After much study I have come to the conclusion that we are from the lineage of Walter Childe who was living in Hereford England in the year, 1294. Thomas Childe was a tenant of the monastery of St. Mary’s, Worchester Co., England in 1304 and is no doubt the son of 1294 Walter Childe. Richard LeChilde, lord (ruler of an estate of a Feudal Lord), was of Northwick, Worcester Co., England in 1320 could be the son of Thomas Childe, Worcester Co., 1304. Richard LeChilde of Northwick in 1320 had two sons and was succeeded by them, William LeChilde in 1350, and Thomas LeChilde in 1353. Thomas LeChilde in 1353 had several sons, three of whom are William, Thomas, and John. A Grandson of 1320 Richard LeChild, was Thomas LeChilde, an escheater - that is he was in charge of transferred or reverted property back to the Feudal Lord or government, for the county of Worcester in 1428. Thomas LeChilde, escheater, 1428 was the father of William Childe of Northwick, Worchester County. William Childe of Northwick was the father of Edmund Childe of Northwick. Edmund Childe was the father of William Child, High Sheriff of Worcestershire, in 1586. William Child of Worcestershire was the father of William Child of Pensax, High Sheriff in 1599. William Child of Pensax was the father of William Child, Lord of the manor of Northwick, in 1634. The sons of 1353 Thomas LeChilde migrated to London before the reign of Charles I., 1625-1649. These sons intermarried with the Wheeler family, originally of Wiltshire, who were the goldsmith of "the Marygold," Temple Bar, at Fleet street, during the time of King James I.

 

Richard Childe, born around 1600 (when considering the birth date of his youngest son, Josiah, born 1630) was a descendant of 1353 Thomas LeChilde. Richard became a merchant of London, and traded with the American colonies and the West Indies. Richard Childe was the father of Sir John Child, and Sir Josiah Child and most likely an uncle to Sir Frances Child. These three men are probably the most note worthy of the Childs family.

 

As a result of my research I believe our first ancestor coming to America in 1629/1630 was William Child who was born around 1595 to be from the same family line as Richard Childe, merchant of London. It is possible William Child and Richard Childe was brothers, if not cousins. My reasons for thinking thus: their birth dates are both approximately around 1600. Family names are the same, such as; William, Richard, John, Robert, Josiah. Our Coat of Arms greatly indicates that we came through the same lineage of Richard Childe, merchant of London, who traded with the American colonies.

1294 Walter Childe of Hereford, England

1304 Thomas Childe, of Worcester Co., England

1320 Richard Childe of Northwick, Worcester Co., England

1350 Willaim LeChild and 1353 Thomas LeChilde both of Northwick, Worcester Co., England

1353 Thomas LeChilde had three sons: 1428 Thomas Le Childe, William Child and John Child. The later two immigrated to London

1428 Thomas LeChilde of Worcester Co, grandson of 1320 Richard Childe was the father of William Childe of Northwick, Worcester Co., England. William Childe was the father of

Edmund Childe of Northwick Edmund Childe was the father of William Child, High Sheriff of Worcestershire, in 1586. William Child was the father of William Child, of Pensax, High Sheriff, in 1599. William Child of Pensax was the father of William Child, lord of the manor of Northwick, in 1634.

 

Before the reign of Charles I, 1625-1649 sons of 1353 Thomas LeChilds, William Child and John Child migrated to London. From one of these sons came William Child, our first ancestor to America.

 

I have relied heavily upon the most scholarly work of Elias Child, author of the book, Genealogy of the Child, Childs, Childe Families of the Past and Present in the United States and the Canadas from 1630 to 1881 for our lineage prior to our 1780 Isaac Childs who settled in Mead Township in 1821 now Randolph Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania.