William Remington

Notes:

I have made an assumption that William was born on Prudence Island and that he died at North Kingstown, although this is only a guess based on available evidence about his life. Also, please note that I am not sure that he was a son of William Remington and Mary Manton, although it is known that they were living on Prudence Island during the 1700s.

Portsmouth land evidence shows that a William Remington was living on Prudence Island in the mid-1700s, and according to two deeds he had a wife named Freelove. It is certainly possible that William married an Allen, because most of the land sales involving his name have one or more Allens also involved.

Therefore, it is documented that William and his wife Freelove were of Prudence Island, and furthermore that he purchased a house and land in North Kingstown from Job Tibbetts in 1775. This was the year that residents of the island evacuated because of the British raids in which they burned the dwellings and fought the colonists. It is reasonable to assume that he relocated to North Kingstown, and eventually died there. However, it appears that he was in Coventry at the time of the Military Census of 1777

The dates for William are from James N. Arnold's "Family Notes" Volume R, an unpublished manuscript located at the Knight Library in Providence. However, some online genealogies have his date of death as 1 March 1764. To be sure, that is the date of death for a William Remington -- but which one? I have used that date for the William b. c1680, who may be the father of this William; but there was still another William who died in 1768 at Cranston.

Charles Gregory Maytum's Notes on the Remington family, at Newport Historical Society, give William's date of birth as 17 Aug 1729, and his date of death as 30 Aug 1812. This differs slightly from Arnold's data.

I have not been able to determine his ancestry for sure. Other Remingtons mentioned in Portsmouth land evidence are John Remington, who had moved from Warwick to Portsmouth; Thomas Remington, who had a wife named Amy; another William whose wife was Mary; Josiah; and Jonathan; as well as my ancestor Joseph. It is possible that there was more than one William, and that one was the father or uncle of the other. Research on these families is ongoing.

1777 Military Census, Coventry - listed are William Remington, res. Po; Hezekiah Remington, res. Po; & Thomas Remington

From Portsmouth land evidence:

WR of PI, boatman, bought land for 600 pounds from William Allen of PI, prob aft. 27 Apr 1757 (no date). The land was 80 rods by 12 rods and bounded as follows: N & E by Ebenezer Allin, W by land of me, sd William Allen, S by John Allen. Mary Allin wife of William Allin surrenders rights of dower and power of thirds. William Allin's signature witnessed by Samuel Lyndon Jr & Mary Lyndon; Mary Allin's signature witnessed by Nathaniel Allin & Joseph Bates. No wife of WR mentioned. Spelling of Allin/Allen is varied in copy of deed. (Po Land Ev Bk 5 p 579 & 580)

WR of PI, boatman, sold

William married Freelove Allen 20 Sep 1752. Freelove (daughter of William Allen, III and Freelove Unknown) was born 20 May 1722, Prudence Island, Portsmouth, Newport Co., RI; died 17 Mar 1817, North Kingstown, RI. [Group Sheet]

1. Hezekiah Remington was born Abt 28 May 1757, Prudence Island, Portsmouth, Newport Co., RI; died 21 Mar 1819, North Kingstown, RI.

Notes:

This date of death is found in the Cranston Town Council meeting notes. It belongs to "William Remington of Cranston, schoolmaster." I am not sure that it belongs to this particular William, but at this point I merely am attempting to reconstruct a possible lineage for these individuals. Research is ongoing to determine the actual relationships among these Remington family members.

The will of William Remington, of Cranston, schoolmaster, is dated 2 Apr 1768 and was proved 1 June 1768. It mentions daughters Elizabeth Remington and Anne Vial, deceased; grandson John Vial son of dtr Ann deceased. Also mentioned is Waite Abbot dtr of Mary Abbot (no relationship specified). Executor was friend Dr. William Aldrich; witnesses were Benjamin Wescot Jr., William Burton, and Nils Higinbotham.

