BITFIELD

This is an Old English surname found in Suffolk meaning "field of war" or battlefield. Alternate spellings are Bidfield, Bedfield and Betfield.

SAMUEL BITFIELD.1, a cooper, is thought to have lived first in Braintree, Mass., subsequently moving to Boston where he was granted twenty acres of land February 24, 1640, and was sworn a freeman June 2, 1641. In Boston, October 18, 1648, Thomas Venner, John Mileham, Samuel Bedfield, James Mattuck "and the rest of the coopers of Boston and Charlestowne" were granted leave to "meete together" for the purpose of incorporating into a guild for mutual protection and for the benefit of the public and to prevent abuses in trade. Coopers represented the most important class of artisans in the Colony's foreign and domestic commerce. They made and repaired barrels, hogsheads, butts, tubs, and casks of some variety, and to them was assigned the responsibility for the safe shipping of liquids and perishables. The ability of shipments to endure long voyages and rough handling depended upon the cooper's skill. Perhaps their principal products were hogsheads for rum, molasses and fish.

In 1652, Samuel Bitfield was a constable in Boston. Ruth Bidfield, probably his younger sister, married ca 1643, William Sawyer of Newbury. Samuel died September 10, 1660, his will of May 12, 1659, providing for his wife Elizabeth and two daughters. His inventory of September 13, 1660, showed a good estate, œ512.

Children
1. Mary2, married Samuel Plummer of Newbury.

2. ELIZABETH BITFIELD2 (Samuel1) was probably born in England and married (1), May 19, 1645, William Stevens of Newbury. Stevens with his brother John very likely came in 1638 on the ship Confidence. William died May 19, 1653, his will of the same date names sons John and Samuel, and gives administration to wife Elizabeth.

Their chil. born in Newbury:
i. Bitfield Stevens3, b. Mar. 16, 1649; d. soon.
ii. John Stevens, b. Nov. 19, 1650; lived in Newbury and Haverhill. He m. Mar. 9, 1670, Mary Chase, and before 1715 moved to Dorchester, So. Carolina; d. 1725.
iii. Samuel Stevens, b. Nov. 18, 1652, and was probably killed by Indians at Bloody Brook in 1675.  Elizabeth (Bitfield) Stevens married (2) William Titcomb March 3, 1654, in Newbury. SEE TITCOMB FAMILY.