Captain Richard Aylworth

Captain Richard Aylworth (d. 1661) was an active supporter of Parliament during the English civil war against the Monarchy.  Led by Lord Cromwell, the Parliament, after much fighting took over, captured and beheaded King Charles I.  Richard played a part in the key battles, the siege at Malmesbury in 1644, and also a prominent role in stopping the kings army at Stow. In 1646 he claimed that he had spent large sums in the service of Parliament and by 1656 his financial difficulties were said to have ruined his family.

One may suppose that with the return of the monarchy in 1660, some members of the family felt it best to leave the country.  This is about the time that the Aylsworth name appeared in America.