John Edward Remington

Notes:

John's birthplace as Troy, NY, first came to me from Delwin Remington, a descendant. John's obituary, sent to me by Delwin, mentions John's birthplace as Troy, NY. (See text of obituary below.*)

Also, an online biographical sketch of Daniel O. Davis, husband of Helen C. Remington, gives Helen's father's birthplace as Troy, NY, and gives some personal history on John. (Oregon Bios Project, submitted by Jeffrey L. Elmer)

In the Federal Census of 1850, the family is at Livonia, Livingston Co., NY: Jno E. 29 painter, Electa 31, Edward 8, Albro 4, Ellen 1; also Sarah Marshall 18; all b NY.

In the Federal Census of 1860, the family is at Dixon, Lee Co., IL: John E. 40 painter, Electa 40, Edward 18, Alson 14, Hellen 11, Willfred 9, Noble 7; all b NY.

In the Federal Census of 1870, the family is at Palmyra, Lee Co., IL: John E. 50 NY farmer, Electa 51 NY, Edward 28 NY, Alison 23 NY, Sarah 23 IL (probably his wife), Hellen 21 NY, William 21 NY, Noble 18 NY.

In the Federal Census of 1880, at Union, Union Co., OR, the household is as follows: John E. 60 NY (MA/RI) farmer, Electa S. 61 NY (MA/VT), Helen C. Davis 30 NY dtr, Daniel O. Davis 31 NY s-in-law farming, Edward O. Davis 6 CO, Cora I. Davis 3 CO, Leon L. Davis 2 OR, Louisa Davis 1 OR, Grace Davis 1 month OR; and James Smith 17 AR servant.

In the Federal Census of 1900, John is age 83 wd, living at Columbia, Wasco Co., OR, with married daughter Helen Davis and her family.

For military service, see the following on Google Books:
"Report of the adjutant general of the state of Illinois ..., Volume 4" By Illinois. Military and Naval Dept, Joseph W. Vance; p 599: lists John E. Remington, residence Dixon, as quartermaster, 2 Sep 1862, resigned for promotion 24 Nov 1863

Also at Google Books, "Illinois Artillery Officer's Civil War: The Diary and Letters of John Cheney" by Gordon Armstrong; p 196 refers to the "familiar faces" of Quartermaster John E. Remington and son of Dixon, IL, 75th Illinois Infantry, 23 Nov 1863, encamped near Chattanooga, TN, facing the Rebels. The "son' referred to could be Alson, who was in the 75th regiment as well.

"US Army Register" by United States Adjutant-General's Office p 65 lists John E. Remington as Assistant Quartermaster, 13 October 1863, birthplace NY, appointed from Illinois.

"Official register of the United States" by United States Civil Service Commission p 581, lists John E. Remington as postmaster of Ft. Collins, Larimer Co., CO, with a salary of $120.

An ad in the "American Agriculturist" Volume 32 p 69: "Colonization in Coloradao, Information sent free. Address John E. Remington, Fort Collins, Colorado."

"Jefferson Davis in Blue: The Life of Sherman's Relentless Warrior" by Nathaniel Cheairs Hughes, Jr., Gordon D. Whitney, p 275, mentions Captain John E. Remington, chief quartermaster, as an "old hand" assisting Jefferson Davis.

"Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate" Volume 14, Part 1 by United States Congress, p 363, mentions "Brevet Major John E. Remington, assistant quartermaster of Volunteers, for faithful and meritorious services during the war, to date from March 13 1865." Page 421 has an almost identical entry, for Captain John E. Remington.

"United States Congressional serial set, Issue 3409" p 443 & 444, contains a report by Captain John E. Remington, assistant quartermaster, US Army, 14th Army Corps; written at Goldsborough, NC, on 1 Apr 1865. The report concerns the campaign at Savannah, GA. He is also mentioned as part of staff on p 437 in the report of Major General Jefferson C. Davis.

