TWELFTH GENERATION

2596. Edmund Littlefield (25884) (25885)(25886) (25887)(25888) (25889) was born in 1591 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25890) He was baptized on 27 Jun 1592 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25891) (25892)(25893) He emigrated about 1637.(25894) (25895) He took the oath of freeman on 5 Jul 1653 in Wells, York Co., Maine.(25896) (25897) He took the oath of fidelity to Massachusetts on 5 Jul 1653. (25898) He died on 11 Dec 1661 in Wells, York Co., Maine.(25899) (25900)(25901) He signed a will on 11 Dec 1661.(25902) (25903) (25904)(25905) He had estate inventory taken on 24 Dec 1661.(25906) He was a saw/grist millman.(25907) (25908)
Edmund Littlefield, born in Exeter, England about 1591, married Annis Austin in Titchfield, England on October 16, 1614. He 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 emigrate. He came to this country from Titchfield in 1636 or 1637, probably at the same time as the Rev. John Wheelright, for he was one of his parishoners at Exeter, New Hampshire in 1639, and was one of the combination to whom twenty-one acres of land was assigned. In 1638 he sent to England for his family, and on May 16 of that year his wife Annis and six children took passage for Boston in the "Bevis" of Hampton, Capt. Townes.

The Rev. John Wheelright, owing to a religious controversy precipitated by the teachings of Anne Hutchinson, left Exeter and later went to Wells, Maine. Many of his parishioners went with him, and among them Edmund Littlefield, who in 1641, leaving Exeter, went to Wells, Maine, where he was one of the first settlers. He was supposed to have built the first house, a sawmill and grist mill. He was deeded a lot of land by Sir Ferdinand Gorges in 1643, and was a leading spirit in organizing the town and promoting its development. He was on the grand jury in 1645, and it is said was the richest man in Wells. He and his sons were millmen and farmers. He was of fearless enterprise and sound moral principle. On account of this firm, moral character, he was appointed by the governor of Massachusetts agent for the sale of liquors in Wells, it being then of the utmost importance that great discretion should be used in the distribution to the Indians. He was one of the committee to settle the boundary between Wells and Cape Porpoise, and was elected by the people for the years 1654, 1655, 1658, 1660 and 1661 to try small cases. He died in December, 1661.

Edmund Littlefield was the first man appointed to "keep an ordinarie," the name given to the taverns. Tavern keepers were selected for their intelligence, their ability to inform people of interesting happenings, and because they were capable to assume such an office of trust. All were licensed to sell intoxicating liquors. From time to time, others built such taverns, or ordinaries. These were scattered over the town, some of which are listed in old records, others no doubt simply vanishing with many of the "lost" recordings of the past. A few whose names have been preserved, and commonly known as "keepers, " include Nathaniel Kimball, John Cheater, James Littlefield (who had both tavern and garrison at Batcomb [Moody] ), Moses Littlefield, Nicholas Littlefield (his tavern was at Maryland Ridge), and the well known Jefferds Tavern built in Wells, by Simon Jefferds, later remodeled by his son William, and in recent years sold to the Old York Landmarks, Inc., and moved to York Village where it may be seen today.

Women were also very capable tavern keepers as is illustrated by the one known as the Widow Lydia Littlefield Tavern. This one was built on Maryland Ridge in 1812 by her husband, Joseph - a direct descendant of the pioneer Edmund. Mrs. Lydia (Pattern) Littlefield when left a widow turned to serving the public with food, drink and lodging (1827). This tavern of old is standing as a beautiful remodelled estate. Matthew Lindsay built his tavern about 1799 on the highway just above the present Wells Corner.

The most popular of the beverages sold at the taverns was flip - a drink prepared from beer or ale and rum, sweetened by adding sugar or molasses, then the mixture was warmed by thrusting a red hot iron (sometimes a fire poker) into the mug. Another drink was toddy which was made from rum and water sweetened and warmed in the same manner as the flip. Other drinks included rum, cider, brandy and ale. In the early tavern years coffee and tea were not available. The first coffee in Wells has been recorded as in the early 1700s. There is a record price in 1768 of the drinks that were served (these seemed to be popular prices of the day) as follows: 1/2 mug toddy - 2s 6d; 1 mug flip - 5s; 1/2 mug flip - 2s 6d; 1 mug cider - 1s. Two other drinks
have been previously mentioned - perry and metheglin.

The taverns were the scene of many an important business transaction. Even the Courts were held at certain taverns. The patrons' comfort was the prime concern of the owner. For example: in the kitchen of the Widow Lydia Littlefield Tavern there were two large hooks which supported a long pole on which the wet clothing of the guests might be dried. Quite often the landlord was faced with the problem of room, and when this occurred, he thought nothing of asking his guest to share a bed with another, or possibly two or three weary travelers. Quoting from the early Court record passages which pertain to the "ordinaries" - "1659 July 4, Ordinary License granted to William Hammonds." Again in 1664, September 13, "Lycence granted to Francis Littlefield, Sr. to keep an ordinary - Granted same Liberty of haveing a tavern."

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, probaly 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.

See attached photos...

