William Mayfield

William Mayfeild (1810–1862) was an American pioneer in Illinois, Texas, and California; a soldier, farmer, miner, and a cattleman. He led Tulare County militia to aid settlers in the early part of the Owens Valley Indian War and was killed in the Battle of Mayfield Canyon.

William Mayfeild, was born in Tennessee, in 1810, son of Elijah and Elizabeth Mayfield. His first marriage was on October 6, 1828 to Terissa Faller, also called "Tussa", from Hardeman County, Tennessee. They had 2 children born in Illinois, John Mayfield in 1829 and Benjamin Mayfield in 1831. In 1832, William Mayfeild served in the Black Hawk War, as a private in the Company of Captain Levi D. Boone, Brigade of Mounted Volunteers. His unit was mustered into service on April 26, 1832 at Beardstown, Illinois, after being enrolled by the Captain at Montgomery, Illinois on April 20 for 60 days. Mayfeild was mustered out of service, along with his unit at the mouth of the Fox River on the Illinois River, on May 28, 1832, while it was attached to the 2nd Regiment under Col. Jacob Fry.

William Mayfeild moved to Texas in spring 1837 and received a provisional 1280 acre land grant in Washington County which forbade him to sell the land and required him to be a responsible citizen for 3 years before his grant became unconditional and he received his patent. In 1838, Mayfeild added by purchase to his grant, 300 acres of land fronting on the Navasota River.

William Mayfield served as a Second Corporal in the Texas Rangers, in Captain Henry Smith’s Volunteer Rangers, from March 1 - September 1, 1839 during the Texian - Cherokee War. His unit was one of those that fought in the July 15–16, 1839 Battle of the Neches. After he received his patent in 1840 he bought other lands and sold part of them for money. In 1843, Williams third son, Thomas Jefferson Mayfield was born.

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