In the mid-1800s many of the Fieldens chose to move from their homes around New Market, TN to the western area of Kentucky. Of the three heads of families, John, James and William Fielden, who earlier in the century moved from North Carolina, many of the descendants of James and William made the move to Kentucky.

Of William’s offspring the largest number from one family to move to Kentucky were the children of his son, Berry G. Fielden. By 1890 eight of his nine living children had moved there. The first was his oldest child William who apparently about 1855 went first to Indiana but was in Kentucky by the early 1860s. He married in McLean County and had 11 children. He is the great grandfather of Bill and Jerry who are serving on the committee for the reunion this year.

Berry’s second child, Martha, after being a widow at an early age married her third Cousin, Allen Fielden. They moved with their three children to Ohio County about 1870 and a number of their descendants still live in that area.

Berry G. Fielden, Jr. married in Jefferson County, TN and his first 10 children were born there (the last in 1884). He had 2 other children born in Kentucky (1886 and 1889). He died in Ohio County in 1891. Berry’s daughter, Mary Ann, at some time moved to McLean County, Kentucky and married William Galbraith where they had seven children; the oldest was born about 1866.

Richard Fielden, grandson of William, made his way to Ohio County some time between 1855 and 1858. He first married in Tennessee and there were 9 children by this wife. After her death he remarried and had 3 more children. Many of his descendants continue to live in that area.

James Fielden’s son, Rev. James H. Fielden married and spent most of his life in East Tennessee but moved with most of his family to Ohio County about 1873 and died there in 1882. James’ grandson James E. (son of William) located in Indiana just across the river from Louisville. Another of his grandsons, John Wesley, was located in Ohio County for a few years in the early 1870s but moved back to Tennessee. However most of his children settled in Ohio County. Of special note is the fact that 3 of his sons, John L., Thomas J. and Arley D. married sisters. Their wives, in order, were Ethyl, Sally and June Bennett.

These are not all of the Fieldens who made their way to Kentucky but space here is limited.

When you start thinking about a Fielden Reunion in Louisville your first thoughts might be, where did they come from and how did they get there? The Fieldens in Louisville started their journey from the New Market area of Tennessee in the mid 1800’s. They first went to the Livermore and Owensboro area in western Kentucky and then in the early 1900’s some Fieldens came to Louisville where they found jobs and opportunities for which they had been looking and set about acquiring homes and raising families.

Louisville is a river town located on the Ohio River at the Falls of the Ohio, a natural road block in the river where boats pass through a canal to get around the Falls. The river is about a mile wide here with a stunning view of the downtown area from the Indiana side. The population is just over 1 million.

There are many things to see in and around Kentuckiana (a term used to describe the Louisville area which is on both the Kentucky and Indiana sides of the river). These include the Falls of the Ohio, Churchill Downs Museum, Frazier International History Museum, Gambling Boats (on the Indiana side of the river), Louisville Slugger Museum, Speed Art Museum, Actor’s Theater and the Patton Museum at Fort Knox. This is also Bourbon country where you can tour local distilleries and see how bourbon is made.

General plans include signing in on Friday afternoon and Saturday with an informal gathering in the afternoon to get acquainted, exchange family information, etc. Saturday evening a Dutch treat meal is planned at a local restaurant. Sunday we will have late morning to afternoon meetings when we will have our final get together to exchange information and say our goodbyes.

All meetings will be held in air conditioned facilities. Souvenir T-shirts and/or caps will be available. Sunday afternoon prizes will be awarded to the oldest and youngest persons in attendance, the largest family, the one traveling the farthest distance from home, etc.

We need to know approximately how many to expect to attend before we can make final plans. If you are thinking about coming, complete the 2008 Reunion Tentative Reservation Form no later than March 1.

To keep abreast of reunion plans and learn more about Louisville go to: http://www.fielden.homestead.com, a website developed for this Reunion by Web Master Angela Huffman.

• John (Jerry) Fielden and wife Pat Brinson, Co-chairpersons
• William (Bill) Fielden
• Diane Paschal
• Marilyn Horton
• Angela Huffman, Web Master

Y’all come on to Louisville July 19-20 and learn the “correct” way to pronounce the name of our town!

At our 2004 Reunion in New Market, TN, Jay Fielden who had served faithfully as our treasurer for many years asked to be replaced because of failing health. Janice Whitt was appointed to succeed him. Unfortunately, before Jay was able to transfer the funds he became seriously ill and died. His heirs are in the process of settling his estate and the funds in that bank account, believed to be about $500, will be given to the new treasurer. I had $155 left from the cost of printing and mailing the Newsletter for that year. The costs for this 2008 edition are about $700. In addition there will be expenses for the activities in Louisville. I am paying for the Newsletter expenses with confidence that you will continue your generous support of these functions.