The Last Will and Testament of Edmund Littlefield
(Source: Sargent, William M.; Maine Wills 1640-1760; pp. 3-4)

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[Court Records, B, 53.]
The last will & Testament of Edmund Littlefejld Decembr 11 : 61 :
First I bequeath my soule to god Almighty, & I bequeath my body to
the earth from whence I came/
I bequeath vnto Francis Littlefejld my Elldest sun, & Anthony
Littlefejld, & Elizabeth Wakefejld my daughter, all the whoole Tract of
Land lijng of the North East side of Kenebunke with the Falls togeather
with a Cetern quantity of Marsh lijng up In the woods, betweene Cape
Porpus River, & Kenebunke, which is specifyd In two deeds, granted by
Mr Geo : Cleeue Agent of Mr Rygby, which is now come into the Goverment
of Mr Gorges, Proprietor of the Prouince of Mayne/ Which Land & Marsh
shall bee equally devided amongst thos three aboue specifyd/
I giue vnto Francis Littlefejld Senjor 10s to bee pd out of my goods/
I giue vnto Anthony Littlefejld all my weareing Cloaths/
I giue vnto Elizabeth Wakefejld 5s to bee pd out of my goods/
I giue vnto my 3 executors Namely Annas Littlefejld, My wife, &
Thomas Littlefejld, & Fran : Littlefejld my youngest sun all my upland
& Marsh att home which is not disposd, & that which I bought of my sun
Anthony, & alsoe yet which I bought of Mr. Fletcher, togeather with ye
Corne Mill & saw Mill, with all my houseing & goods, within doores &
with out, togeather with all the stocke & Cattle both small and greate,
which shall bee equally deuided amongst those 3 executors, onely the
Yland that lyeth on the South side of Webbhannett River, If the sd Thos
& Francis Littlefejld Junjor do both of them pay to Annas my wife foure
bushs pf Corne yearely for 7 yeares, then my wife shall haue nothing to
do with Itt, otherwise if they do not pforme that yearely, then my wife
shall haue pouer to lett it to others, & to expell them quitte out of
it all/
And likewise my sun Thoms & Fran : Littlefejld shall pay vnto my wife
eight bushs of wheate yearely, for ye Corne Mill, if they will not yn
my wife shall haue pouer to lett it to any other, & expell them out of
it/ And my wife shall haue her third part of the Marsh, that lyeth on
the South East side of Webbhannett River; And if soe bee yt Fran :
Littlefejld & Thomas Littlefejld, & Fran : Littlefejld my youngest sun
bee not loueing & helpfull to her shee shall haue pouer to dispose of
itt, wr shee thinkes good herselfe/
I giue vnto my daughter Mary Barrett, and to my daughter Hannah
Littlefejld fiueteene pounds a peece to bee pd with in 3 years, fiue
pounds a peece yearly, till it bee payd/ I do giue vnto all my
grandchildren fiue shillings a peece Wn they come at age/
I give unto my sun John Littlefejld Tenn pounds, to bee payd out of
ye fourty pounds which hee is to pay for his purchase att Ogunquett/
Alsoe the 3 executors, Namely Annas my wife, & Thos : & Fran :
Littlefejld shall haue pouer to recover & receaue all debts/ And those
3 executors shall pay all debts dues & demands, & all portions Legacys
& gyfts, which is here specifyd; My suns Tho : & Fran : Littlefejld
Junjor, is to Improue & till the ground, & thejre mother my wife shall
haue the third part of the Corne/
I giue vnto my wife 6 or 7 Acers of Marsh that lyeth at Ogunquet.
I desire Mr Ezekell Knightt & Mr. Jos : Bowles to bee my Feffees In
trust If neede require, to see my will fullfilled/
Testes/ Edmund Littlefejlds
Ezekell Knights/
Jos : Bowles/ own hand (mark)

(inventory returned at £588: 13: 4, by Ezekell Knights, Jos : Bowles
and William Hamonds as appraisers, who were sworn 24th: 10th" 1861.
Will recorded 16 July '62) He was married to Annis Austin on 16 Oct 1614 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England.(25909) (25910) (25911)

2597. Annis Austin(25912) (25913) was baptized on 1 Feb 1596/97 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25914) (25915) She was born about 1600 in Exeter, co. Devon, England. (25916) (25917)(25918) She emigrated in May 1638 from Southampton, co. Hants, England. (25919)(25920) (25921)(25922) She arrived on the "Bevis" with 6 children. She signed a will on 12 Dec 1677. (25923) (25924) She died after 12 Dec 1677 in Wells, York Co., Maine. (25925) (25926) Edith Austin Moore,

manuscript; JOSEPH AUSTIN OF DOVER, NH AND MATTHEW AUSTIN OF ME; p 123, 124.
"Annis (Austin) Littlefield age 38 and 6 children sailed on the Bevis of
So. Hampton for New England in May 1638 at the same time Richard Austin of
Bishopstoke, Hants and his family sailed. With her came John Knight, carpenter
and Heugh Deudal, servants.
Edmund Littlefield came from Titchfield, ENG in 1637, settled at 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 1641 he built a saw and grist mill on
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. He named his
wife, Annis and sons Thomas and Francis extrs. HE HAD TWO SONS NAMED FRANCIS,
BOTH LIVING. Francis & Anthony came with their father in 1637."
E.A. MOORE lists these as references:
NEHGR Vol. 67, p 346 (Titchfield Parish Reg.)
MAINE PROVINCE & COURT RECORDS Vol. II, p 40, 125.
LISTS OF EMMIGRANTS TO AMERICA - Hotten, 1600-1700.
WELLS FAMILY, p 232, 233 by D. W. Norris (1942)
GEN. RES. IN ENG, NEHO Mag, for Oct. 1913, p 343-348.
!SPOUSE-CHILDREN: Compiled by William M. Sargent, A.M., MAINE WILLS