It is known that the William Remington who married Mary Manton was a schoolmaster on Jamestown, probably Prudence Island, and possibly elsewhere. Therefore it is a reasonable assumption to construct this family as I have done.

I have estimated the date of marriage based on the will of Mary's father, which implies that she was still single in 1723.

See notes for William (Sr). It has not been determined that this (Jr) is the William Remington who married Mary and had these three children, Elizabeth, Stephen, & Abigail, born in Little Compton but registered in Providence. He may or may not be the William Remington who married Mary Manton. Research is ongoing to sort out the data on the William Remingtons of RI.

The births of Elizabeth, Stephen, & Abigail, to parents identified as William & Mary (m.n. unknown), were recorded at Providence, but there is a notation that the first two were born at Little Compton and the third at Providence (source: microfilm at RI State Archives). See previous paragraphs -- I am not sure that these three children belong to this particular William.

From Portsmouth land evidence:

WR of Po bought and sold land from/to John Allin, s/o Wm, of P.I., 6 Jan 1738/9 and 3 Feb 1738/9; this WR was a schoolmaster; he also witnessed three other deeds on 6 Jan 1738/9, along with Caleb Hill & William Havens; also witnessed three other deeds on 3 Feb 1738/9, along with Caleb Hill, John Allin, William Havens, & Giles Slocum. It appears that he bought and sold the same 50 acres, land bordered on three sides by three Allens (by John Allin - my own land, William Allin my honoured father, and my son William Allin) and on the fourth by the sea. WR bought 50 acres and a house in Jan, pd 750 pounds, witnessed by Caleb Hill & John Ingraham; and sold 50 acres in Feb., witnessed by Caleb Hill & Wm Sanford. No wives mentioned.
(Po Land Ev Bk 4 p 142 & 195)

WR witnessed deed of land sale from Ebenezer Allen to John Remington, laborer,
3 or 30 June 1744. This was JR "late of Warwick, now of P.I." He paid 400 pounds for 20 acres. No wives mentioned. (Po Land Ev Bk 4 p 359)

From Portsmouth Town Council records:

8 Aug 1743: William Remington schoolmaster ordered to depart this town (Bk 3 p 292)

8 Oct 1744: William Remington school-master (and three others) ordered to depart town with their respective families (Bk 4 p 4)

12 Oct 1744: Caleb Bennett was "served with warrant to remove William Remington, keeper of the school in the Southermost School-house belonging to this town, out of this Town" (Bk 4 p 7)

8 Dec 1746: William Remington, school-master, given certificate for himself and family to reside in Providence (Bk 4 p 19)

13 Nov 1752: William Remington served with order to draw 5 pounds old Tenor out of Town Treasury towards his support and relief; also served with certificate to reside in Town of Coventry (Bk 4 p 72)

12 Mar 1753: William Remington and family served with certificate to reside in Town of Coventry (same as above, with added words to include family); the following year on 9 Sep 1754 another schoolmaster of PI named Celly was warned out of Po, so perhaps this suggests that the family of William Remington, schoolmaster, finally left for good. (Bk 4 p 74)

From Warwick Town Council Records (courtesy of Cherry Fletcher Bamberg):

10 April 1749: William Remington and his family presented a certificate from Portsmouth and were accepted as inhabitants.

7 February 1749/50: William Remington, who had come to town with his family from Portsmouth was to be notified to appear.

William married Mary Manton Abt 1726. Mary (daughter of Edward Manton and Elizabeth Thornton) was born Abt 1702; died Bef 2 Apr 1768. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Please note that I am not sure which William Remington married Mary Manton, or when he was born, or when either of them was born. I have placed Mary here with this William as a reasonable guess. I am also not sure of all the children. Please read notes for her husband William.

William and his family appear in the town records of Portsmouth frequently, but the names of the children are not specified.

I have estimated the year of their marriage based on the 1723 will of Mary's father which mentions that she is single.

