John Remington

Notes:

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

John was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Boyd Scott Remington's ancestry chart has his year of death as 1847. I have not verified the date of death, but the National Archives would have the date of his last pension payment. The Frederick C. King Papers at Newport Historical Society in Newport, RI, give John's date of death as c14 Nov 1847.

The DAR Patriot Index has his date of death as 11 Nov 1849; according to Frederick C. King, researcher (see above note), this is in error (see his Remington family manuscript at Newport Historical Society).

BSR's chart lists two more children for John: Edward & Samuel (but no dates, no sources, and no other evidence). BSR's chart is known to have numerous errors.

In the Jamestown Town Records, there are many references to a John Remington of this time period being a Representative from Jamestown to the General Assembly, member of the Town Council, Overseer of the Poor, Town Sergeant, Town and Council Clerk, Tax Collector, and Warden of the Peace. Brief descriptions and dates for these records are indexed online through the Jamestown Historical Society.

In the Federal Census of 1840, John Remington was a Revolutionary War Pensioner, age 79, residing at Jamestown with George Weeden.

In a letter dated 4 Nov 1838 written by his son Benjamin E. Remington, John is mentioned: "father is smart for an old man as can be expected." He would have been age 77. (source: "Lydia's Letters, 10 More" compiled by Margie Brown and Virginia Remington Rich)

The following is excerpted from his son John's Revolutionary War Pension File, transcribed and provided by descendant Pam Amari: "He in the month of November 1777 belonged to a company of militia in the town of Pomfret, in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut . . . was drafted from said company of militia for term of two months and was marched to New London under Captain Evans of said company . . . After having served out the term of two months for which he was drafted he was discharged and returned home. Again in the month of May 1778 he was drafted from said company's militia for two months and was marched to New London where he was stationed as before in the public service to guard said town from attacks of the enemy. He was in this draft under the command of Captain Evans . . . Again in the summer of 1779 and he thinks in August he was drafted from said company of militia for the term of two months [and as before went] to New London under Captain Evans of said company where he was in the public service . . . At another time, but before or after this last aforementioned service there was a general alarm and the whole of the brigade of militia was ordered out to repel the attack and the marching for New London under the command of General McClaminen who then commanded the brigade of militia, to which your declarant belonged. When after they had marched about ten miles towards New London, received counter orders and we were ordered and we were marched back and discharged at this time all of the officers of our company were ordered out as were also all of the soldiers of said company of militia, to which your declarant belonged . . . And the said Remington [remembers] that he truly and faithfully served his county in the war of the revolution in the months for the full time, aforesaid, making in all between six and seven months he does not recollect any continental or militia regiments except as afore stated. And he further declares that he was born in said Jamestown on the 21st day of October 1761 when he continued to reside with his father until his said father was compelled to leave the state of Conanicut in the month of September 1775 in consignment ? of the continued attacks of the enemys armed vessels in Narragansett Bay under the command of notorious Wallace. He then with his father's family removed to South Kingston on the west side of the bay. His father's house was burned by said Wallace in the month of November following about two months after removal as aforesaid. He lived in South Kingston till March 1776 when he removed with his father to the town of Estes in said state of Rhode Island and then rented till 1777 when he removed with his father's family to said Pomfret in the state of Connecticut where he lived when he was called into service. As aforesaid in March 1780 after the army has evacuated the neighboring island of Rhode Island in Narragansett Bay. He removed back with his father's family to the ruins of the estate in the island of Conanicut which conform the 3rd town of Jamestown where he has ever since lived . . . "

This gives us an idea of how and where the family had to relocate during the war.

John married Phebe R. Carr 27 Nov 1783, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI. Phebe (daughter of James Carr and Sarah Tew) was born Between 10 and 14 Nov 1760, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 7 Feb 1831, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The Newport Mercury of 6 Dec 1783 reported the marriage of John Remington, Jr. & Phebe Carr, of James, at Jamestown. Since it seems quite clear that John was a son of Benjamin & Hannah (Martin) Remington, the Jr. probably means younger, indicating that there was an older John Remington living in the area at the time.

"These are to certify that Mr. John Remington & Miss Phebe Carr both of Jamestown in the State of Rhode Island were Joined together in marriage on the 27th of November 1783 by me Gardiner Thurston Pastor of a Ch of Christ in Newport in sd State."

James N. Arnold's Vital Record of RI, Vol. VII, has the marriage date as 27 Oct 1783, and the bride's name as Phebe Card.