The above-mentioned biographical sketch of Daniel O. Davis and his wife Helen C. Remington has the following information about Helen's father, John E. Remington:
b Troy, NY
well-known artist
md Electa S. Morse (died 24 Nov 1891, age 73)
went to Pike's Peak 1859
enlisted in 71st IL Volunteers at Dixon, IL
mustered 22 Sep 1862
appointed ass't quartermaster, rank of captain, 13 Oct 1863
rank of lt colonel 13 Mar 1864
rank of major 13 Mar 1865
hon discharged 13 Mar 1866
after war engaged in farming in IL
1871 went to Ft. Collins, postmaster 4 yrs
1877 went to OR
took land, farmed until death 7 Oct 1900
paternal great-grandfather of Helen was captain in Revolution
(the above dates in this bio may be off a bit, needs more research to confirm)

*Obituary:
"Colonel J. E. Remington, a veteran of the Civil War, died in the city of The Dalles, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. D. O. Davis, Oct. 7, 1900. Deceased was born in Troy, NY, Sept. 26, 1819. By occupation he was a painter. In 1855 he removed to Dixon, IL. Entering the Union army in 1861, he served his country faithfully to the close of the war, holding various positions of honorable importance. First, as quarter-master of the 75th Illinois volunteers, next as major, and lastly he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel by brevet and quarter-master of the 15th army corps, following Gen. W. T. Sherman to close of war. Colonel Remington came to Oregon in the year 1876, and has resided continuously in this state since that time. He was highly respected by all good people who knew him. A patriot, soldier, and an excellent citizen, his life and influence as a benediction rests upon his descendants and neighbors. He leaves three generations of children to mourn his loss. His wife died several years since, and his remains were laid to rest by the side of hers in the family cemetery."

John married Electa Sherrill Morse Abt 1841, NY. Electa was born Abt 1819, Oneida Co., NY; died 23 Nov 1891, The Dalles, Wasco Co., OR; was buried 23 Nov 1891, Fifteen Mile Creek, The Dalles, OR. [Group Sheet]

1. Edward V. E. Remington was born Abt 1842, NY; died 14 Dec 1900, TX.
2. Alson H. Remington was born Abt 1846, NY; died Bef 1 Jun 1880.
3. Helen C. Remington was born Sep 1848, NY; died 6 Jan 1905, OR.
4. Wilford Remington was born Abt 1851, NY.
5. Noble Remington was born Abt 1853, NY.

Notes:

BSR (Boyd Scott Remington, family researcher and compiler) says John was of Lansingburgh, NY, and had children Norman E., John E., & Martha. I have added these names to John's family, and research is ongoing. See notes for the two sons.

There is a Norman Remington in the census records 1850 - 1870 at Lansingburgh, but there is no indication who his father may have been. I have made an assumption that this Norman is a son of this particular John Remington, as noted by BSR. Later records give Norman's birthplace as Lansingburgh, and his estimated birth year strongly suggests that he belongs to John Remington as shown in the following censuses.

In the Federal Census of 1810, John Remington Jr. is at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., MA. The household consists of 1 free white male under 10, 1 free white male 26 - 44, and 1 free white female 16 - 25. This looks like a young couple with a young son. John Remington (presumably his father and family) is listed in the same town.

The Federal Census of 1820 lists John Remington at Troy, Rensselaer Co., NY. I have made an assumption that it is this particular John Remington, for three reasons -- the above-mentioned BSR genealogy chart; the fact that John's uncle, Jonathan, settled at Lansingburgh (adjoining Troy); and evidence from Norman's and John E.'s families that links them to Troy and Lansingburgh. The household in 1820 consists of 1 free white male <10 (b 1811 - 1820), 1 free white male 10 - 15 (b 1805 - 1810), 1 free white male 26 - 44 (b 1776 - 1794), 3 free white females <10 (b 1811 - 1820), 1 free white female 10 - 15 (b 1805 - 1918), and 1 free white female 26 - 44 (b 1776 - 1794). This data suggests that John and his wife may have had 2 sons and 4 daughters.

