Martha "Mattie" Adams Remington

Notes:

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

Martha Adams Remington was named after her paternal grandmother, Martha "Pattey" Adams.

Martha ran a hotel called the Mitchell Hotel or Piney Wood Hotel. See notes below.

"In this large lot is also buried a woman of tremendous energy with a great and kindly heart. Back in Thomasville's great winter resort days, Martha Adams Remington, known then to Thomasville and to the world as "Mrs. Bowers" operated the Piney Woods Hotel in all of the sparkling glory at a time when Akin, SC, St. Augustine, FL, and Thomasville, GA were the great winter resorts of the Atlantic Seaboard. Miami, FL, then wasn't even a whisper as a winter resort. Martha Adams Remington married twice, first to Mr. Davies, and after his death to Dr. Peter S. Bower. Mrs. Bower operated the great hotel while her husband, Dr. Bower, ministered to the guests who had come down from the North on account of ailing health. And so it is fitting that Mrs. Bower, in her day one of the grand ladies of the South, should be buried in the Old Cemetery with gallant Confederate soldiers, and near the grave of her kindly husband, Dr. Peter S. Bower." (THE OLD CEMETERY by James B. Burch, from Thomasville Cultural Centers)

From the Georgia Genweb site, cemetery records (somewhat edited) from The Old Cemetery, Thomasville: Theodosius B. Davies, 15 June 1825 - 28 Jan 1859, h/o Martha Adams Remington, d/o Col. Edward Remington. Martha is said to be the first white child to have been born in this city after the town was formally incorporated. Martha Adams Remington Davies later married Dr. P. S. Bower. Dr. Bower was born 4 Dec 1833 died 19 Dec 1892.

Peter Shively Bower, 4 Dec 1833 - 19 Dec 1897 CSA Dr. h/o Martha Adams Bower, 29 July 1831 - 5 May 1898; mn Remington

Martha married Theodosius Bartow Davies 3 May 1848, Thomasville, GA. Theodosius (son of William Davies and Sarah Grant Land) was born 15 Jun 1825, Savannah, Chatham Co., GA; died 28 Jan 1859, Thomasville, GA; was buried , Old Cemetery, Thomasville, Thomas Co., GA. [Group Sheet]

1. William Edward Davies was born 23 Aug 1849; died 26 Apr 1899.
2. Sarah "Sallie" Remington Davies was born 29 Nov 1850; died 23 Jan 1928; was buried , Old Cemetery, Thomasville, Thomas Co., GA.

Martha married Peter Shively Bower Aft 28 Jan 1859. Peter was born 4 Dec 1833; died 19 Dec 1897, Thomasville, GA; was buried , The Old Cemetery, Thomasville, GA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

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

Some information on Edward's wives and descendants, as well as numerous other family connections, particularly the SMITH line, came from Chandler Smith Cheek (contact info available on request).

Edward was born at Pawtuxet, RI, and died at Thomasville, GA. Edward and his family probably moved from Rhode Island to Thomasville as early as 1827, but certainly by 1829. (Pardon Sheldon Remington Jr. wrote that they moved south in 1829 for health reasons -- email from John Piot.) The newly settled town was incorporated in 1831, and Edward Remington was appointed as one of the town commissioners. Martha Benns, in her compilation titled Remington Family, includes a notation that he was the first mayor of Thomasville, although a county history says Thomasville's first mayor was Robert Hardaway. It has also been said that his daughter Mattie was the first white child born in Thomasville, and that a street in town was named after him. Mr. Remington opened the first general stock of merchandise in the town (probably with his father-in-law Simeon Smith), and thereafter was a leading and highly esteemed merchant there for almost a half century. (see excerpt below) According to Pardon Sheldon Remington Jr., Edward's first store was opened in a small log building (email from John Piot).

Evidently Edward Remington traveled from Georgia to Rhode Island year by year, for part or all of the summer, as was the custom for many northerners who had moved south. He usually stayed with his wife's uncle, Remington Smith.

Edward Remington also went to the Alachua County, Florida, area to set up his merchandising business and for the most part let Lewis G. Pyles, his son-in-law, act as his agent.

Edward died in the 74th year of his age, and is buried next to the Smith lot in the Old City Cemetery at Thomasville. His obituary describes him as "trustworthy and honest, a devoted husband and tender father." He was a member of the Baptist Church. His funeral was held on a Sunday, and due to respect of so many citizens, the churches were not opened for regular morning services. The funeral service at the cemetery included singing, prayers, Scripture readings, and a message by Rev. C. S. Gauden on the theme "The Empty Tomb of Jesus." The headstone inscription reads: "In memory of Edward Remington, born in Warwick, Rhode Island, June 7, 1804; died Thomasville April 18, 1878, There remaineth a rest for the people of God."

Gravestone information for Edward and many of his family members is found online at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/thomas/cemeteries/oldcem.txt

Thomas County, Georgia; The Old Cemetery (Thomasville). File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jack Wynn [jwynn@pop.mindspring.com]

Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/thomas.htm
Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm

The Edward Remington household was in the 1850 Federal Census at Thomasville, GA, as follows: Edward 45, RI, merchant; Mary 46, Francis 23, Ann 18 (wife of Francis), Mary 13, Edward S. 9, and Mary (child of Francis & Ann) 4 months.

In 1860, E. Remington (Rimington), merchant age 55 RI, is living at Thomasville with his second wife Pat 30 RI, and infant daughter Mary 1 GA. Two individuals are boarding with them, including a Sheldon from RI (possibly John, age 20 -- unclear).

In the 1870 Federal Census they are still at Thomasville; Edward is 65 and Patience is 40; children in the household are Mary 12, Pardon 9, & William 7.

Chandler has Edward's year of birth as 1804, while RI genealogist Martha Benns has 1805 (RI Historical Society Library).

From the web site newenglandancestors.org:
"1805 REMINGTON Edward, h. Mary A. (Smith) of Pawtuxet, R.I. , ch. William and Patty or Martha (Adams), June 7, 1805 [? in Pawtuxet, R.I. ], P.R.28. Birth," recorded in records of Greenfield, MA (probably from a family Bible record of the Adams family).

From "Ante-bellum Thomas County 1825 - 1861" by William Warren Rogers, Chapter II, Town Life, p. 20: "Perhaps the most successful of the town's merchants was Edward Remington. A random listing of items he offered for sale included pianos, Negro goods, window and bed curtains, furniture, iron plow points, crockery and glassware, bagging and bale rope, sugar boilers, clothing for all ages, such as 'Ladies' Steel Extension Skirts from 8 to 36 hoops,' fans, jewelry, and hats. Within the broad category of groceries, Remington included candle wick, matches, sugar, raisins, soap, sardines, and coffee as well as apple and peach brandy, Holland gin, Monongahela whiskey, rectified whiskey, Madeira wine, and port wine." (this county history was originally published as Florida State University Studies, Number 39, Tallahasee, 1963)

One of Edward's business partners was Isaac Garland Jourdan, born in Jefferson County, GA, 25 March 25 1808, and died in Quitman on 21 August 1886. "He engaged in the mercantile business, in copartnership with the late Col. Edward Remington and others that were then well known in business circles." (excerpted from Jourdan's obituary, "The Thomasville Times," 11 Sept 1886, email from Chandler Smith Cheek)

Edward married Mary Arnold Smith Abt 4 Sep 1826, Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, RI. Mary (daughter of Simeon Smith, Jr. and Mary "Polly" Sheldon) was born 25 Sep 1803, Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, Kent Co., RI; died 16 Oct 1856, Thomasville, Thomas Co., GA; was buried , The Old Cemetery, Thomasville, Thomas Co., GA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The online transcription of cemetery records at the Georgia Genweb site has her date of death as 16 Oct 1850.

Notes:

This marriage or marriage intention is listed in Elder James Wilson's Marriages, but the newspaper report says the minister was Rev. Mr. Shurtleff. There is also a discrepancy in the dates, as "Family Notes" by James N. Arnold has the date as 15 September, rather than 4 September.

The marriage intention was published on 20 & 27 Aug 1826 and also on 3 Sep 1826. At that time Edward was of Providence and Mary was of Pawtuxet.

A descendant, Martha Adams (Remington) (Davies) Bower, has the marriage date as 4 Sep 1826.

The cemetery information at usgwenwebarchives.net has the marriage date as 4 Sep 1826.

Notes:

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

William's will dated 31 May 1852 mentions his (second) wife Avis and sons Henry A., Edward, & William H.

