General Notes

GARFIELD'S IN AMERICA
The Garfield family descends from Edward Garfield who was born in Warwickshire, England in 1583 and died in Watertown, Massachusetts in 1672. Edward was the first of the Garfield family to leave England for the New World and was the forefather for most if not all of the people bearing
or connected to the Garfield name in the American colonies.
Edward and his first wife, name unknown, had three children in England, Jonathan who died shortly after his birth in 1611, Samuel who was born in 1613 and Sarah born in 1616, possibly named for her mother. According to new information published by Robert C. Anderson in October 2002 in the NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, (pg 327 - vol 156) Edward Garfield was baptized in Hillmorton, Warwickshire in 1583 and his parents were listed as Thomas Garfield and Agnes. His three children were all baptized at Holy Trinity Church, Coventry, Warwickshire and were recorded in the Parish Registers there but nothing is known about his wife who must have died early.
Edward was a widower when he immigrated to the Puritan colony of Massachusetts, perhaps in the Winthrop fleet of 1630 since he is mentioned in the family records of Isaac Sterns as one of his fellow passengers, along with Gov. Winthrop and Sir Richard Saltonstall. The first official evidence of Edward Garfield in Massachusetts is shown in Watertown records when he was granted the rights of a freeman on May 6, 1635, (voting rights for property owners.) After his arrival, he married Rebecca Johnson, who was born in England in 1606, and they resided in
Watertown with their four children: Joseph born in 1637, Rebecca born in 1640, Benjamin born in 1643 and Abigail born in 1646. He received 30 acres of land in 1636, and a total of 12 acres in 1637. In addition, he purchased another 100 acres as recorded between 1651 and 1662. During the years when Watertown struggled for existence, he performed many services, appearing often in the town records, which included serving as selectman in 1638, 1655 and 1661 and "Ould Garfield" was chosen as Constable in 1661. He died on June 14, 1672 at an advanced age and his will was probated on July 11, 1672.
Apparently, Edward sent for his children soon after his arrival in Massachusetts because both Edward and his son Samuel are shown in the land inventories of 1637 and 1647. In 1630, when Edward departed for the "New World," Samuel would have been 17 and Sarah 14. Robert C.
Anderson makes a case for Sarah Garfield being the second wife of George Parkhurst and the mother of Sarah Parkhurst, the grandchild who is mentioned in Edward's will but the exact identity of Sarah Parkhurst's mother has not yet been definitely established.
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Edward Garfield was baptized on 28 July 1583 at Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England.1 He was the son of Thomas Garfield <p312.htm> and Agnes (?) <p312.htm>.1 Before 1611 Edward married possibly Sarah (?) <p312.htm>.1 Edward Garfield became a freeman on 6 May 1635 at Massachusetts.2,3 Edward was listed among the orgininal grantees of Watertown 25 July 1636.2 Before 1637 Edward married Rebecca (?) <p4.htm>. This was Edward's second marriage, the name of his first being lost.2,3,1 Edward Garfield was granted land on 28 February 1636/37 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, of seven acres. On 26 June that year, he was granted 5 more acres.2 He was chosen on 30 December 1637 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, as a Selectman for 1638. He served as a Selectman again in 1655 and 1662.2,3 On 15 December according to the Watertown accounting records he was credited with four shillings for "keeping of the order of hogs.2" He served in 1661 as a Constible.2 On 1 September 1661 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Edward married Joanna (?).4,5,2,3,1 Edward Garfield left a will on 30 December 1668 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.2,3 He died on Tuesday, 14 June 1672 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, at age 88 years, 10 months and 17 days.2,3,1 His estate was probated on 11 July 1672 at Watertown, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. His inventory was valued at £457 3/6d.2,3 Bond (1860) assumed that this Edward was in fact two people. This was taken up by Savage and thus followed by many genealogists thereafter. The age given on Edward's death record proves that he is one very long lived person.2