Much information on John's son John Edward Remington and his descendants came from Delwin Remington. Other sources are noted.

John married Unknown Wife Abt 1810. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The names of seven of the children of John and Molly are written in the Diary of Captain Samuel Tillinghast, Molly's father: Daniel, Polly, John, Henry, Varnum, Hannah, and Franklin. The only ones missing from the list are Marsha, who is mentioned in John's pension records, and Abigail, one of the three surviving children as of 1851. ("The Diary of Capt. Samuel Tillinghast 1757-1766," transcribed and edited by Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, Rhode Island Genealogical Society, 2000, p. xli.)

DAR records suggest that he had a second wife named Mary Greene. I haven't yet found any evidence of this (needs more research to confirm). See notes for John's wife Mary Tillinghast.

John Remington was at Cheshire, Berkshire Co., MA, in the Federal Censuses of 1800 and 1810.

John Remmington was at Adams, Berkshire County, MA, in the 1820 (2 males, 2 females) and 1830 (1 male 70-80, 1 female 60-70) Federal Censuses. (1830: p. 29 of 32 at ancestry.com)

It appears from John's pension records that he was back in Warwick, RI in 1818. However, he may have gone back to his hometown for a period of time to take care of family matters, such as the estate of his mother-in-law (see Warwick Land Evidence).

According to "The Tillinghasts in America" by Wayne G. Tillinghast, Rhode Island Genealogical Society, 2006, p. 528, John probably moved there in 1787, as quoted from a letter from Captain Samuel Tillinghast to his daughter Freelove Greene: "Mr. Remington Sat off afoot for hoosuck, and purposes To Move his Famely in the Fall." Wayne G. Tillinghast notes that Adams, MA, was originally known as East Hoosuck Plantation.

He is likely the "Capt. John Remington who formerly lived near the corner of Eagle and Center streets in North Adams, who with his wife were buried in the old Colgrove Cemetery." (source: "Berkshire Genealogist" Vol. 26 No. 4 Fall 2005, p. 128; reprinted from "The Berkshire Hills" of 1900/01)

John, "of North Adams, MA," was a Lieutenant in Colonel Angell's RI Company in 1776, during the Revolutionary War. He also served in Captain Lewis's Company, under Colonel James M. Varnum in the RI Line. He first appeared in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas to appeal for a pension on 2 June 1818, as "a resident of Warwick, RI" (perhaps referring to it as his former home?). However, he later transferred from the RI Line to MA for purposes of his pension. He appeared in Court at Lenox, Berkshire County, MA, on 28 June 1820 at age 63 years and 8 months, at which time he was a resident of Adams, MA, to testify and sign a statement concerning his Revolutionary War service. He said that living with him were his wife Mary, age 58, who had been lame for 30 years, and his daughter Marsha, age 12. The pension records also state that "John Remington of Warwick, RI, qualifies for admission to the Society of Cinncinnati." (Pension File # S30053)

According to the book "Isaac Willey of New London, Conn., and his descendants" by Henry Willey, New Bedford, MA, 1888, p. 81, both John and his wife Mary were buried in one grave at North Adams, MA. Their funeral discourse was preached by Elder Leland, aged 85. This book gives John's date of death as 7 Feb 1840 and Mary's as 10 Feb 1840, both being buried 12 Feb 1840. These dates differ by one month from the dates in the pension file. A research trip to the Athanaeum in Pittsfield might clear up this discrepancy.

From "Berkshire Co., Mass., Probate Index, 1761 to 1900" page 243: John Remington, Adams, Adm., Jan 15 1840, #6117.

