The earliest Ashfield’s that can be traced to our line are a brother and sister Tobias and Sarah Ashfield born in the 1730's in New York City. Although there was another Ashfield family in the City at the time, it is unknown if we are related to them.

Tobias Ashfield Was Born Abt. 1736, and Died Abt. 1760. He married a woman named Catherine. She died after1770. Tobias Ashfield had been a baker but afterwards appears to have taken to the sea. He served and was killed in French and Indian war, on the sloop of war "Squirrel", John James commander. The date of his death is unknown leaving a widow and two sons John and Henry.

THE WILL AND POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR TOBIAS ASHFIELD -
Completed as he entered the French and Indian War

Tobias’ sister Sarah Ashfield was born February 23, 1740/41 in New York, and died February 02, 1816 in Sag Harbor, NY. She married Christopher Lugar, who was born November 09, 1753 in Baden, Germany, and died march 04, 1810 in Sag Harbor, NY.

Sarah Lugar resided at Sag Harbor. Just before the War of 1812 she had come to the visit the Ashfield's in New York City but before she was ready to return to Long Island, a British blockading squadron appeared on the east end of the island and she was afraid to return as she came by water. She remained in New York till the peace as it is said she could not bear the fatigue of returning by land. She is described as "an uncommonly large woman very tall and very stout and must have weighed at least 250 pounds". Christopher her husband had enlisted in Washington's army during the Revolution and Sarah followed the camp. They afterwards settled in New York where their son George (1779) was born, later to Nova Scotia and finally to Sag Harbor where they both died.

Tobias’ son John Ashfield was born February 21, 1756 in New York, and died August 13, 1818 at 194 William St. He married Mary Taylor on December 01, 1781 in Maiden Lane at her home. She was born November 18, 1760 in Maiden Lane(near Liberty St.) and died October 01, 1823.

Tobias’s son Henry Ashfield, b. May 04, 1757; d. October 15, 1789.

John Ashfield's Indenture Papers

John and Henry Ashfield both served in the American Revolutionary War. John in Capt John Lambs Company, N.Y. Artillery and was taken prisoner at battle of Quebec on January 1, 1776.

Came From Quebec the Seventh August And arrived at New York in September 1776

Toward the fall of 1776 the British authorities in Canada offered to discharge them as prisoners of war on parole not to take up arms again during the war which they accepted. He was given a passport certifying that he was one of the continental prisoners from Quebec on parole allowing him, to pass unmolested. He returned to New York where his mother lived and after working sometime at his trade of a baker he commenced business for himself and after the close of the war accumulated an independent fortune by different operations in connection with business. He dealt in flour and had interest in a furnace.

Death Notices of John Ashfield.

Adv in Evening Post Aug 14, 1818

Yesterday afternoon after lingering illness in the 63rd. year of her age, Mrs mary Ashfield widow of the late John Ashfield. Her friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend her funeral tomorrow morning at ten o'clock at 194 William Street.

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Alfred Ashfield served as alderman in the City of New York 1841-2, 4th ward. His home address at the time was 198 William Street. His business address was c/o Ridge & Grand streets.

Address c.1825 - 220 William Street, New York
              c.1823 - Jay Street and Staple Street

Ashfield Street in Piedmont Virgina is named after Alfred Ashfield

The children of Alfred Ashfield and Mary Rogers McNeal are:

William McNeal Ashfield was born May 06, 1828 in NY, and died March 10, 1903 in New York. He married Violetta Taylor Timpson on April 12, 1855 in St. George's Church, New York, she was the daughter of John Timpson and Mary Taylor. She was born April 28, 1826 in New York, NY, and died April 06, 1890 in New York. He served as a private in 1845 in co "C" 27th Reg NY Militia, in 1859 in co "S", 9th reg NY militia & in 1855 as Chaplin 11 reg 4th

Brigade. He also went to the Calfornia Gold Rush in 1849. He went by ship and the trip took 5 ½ months. He later took the occupation of his father and entered the coal business. He was also the senior warden of Resurrection Church, New York.

RESOLUTION

New York April 25, 1868

At a meeting of the rector, wardens and vestrymen of the Church of the Resurrection in the City of New York it was unanimously

Resolved:- that in view of the resignation of William M. Ashfield senior warden of said church, such resignation is accepted solely in consequence of his removal from the city.

Resolved that in recognition of the faithful & continued services which he has discharged since the commencement of the parish, the sincere thanks of this vestry be tendered him.

Resolved that an expression of their regret at his severance from a body of which he was the first member & whose a strong personal attachment has been elicited as well as of cordial wishes for the future happiness of himself and family be forwarded through the Rector.

To the above I would add the assurance of my appreciation of the gentlemanly and Christian consideration which you ever manifested towards myself, I should be ungrateful did I not express how many times in the trying hour, your words & presence have encouraged me in my most responsible and difficult work. That in your future career either within or without the church the blessing of god may attend yourself and family is the heartfelt wish of

Your friend and pastor

E.O. Flagg

 

Children of William McNeal Ashfield and Violetta Taylor Timpson were:

William’s son Alfred Edward Ashfield was born February 07, 1864, and died April 16, 1925. He married Helen Louise Finch November 24, 1885 in Christ Church, Greenwich, daughter of Silas Finch and Henrietta Minor.

Since William’s male children either died without issue or had female offspring, our branch of the Ashfield name ended with his son Alfred.