Notes:

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

William Rimington witnessed the will of Philip Sweet on 12 Dec 1709.

First of all, I am not at all sure that William is the father of our ancestor Joseph. At this point it is a possibility, placed here as a working model and subject to change. Research is ongoing to link together the Rhode Island Remingtons. Most of the Remingtons on this family tree are properly linked with documentation noted. However, in the case of a few families, a best-guess scenario is being used until further evidence comes to light. That is the case here.

The four names of the children have been chosen because they appear as names (not identified as siblings) in the Portsmouth town records. I am placing them here simply as a working model.

According to their father's will, William and his brother Thomas must have been at least 21 in 1710, with William receiving most of the property and designated as joint executor along with his mother; this might suggest that the two older sons were born c1687 and 1689. However, Torrey's "New England Marriages Prior to 1700" says the first child of record was born 1682, and that is the date assigned to Thomas in several reputable genealogies. Consequently, I have given William the birth year of 1682 as the oldest son. However, this means that if he is the one who married Mary Manton, he was at least 43 when they married. This opens up four possibilities: his birth year actually may be later, such as 1687; or, he married later in life; or, he married someone else first and Mary Manton was his second wife; or, he isn't the William who married Mary Manton, in which case he may have an unknown marriage c1700 and a son William Jr. who married Mary. This last idea is the one I have used here, for the time being.

William Remington of Warwick was made a freeman of the colony on 1 May 1711 (Bartlett, Records of RI, 4:114). He registered an earmark for his cattle "and other Creatures" on 1 Jan 1712/13 (Early Records of Warwick, p. 10). From this one might assume that William's birth year could not have been after 1690.

According to Oliver Payson Fuller's "The History of Warwick, RI," in 1712 William sold his share of the Remington farm, located on the northwest corner of Post Rd. & Cowesett Rd., but reserved the burying ground where his father and grandfather are interred. Portions of the Remington land were later bought by Thomas Jones Spencer & Thomas LeValley.

Where did William live after this land sale? I speculate that he may have gone to Prudence Island, where his mother's family resided, and where William himself may have been born.

I was informed of a reference to a couple named William & Abigail Remington in the East Greenwich Town Council records of Jan 1742/3 (source: Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, compiler & editor of "RI Roots" and "Gleanings.") Therefore, I have made a tentative assumption that this may be William, the son of Thomas & Mary, and that his wife is the Abigail referenced in the East Greenwich records. Abigail and her family had come to East Greenwich from Prudence Island but did not have the official permission or the financial means to stay there. Her husband William was employed for a year as a servant of Philip Arnold of Warwick, so the East Greenwich Town Council ordered that Abigail and her family be taken to the Arnold home.

From Portsmouth Town Council records:

1729: William Remington of PI & family warned out of town of Po (Bk 3 pp 17 & 21)

1737: William Remington & family given certificate from Po to relocate to East Greenwich (Bk 3 p 260)

14 Feb 1742: William Remington of PI qualified with certificate for himself, wife, and children to reside in Warwick for 4-year term if Town Council there accept him (Bk 3 p 289)

20 Jun 1743: William Remington of PI qualified with certificate to reside at Providence with wife and children for 7-yr-term if Town Council there accept them (Bk 3 p 291)

Some or all of the above notes from the town records could refer to his (possible) son William who married Mary Manton.

SK land evidence, Jan 1722: William Remington witnessed documents of Ebenezer & Mary Smith, regarding bequeathing two negro children named Primus & Dinah. Could this William be the son of Thomas & Mary (Allen) Remington, of Warwick? It is in the correct time frame. However, he might be the individual mentioned in the last paragraph below, who was "of Jamestown" in 1733 (h/o Mary Manton). (I have placed that other William, schoolmaster, as possible son of this William.)

