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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (West Riding) => Topic started by: anniecat on Sunday 01 March 20 12:10 GMT (UK)
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I am descended from Hugh Oldfield who moved from Doncaster to become a bell founder at Nottingham. He was, I believe, son of William Oldfield bellfounder of Doncaster (Hugh s/o William ch 7 October 1740 Doncaster St George).
The bell founders database shows William I Oldfield active in Doncaster from 1607 until 1652 (William was buried 16 July 1652 Doncaster St George), succeeded by William II Oldfield from 1652 until 1666, and then by Hugh Oldfield.
I have looked at the Doncaster parish registers and William I appears to have named 3 sons William, none of whom survived childhood (1617-1617; 1617-1620; 1621-1621). A man identified as William Oldfield Junior married at Doncaster in 1624, so presumably he was born about 1600 and not William I's son.
In an attempt to learn more about this family I have tried to widen my search. Unfortunately no wills of either William Oldfield seem to have been made or have survived and I have been unable to find any references at all to the bell foundry in the Doncaster archives catalogue. Can anyone help me please? :)
Thank you.
Judith
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Hi, there is a snippet here which mentions William Oldfield (Junior?), he apparently was responsible for one of the bells at Saint Peters Clayworth, cast in 1629 if that helps you.
If you click on the picture it will enlarge slightly.
Frank.
http://www.stpetersclayworth.org/90265/info.php?p=9
ADDED:
Another mention here http://www.silkstonereflects.co.uk/Tower%20Bells.pdf
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Thank you Jess5athome for your prompt reply.
I have found several references to bells attributed to William Oldfield of Doncaster, but I have found nothing at all about the foundry, which I think is surprising.
Hugh Oldfield married Alice Oldfield, d/o George I Oldfield of the Nottingham bell foundry (run by Oldfields (Henrys and Georges) from 1539) and there is much more known about them, their bells and that foundry. I think it is likely that the two Oldfield families are related but haven't managed to prove that yet. :)
Judith