1640-1760, 1972, p 4. 3 executors, namely Annas my wife, & thomas & Francis
Littlefejld.
!SPOUSE-CHILDREN-DEATH: Compiled by William M. Sargent, A.M., MAINE WILLS

1640-1760, 1972, p 76; Registry of Deeds. 4, 25. Will of Annis Littlefield,
dated Dec. 12, 1677. Inventoried by SAMUEL AUSTINE and Joseph Bolls,
appraisers, Mar. 7, 1677-8.
!BIRTH-SPOUSE: A.B. Smart, PENOBSCOT PIONEERS, 1992; p 84.

The Last Will and Testament of Annis (Austin) Littlefield
(Source: Sargent, William M.; Maine Wills 1640-1760; pg. 76)

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[Registry of Deeds. 5,25]
12th December: 1677:
In the name of God Amen/
The last Will & testament of Annis Littlefejld/
1: first I bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty god, my
maker, my body to bee buried in Christean buriall, at ye discretion of
my executor hereafter mentioned/
1: I do giue unto my daughter Hannah Cloyce my bed & bowlster, &
Katterine Wakefejld to deliuer It to her/
2: I giue unto my three daughters, Elizabeth Wakefejld, Mary Barrett,
& Hannah Cloyce, all my lining & Wollen New & ould to bee equally
diueded amongst them/
I giue unto my sonn John Littlefejld my Cow Gentle & fiue buslls of
Corne/
I giue unto my daughter Merribah foure buslls of Wheate due from ye
Mills
I giue to my Grandchild Katterine Wakefejld my Rugg & eight buslls of
Corne/
I giue to my sonn Peter Cloyce too Acres of Marsh bee it more or
less, yt lyeth on the South West side of Mr. Whelewrights Necke of Land/
I giue unto my sonn Thomas Littlefejld, who hath taken a great deale
of care of mee, all the rest of my househould goods Corne & Chattles, &
I do make my sd sonn Thomas Littlefejld, my whoole & soole executor, &
to receiue all debts comeing to mee, & to pay all If any thing there
bee that I do ow, & to take all the remajndr to him selfe & to see my
will fullfilled/
Signed, & Deliuered, Annis Littlefejld
In ye Presence of us,
Joseph Bolls/ her marke (x)
William Symonds/

(Sworn to by attesting witnesses & recorded 2 April 1678; Inventory
returned at £36:15:0, by Samuel Austine and Joseph Bolls, appraisers, 7
March 1677/8.) Children were:

child i. Ann Littlefield(25927) (25928) was born before 11 Feb 1615/16 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. She was baptized on 11 Feb 1615/16 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25929)(25930) (25931) She was buried on 2 Jan 1616/17 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England.(25932) (25933)(25934)
child ii. Edward Littlefield(25935) (25936) was born before 17 Feb 1617/18 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. He was baptized on 17 Feb 1617/18 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England.(25937) (25938)(25939) He was buried on 13 Jun 1635 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25940)(25941) (25942)
child496 iii. Francis Littlefield Sr..
child iv. Anthony Littlefield(25943) (25944) (25945)(25946) (25947)(25948) was born before 7 Oct 1621 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25949) He was baptized on 7 Oct 1621 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25950) (25951)(25952) He took the oath of fidelity to Massachusetts on 5 Jul 1653 in Wells, York Co., Maine. (25953) He died in Jul 1662. (25954)(25955)
child644 v. Capt. John Littlefield Sr..
child vi. Elizabeth Littlefield(25956) (25957) (25958)(25959) (25960)(25961) was born about 1627 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25962) She was baptized on 27 Jul 1627 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England.(25963) (25964) She died in 1661 in Wells, York Co., Maine.
child vii. Mary Littlefield(25965) (25966)(25967) (25968)(25969) was born about 1630.(25970) (25971)
child viii. Thomas Littlefield(25972) (25973) (25974)(25975) (25976)(25977) was born about 1633 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25978) He was baptized on 10 Aug 1633 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25979) (25980)(25981) He died about 1689.(25982) (25983)(25984) (twin)
child ix. Hannah Littlefield(25985) (25986) (25987)(25988) (25989) was born about 1633 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England. (25990) She was baptized on 10 Aug 1633 in Titchfield, co. Hants, England.(25991) (25992) (25993) She was also known as Anne Littlefield. (25994)(25995) (twin)
child652 x. Ens. Francis Littlefield Jr..