The death record at Warwick City Hall reads: "William Remington, son of Thomas; trader, d. 23 June 1852 age 73." (Note: James N. Arnold's published transcription of this record is incorrect; I have viewed the original twice for verification) The RI Death Index agrees with the original.

I do not have absolute proof of the identity of William's parents, but the available evidence points to this Thomas and Mary. It is known that his father is Thomas. The most likely possibility is Thomas Remington, Jr., who married Mary Wood, d/o William, at Warwick on 7 June 1778, by Elder Charles Holden. (Consequently, I am tentatively placing him in this family; research is ongoing to confirm.)

William is mentioned as a son in Thomas Remington's Revolutionary War Pension File # W13847.

Research throughout Rhode Island has shown that there is no record of any other William, son of Thomas.

William owned a house which is now known as the Remington House, at 71 Remington Street in Pawtuxet, Warwick, RI. This house was at one time rented to the Pawtuxet school district for use as a school. An old receipt shows that William was paid $3 per month, for a total of $12, covering the period from 9 Dec 1833 to 8 Apr 1834. Most likely, ownership of the house was passed down to son Henry after William's death, since Henry is indicated as owner on an 1855 map. (source: "Pawtuxet Schools" by Henry A. L. Brown, an article in "The Bridge" Fall 2005 Vol. 31 No. 2, p. 10 -- A Newsletter of the Pawtuxet Village Association)

The plaque on the front of the William Remington house has the date 1728. Does this mean the house was built that year? Also, who built the house -- a Remington ancestor or someone else? This needs more research. (I have photographed this house; image available upon request.)

From RI Cemetery Database:
REMINGTON WILLIAM 1779c - 23 JUN 1852 WK001

Cemetery notes:
Historical Cemetery # WK001, Lakewood Burial Ground, Warwick, RI / Location: 75 ft west of IRVING RD at TEL pole # 4 / 24 burials with 5 inscriptions from 1822 to 1862 / 100 ft x 200 ft in poor condition no enclosure; sign missing / Tax Assessors Map #: Plat #: 289, Lot #: 551 / James N. Arnold visited this lot 10 Aug 1891; Vol 4 Pg 87 "At Lakewood on the north side of the Greenwich Rd. and west of the Warwick branch Road, in plain sight of both, a burial yard showing neglect, both fence and yard." In 1994 this burial ground was almost totally destroyed and most of the stones were missing. This cemetery has been recorded and checked.

William married Martha "Pattey" Adams 12 Apr 1804, Warwick, Kent Co., RI. Martha (daughter of Andrew Adams and Molly Morse) was born 4 Jan 1784, Northbridge, MA; died 11 Jun 1822, Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, RI; was buried , Lakewood Burial Ground, Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From MA vital records:

1804 ADAMS Patty " (also called Martha)," ch. Andrew and Molly (Morse), and William Remington, b. Patuxat, R.I. , Apr. 12, 1804, in Warwick, R.1. ,* P.R.28. Marriage Greenfield

Death notice in the Providence Journal: "Martha Remington, wife of William at Pawtuxet, RI, in 37th year, June 11, 1822."
(James N. Arnold's Vital Record of RI, Vol. 12, pp. 607/8)

From RI Cemetery Database:
REMINGTON MARTHA 1785c - 11 JUN 1822 WK001

Notes:

William & Pattey were married by Alexander Havens, Justice.

Notes:

The first recorded meeting of Masons in Pawtuxet Village was 12 Apr 1805 at the home of Anthony Aborn, Esq. There were seven present. It was decided to establish a Lodge at Pawtuxet. The third meeting was 26 April at Col. Bowen's house, where they drew up a petition for a Lodge. Eight additional people signed, including Peleg Remington & Simeon Smith, Jr.

After Simeon moved to Thomasville, GA, he and his son-in-law, Edward Remington, joined together in establishing a mercantile store (from notes by Mrs. Doris Davies).