The Society of the Cincinnati was founded in 1783 for army officers who had served honorably for at least three years in the Revolution. It was to provide a context in which they could continue the friendships that had been established during the war, and through which they could provide financially for the livlihoods and families of those who had served their country so sacrificially. George Washington was chosen as the Society's first president. The French officers who had served alongside the Americans established a similar brother organization. Read more about the history of this organization at: [http://www.gwpapers.virginia.edu/articles/cincinnati/index.html] and also at Wikipedia.

Of interest -- from the website of Cincinnati, Ohio:
"Shortly after it was founded in 1788, the city was renamed Cincinnati in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, an association of officers in the American Revolution (1775-1783). The organization itself was named after Roman statesman Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, whom legend held to be the model of virtue."

John married Mary "Molly" Tillinghast 17 Dec 1780, Warwick, RI. Mary (daughter of Samuel Tillinghast and Hannah Carr) was born 1763, RI; died 10 Jan 1840, North Adams, Berkshire Co., MA; was buried 12 Jan 1840, Colgrove Cemetery, North Adams, Berkshire Co., MA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Molly & John's children were first cousins to Maplet, our ancestor.

Mary Tillinghast, d/o Samuel, and her marriage and family are discussed in "The Tillinghasts in America" by Wayne G. Tillinghast, RI Genealogical Society 2006, p. 528 & 529.

In John's sworn testimony in his pension file on 28 June 1820, he says that his wife Mary, aged 62, has been lame for 30 years.

According to "Isaac Willey of New London, Conn., and his descendants," by Henry Willey, p. 81, Mary Remington died at age 77. This agrees exactly with her birth year as 1763.

From "Berkshire Co., Mass., Probate Index, 1761 to 1900" page 243: Mary Remington, Adams, Adm., July 15 1840, #6176.

Notes:

(If you use any portion of these notes, please give credit to me, Lois Sorensen, Remington researcher, and to other sources as noted herein.)

A Remington family Bible record says that this Thomas Remington was one of triplets, the other two of whom died young. This Bible belonged to Mrs. Mary E. Remington, wife of James D. Remington, great-grandson of Thomas. However, Fuller's "History of Warwick" says that his son Thomas was one of triplets.

He is undoubtedly the Thomas Remington who in March 1744 agreed to take over management of the estate of his brother Stephen Remington, laborer of Warwick, who was "non compos mentis." The original document is witnessed and co-signed by Stephen and Daniel Remington, probably Thomas Jr. and Stephen's uncles.

Thomas was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, along with some of his sons. Oliver Payson Fuller, in his book "The History of Warwick, RI," says four of the Remington brothers (sons of Thomas III, likely the four oldest) were in the American army during the war of the Revolution. According to the manuscript "Revolutionary War -- Burial Place & Service of RI Patriots," found at the Knight Library in Providence (now at Providence Central Public Library), Thomas was a Private in the Pawtuxet Rangers in 1778. It says he was buried in the family lot on the Remington Farm, north side of Cowesett Road near Quaker Lane (Route 2).

This historical cemetery is located behind the Stop & Shop plaza at the intersection of Cowesett Rd. and Bald Hill Rd./Quaker Lane/Rt. 2. Thomas's gravestones (headstone and footstone) have been photographed.

In the RI Genealogical Register, Vol. 17, pp. 204 & 205, there is a list of graves at or near this location. It refers to "the Remington farm now owned by George Dawley," and mentions an Arnold family burial plot northwest of his house, and another cemetery "on the Remington farm north of the house." This is where Thomas & Abigail are buried. This lot has about 15 marked burials, Remingtons and Arnolds, plus some unmarked graves.

According to early records described in "Family Notes" (formerly at Knight Library, now at Providence Central Public Library), this family's "Remington Farm" extended from Cowesett Rd. (at Quaker Lane) northward to the next road (probably the location of present-day Rt. 117) for a mile, then eastward a 1/2 mile, so that it was rectangular in shape. This was on the east side of Quaker Lane. According to Oliver Payson Fuller's "The History of Warwick, RI," it was Cowesett farm #2 on the old plat map laid out in the 1600s; it was originally owned by John Smith, and later by the heirs of Lieut. Eliza Collins, and subsequently by Samuel Barnes of Swansea, from whom it was purchased by Thomas Remington II (who died in 1723 at age 41).

