being in Boston in Spring of 1637, and in 1638.

His wife and six children followed on the Bevis in May of 1638, with servants John Knight and Hugh Durdal.

His name appears on a paper for the purpose of government, called the Exeter Combination, in Exeter, NH, signed on 5 Jun 1639. He was granted 21 acres of land there. The land was in two lots in the 1st div. of uplands

He moved to Wells, ME before 1643. There is a plaque in Wells, ME stating that his saw and gristmill were the first permanent structures in the town. The plaque is next to the Webhannet Falls on the site of his mill.

On 14 July 1643, Thomas Gorges granted him 100 acres adjacent to the mill and the neck of the marsh between that and Webhannet River.

The 1st yr. he was agent for R. Vines to give poss.

In Nov 1645, he and John Wadleigh were granted 200 acres on Southwest side of the Ogunquit River, not entrenching on the town of Wells.

Took oath of allegiance on 5 Jul 1653 at Wells, ME Authorized 1654 to sell wine and strong liq. to Inds.

Will 11 Dec, 1661, fam. compromise signed 17 Dec. by s. Francis sr, his mo. and bros. Thomas and Francis jr.; inv. 24 Dec.

About the lawsuit of 1635/6, which named Edmund and Nicholas as defendants:

Edmund Littlefield 8:6/21/1592 page 2

The amount in the lawsuit seems to be 16 pounds. The lawsuit had something to do with Edmund buying some wool and not paying for it. His brother, Nicholas, also named in the lawsuit did reply to the effect that he didn't know anything about it and that Edmund did the buying.

The only further thing I know about the Isle of Wight Court Case againsst Edmund of Tichfield and Nicholas his brother is that Nicholas answered 17 Jan 1636 that this brother had been in trade many years as a clothier buying wool in various places and the defandant knew not whence the wool came, whether from the complainant or other; that he bought wool of his brother qand di not inquire as to the source; and he knows nothing beyond this, and prays for damages unjustly incurred in the suit.

The complaint of Stephen March of Newport, Isle of Wight (Hants) Esq against Edmund Littlefield of Titchfleld, clothier, Anne, his wife and Nicholas Littlefield, his brother sworn to 12 February, 11 Charles I (Feb 1635/6} is apparently on file at Court of Requests, Charles I, Bundle 77, Part 4. This suit was found by the late Col Charles Edward Banks

Book:

Edmund Littlefield was bom in Titchfield, Hampshire County, England and was baptized June 27,1592. He was the son of Francis and Mary Littlefield. He married Annis (also called Agnes, and Anne) Austin on October 16, 1614 at Titchfield. They had ten children all in Titchfield. The family emigrated ca. 1637, They were first in Boston but moved to Exeter, New Hampshire in 1638 and to Wells, Maine in 1641. Edmund died in 1661 in Wells. Descendants lived in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and elsewhere.

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6. Edmund LITTLEFIELD. Born in 1592 in Titchfield, Hampshire, England. At the age of <1, Edmund was baptized in Titchfield, Hampshire, England, on 27 Jun 1592. Edmund died in Wells, York, ME, in Dec 1661; he was 69. Occupation: Clothier.

(From LFNL; v.1,#1): In Hampshire, Edmund was a clothier by trade as was his father before him. The decline of the wool trade probably played a major part in his decision to migrate to America. It is not known when he arrived in the new worldbut it was probably only very shortly before his wife Annis and the six youngest children sailed on the "Bevis" in May of 1638. Edmund was in Wells by 1643. He and his sons established and ran many productive mill sites on the various rivers inthe area. By his death in December of 1661 his estate was worth 588 pounds (UK), a substantial amount for that era.

- (From Noyes, Libby & Davis; Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire; p.437): came 1st to Boston, likely with two oldest sons. Wife Annis (Austin) aged 38 , six children, and servants John Knight and Hugh Durdal followed in the Bevisin May 1638 from Tichfield, co. Hants.

- (From NEHG Register, Vol. 67, October 1913, p. 347): He appears first at Exeter (NH), where he signed the Combination 5 June 1639. He removed to Wells, Me., where he received a grant of land from Thomas Gorges 14 July 1653. As he was hisfather's eldest son and heir, a settlement was probably made on him at the time of his marriage in 1614.

