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© 2003 Shirley Erickson

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James Fields 1771-1815 of Virginia

Generation No. 1

1. JAMES4 FIELDS (SMITH3, RICHARD2, <UNNAMED>1) was born 1771 in Near Roanoke Road, Virginia, and died September 20, 1815. He married SARAH HINSON 1794. She was born in Mississippi?, and died March 17, 1830.

Notes for JAMES FIELDS:

The information on James Fields' family was graciously shared by Helen Talley. She states the source of the information as a "copy of a page from old family Bible in Fields File Folder at Gordon Browning Genealogy Library, McKenzie, Tn. Found in Anson Co., NC." The source of the information above is via Peggy Haynie <phaynie@sonetcom.com>

On the supplied web page of Peggy Haynie, other sources include:

US Census Index 1790

James Fields

Onslow Co., NC

Page 196

Age ranges in household 02-00-02-00-00

~~~~~

From Jim Allison:

The best one of all is the deed (from 1793) in which Smith Fields gave his son, James, 320 acres of land in Onlsow County, NC(!!!). Smith's will mentions this 320 acres, which is identified as part of Richard Fields original grant of 640 acres (from 1738). I didn't get to a deed for a James Fields who sold land in 1806. Maybe this mentions the 320 acres?

A James Fields died in Onslow County, NC in 1800. This James had a wife named Rebecca and three sons (Moses, Arron, and another). However, he bought his land from a Samuel Fields. There is no mention of Smith Fields.

Who is actually mentioned in the Fields family Bible your Mother referred to from Anson County? There seems to be a disconnect between the James Fields' in the deeds, but the apparent family connections to the witnesses is intriguing.

~~~

There are some key documents (the will of Smith Fields and several other Anson County deeds) that I want to send you copies of regarding the Fields family. Send me your mailing address. I checked the Anson County deed (grantor) from 1806 for James Fields. There was nothing of importance, except that James Fields was in Anson County. He also appears in the 1810 Census, living in Anson County. In the 1820 Census, Sarah appears. She clearly may have been James' widow. I have tried to find the location of the administration papers. However, the Mormons don't appear to have them on microfilm. There is no will recorded for a James Fields in Anson County. I checked the book form of the Onslow County land deeds thru 1819. There is no mention of the disposition of James' 320 acres of land, or proof of his ownership.

 

Jim Allison

 

More About JAMES FIELDS:

Census: 1810, Anson County, North Carolina

Property: 1793, 320 acres given to James by his father Smith Fields, Onslow County, North Carolina

Residence: 1806, Anson County, North Carolina

Notes for SARAH HINSON:

