James Fields1

b. 17 March 1820, d. 21 August 1896
FatherWilliam Fields2 b. 1781, d. 21 Jan 1829
MotherElizabeth Lynch2 b. abt 1795, d. 14 May 1851
Birth17 Mar 1820 James Fields was born on 17 Mar 1820 in Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia.1 
Childhood  James's father William Fields died in 1829, leaving 7 children and a pregnant wife. Although James was only 9 years at the time, he and his siblings helped their mother carry-on the family brick masonry business. 
Marriage1847 He married Susan Ellen Owen, daughter of Jesse Owen and Juliette Sappho Willoughby, in 1847 in Blountville, Sullivan County, Tennessee.1 
Cens-18508 Oct 1850  In 1850 James and Susan were enumerated residing in Abingdon. James at age 30 was already a well established brick mason whose household included 2 other brick masons in addition to Susan and their infant son Thomas. Three members of the Owens family (Sarah, 18, Joseph, 14 and James, 12) were also enumerated with James and Susan.3 
Cens-186017 Aug 1860  Ten years later James reported that he owned real estate worth $8,250 and personal property worth $6,300. James and Susan's family had grown to include 5 children: Thomas, 9; Lavinia, 7; Mary, 5; George, 3; Samuel, 1. Sixty year old Jane Lynch was also part of the household.4 
Military  During the Civil War James served with the 48th Virginia Infantry. He held the rank of captain and served as Commissary.5 
Public Serv1865  Following the war the people of Washington County elected James to the position of county sheriff.6 
Cens-187026 Sep 1870  James also returned to his masonry business. The make up of his household in 1870 indicates that the business had flourished. Two apprentice brick masons lived with the family which also included a brick yard boy and several servants. James and Susan's adult children were also employed: Thomas served as sheriff and Lavinia taught school, while the younger members of the family were students themselves.7 
  James left his mark on the Washington County landscape in ways that are still visible today. He and his brother William, also a well known Washington County brickmason and contractor, built many beautiful homes and buildings in the area. James and his brother David (who later migrated to Texas) were the plastering contractors for the present Washington County Courthouse in Abingdon (the earlier courthouse, built by William Fields, was destroyed during the Civil War). James was also the masonry contractor for the Abingdon Academy when it was rebuilt in 1872.6 
Death21 Aug 1896 James died on 21 Aug 1896 at age 76.1 
Burial He was buried at Sinking Spring Cemetery in Abingdon.1 

Related Links and Images:

The home built by James Fields around 1860 is located at 208 W. Main St. in Abingdon. It is now a museum. Click on the camera icon for a larger picture8
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed James as the head of household number 2051. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Susan Ellen Owen b. 27 Sep 1826, d. 21 Jun 1894
Children
  • Thomas A. Fields1 (circa 1850 - 19 Jun 1883)
  • Lavinia W. Fields1 (1853 - 10 Feb 1940)
  • Mary Annis Fields1 (1855 - before 1940)
  • George Hopkins Fields1 (17 Jul 1857 - 1936)
  • Samuel G. Fields1 (20 Mar 1859 - 28 Dec 1884)
  • Ellen Fields1 (1863 - after Feb 1940)
  • James Campbell Fields1 (31 Mar 1865 - 18 Apr 1916)
  • David Owen Fields1 (2 Oct 1867 - 12 Apr 1893)
Last Edited19 Oct 2013

Citations

  1. [S2439] Patricia Craig Johnson, "James Fields-Susan Ellen Owen" family group sheet, (e-mail address).
  2. [S2439] Patricia Craig Johnson, "William Fields-Elizabeth Lynch" family group sheet, (e-mail address).
  3. [S367] James Fields household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Abingdon, p. 284 (original script), dwelling 2051, family 2051, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2010. Household includes: James Fields, 30, brick mason, owns real estate worth $600, b. VA; Susan, 22, b. TN; Thomas, 6/12; Sarah W. Owens, 18, b. TN; Joseph Owens, 14, b. TN; James Owens, 12, b. TN; Frank Ellis, 17, brick mason, b. VA; Robert Thayer, 22, brick mason, b. VA; Thos Watson free 14, black, b. VA.
  4. [S234] James Fields household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 201, dwelling 1498, family 1444, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2010. Household includes: James Fields, 40, brick mason, owns real estate worth $8,250, personal property worth $6,300, b. VA; Susan, 33, b. TN; Thomas, 9; Lavinia, 7; Mary, 5; George, 3; Samuel, 1; Jane Lynch, 60, owns pers. prop. worth $25; all b. VA.
  5. [S2425] "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Belonging to Units From Virginia," digital images, Footnote.com (http://www.footnote.com : access Nov. 2010); James Fields, Capt and Commissary, 48th VA Infantry.
  6. [S2207] Lewis Preston Summers, History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786.
  7. [S635] James Fields household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Abingdon Township, p. 20 stamped, dwelling 128, family 129, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2010. Household includes: James Fields, 50, brick mason, owns real estate worth $8,000, personal property worth $1,500, b. VA; Susan E., 44, b. TN; Thomas A., 20, D.P. Sheriff; Lavinia W., 18, teaching school; M. Annis, 16; George W., 14; Samuel G., 12; Ellen M., 9; James C., 5; David O., 3; Richard Wilson, 19, apprentice brick mason; Henry McPhartridge, 18, apprentice brick mason; all b. VA; Mary E. Owens, 42, b. TN; rest b. VA: Louisa Mead, 27, black, cook; Violet Mead, 10, black, domestic; Harriet Mead, 6, black; Alcey Mead, 3, black; Susan Mead, 1, black; James Wilson, 14, black, brick yard boy; Jack Mead, 25, black, RR laborer.
  8. [S1376] Photo courtesy Lisa Blair Flatico.