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FIELD, Darby

FIELD, Darby

Male 1610 - 1651  (41 years)

 Set As Default Person    

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  • Name FIELD, Darby  [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] 
    Birth 1610  Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4, 6] 
    Gender Male 
    Arrival 1631  New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Differentiator First European to climb to the top of Mount Washington 
    Great Migration By 1636, he immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts, and settled in Durham, New Hampshire, by 1638 
    Web Address https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darby_Field 
    Web Address https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2017/01/in-climbing-mount-washington-first-darby-field-may-have-been-looking-for-lake-champlain.html 
    Web Address https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Field-445 
    Residence Maine, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Residence New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Death 1 Oct 1651  Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4, 6] 
    Person ID I19482  My Genealogy
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2024 

    Marriage 13 Aug 1609  Lincolnshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F13424  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 UNKNOWN, Agnes,   b. Abt 1612, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 18 Jun 1674, Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 62 years) 
    Marriage Abt 1630 
    Children 
    +1. FIELD, Mary Jane,   b. 8 Jan 1633, Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 6 Jul 1698, Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 65 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     2. FIELD, Joseph,   b. 1639, Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1690, Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 51 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     3. FIELD, Elizabeth,   b. 1630, Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 10 Mar 1706, Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 76 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     4. FIELD, Sarah Delano,   b. 1650, Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 23 Oct 1723, Dover, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 73 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
     5. FIELD, Zachariah,   b. 1645, Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Abt 1709, Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 64 years)  [Father: natural]  [Mother: natural]
    Family ID F13421  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2024 

    Marriage 1630  Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Family ID F13429  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 4 Feb 2024 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 1610 - Ireland Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 1630 - Durham, Strafford, New Hampshire, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsArrival - 1631 - New Hampshire, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - Maine, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - - New Hampshire, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 1 Oct 1651 - Portsmouth, Rockingham, New Hampshire, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Photos
    Darby Jos Field
    Darby Field historic marker
    Darby Field pier_0044
    MAP Fields
    The Exeter Combination

    Documents
    Darby Field _ in New Hampshire    		Darby Field _ in New Hampshire

    External Links
    WikiTree: Darby Fields (1610-1651)    		WikiTree: Darby Fields (1610-1651)
    Darby Field, likely originating from Ireland based on Y-DNA from direct male descendants, married Agnes (maiden name unknown) around 1630 and they came to New England in 1636, living first in Boston before moving to Durham by 1638. Darby is an interesting character! He operated a ferry service between Durham Point and Newington, navigating across Little Bay. Field was recognized for his linguistic skills, particularly as a translator for Native American languages.

    In 1642, his adventurous spirit led him to be the pioneer European to climb Mt. Washington, situated in New Hampshire's White Mountains,  a venture driven by his quest for minerals, specifically diamonds. However, he only found quartz, leading to profound disappointment. His ensuing erratic behavior and mental health issues resulted in his confinement for the safety of himself and others. A court ruling mandated that Strawberry Bank, New Hampshire (later known as Portsmouth), should contribute financially to the costs associated with his detention and care. Mt. Field, which stands at 4,326 feet within the White Mountains' Willey Range and adjacent to Crawford Notch, is named in honor of Darby Field. 

    We are descended from Darby and Agnes through the Laviolette (DeRochemont) line. 

    Albums
    The Exeter Combination (1639)    		The Exeter Combination (1639) (1)
    Another defining moment in our family history and the early development of New England was the Exeter Combination. This historic document, crafted by John Wheelwright and signed by 35 freemen, including our ancestors William Wentworth, Darby Field, and Edmund Littlefield, as signers on July 4, 1639, marks a significant step in the journey towards self-governance in the New World.

    William Wentworth, known as Elder William Wentworth, was an early settler of Exeter, demonstrating his commitment to the community through his active participation in its governance. Darby Field, celebrated for his adventurous spirit and as the first European to climb Mount Washington, also left his mark as one of the signatories. Edmund Littlefield, another signer, later became a prominent figure in Wells, Maine, known as "The Father of Wells," for his substantial contributions to the community.

    While not signatories of the Exeter Combination, Reverend Samuel Dudley and Edward Gilman Jr. were also instrumental in the early history of Exeter. Reverend Samuel Dudley, arriving in New England in 1630, served as Exeter's minister for over three decades from 1650, providing much-needed spiritual leadership to this fledgling community. His influence extended beyond the pulpit, shaping the moral and social fabric of Exeter.

    Edward Gilman Jr., another direct ancestor, played a pivotal role in the town's economic development. As an early settler, he was granted land and the right to establish Exeter's first sawmill, a cornerstone in the town's growth and prosperity.

    The Exeter Combination, housed in the Exeter Historical Society, is not just a treasure of the town's heritage but a significant artifact in American history. It stands as a testament to the early attempts at self-governance in the New World and the spirit of resilience and community that characterized our ancestors.