Helen Talley states, "Sarah and the children came West several years after James died."

~~~~

From Jim Allison:

I have an update on the Fields search. I have been checking the land deeds of Anson County, NC. On January 17, 1828, Sarah Fields sold 260 acres of land to John Hailey, Jr. Sarah is identified as the administrator of an estate (her former husband's?). Her children are listed: Redden Fields, Mary and her husband Elijah Webb (living in Garret? County - not on modern maps, Tennessee), Henry Fields, Elizabeth and her husband Anderson Liles, Green Fields, and Smith Fields. The land being sold borders that of a James Fields, presumeably your James Williams Fields? After this deed, there are no further deeds for the Fields family in Anson County records until the 1960's. Here are some other deeds I checked:

 

1. Smith and wife to Joseph Clark - 1798 - land on which they live in exchange for taking care of Smith and his wife Elizabeth until their deaths.

 

2. Joseph Clark, Jr. to Henry Fields - 1822 - Henry buys 58 acres of land. Witnesses include John F. Auld (a grandson of Smith Fields) and Joseph Clark, Jr.

 

3. James Fields (James Williams Fields?) buys 6 acres of land in 1823 for 40 dollars. Witnesses include John F. Auld (a grandson of Smith Fields) and Joseph Clark (Jr.?).

 

4. James Fields of Chesterfield District, South Carolina, buys about 200 acres of land about 1819. This land is seized for non-payment of taxes in 1823 sold to William Hammond.

 

The best one of all is the deed (from 1793) in which Smith Fields gave his son, James, 320 acres of land in Onlsow County, NC(!!!). Smith's will mentions this 320 acres, which is identified as part of Richard Fields original grant of 640 acres (from 1738). I didn't get to a deed for a James Fields who sold land in 1806. Maybe this mentions the 320 acres?

 

A James Fields died in Onslow County, NC in 1800. This James had a wife named Rebecca and three sons (Moses, Arron, and another). However, he bought his land from a Samuel Fields. There is no mention of Smith Fields.

Who is actually mentioned in the Fields family Bible your Mother referred to from Anson County? There seems to be a disconnect between the James Fields' in the deeds, but the apparent family connections to the witnesses is intriguing.

More About SARAH HINSON:

Census: 1820, Anson County, North Carolina

Property: January 17, 1828, sold 260 acres of land to John Hailey, Jr., Anson County, North Carolina

More About JAMES FIELDS and SARAH HINSON:

Marriage: 1794

Children of JAMES FIELDS and SARAH HINSON are:

i. REDDEN5 FIELDS, b. February 18, 1796, North Carolina; d. March 06, 1873, Gibson Co., Tennessee; m. (1) SUSANNAH FINLEY; b. April 13, 1797, Buncombe Co., North Carolina; d. January 27, 1862, Gibson Co., Tennessee; m. (2) MATILDA CROCKETT.

ii. HENRY FIELDS, b. January 28, 1798, North Carolina; d. February 09, 1879; m. AGNES; b. Abt. 1798, North Carolina.

More About HENRY FIELDS:

Census: November 02, 1850, Household 1151, Civil District 9, Carroll County, Tennessee

More About AGNES:

Census: November 02, 1850, Household 1151, Civil District 9, Carroll County, Tennessee

iii. MARY FIELDS, b. January 02, 1800; m. ELIJAH WEBB.

More About MARY FIELDS:

Residence: January 17, 1828, Garret? County - not on modern maps, Tennessee

More About ELIJAH WEBB:

Residence: January 17, 1828, Garret? County - not on modern maps, Tennessee

iv. ELIZABETH FIELDS, b. September 02, 1803; m. ANDERSON LYLES.

v. GREEN H. FIELDS, b. November 04, 1804, North Carolina; d. June 30, 1866, Collin County, Texas; m. CELIA F. JERNIGAN; b. November 25, 1809, Anson County, North Carolina; d. July 17, 1888, Collin County, Texas.

More About GREEN H. FIELDS:

Burial: Elm Grove Cemetery, Collin County, Texas

Census: December 12, 1850, Household 1161, Civil District 17, Carroll County, Tennessee

Residence: 1853, Settled 6 miles NE of Anna, Texas in Sedalia, Collin Co., Texas

More About CELIA F. JERNIGAN:

Census 1: 1880, E.D. 10, Grayson, Texas

Census 2: December 12, 1850, Household 1161, Civil District 17, Carroll County, Tennessee

vi. SMITH FIELDS, b. May 22, 1806, North Carolina; d. April 22, 1876, Tennessee; m. (1) NANCY; b. Abt. 1812, North Carolina; d. 1856; m. (2) NANCY RODGERS, August 20, 1856, Carroll Co., Tennessee.

More About SMITH FIELDS:

Burial: Barren Springs Cemetery, Carroll Co., Tennessee

Census: November 08, 1850, Household 1254, Civil District 10, Carroll County, Tennessee

More About NANCY:

Census: November 08, 1850, Household 1254, Civil District 10, Carroll County, Tennessee

Marriage Notes for SMITH FIELDS and NANCY RODGERS:

The following was sent by Jim Fields:

Carroll County, Tennessee

Marriages, 1838-1859

Vol. I, P. 29

Compiled by Carroll County Historical Society

"Fields, Smith-Nancy Rodgers, Aug. 20, 1856, Joseph Holmes, M. G.

More About SMITH FIELDS and NANCY RODGERS:

Marriage: August 20, 1856, Carroll Co., Tennessee

vii. ALEXANDER FIELDS, b. October 01, 1809; m. SARAH.

viii. MICHAEL F. FIELDS, b. September 07, 1811, North Carolina; d. Bet. 1855 - 1860, Probably Gonzales County, Texas; m. MARY H. SPARKS.

Notes for MICHAEL F. FIELDS:

The following is from the Research files of Annabelle Pennington Nobles:

This one is dated March 27, 1963; Water Valley, Mississippi from a Mrs. Edith McLarty:

"...from the Courthouse in Coffeeville. There were no wills recorded for Fields, Ward or Hancock.

We found the following deeds:

Deed Book L Page 10 -- James and Matilda Fields to Michael F. Fields -- Feb. 12, 1847

Deed Book L Page 117 -- Michael Fields and Mary H. Fields, his wife, to Bartlett D. Bowers a tract of land in Carrol County, Miss. March 23, 1847 recorded August 14, 1947. [I am assuming these two are the same land you were discussing]

Deed Book S Page 146 -- Oct. 23, 1860 James W. Fields and Elen Augusta Fields, his wife, to Elizabeth S. Sledge, her daughter, Virginia A. E. Sledge; B. F. Johnson and his wife, M. E. Johnson who is a daughter of Elizabeth S. Sledge..."

~~~~~~

Information graciously shared by Helen Talley:

"...Michael F. Fields married Mary H. Sparks (possibly a sister to Matilda Sparks). In 1847 Michael F. and Mary H. Fields bought 80 acs. from James William/Matilda Fields in Yalobusha Co., MS. In 1852 Michael and Mary H. sold this land and probably headed to Texas as one of his daughters married in Gonzales County, Tx. in 1855. I found M.F. Fields on an 1855 Federal School Census with 3 females in school, but he is not on the 1860 Gonzales Co. Census although most of his children are in their married households on this census, except one daughter who is in another Household so that leads me to believe he had died. No proof that he died.

 

What I am trying to prove is that one of his daughter, Mary Fields b. abt. 1838 MS is the wife of our Robert A. Talley. Birth, death, marriage records can not be found. Their first child was born in Texas in Dec. 1854 and Mary would have had to die by 1868 as Robert A. Talley remarried then. We do know her name was Mary and on the 1860 it was Mary J.. The Family Bible was destroyed in a fire, living descendants don't know other than there is a Fields connection somewhere, and there was not a will or probate when Robert A. died. So I am researching the Fields here in Gonzales Co. and on the internet in hopes something will show up that might help...."

 

More About MICHAEL F. FIELDS:

Property 1: 1847, bought 80 acs, Yalobusha Co., MS

Property 2: March 23, 1847, Sold land in Carrol County, Mississippi

Property 3: 1852, Sold 80 acs, Yalobusha Co., Mississippi

Residence: 1852, Gonzales County, Texas

ix. LYDIA FIELDS, b. September 04, 1813.

x. JAMES WILLIAM FIELDS, b. May 25, 1815, Tennessee 1880 Census says Texas or North Carolina; d. May 26, 1884, Bell Co., Texas; m. (1) MATILDA SPARKS, Bef. 1838, Possibly, Yalobusha Co., Mississippi; b. February 20, 1819, South Carolina or Alabama; d. Aft. 1858; m. (2) ELLEN AUGUSTA, Bet. 1860 - 1862; m. (3) CYNTHIA ELIZABETH SMITH, Abt. 1870; b. November 07, 1838, Grenada Co., Mississippi; d. October 02, 1889, Pendleton, Bell Co., Texas.

Notes for JAMES WILLIAM FIELDS:

From the research journals of Annabelle Pennington Nobles Stone:

The following information is from Roy Gwyn - son of Mittie Fields:

"My mother told me that he invented a disc wheel that cut the turf which was attached to the turning plow. He was highjacked on the road and the papers were stolen from him."