Also on Cowesett Rd. but west of Quaker Lane (Rt. 2) was the "Col. Waterman Place," where our ancestors Capt. John & Mercy Waterman are buried (near the corner of Kulas & Cedar streets). This was on the south side of Cowesett Rd., roughly across from where Evelyn's Villa and the Cowesett Inn are today. Across from the Waterman place was the Arnold farm (the area where Pep Boys and the Ricci home are now located), purchased from Robert Potter's heirs by Israel Arnold of Pawtuxet in 1707.

An entry in Elder John Gorton's pastoral journal notes that he preached 23 Sept 1764 on I Peter 4:18 at Thomas Remington's [house]. Editor Cherry Fletcher Bamberg writes, "Although Thomas and Abigail Remington, who lived at Cowesett, were not official members of the church, they hosted occasional meetings and had a substantial running account with Elder Gorton in the mid-1760s. Purchases included needles of silk, thread, flour, 'Bisket,' snuff, wooden plates, and sundries" (p. 56). Gorton was a tailor by trade, but also a merchant who sold various foods, household items, and sundries.

In his will, dated 11 June 1798 proved 9 May 1808, Thomas Remington of Warwick, yeoman, gave to his [second] wife Sarah the household furniture, all she brought with her "at the time of our marriage," and all she has acquired since, a cow, heifer, etc. His son Thomas received lands in Coventry, with buildings thereon, he to pay legacies to his brothers John & Jonathan and to sisters Maplet Rice, Sarah Holden, & Mary Rice. Sons John and Jonathan were each given $10, as they already had their share [perhaps when they moved to Berkshire County, MA]. Each of his three surviving daughters was given $100 and the household furniture after the death of their [step] mother. Henry was given $240 and land; Benjamin received his father's mansion house and clock and all remaining of the homestead farm and rest of all his possessions, he to be executor.

Death notice, transcribed in Arnold's "Vital Record of RI" Vol. XIX p. 85: Providence Phenix - Deaths: "Thomas Remington d 12 Apr 1808 in his 85th year."

RI Cemetery Database: Thomas Remington, 2nd, h/o Abigael Eldrege, c.1724 - 12 Apr 1808, 85th yr

Thomas married Abigail ELDREDGE 14 Dec 1744, Warwick, RI. Abigail (daughter of Robert ELDREDGE and Hannah RATHBONE) was born Abt 1723; died 14 Apr 1766, Warwick, RI; was buried , Warwick, RI, Historical Cemetery 60 off Cowesett Rd. near Rt. 2. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The Warwick marriage record gives her maiden name as Eldred, but the gravestone says Eldredge. Capt. Samuel Tillinghast had this entry in his diary for April 15, 1766: "This Day died Thomas Remingtons Wife. Had been Long Ill with the Consumption." The entry for the 17th says: "This day Thomas Remingtons Wife buried. Elder Holden Preachd."

Death notice in the Providence Phenix: "Mrs. Abigail Remington wife of Mr. Thomas & dau of Mr. Robert & Mrs. Hannah Eldredge
d 14 Apr 1766 in her 45th year."

Abigail's gravestones (headstone and footstone) have been photographed.

Notes:

Captain Tillinghast kept a diary for several years, in which he wrote in detail about the daily weather, and in less detail about his comings and goings, town and church events, and deaths and burials. It provides us a window into the culture of the day. This diary has been edited by Cherry Fletcher Bamberg and published by the RI Genealogical Society.

At his funeral on 30 July 1787, Elder John Gorton preached on Revelation 22:14.

Samuel married Hannah Carr Abt 1758. Hannah (daughter of Daniel Carr and Mary Unknown) was born 1728. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Hannah was Samuel's second wife.