William Field (minister) facts for kids
William Field (born January 6, 1768 – died August 16, 1851) was an English Unitarian minister. Unitarians are a group of Christians who believe in one God, rather than the traditional Christian idea of the Trinity (God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). William Field was known for his long career and his work in education.
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Early Life and Education
William Field was born in Stoke Newington, London, on January 6, 1768. His father, John Field, was a doctor in London and started a group called the London Annuity Society, which helped people save money for their future. His mother, Anne Cromwell, came from a family with a famous ancestor, Oliver Cromwell. William also had a brother, Henry Field, who became an apothecary (a type of pharmacist).
Even as a schoolboy, William was very smart and wrote letters to his father in Latin. He began studying to become a minister at Homerton College. However, he left this college because he disagreed with some of their religious teachings. In 1788, he moved to Daventry Academy to continue his studies. He left this academy too, when his teacher, Thomas Belsham, resigned.
A Career in Ministry
In 1789, William Field became the minister for a Presbyterian church in Warwick. Presbyterians are another group of Christians. He was officially ordained as a minister on July 12, 1790. Important people like Thomas Belsham and Joseph Priestley (a famous scientist and minister) were there. This event also led to William Field becoming good friends with Dr. Samuel Parr, who was also very interested in classical studies, like ancient Greek and Roman history and literature.
Starting a Sunday School
William Field was very dedicated to his community. In 1791, he started the very first Sunday school in Warwick. This was a big step in providing education for children on Sundays. However, this new idea caused some disagreements with other local church leaders. William Field often wrote pamphlets (small booklets) to share his ideas and explain his views.
His church building in Warwick had been rebuilt in 1780. It had a special sloped floor to make it a better place for people to hear sermons. William Field also caused some discussion by putting a stone cross on the front of the building. For many years, he also ran a boarding school in Leam, which is near Warwick.
Serving Two Communities
Around 1830, William Field also took on the role of minister at an old Presbyterian church in Kenilworth. This meant he would lead afternoon services there in addition to his duties in Warwick. The Kenilworth church was rebuilt in 1846 with help from his son, Edwin Wilkins Field. William Field served as a minister for almost 60 years! He retired from his Warwick church in 1843 and from Kenilworth in 1850.
Later Life and Family
William Field passed away in Leam on August 16, 1851. A special marble plaque was placed in the High Street Chapel in Warwick to remember him.
He was married to Mary Wilkins, who died in 1848. Her father, William Wilkins, was also a minister, but he was a Baptist. William and Mary Field had many children.
Notable Children
Several of William Field's sons became successful in their own fields:
- Edwin Wilkins Field was the oldest son. He married Mary Sharpe, whose brothers were a geologist and a banker. Their aunt was a well-known writer.
- Horace Wilkins Field became an architect, designing buildings.
- Alfred Field (1814–1884) was a businessman. He helped start a hardware company called Alfred Field & Co. He traveled to New York and became good friends with the famous American poet, William Cullen Bryant. Bryant even visited the Field family in England.