- Transcription of will in files of Greg Littlefield (greglittlefield@yahoo.com)

Research: Baptism: Noyes, Libby & Davis; Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire; p.437. ALSO: Parish Registers of Titchfield (from NEHG Register, Vol. 67, Oct 1913, p. 345)

- Marriage: Parish Registers of Titchfield (from NEHG Register, Vol. 67, Oct 1913, p. 345 & 346)

- Death: Noyes, Libby & Davis; Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire; p.438

- Will: Sargent, William M.; Maine Wills 1640-1760; pp. 3-4

On 16 Oct 1614 when Edmund was 22, he married Annis\Agnes AUSTIN, daughter of Richard (Asten) AUSTIN & Annis, in Titchfield, Hampshire, ENG. Born in 1596 in Devon, England. Annis\Agnes died in Wells, York, ME, in Apr 1678; she was 82.

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Edmund married Annis (Agnes) Austin on 16 Oct 1614 in Titchfield, Hampshire, England. Annis was born on 1 Feb 1596 in Exeter, Devon, England. She is the daughter of Richard Austin. She was buried on 12 Dec 1677 in Exeter, Devon, England

Annis - "Joseph had a sister Annis who mar. Edmund Littlefield, who came to New England in 1638. Francis of Dedham and Matthew of Maine are thought by some authorities to be brothers of Joseph. It is thought by some that Richard of Charlestown might have been another brother but proof is lacking.

( Moore, Edith Austin A Genealogy of the Descendants of Robert Austin of Kingstown, Rhode Island. 1951. pg. 10.)

Maine Pioneers 1623-60

made will 12 Dec. 1677, giving her estate to her daus. Elizabeth Wakefield, Mary Barrett, Hannah Cloyce and Meribah; to sons Peter Cloyce and John and Thomas Littlefield; to grandchild Katherine W. Inventory in York Deeds V.

(Charles Henry Pope 1908)

Edmund - occupation: Clothier - Thomas and Anne (2b) were twins

Edmund Littlefield, the father of Wells, established a permanent home, sawmill and gristmill as early as 1640-41 at the falls of the Webhannet River. He was agent of Thomas Gorges to give possession of house lots to settlers, and was one of the committee for settling the boundary between Wells and Cape Porpois, and a commissioner to try small causes from 1654 to 1661. On Dec. 11, 1661 he made his will at Wells, ME. (from Austin Families of America)

About the lawsuit of 1635/6, which named Edmund and Nicholas as defendants:

The amount in the lawsuit seems to be 16 pounds. The lawsuit had something to do with Edmund buying some wool and not paying for it. His brother, Nicholas, also named in the lawsuit did reply to the effect that he didn't know anything about it and that Edmund did the buying.

Came to New England in abt 1636, probably with his two eldest sons. His wife and six children followed on the Bevis in May of 1638, with servants John Knight and Hugh Durdal.

His name appears on a paper for the purpose of government in Exeter, NH, signed on 5 Jun 1639. he was granted 21 acres of land there.

He moved to Wells, ME around 1640/41. There is a plaque in Wells, ME stating that his saw and gristmill were the first permanent structures in the town. The plaque is next to the Webhannet Falls on the site of his mill.

On 14 July 1643, he was granted 100 acres adjacent to the mill and the neck of the marsh between that and Webhannet River.

In Nov 1645, he and John Wadleigh were granted 200 acres on Southwest side of the Ogunquit River, not intrenching on town of Wells.

Will of Edmund Littlefield

"....To Francis, my eldest son and Anthony and Elizabeth Wakefield my daughter, the land lying on the one side of Kennebunke with falls together with a certain quantity of marsh lying up in the woods between Cape Porpus River and Kennebunke shown 2 ____ granted by Mr. George Cleave agent of Mr. Rigby which is now come under the government of Mr. Gorges, proprietor of the Province of Maine to be equally divided...." Francis received 10 pounds, Anthony received clothing, Elizabeth received 5 pounds.

(Maine Wills) December 12, 1677; mothers will written with inventory on 3/7/1678. Daughter Hannah Cloyse to get her bed and "bowlster" with Katherine Wakefield to deliver it to her. Her three daughters Elizabeth Wakefield, Mary Barrett and Hannah Cloyse to receive all "lining and woolen new and old" to be divided equally.