If you would like to contribute toward these expenses, send your check to Marvel designated for Fielden Reunion.

Located near New Market, Tennessee in the area where most of our ancestors settled when they came from North Carolina, the Pleasant Grove - Fielden Cemetery is the oldest known burial place for any of our Fielden ancestors.

The stones in the cemetery indicate the first person to be buried there was William Fielden who died Jan. 10, 1850. A part of the inscription on the stone says “An emigrant from N.C.”

Through the concerted efforts of Robert Dinwiddie and other descendants of Richard Fielden this cemetery is managed by a Board which is a constituted legal entity with tax-exempt status. They have an endowment fund to assure continuing maintenance.

If you would care to make a tax-exempt donation to this fund, contact Taylor Early for the mailing address of Mrs. Lavonne Sherrod, Treasurer.

It has been four years since we last did a mailing to all the people on our list. As you can imagine, there are numerous changes in that time period. I have done a search for all Fieldens in each state in White Pages on the internet. There were about 150 addresses which appear to be new or need to be changed. Since there are many Fieldens with the same first name, it is difficult to know which are new. Some of you may get duplicate copies and some of your relatives may not get one. You can help by notifying Marvel if:

1. You have recently moved or should move in the future.
2. Your household gets more than one copy.
3. You know of others who have moved since our last mailing.
4. You know of others who did not receive a copy of this Newsletter and might like one.

In early August of 2006, about two dozen Fieldens from the U.S., Canada and Australia descended on Todmorden, our ancestral home in England, where we were warmly welcomed and entertained all weekend by our hosts, the Fielden Society of Todmorden.

On Friday evening, we gathered at The Fielden Centre, built in 1872 to house a school operated by Sarah Fielden, wife of Samuel Fielden, the eldest son of "Honest" John Fielden, M.P. Before, during and after the catered meal, we talked and talked and talked, meeting new cousins and renewing old friendships.

Saturday morning we met at the Town Hall, which was built in the early 1870s with funds donated by Samuel, John, and Joshua Fielden, the sons of "Honest" John. Along with trying to figure out how we are all related and learning about the history of Todmorden and the Fieldens, we enjoyed a tour of the impressive Town Hall. Then we all paraded down the grand staircase while a film crew from Yorkshire Television shot a news spot about the reunion.

In the afternoon, there were guided tours to Dobroyd Castle and the Unitarian Church, both built in 1869 by the sons of “Honest” John Fielden. In the evening we regrouped for dinner at the Queen Hotel.

On Sunday, many of the group traveled by coach (that's a bus in American English) to visit the present day John Fielden at his estate, Grimston Park, near York, then ended the day with a traditional fish and chips dinner.

Todmorden is an industrious, scenic little town of about 12,000 people right on the border between Lancashire and Yorkshire in the north of England. Its rich history is so deeply intertwined with the history of the Fielden family that it's a must-see spot for any Fielden descendant. And it truly is a Homecoming to be in a place where everyone knows how to spell Fielden!

To view interesting historic and modern photos of Todmorden, visit Todmorden Album on the Web and Todmorden Business Association Photo Gallery.

Some members of the Fielden family who gathered for their ten-yearly family reunion. Pictured are Erma Jo and Marvel Fielden from the U.S., Hazel Fielden from Bradford, Robert and Rosie Fielden from Stamford and Annie Eggleton (nee Fielden) from Sydney Australia. Picture by BRUCE FITZGERALD. (Click on picture to read the story)

If you would like to join The Todmorden Fielden Society and receive their Quarterly Newsletters, the annual dues are $10.00. These can be paid to Keith who will transfer the funds to the proper person in England.

Although this book was published several years ago, there are probably some who are hearing about it for the first time. For these I will tell a bit about the contents of the book. This is a 640 page hardbound book which gives some of our family background in England and what we could learn about William Fielden, the emigrant who came to the colony of North Carolina in the 1750s. He received several land grants in Anson County. Most of this land was passed on to his children and grandchildren who lived there until about 1820.

The book contains an index of over 7000 descendants and spouses of the three Fieldens who then moved to Jefferson County Tennessee. From there they have gradually migrated across our entire nation.

The remaining copies of this family history are being offer at the prepublication price of $60 which includes shipping. If you would like more information or wish to place an order, contact Marvel, the author.