    In exploring the stories of these early settlers, we gain a deeper understanding of their contributions to the establishment and growth of Exeter. Their roles, whether as signatories of the Exeter Combination or as key figures in the town's founding, reflect a shared commitment to building a thriving community in the face of new and challenging frontiers.
     Notable Ancestors (0)
    Founding Families of Exeter    		Founding Families of Exeter (2)
    Exeter, New Hampshire, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1638 by John Wheelwright. Wheelwright, a clergyman exiled from the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony, purchased the land from Wehanownowit, the sagamore of the area. He named the town after Exeter in Devon, England, and brought about 175 individuals to establish the settlement. Exeter was one of the four original townships in the province and initially included Newmarket, Newfields, Brentwood, Epping, and Fremont.

    The town's early economy was based on hunting, planting, fishing, raising cattle and swine, and producing shakes (shingles) and barrel staves. Thomas Wilson established the town's first grist mill on the eastern side of the island in the lower falls. The Gilman family, early settlers from Hingham, England, played a significant role in Exeter's development. They were involved in lumber, shipbuilding, and trading as far as the West Indies.

    Exeter was also notable for its political significance. In 1774, the rebellious Provincial Congress began to meet in the Exeter Town House after being banned from Portsmouth by colonial governor John Wentworth. Exeter became New Hampshire's capital for 14 years, and the provincial records were brought there from Portsmouth.
    Great Migration    		Great Migration (119)
    The "Great Migration," as defined by the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), encompasses the English Puritan migration to New England from 1620 to 1640. This movement primarily involved English Puritans who relocated in family units, driven by a quest for religious freedom and the aspiration to establish a Puritan commonwealth. These migrants originated from various regions of England and settled in areas that now form Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, including the Plymouth Colony and the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

    An individual's inclusion in the Great Migration Study Project requires evidence of migration to New England within the specified period of 1620 to 1640. The project's objective is to compile biographical and genealogical profiles of all immigrants who arrived in New England during these two decades. The NEHGS has produced extensive volumes and directories, providing details about the lives of these immigrants. This collection presents research on many ancestors who were part of this significant historical migration.

    You may be shocked by how many there are. Even I was at first. However, most of these Great Migration ancestors are my 9th and 10th great-grandparents, and in some cases 11th and 12th, and with the number of great-grandparents doubling with each generation, the possibilities quickly become immense. We have a total of 1024 sets of 9th great-grandparents and 2048 sets of 10th great-grandparents. This makes finding so many Great Migration ancestors more understandable.

  • Notes 
    • Darby Field, an early settler, initially made his appearance in Boston, Massachusetts in 1636 before moving to Durham, New Hampshire by 1638. In Durham, he operated a ferry service between Durham Point and Newington, navigating across Little Bay. Field was recognized for his linguistic skills, particularly as a translator for Native American languages. His residences included Marblehead in 1637 and Oyster River in 1639. In the same year, he actively participated in the local community, as evidenced by his signature on the Exeter Combination. Field was a dynamic figure, deeply involved in the contemporary matters of his time. By 1638, he had mastered the Native American language and frequently worked as an interpreter.

      His adventurous spirit led him to be the pioneer European to climb Mt. Washington, situated in New Hampshire's White Mountains. Despite his early achievements, Field's later years were shadowed by mental health issues. As per the Genealogical Dictionary of Maine and New Hampshire, his vibrant but brief life was eventually overshadowed by mental illness.

      Mt. Field, which stands at 4,326 feet within the White Mountains' Willey Range and adjacent to Crawford Notch, is named in honor of Darby Field. He is famously recognized for his 1642 expedition of Mt. Washington, a venture driven by his quest for minerals, specifically diamonds. However, he only found quartz, leading to profound disappointment. His ensuing erratic behavior resulted in his confinement for the safety of himself and others. A court ruling mandated that Strawberry Bank, New Hampshire (later known as Portsmouth), should contribute financially to the costs associated with his detention and care.

  • Sources 
    1. [S3233] Ancestry.com, Maine Pioneers, 1623-60, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 1999;).

    2. [S3234] Ancestry.com, U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2010;), Place: New Hampshire; Year: 1631; Page Number: 44.

    3. [S3235] Ancestry.com, U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2012;).
      https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37877942/darby-field

    4. [S3236] Ancestry.com, Global, Find a Grave® Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2012;).
      https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/37877942/darby-field

    5. [S1749] Ancestry.com, New Hampshire Probate Records, 1635-1753, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations Inc; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2003;).
      New Hampshire Probate Records, 1635-1753      		 New Hampshire Probate Records, 1635-1753


    6. [S3237] Ancestry.com, Geneanet Community Trees Index, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2022;).


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