You should, however, be VERY cautious about believing the possible
English/Norman ancestry of the Camfield lines suggested in this excerpt.
Most of it has NOT been proven, and in fact if one researches the
medieval de Camvilles (I've only scratched the surface), there are major
problems with what is presented here.
Two examples: how old do you think Richard probably was when he
supposedly founded the abbey? Then, how old was he 40 years later when
he was an admiral? Are these perhaps two different people??? There
were, in fact, several Richards who are very difficult to sort out.
And where is the proof that any de Camville arrived with the Conqueror?
Less than a dozen of his knights or soldiers, if I recall correctly,
have ever been established. There is no record I am aware of showing
any de Camville in England prior to around 1120.
Having said all that, it remains true that the Camfields were in
Northamptonshire and nearby regions for generations, including a single
church where four generations are buried. There are many opportunities
for additional research on the family if anyone is interested in the
challenge. But the connection to 1066 is far from established, and may
very well be nonexistent.
Dexter Kenfield
Not a descendant of Matthew Camfield -- but maybe a distant cousin!
Ron Johnson wrote:
"Colonial Families of the United States of America: Volume 4"
Lineage:
The CANFIELDS are descendants from William DE CAMVILLE, of Castle d'Olonde
(parts still standing) at Canville, Normandy, France, 1050; whose son Sir
Richard de Camville came to England with William the Conqueror, 1066, and
was granted land in many shires; from whom descended another Sir Richard,
founder of Coombe Abbey, Warwickshire, 1150; who was one of the Admirals
of
the fleet of King Richard I of England, which went to the Crusades in
1190.
Their names and descendants has occurred in very many shires in
England
ever
since. The American branch came from the Northamptonshire family;
first of
whom was John CAMFELD of Alderton, Esq., whose will is dated 2d July,
1522;
whose son John, will 1557, had son Richard, a minister, d. 1593; who
had a
son Gregory, will 1635, father of Hon. Matthew CAMFIELD, the first to come
to America. The name appears now as places in England, in three ancient
towns; also, as farm, marsh, park. Camfield Hall in Hertfordshire,
Canefield
Castle (ruins of) in Essex, built about 1100, and still exists at
Norwalk,
Connecticut, United States, as Camfield Island and Creek, originally
granted
to Matthew, first settler and named for him, and at several places in
the
United States and one in Canada.