Simeon married Mary "Polly" Sheldon 26 Dec 1802, Pawtuxet, RI. Mary (daughter of Remington Sheldon and Huldah Greene) was born 3 May 1782, Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, Kent Co., RI; died 2 Mar 1862, Thomasville, GA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Mary is identified as a daughter of Remington Sheldon in the following excerpt (notes from Chandler Smith Cheek):

"Sheldon, Israel et. als. vs Sheldon, Gilbert et. als., The Supreme Court of State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Providence, SC, In Equity for Partition, No 2078, October Term 1882.
(1) George Sheldon of Pawtucket, Rhode Island died December 13, 1879, intestate, unmarried and left no children. He was the son of Remington Sheldon, now deceased, who was the father of nine children, as follows:
Polly (Mary) who married Simeon Smith and died leaving issue."
(and so on)

Notes:

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

I have tentatively determined this Thomas Remington's parentage from his Revolutionary War pension file, in which his sister Mary Bennett gives a sworn testimony. I have made an assumption that his sister Mary Bennett, is the same Mary as the daughter of Thomas & Mary (Collins) Remington.

It is possible that Mary (Remington) Bennett and her brother Thomas, Jr., were children of a different Thomas Remington; however, given their ages and locality, this family is the most likely. No other Thomas Remington of record has proved to be a possibility, although there were other Thomas Remingtons born in Rhode Island of whom nothing else is known.

According to his pension file data at the National Archives in Waltham (George Sermuksnis, Archives Technician), Thomas was residing at Providence when he received his pension. He lived in Warwick during the the Revolutionary War.

Please note that some online genealogies have shown Mary Wood as a second wife for the Thomas Remington, Jr., who is the son of Thomas & Abigail (Eldred) Remington, of Cowesett, Warwick, RI. However, that is incorrect, as that Thomas has a different date of death: 6 Aug 1817. His grave is in Coventry, RI. Also, there is no William or Charles among their known children.

From "Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files," Vol. III: N - Z, abstracted by Virgil D. White, The National Historical Publishing Co., Waynesboro, TN, 1992, p. 2849, summary of his pension file:

"REMINGTON Thomas, Mary, RI Line, W13847, sol was a son of Thomas Remington & he m Mary daughter or [sic] William Wood on 7 Jun 1778 at Warwick RI, sol d 19 Jan 1831, wid appl 29 Octg [sic] 1836 at Cranston RI & she d there 29 Mar 1837 & the bal due wid at her death was paid to the following children; Charles, Daniel & William Remington her only surviving children."

Although Thomas was a Revolutionary War Veteran and his wife Mary received his pension, it is not known where either of them is buried.

The Federal Census of 1790 lists 4 Thomas Remingtons in Warwick. I am assuming that one of these is this particular Thomas, likely the one designated as Thomas Remington, Jr. and living near another Thomas Remington. The household shows 5 free white males under age 16, 1 free white male 16 and over, and 3 free white females. This suggests that there may have been 5 sons and 2 daughters in the family at that time.

"Cousin Thomas Remington Jr. of Coventry" is named as executor in the 1805 will of Thomas Collins of Foster, yeoman, who died about Mar 1818 when the will was proved.

There may have been a son named Henry. The 1810 census shows a Charles Remington and a Henry Remington listed next to each other. Both Charles and William included the name Henry among their children.

The inventory of the estate of Thomas Remington was taken between June and August 1831. Charles Remington was the Administrator, appraisers were Christopher Spencer, Edmund Burke, and George Carder. The image of the inventory, totalling $91.11, is viewable at ancestry.com. Two of the individuals listed as having claims are William and Joseph Remington.

Thomas married Mary Wood 7 Jun 1778, Warwick, RI. Mary (daughter of William Wood) was born Abt 1758; died 29 Mar 1837, Cranston, Providence Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

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

On 29 Oct 1836, Mary Remington appeared at the Court of Common Pleas, Providence County, to testify concerning her husband's military service. On that date Mary was a resident of Cranston, and was a widow age 78.

According to the Revolutionary War Pension File, this couple had three children still living in March 1837: Charles, Daniel, & William. Based on that information, I have included those names in this family group, and have pieced together data as best as I can to determine who these individuals were. This family is still in ongoing research; it is possible that there were additional children.

The RI Death Index identifies the parents of Charles Remington as Thomas & Mary. I am not absolutely sure that his parents were the Thomas Remington, Jr., & Mary Wood who were married in Warwick in 1778, but it seems to be a reasonable assumption, based on Thomas's pension file which mentions a son Charles, the location, and the time frame. So, for the time being, until research shows otherwise, I am including Mary's maiden name as Wood (see marriage record and the same date in the pension file), and am entering their marriage data as such, with this particular Charles as a son.