 

~~~~~~~~~~

1850 Choctaw County, Mississippi, Census, page 6, Western Div, 26th Oct, 1850

James Fields 35 M Farmer 450 North Carolina

Matilda Fields 31 F Tennessee

William B. Fields 11 M Mississippi

James A. Fields 8 M Mississippi

Daniel J. Fields 6 M Mississippi

Winnie A. Fields 5 F Mississippi

Mary E. Fields 2 F Mississippi

Martha Fields 3/12 F Mississippi

Hanna Tatum 20 F North Carolina

Christopher Obell (?) 24 M Laborer Mississippi

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yalobusha County, Mississippi, Book 4, Page 52

Thomas Brandon deeded 40.17 acres, N1/2, W1/2 of SE/4, Section 29, Township 22, Range 7 East and 40.17 acres N1/2, E1/2 of SE/4 of same section to James Field on December 3rd, 1842.

Yalobusha County, Mississippi, Book 3, Page 410 & 411

James Fields and wife, Matilda, sold 80.84 acres in N1/2, W1/2, of SE/4, Section 29, Township 22, Range 7 East to Michael F. Fields on 12th February, 1847.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The following is from the Research files of Annabelle Pennington Nobles:

This one is dated March 27, 1963; Water Valley, Mississippi from a Mrs. Edith McLarty:

"...from the Courthouse in Coffeeville. There were no wills recorded for Fields, Ward or Hancock.

We found the following deeds:

Deed Book L Page 10 -- James and Matilda Fields to Michael F. Fields -- Feb. 12, 1847

Deed Book L Page 117 -- Michael Fields and Mary H. Fields, his wife, to Bartlett D. Bowers a tract of land in Carrol County, Miss. March 23, 1847 recorded August 14, 1947. [I am assuming these two are the same land you were discussing]

Deed Book S Page 146 -- Oct. 23, 1860 James W. Fields and Elen Augusta Fields, his wife, to Elizabeth S. Sledge, her daughter, Virginia A. E. Sledge; B. F. Johnson and his wife, M. E. Johnson who is a daughter of Elizabeth S. Sledge..."

~~~~~~~~

James Fields and his wife Cynthia moved to Bell County, Texas, about 1873. Their daughter, Mittie Celestine Fields, was born on October 23, 1873, in Bell County, Texas. Some of his children by his earlier marriage followed them.

The following is a quote from his granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Hancock Ward:

"For my Grandfather Fields, mama's father and mother, came here from Mississippi when she was a girl and settled somewhere around there. (Belton) Cedar Creek is the only place I remember. That is not far from Belton and Temple. It is a wet weather creek or branch which runs into Little River.