1. Hannah Martin Remington was born 2 Nov 1784, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 20 Feb 1864, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI.
2. Sarah Carr Remington was born 21 Nov 1786, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 8 Mar 1867, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI.
3. Oliver Martin Remington was born 7 Jan 1789, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 2 Dec 1862, Holmes County, Ohio; was buried , Remington Family Cemetery, Holmes Co., OH.
4. Peter Gardner Remington was born 13 Dec 1791, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 12 Jan 1846, Bridgeton, Parke Co., IN.
5. Phebe Ann Remington was born 20 Dec 1794, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 10 Jul 1858, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI.
6. Benjamin Ellery Remington was born 13 Jun 1797, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 31 Aug 1868, Newport, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Island Cemetery, Newport, Newport Co., RI.
7. Susannah Green Remington was born 9 Jul 1798, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 15 Jun 1863; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI.

Notes:

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

Benjamin and his wife Hannah were first cousins. Marrying a cousin was very common in those days.

Newenglandancestors.org, Vital Records of Jamestown, has his birth date as 19 Sep 1733.

DAR membership file #750866 (Christine Welch Lindsey) has Benjamin's dob as 17 Apr 1733.

Benjamin & Hannah lived in Jamestown. He was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and two of his houses were burned by the British, 10 Dec 1775 and 19 Aug 1780.

The Providence Gazette of 30 Sept 1820 reported the death of Capt. Benjamin Remington, age 84, at Jamestown.

ID Number T2012.010.019; Collection Town Records (Jamestown)
The following subscribers declared that they believe the war resistance and operations in which the United American Colonies are now engaged to be just and necessary:
John Gardener
John Weeden son of Daniel Jr.
Benjamin Remington
Samuel Jewel (?)
Abel Franklin
William Smith
Date April 16, 1777

There is a note in the archives at The RI Historical Society Library which mentions a voyage of Capt. Benj. Remington of Jamestown to the coast of Africa for slaves. The note is not dated, but this may refer to this particular Benjamin: (Mss 9006 Shepley Collection Updike, Daniel Rhode Island Accounts n.d. [c. 1756] Volume 15, page 73: One page of accounts with no date contains the note, "the within act. I supose was Capt. Benjamin Remington's of Jamestown, R.I. while on a voyage to the coast of Affrica for slaves.")

Boyd Scott Remington's chart has his dates of birth and death as: 19 Sept 1733 - 30 Sept 1820. However, if it was reported in the newspaper on 30 Sept, he probably died before then.

BSR also lists a Sarah & Mary among the children of Benjamin & Hannah. See notes for Sally.

ID Number T2013.005.012
"Description The town council of Jamestown chooses two delegates, Captain Benjamin Remington and Nicholas Carr as representatives to a State Convention to be held in South Kingston. Date 1790/02/08"

ID Number T2007.003.017
Collection Town Records (Jamestown)
"Description Invoice, handwritten; invoice to be paid to Benjamin Remington for fencing of road to Beavertail as approved by the town council; reverse side notes that the committee allows an account of ten dollars; June 25, 1800."

ID Number T2007.003.016
Collection Town Records (Jamestown)
"Description Records, handwritten; minutes of town council meeting, votes including acquisition of George Armstrong

Benjamin married Hannah Martin 9 Sep 1756, Jamestown, RI. Hannah (daughter of John Martin and Phebe Remington) was born 24 Nov 1734, Jamestown, RI; died 7 Apr 1812; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Hannah and her husband Benjamin were first cousins. Marrying a cousin was very common in those days. She was "of Jamestown."

DAR membership file #750866 (Christine Welch Lindsey) has Hannah's date of death as 7 May 1812.

Notes:

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

This is an estimate of John's date of birth. I have placed him in this family group primarily on the basis of the names of his children, which clearly seem to reflect Penelope Parker and her parents. I have found a birth record for neither John nor his presumed sister Hannah, but in her case the marriage record identifies her parents.

I am not absolutely sure that Susannah & Abigail were two wives of the same John Remington, but it is a reasonable assumption based on the Jamestown records, which admittedly are confusing at points.

Boyd Scott Remington's ancestry chart lists another child, Peleg, in this family group; but that may just be a guess, as Peleg is not in the vital records. BSR gives no date of birth for Peleg, but as his marriage was in 1772, he could possibly fit into this family group. Unfortunately, BSR notes no sources.

John married Susanna Unknown Abt 1729. Susanna was born Abt 1710; died Between 1741 and 1743. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She may have been Susannah Greene; a great-granddaughter was named Susannah Greene Remington.

Notes:

(If you use any portion of these notes, please give credit to me, Lois Sorensen, and to other sources as noted herein.)
I have estimated the birth years of some of John & Phebe's children.

