Memories of Times Past

Pictures , Records and Memories

We are building up an archive of old photographs -

Old Photos carries a series of illustrations, pictures and photos before and after the second world war.

Photos from a professional survey in 1964, before the Barbican was built are under Survey

Below is an invitation from 1880 to a feast in memory of the pious founders

invitation to a feast

From recent emails

Dear Reverend Rumens,

While searching for information on the computer, I discovered your Church's lovely web site. I am trying to find our more information about a former Minister of the Church, the Reverend John Field (c.1545-1588), as I believe I may be descended from him. He and his wife, Joanna, had seven children. According to Nathan Field, the Actor-Playwright, a biography of the youngest son, all of the children were baptised at St. Giles, and Rev. Field was buried there.

One of the older sons of the family was Theophilus Field (1574-1636) who became Bishop of Hereford. Theophilus had a son, James Field (c.1604), who came to Virginia. James' granddaughter was Mary Field (1679-1715) who married Thomas Jefferson, and was the grandmother of American President Thomas Jefferson. While I cannot document it, I have been told all my life that my 6th great grandfather, William Field (1698-1748), who seems to have appeared out of thin air on the border between the colonies of Maryland and Pennsylvania in the 1720s, was "somehow kin" to Thomas Jefferson's grandmother.

After I discovered the above mentioned biography of Nathan Field (1587-1619/20), the actor, I obtained a copy of a portrait of him from the Dulwich Picture Gallery. To me, he looks a great deal like some of my relatives, though I suppose I could just be seeing what I would like to see.

Because of Nathan's association with the theatre and Shakespeare, I was quite intrigued to see the letter on your site from Charlie Tooley of Cincinnati, Ohio, mentioning that his ancestor, Nicholas Tooley, was also an actor, and was buried at St. Giles not long after my Nathan Field would have died. Doubtless the men knew each other. Would you pass this email on to Mr. Tooley, or give me his address? I think it might be interesting for us to compare notes on our research. (Indeed, I would be pleased to correspond with anyone researching early ancestors at St. Giles....particularly anyone researching the Field family.)

My line down from William Field (1698-1748), my earliest documented ancestor, goes as follows:

William Field (1698-1748) & Jane, maiden name possibly Benton (d. after 1773)

William Field, Jr. (c.1727-1805) & Lydia Elswick (1743-c.1829) m. circa 1759

Jeremiah Field (c.1764-1830) & Eleanor Sherwood (1776-1859) m. circa 1794

Elswick Sherwood Field (1808-1867) & Guilianna L. Lindsay (1807-1885) m. 1831

John Andrew Field (1846-1883) & Mary Adeline Wilkinson (1846-1906) m. 1865

Ernest Marion Field (1866-1902) & Mary Rhetta Bell (1862-1947) m. 1888

John Levi Field (1899-1963) & Eunice Virginia Stearns (1906-1983) m. 1929

Joanna Field (won't tell her age) & Kenneth O. Pankow, m. 1962

John Field Pankow....that's me.

The elder William Field died in Lancaster (now Adams) Co., Pa. and is buried at Christ Church, Huntington, also known as the Old White Episcopal Church, near York Springs, Pa. The church is long gone, but his tombstone still stands. Around 1753/5, his widow Jane and their seven children moved from Pa. to North Carolina. It might interest you to learn that William Field, Jr. remained loyal to the King during the Revolutionary War, and was a Colonel in the NC Loyalist militia. After the surrender, he applied for pardon from the newly formed State of North Carolina, which was granted, and his confiscated lands were returned to him. He appears to have lived out his long life as a respected member of his community, though he was on the other side of the war from most of his neighbors.

Prior to the Revolution, William had been a representative in the NC House of Commons from 1771 to 1774. He also served as a member of the Vestry of St. Luke's Parish, Guilford Co., NC (Church of England), though in later years, he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After four generations (and intermarriage with some old Scottish families), my folks became Presbyterians. I guess you could say I am returning to my ancestral spiritual roots, however, as, this summer, I will be Confirmed in the Anglican Church. (Anglican Province of America, not the Episcopal Church,, USA.)

At any rate, I would love to learn more about your church, and any information you might have on Rev. John Field (c.1545-1588), his wife Joanna, and their children.

Best Regards,

John Field Pankow

Asheville, NC, USA

My ancestor, Nicholas Tooley, was stated to have been buried at St. Giles Church, following his death. The burial was to have taken place on 05 June, 1623. Perhaps you would be interested to learn that Nicholas was a actor with Wm. Shakespeare and was a part of the King's Men. While Nick was relatively an "unknown", it is interesting that he lodged with Cuthbert Burbage and wife, who was the brother of Richard Burbage, the famous Shakespearean actor and owner of the Globe Theater. I hold a copy of his his will if you so desire to read it.

As a frequent visitor in London, I was wondering if you know where these bodies were indeed buried now, or even if they still exist. My wife and I have a trip planned later to London this Autumn and would like very much to visit the parish there. It is certainly worthy of a donation to your church in his memory.

Charlie Tooley

Cincinnati, OH 45202-1195
Subsequently the Guildhall traced information about Nicholas
Nicholas Tooley Gentleman from the house of Mr Cuthbert Burbidge gentleman, buried 5 June 1623

Fernando Mosig has written from Cadiz.

He is researching artists who worked in Cadiz and San Fernanado during the second half of 18th century.

Some of the foreign artists in Cadiz at that that time were English. One of them was Samuel Howe (or How.) Howe was born in London between 1713 and 1715 and was baptised "en la parroquia de San Gil". Mr Mosig presumes that was St Giles Cripplegate (although he has been encouraged to enquire also at St Giles in the Fields.)

Loretta writes

Everyone has been wonderful helping in my research for the Forlong family and you will be named and remembered here at the Euroa Museum. I am not sure if I told you that one of our buildings is called the Eliza Forlong cottage. The Forlongs have a great story, I would be pleased to post a small book over to you if you would like to read about them bringing their pure bred Saxon Merinos to Australia in 1829 & 1831. John & Eliza went back to England in 1834 to try and obtain more land here, but John died and was buried in your Churchyard.

Tracing your Family Tree

Many people are interested in genealogy. However we do not hold parish records in the Church. The Guildhall, London EC2P 2EF, however, holds

Baptisms 1561 - 1961
Marriages 1561 - 1987

Burials 1561 - 1853

The enquiry service will transcribe the details of up to three parish register entries where the exact date and name(s) of the person(s) is known

manuscripts.guildhall@cityoflondon.gov.uk

telephone 020 7332 1863