Robert Stansfeld

Given in the Parliamentary Papers as Robert Stansfield but the usual spelling of this branch of the family is Stansfeld. With his wife Hannah Letitia Stansfeld (q.v.), awarded the compensation for ten enslaved people in S. Naparaima Trinidad. Hannah Letitia Johnston has been born in Trinidad c. 1808 and the 'slave property' was presumably hers. The couple moved to Britain between c. 1836 and 1842.

1. In 1851 Robert Stansfeld 45 Lieut army born Sowerby and Hannah L. Stansfeld 42 born Trinidad were living with their daughters also Hannah L. aged 9 and Louisa both born Sowerby in Sowerby Yorkshire. The Robert Stansfeld farmer given immediately before their entry was presumably father of Robert and father-in-law of Hannah Letitia. In 1861 the couple were still at Sowerby and had living with them among others a daughter Lydia aged 25 born Trinidad.

2. His obituary in the Halifax Guardian gives him as the son of Robert Stansfeld Esquire of Field House. Attended Heath Grammar School. Gazetted ensign of the 19th Regiment in 1826, lieutenant in 1832. Served in the West Indies where he married Hannah Laetitia, only daughter and heiress of Lewis Farley Clogston Johnston. Retired from the army in 1837. Lived at The Breck in Sowerby until his father died in 1855. Moved to Field House. Joined the second West York Militia in 1852, retired an Honorary Colonel in 1874. Justice of the Peace for West Riding. Three sons: Lewis Johnston (died young); Robert Johnston (late Captain in the army, lately deceased); and John (late Captain of the Royal Scots Greys, married Eliza, daughter of Patrick Arkley of Dunninald Castle). Three daughters. "As trustee of Wheelwright's Charity he took great interest in the successful working of Rishworth Grammar School. He was also a governor of the Waterhouse Charity, besides other charitable trusts."

3. Memorial inscription at St Peter's, Sowerby: "In Affectionate Remembrance of Hannah Letitia, The Beloved Wife of Robert Stansfeld, Esq, of Field House, who died Nov 17th 1864, Aged 56 Years AND of the above named Robert Stansfeld, Esq, who died Oct 19th 1885, Aged 79 Years."

1. 1851 census online; John Stansfeld, History of the family Stansfeld of Stansfield in the parish of Halifax and its numerous branches (1885) pp. 174, 197.

2. Transcription at Malcolm Bull's Calderdale Companion, http://www.calderdalecompanion.co.uk/qq_182.html [accessed 16/12/2020].

3. Photograph and transcription available at Malcolm Bull's Calderdale Companion, http://www.calderdalecompanion.co.uk/ph5223.html [accessed 16/12/2020].

We are grateful to David Cant for his assistance with compiling this entry.