John Martin's will was witnessed by John Remington, James Carr, Jr., and Gershom Remington, Jr.

John married Phebe Remington 25 Feb 1720/21, Jamestown, RI. Phebe (daughter of Stephen Remington and Penelope Parker) was born 29 May 1693, Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Jamestown records identify Phebe as the 3rd daughter of Stephen & Penelope.

Notes:

The "Jamestown Proprietors Records" Vol. I p. 7 documents this marriage of John Martin & Phebe Remminton on 25 February 1721, by Nicholas Carr, Warden.

Notes:

(If you use any portion of these notes, please give credit to me, Lois Sorensen, and to other sources as noted herein.)
The RI Cemetery Database lists the grave of a Capt. Stephen Remington in the Friends' Cemetery on Eldrid Ave. in Jamestown. It says he lived from c. 1661 to 19 Feb 1739. Is this the same individual? Probably. However, his brother Daniel was born in Oct 1661, so that makes it less likely that Stephen was born that year, unless he was a twin.

The old records at the town hall in Jamestown, "Proprietors Records, Vol. I, 1672 - 1859," contain clerks' notes on the town meetings over the years. Many of these proprietors' meetings, convened quarterly (at least), were held at "Stephen Remmentun's house." For example, on the following dates the meetings were at his house: 18th day of 1698, 19 July 1698, 18 July 1699, 17 Oct 1699, 16 July 1700, 15 Oct 1700, 20th of May 1701, 15 July 1701, 21 Oct 1701, and possibly others. Meeting notes also show that Stephen was listed as present and a member of the Town Council in May 1702 (unclear date?) and 20th day of 5th month 1703 (this would have been 20 July).

On 15 March 1697/98, Stephen Rementon was chosen Grand Juryman. Stephen Remmgtun was chosen one of the foremen of the Town Council on 20 April 1703, along with Joseph Morey, John Hull, and John Weeden.

The notes for 20 July 1697 record that "Stephen Reminton is licensed to keep a house of Entertainment for Strangers & Town dwellers for one whole year." Besides telling a lot about this individual, these various notes mentioned above show the many creative spellings of the name, and also provide clues as to how it was pronounced.

On 27 Oct 1708, Jahleel Brenton, as executor of the will of William Brenton, deceased, filed an appeal with the RI General Assembly against Stephen Remington. At issue were 256 acres on Jamestown. The decision was in favor of the appellant, allowing him to redeem the mortgage of this land. However, Stephen appealed to The Crown and -- although the wording is somewhat obtuse -- was favored by the outcome. An official royal document (probably the original) is on file in the RI Historical Society Library manuscript archives, giving the details of the royal decree: "at Court of Kensington 31 July 1710 . . . Present, The Queen's Most Excellent Majesty and six others named . . . the petition and appeal of Stephen Remington in the Colony of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, from a Decree given against him at a General Assembly in the Colony in Oct. 1708 in favor of Jahleel Brenton & it appearing that the proceedings in the applicant's cause hath been erroneous & that the Court had no jurisdiction therein. Her majesty with the advice of the Privy Council is pleased to order as it is hereby ordered that the government . . . of the Colony take notice & govern themselves herein as to them shall respectively appertain."

Angela Cosby's data indicates that Stephen was born in 1659 at Rowley, Essex, MA. She is a descendant. Other info from Angela: 1688, Grand Jury; 15 July 1695 elected Ensign and subsequently was Captain.

Boyd Scott Remington's ancestry chart says Stephen became a freeman in 1696, and was a Captain in the Jamestown militia.

Alden G. Beaman gives his year of birth as c. 1666, and says he administered his estate 2 March 1738. He and his family lived in Jamestown, RI, according to "Representative Men of Old Families of Southeastern MA," V. I, p. 173.

More information on Stephen and his family can be found in John O. Austin's "The Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island."

Stephen married Penelope Parker Abt 1685. Penelope (daughter of Peter Parker and Sarah Cooke) was born 1666, England or Shrewsbury, NJ; died Aft 1740, Jamestown, RI; was buried , Historical Cemetery 6, Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(If you use any portion of these notes, please give credit to me, Lois Sorensen, and to other sources as noted herein.)
The will of Thomas Cook, dated 6 Feb 1674 at Portsmouth, mentions a Penellope Parker under age 18, daughter of Peter & Sarah (prob. Cook) Parker. She would have been born after 1656. Also, an estate settlement of Peter Parker, d. 3 Oct 1727 Westerly, mentions a daughter Penelope.