The only memory I have of my Grandfather Fields was when I was about 4 years old. He and I went for a walk one afternoon. I somehow fell and broke my left arm, and I remember his setting it and how it hurt. Before this, I was about 1 year old, I can't remember it, a pig bit one of my fingers off (this was the ring finger on the left hand). I suppose he ate it. Mama never found it - nice breakfast for a pig? This all happened around Cedar Creek, which must have been a little community. Grandfather Fields was buried there and years later when Grandmother died they couldn't even find his grave, so they had to bury her in the Pendleton Community Cemetery, but a few miles from Pendleton, for I remember going with my daddy to haul cedar logs to burn for heating."

~~~~~~~~~~

AFFIDAVIT OF OWNERSHIP BY JAMES FIELDS AND D. G. FIELDS

Deed Book 27, page 156, Bell County, Texas - 15th of July 1874

Know all men by these presents, that we James Fields & D. G. Fields, both of the County of Bell & State of Texas, and by occupation Farmers, for and in consideration of the sum of Twelve hundred gold dollars, to us in hand paid by J. T. Loveless & Mart Wilkerson, both of the County of Bell & State of Texas & by occupation farmers, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do hereby grant bargain sell and convey unto the said J. T. Loveless and Mart Wilkerson all that certain piece or parcel of Land known & described as follows, being part of the Maximo Moreno Eleven League, grant conveyed to Ann M. & David Ayers & by them to R. D. Mills of Galveston and by R. D. Mills to Sam Harris of Austin and by Sam Harris to J. W. Whitley and by J. W. Whitley to James & D. G. Fields. Beginning at the N. W. corner of L. G. Simms one hundred acre survey North of Little Elm Creek a stake in E. M. Wilders East Line from which a red Haw brs S 71° 1 1/2 vs, thence N. 19° E. 1534 3/4 vs to a corner on a Haw tree in G. R. D. McCulloughs East line. Thence S 71° E. 815 vs to a stake for corner. Thence S. 19° W 1534 vs to L. G. Simm's N. E. corner a musquite brs S 21 1/2 W 5 1/4 vs. Thence N. 71° W. 815 vs to the place of beginning -- containing in all two hundred and twenty-two acres more or less. Now we James Fields and D. G. Fields acknowledge that we have no deed for the above described lands, but we agree to make a good & sufficient warrantee deed to J. T. Loveless & Mart Wilkerson or their legal representatives & heirs on or before the 1st day of December A. D. 1877. If we do not make a good and sufficient deed by the 1st day of December A. D. 1877 to J. T. Loveless & Mart Wilkerson all our right title interest & bonds on the within described lands, as follows, being a part of the Maximo Moreno Eleven League. Beginning at the N. W. corner of L. G. Simm's 98 3/5 acres, a red haw tree brs. S. 71° E 1 1/2 vs. Thence N. 19°E 1534 3/4 vs to a corner on a Haw tree in G. R. D. McCulloughs East line. Thence S. 71° E 1100 vs to a corner on a Haw bush on Elm brs. N 19° E - vs. Thence N 19° E 1069 vs to a corner a dead gumelastic (fallen down) brs N 60° E 6 vs and a Hackberry brs S 60° E 5 vs marked "x/h". Thence S 71° E 595 vs to a corner in East line of said Eleven League grant, a Hackberry brs N. 71° W 93 vs. Thence S. 19° W with said League line 3326 vs to a corner from which a Hackberry brs N. 20° E 6 vs and an Elm brs S 63° W. 3 vs. Thence N 71° W 778 vs to S. E. corner of L. G. Simm's 98 3/5 Acres a Haw tree brs S 68° E 1 vara. Thence N 19° E 684 1/4 vs to L. G. Simm's N. E. corner, a musquite brs S. 21 1/2° W 5 1/4 vs. Thence N 71° W 815 vs to the place of beginning, containing in all six hundred & thirteen acres more or less.

In Witness whereof we have here unto subscribed our names this the 15 day of July A. D. 1874.

(Signed) James Fields

(Signed) D. G. Fields

NOTE: D. G. Fields is probably the son of James William Fields and Matilda Sparks.

 

~~~~~~~~

From the Research Files of Annabelle Pennington Nobles Stone:

Bell Co. 1880 Census Precinct 1-5 or Falls Co. pg. 16 [unsure from the notes]

647-697 Fields, J. S. 25 M W (Farmer helper for J. A. Clark) Ga. Ga. Ga.

379-376 Fields, J. 52 M W Farmer Texas (?) Miss. Miss.

" , Elizabeth 33 F W wife Miss. -- --

" , Mittie 6 F W Daughter Miss. Tenn. Miss.

" , Ozmond 3 M W son Texas Tenn. Miss.

361-378 Fields, B. J. 26 M W Farmer Miss. Ala. Ala.

" , Bettie 26 F W wife Tenn. Tenn. ----

" , Lenea 5 F W daughter Texas Miss. Tenn.