At the funeral of a William Remington on 3 March 1764, Elder John Gorton preached on the text John 5:25. I am not sure if that was this particular William Remington, but for the time being I am using that date here, pending further research. (source: Bamberg, Cherry Fletcher. Elder John Gorton and the Six-Principle Baptist Church of East Greenwich, RI. Greenville, RI: RI Genealogical Society, 2001; p. 53)

In addition, there was a William Remington, of Jamestown, who was a schoolmaster in 1733. He was most likely the same William Remington who was a schoolmaster at Prudence Island. He married (after 7 Aug 1723) Mary Manton, of Edward, and had several children, including Elizabeth & Anne (m. Vial, had a son John). He is possibly the William Remington who died at Cranston 21 Apr 1768. These two Williams could easily be confused, since apparently they lived during the same time. Could they be father and son? That is my assumption here for the purpose of linking them to the family tree. (needs more research to determine and confirm relationships)

William married Abigail UNKNOWN Abt 1703, RI. Abigail was born Abt 1685; died Aft Jan 1742/43. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Her name may have been Abigail; this is an idea deduced from observing the reoccurrence of this name among the descendants.

Some time after entering the above note, I was informed of a reference to William & Abigail Remington in the East Greenwich Town Council records of Jan 1742/3 (source: Cherry Fletcher Bamberg, compiler & editor of "RI Roots" and "Gleanings.") Therefore, I have made a tentative assumption that this may be William, the son of Thomas & Mary, and that his wife is the Abigail referenced in the East Greenwich records.

Notes:

The will of Edward Manton of Providence, yeoman, was dated 7 Aug 1723 and proved 22 Oct 1723; he died 14 Aug 1723. The will mentions his wife Elizabeth; three sons Shadrach, Edward, and John; and daughters Ann Trip who has unnamed children, Kathron (single), Mary (single), and Elizabeth and Sarah Manton. Instructions are given to the three sons and to daughters Kathron and Mary "that they take Care and Provide attendance and all things necessary for there two poore helpless sisters: my daughters Elizabeth Manton and Sarah Manton dureing the full term of the naturall Life of Each of them . . ." (source: RI Genealogical Register, Vol, 12, p. 163).

The Edward Manton house was erected c1683 in Johnston, on "the east side of the road that leads to Killingly" and by the Woonasquatucket River, and near the Assapumpset Brook. The area, originally called the Secesakut Lands, became known as Manton.

Edward married Elizabeth Thornton 9 Dec 1680. Elizabeth (daughter of John Thornton and Sarah Unknown) was born Abt 1662; died Aft 1723. [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.)
According to Oliver Payson Fuller's "The History of Warwick, RI," published in 1875, Thomas Remington in 1692/3 bought Cowesett farm # 1 consisting of 240 acres for the price of 57 pounds, from John Warner & Philip Sweet. As nearly as I can determine, this property was at the northwest corner of Post Rd. (Route 1) and Cowesett Rd. The next farm westward, bordering Route 2, was later purchased by the Remingtons -- probably Thomas Remington, Jr., who married Maplet Gorton.

According to the early town records of Portsmouth, RI, "Thomas Rimmington of Prudence is Admitted a freeman in this town" at a Town Council meeting held 6 June 1692 at William Corey's house (also William Allin of Prudence at the same meeting). Later that same year, the records of a Town Council meeting held on 22 Aug 1692, again at William Corey's house, show that three men were chosen to serve on the next Jury of Tryals at Newport: John Vaughan, Thomas Rimmington, & Joseph Sheffield.

These references likely refer to our ancestor, if in fact he was at Prudence Island and a freeman of Portsmouth in the early 1690s. If this is so, then he must have bought property in Warwick shortly after this and later settled there (possibly c1704 -- see note below). His wife was of Portsmouth, so it is reasonable to assume that this is our ancestor and that they were married at Portsmouth.

In 1701, Thomas Remington was Constable on Prudence Island.