(Maine Wills)

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Sources: From manuscript Joseph Austin of Dover, NH and Matthew Austin of ME, p. 123-4 by Edith Austin Moore: "Edmond Littlefield came from Titchfield, England in 1637, settled in Exeter, NH and later moved to Wells, ME. He was one of the original settlers at Wells and probably built the first house there. In 1664 he built a saw and grist mill on the Webhannet River. He was an agent of Thomas Gorges to give possession of house lots to settlers, and was one of the committee for settling the boundary between Wells and Cape Porpoise, and a commissioner to try small causes from 1654-1661. On Dec 11, 1661 he made his will at Wells, ME. He named his wife, Annis and sons Thomas and Francis extrs. HE HAD TWO SONS NAMED FRANCIS, both living. Francis and Anthony came with their father in 1637."

From Maine Wills by Sargent p. 4:"Will of Edmond Littlefield of Wells, ME. Names wife Annas, sons Francis, Thomas and John, daughters Mary Barrett, and Hannah. Will recorded July 16, 1662."

From The Burgess Family Tree by Paul Burgess p. 514; "Edmund came from Titchfield to Boston in 1637 with Rev. John Wheelwright and they became the first settlers of Wells, Maine in 1641. Edmond was listed as living in Boston in 1638. Annis Littlefield came from Titchfield to Boston in 1638 aboard the ship "Bevis" commanded by Capt. Townes. She came with 2 servants. Hugh Durdal and John Knight and 6 children. Edmund and his oldest son Francis came to America about 1637."

From the Pioneers of Maine and New Hampshire 1623 - 1660 by Pope; p. 128-129; LITTLEFIELD, LITTLEFEILD, LETLEFEILD, Edmund, Exeter, signed the combination 4 (4) 1639. His wife Annis, ae, 38, with 6 children, and servants John Knight and Hugh Durdal, came in the "Bevis" in May of 1638. It may be presumed that he either came at that time, (though not named on the passenger list) or had come before. He removed to Wells, ME; had a grant of land from Thomas Gorges 14 July 1643. Took oath of allegiance to Mass govt. 5 July 1653, ad did his sons Francis Sr., Anthony, Francis, Jr. and Thomas.

He made will Dec 11, 1661, beq. his estate to wife Annis, sons Francis, Anthony, Thomas, Francis, Jr., and John, to daughters Elizabeth Wakefield, Mary Barrett and Hannah Littlefield, Inventory rendered 24 (10) 1661. The widow and sons and the 2 Francises made an agreement concerning the estate 17 Dec. Following [York De.I]

There are other sources;from Maine Wills 1640-1700 by Wm. Sargent: p. 76. and The Directory of the Ancestral Heads of New England Families 1620-1700 by Holmes: Daniel at Wells, ME.

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Booked passage in May 1638 and left from Southampton on the Ship "Bevis" a 150 ton ship mastered by Robert Batten. Arrived in North America.

Edmund was a very rich man and owned much land, mills both saw and griss. Very active in the church and in the community. He took the Oath of allegiance to Massachusetts 5-July-1653.

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Edmund Littlefield, a son of Francis & Mary Littlefield of Titchfield, Co Hants, England. Baptized there June 27, 1592 married there Oct. 16, 1614 to Agnes (or Anne or Annis) Austin who was baptized there Feb. 1, 1596/7, daughter of Richard Austin (Register 67-343)

Annis Littlefield age 38 with six children and two servants John Knight and Hugh Durdall came to New England in the ship "Bevis" from Southampton, sailing in May 1638. When Edmund Littlefield came is not known but he probably preceded her with his eldest son Francis, and he is first of record at Exeter, N.H. where he signed the Exeter Combination June 5, 1639.

He removed to Wells, Maine, where he received a grant of land in 1643 and took the oath of allegiance there July 5, 1653. He died Dec. 1661 at Wells, Maine.

His second son was Anthony Littlefield who probably came over with his father about 1637. He was baptized at Titchfield Oct. 7, 1621 and died 1662, married about 1652 to Mary Page, daughter of Thomas Page of Saco, Maine.

He also took the oath of allegiance at Wells, Me. in 1653. Widow Mary Littlefield in 1662 apprenticed her son Edmund to his uncle Francis Littlefield. Children of Anthony & Mary born probably at Wells, Edmund about 1653 Caleb about 1659-60 perhaps also Samuel, James, and others

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He came to Boston in 1638 aboard the Bemis.

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References

• https://afaoa.org/getperson.php?personID=I225&tree=RichardMA
• https://www.afaoa-tng.org/getperson.php?personID=I225&tree=RM
• https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Edmund_Littlefield_%281%29
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Littlefield-17