The marriage record at Warwick identifes Mary Wood as daughter of William.

She may have been a sister of Olney Wood who married Rosanna Remington. Both Olney and Mary were children of a William Wood.

In the 1830 census, Sally Ann Wood, widow of Olney Wood, and two William Woods are living near Thomas & Patience Remington and family.

Notes:

Remington Thomas, Jr., of Thomas, and Mary Wood, of William ; m. by Eld. Charles Holden, June 7, 1778 (Arnold's VRs, Warwick Marriages, p 96).

Notes:

Information on the children of Andrew & his second wife Betsey, as well as the date of Andrew's first marriage, came from Linda Poast. She mentioned the source as an Adams Family Bible extract published in the Vital Records of Greenfield, MA.

These records are also available online at newenglandancestors.org

Andrew was of Northbridge, MA, when he married his second wife Betsey.

I am fairly sure that these records pertain to this particular Andrew Adams:

1759 ADAMS Andrew, h. Molly (Morse), h. Betsey (Chapin), Nov. 7,1759, in Sutton ("now Northbridge"), Worcester Co., P.R.28. Birth Greenfield

1759 ADAMS Andrew, s. John of Uxbridge, bap. Dec. 9, 1759. C.R. Birth Grafton

Andrew married Molly Morse Between Dec 1780 and Jan 1781, Southborough, MA. Molly was born Abt 1760; died Between 1785 and 1790. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

1780 MORSE Molly of Southborough, and Andrew Adams, in Southborough, Dec. 10, 1780 (int., Dec. 25, 1780). Marriage Northbridge

I have not determined her parentage, but she may be a daughter of Benjamin Morse and Mary James, who were married in Southborough 26 Oct 1750; OR of Joseph Morse and Joanna Newton, married in Southborough 3 Jan 1753..

Notes:

The marriage is recorded at Southborough, MA, as 4 Jan 1781.

Notes:

Simeon Smith was a Charter Member of the Pawtuxet Rangers (Oct 1774).

He was Master of Providence-based privateer brig, Hope, 1781. (source: Field, Edward; State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations at the End of the Century: A History. Boston, Mason Publishing Co. 1902, Vol II, pp424-430 List of Privateersmen from Providence)

He was a Revolutionary War Pensioner (File # S21492).

Simeon's will was dated 3 February 1836, and proved 27 May 1843 at Cranston, RI. In it he mentions sons Simeon Jr., Nicholas, Moses, Aaron, & Remington. He speaks of his daughters, but not by name. Also mentioned are grandchildren Nathaniel P. Smith, John R. Harris, & Charlotte P. Thomas.

Simeon died at age 97, the oldest resident of Pawtuxet at the time. A veteran of the Revolution, he was loyal to the cause of liberty and took his civic privileges seriously. It was reported that in the last election, he traveled 5 miles to vote.

A death notice was printed in the Brooklyn Eagle, 9 March 1843.

He may have married first to Freelove Fenner, b. 13 July 1743. She married Capt. Simon Smith on 23 March 1766 at Providence, RI. However, that may have been another individual with a similar name born around the same time. He was generally referred to as Capt. Simeon Smith. (Is he the Simeon Smith who also married Freelove Fenner? Probably; but this needs more research; there was another Simeon Smith of Burrillville/Glocester; both were Rev. War pensioners.)

Simeon married Martha Peck 12 Dec 1773, Warwick, RI. Martha (daughter of Elisha Peck and Mary Arnold) was born 24 Aug 1756, Warwick, RI; died 6 Jan 1833, Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"Remmenton Shelding," "Parden Shelding," and "Isrel Shelding" are all listed in the 1777 RI Military Census as living at Providence.

Remington married Huldah Greene Abt 1778. Huldah (daughter of Stephen Greene and Mary Rhodes) was born Abt 1758, Pawtuxet, RI; died 14 Oct 1822, Pawtuxet, RI; was buried , Pawtuxet Burial Yard, Post Rd., Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From the records of the First Baptist Church of Providence, RI: Mrs. Hulda Sheldon Aug. 4,1793, B (baptized?) Nov. 16,1806, L (letter?) to Pawtuxet ch.; W. of Remington.