Similarly, genealogist Armand Lariviere says that Thomas initially settled on Prudence Island, Rhode Island, then relocated to Warwick, where he purchased farm #1, the Cowesett Plot, containing 240 acres, in 1693, for 57 pounds. He was deeded land in Haverhill, MA, by his father John in 1695 & 1709. Thomas became a freeman of Warwick in 1704.

Sources for information on this family:
"Gorton Family Genealogy"
"New England Historical and Genealogical Society Register," Vols. 29, 42, 43
"The History of Warwick, RI" by Oliver Payson Fuller

Thomas's will mentions his "dearly beloved wife Mary"; names eight sons, six of whom were under age 21 on 20 May 1710; and his two daughters, both under 18. Thomas gave all his lands to sons Thomas, Jr., William, & John -- they to pay legacies to the other children. Based on this will, I have estimated the birth years for his children. Wife Mary and son William were co-executors.

John, still under age 21, received 40 acres, and would pay his brother Thomas 10 pounds when Thomas reached age 21. Thomas received 1/2 of all the remaining land, across the north end, and he is to pay 11 pounds to five of his brothers when they reach age 21 -- Daniel, Joseph, Stephen, Matthew, and Jonathan; he also is to pay his sisters Mary and Prudence 7 pounds each when they reach age 18 or earlier if they marry younger than 18. William received the mansion house with the remainder of lands; he is to pay to each of the 5 brothers 11 pounds each at age 21 and the two sisters 7 pounds each at age 18. All the rest of the estate is left to dearly beloved wife Mary and well-beloved son William who are appointed joint executors. Thomas signed his will with a capital R -- the mark of "Tho Rimington." It was witnessed by Samuel Gorton, Edward Earle (his mark), and Elizabeth Gorton (her mark). On 26 Sep 1710 the witnesses appeared before the Town Council of Warwick and made oath that they saw Thomas Rimington sign and seal the will.

According to Oliver Payson Fuller's "The History of Warwick, RI," William sold his share of the farm in 1712, but reserved the burying ground where his father and grandfather are interred. Portions of the Remington land were later bought by Thomas Jones Spencer & Thomas LeValley.

His gravestone has the inscription T R 23 July 1710. Although recorded by James N. Arnold in 1893, in 1996 the cemetery could not be located. Supposedly, there were four graves -- Thomas and his wife, and son John and his wife. James Arnold described the location as "north of the David Bennett Lot in open pasture without any protection one tomb two graves at feet that of Thomas Remington and his wife and his son John and his wife." The David Bennett Lot is 1400 feet south of Cowesett Rd. across from Hardig Road and west of I 95.

Thomas married Mary ALLEN Abt 1681. Mary (daughter of William ALLEN, I and Elizabeth Unknown) was born Abt 1661, Prudence Island, Portsmouth, RI; died Abt 1710, RI; was buried , Historical Cemetery WK14, Remington Lot, Cowesett Rd., Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The Allen family were of Prudence Island, according to "Representative Men of Old Families of Southeastern MA," V. I, p. 173.

I have estimated Mary's year of birth, assuming that she was about 20 when she was married, and that none of her children were multiple births. Martha Benns gives her year of death as 1710, the same as for her husband Thomas (see Remington book at Rhode Island Historical Library). She is called Marie in her father's will (William Allin, 2 June 1685 Portsmouth, RI), but Mary in her husband's will (1710 Warwick, RI).

It is unclear exactly where she was born.

Notes:

According to the book "New England Marriages Prior to 1700" (by Clarence Almon Torrey, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1985), their first child on record was born in 1682; Mary's year of death is given as 1710+. Places of residence were Portsmouth and Warwick, RI.

Notes:

Shadrach was Town Clerk of Providence.

Shadrach — Elizabeth Smith. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

John Thornton was one of the founders of The First Baptist Church (source: the political development of the towns, by G. G. Wilson. p 626 at Google Books).

John — Sarah Unknown. [Group Sheet]