[I wonder if this could be son to James William, D. J. instead of a B. J.]

~~~~~~~~~

1880 Census Place: Precinct 4, Bell, Texas

Source: FHL Film 1255290 National Archives Film T9-1290 Page 366C

Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace

J. FIELDS Self M M W 52 TX

Occ: Farmer Fa: MS Mo: MS

Elizabeth FIELDS Wife F M W 35 MS

Occ: Keeping House Fa: --- Mo: ---

Mittie FIELDS Dau F S W 6 MS

Fa: TN Mo: MS

Oza FIELDS Son M S W 3 TX

Fa: TN Mo: MS

~~~~~~~~

Family record of James Fields sent by Homer Gwyn to Annabelle Pennington Nobles in 1963 from

Wildorado, Texas:

James Fields born in the year of our Lord May the 25th 1815.

Matilda Sparks wife of James Fields was born Feb. 20, 1819

Cynthia E. B. Smith 2nd wife of James Fields was born Nov. 7 1838

Children -

Michael H. Fields was born Aug 7 1838

William B Fields was born Dec 6 1839

James A Fields was born March 19 1841

Daniel Green Fields was born July 12 1843

Wincy Ann M Fields was born Dec 22 1845

Mary Elizabeth J Fields was born Feb 4 1848

Martha D. J. Fields was born Feb 9 1850

Jabra B. S. Fields was born Feb 4 1852

Finis Ewing Fields was born July 10 1854

Sarah F M Fields was born June 23 1857

Margaret T. A. Fields was born Aug 15 1858

Mittie C Fields was born Oct 23 1873

George Osmond Fields was born April 11 1877

Deaths

F. E. Fields died Nov 1 1875

Sarah F M Fields died April 28 1879

James Fields died May 26 1884

Elizabeth Fields died Oct 2 1889

~~~~~~~~~

Per Annabelle Pennington Nobles - 1963:

"... I did find your grandfather Fields' grave. ...

His grave is at the little Cedar Creek community grave yard. A couple in that community searched that grave-yard and found it for me. It seems that it is marked by a rock about two feet thick and four feet square. I intend to go up there and get a picture of it and of the grave of your grandmother. All that is on the stone is his name....

More About JAMES WILLIAM FIELDS:

Burial: Cedar Creek Community Grave Yard, Bell Co., Texas

Census: 1880, Precinct 4, Bell, Texas

Occupation: farmer

Property 1: February 12, 1847, Sold 80 acs., Yalobusha County, Mississippi

Property 2: October 23, 1860, Sold acs in Carrol County, Miss.

Residence: Abt. 1875, Bell Co., Texas

More About JAMES FIELDS and MATILDA SPARKS:

Marriage: Bef. 1838, Possibly, Yalobusha Co., Mississippi

More About JAMES FIELDS and ELLEN:

Marriage: Bet. 1860 - 1862

Notes for CYNTHIA ELIZABETH SMITH:

CYNTHIA ELIZABETH B. SMITH

BORN: November 1, 1838, in Grenada Co., Miss.

MARRIED: James William Fields

 

DIED: October 2, 1889, at Pendleton, Texas, and is buried in Pendleton Cemetery

Cynthia Smith Fields' epitaph and tombstone reads:

ELISABETH

WIFE OF

JAMES FIELDS

born

Nov. 1, 1838

died

Oct. 2, 1889

Rest Mother, Rest in quiet sleep

while friends in sorrow o'er

thee weep

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While Cynthia Elizabeth B. Smith is not a direct ancestor, she was the only Fields grandmother that Mary Elizabeth Hancock Ward remembered.

Cynthia Elizabeth B. Smith is continued under James William Fields.

 

 

More About CYNTHIA ELIZABETH SMITH:

Burial: Pendleton Cemetery, Pendleton, Bell Co., Texas

Census: 1880, Precinct 4, Bell, Texas

More About JAMES FIELDS and CYNTHIA SMITH:

Marriage: Abt. 1870

© 2003 Shirley Erickson.  All rights reserved.

Please email Shirley@htcomp.net with corrections, additions, comments.  Enjoy.