" Field House," Sowerby, is mentioned in the Wakefield Manor rolls as early as 1440, and in 1500 there appear to have been there, two buildings of the name, one of which is distinguished as " Nether Field House."

From Sowerby the family spread itself around the neighborhood, and during the latter half of the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries they are found at various places within a radius of twelve or fifteen miles, and mostly at or near Halifax, Bedford and Wakefield.

William Field, the father of the emigrant, resided at Sowerby, where his two eldest children were born ; but removed to North Ouram, a

38o

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

place but a few miles distant, and in the immediate vicinity of Halifax, in 1593, 4, or 5. Sir Richard Sattonstall, who, in connection with Winthrop, got up the well known expedition to New England in 1630, then resided at an estate called Rookes' in Hipperholme, a township adjoining North Ouram. Many of his neighbours were among the 1700 persons who formed this party. Among them were the Rev. Richard Denton, curate of Coley chapel, whose ministry embraced Hipperholme, and North Ouram, and Matthew Mitchell, who was a witness to the will of Susan Field, mother of Robert, in 1622-3. Both of these settled at Hempstead, L. I., in 1643 or 4. No list of the members of the Winthrop and Sattenstall expedition exists, but there is every reason to suppose that Robert Field was of the party. For the next few years the records of the New England colonists are extremely meagre and hisa movements cannot be traced, but shortly after the settlement of Rhode Island, viz.: in 1638, his name appears among the inhabitants of Newport, and he is also mentioned there in the three following years.