Stephen S. Remington

Notes:

He died at sea on a passage from Providence, RI, to Savannah, GA.

The RI Cemetery Database/ gravestone data has his date of death as 23 Nov 1812.

The Providence Gazette: Date: 1812-12-26; Vol XLVIII, Iss 2557, Page 3:

"PORT OF PROVIDENCE. Cleared. Arrived on Tuesday, sloop Fair Rosamond, Gonsalve, six days from Wilmington (NC), Came passenger Capt. Benjamin Bowen, late master of the brig Defiance, of this port, who states, that on the 15th Of Nov last the brig sailed from New York, bound for Savannah; that nothing material occurred until the 24th when beginning in lat. 33:21 N. and long. 78:39 W. the brig being under short sail, was about 12 at night upset by a violent squall from S.W. The crew and passengers saved themselves by getting on the side of the vessel, except three, who perished in the attempt; at half past 12 A.M. both masts went by the board; that the brig then righted, being full of water; the main mast in going split the deck in such a manner that it was impossible to free her of water; the weather proved boisterous, and the sea making a continual breach over her until the 26th, when one of the passengers diving into the cabin an axe was obtained; they were then enabled to clear the masts and yards from alongside; the brig continued driving about at the mercy of the winds and waves until the 29th, when they were fortunately taken off the wreck by the crew of the schr. Franklin, Capt. Nickenson, of New Bedford, who treated them politely. They arrived off Cape Fear Bar on the 30th, and on the 1st of Dec the wreck was discovered on the Frying Pan Shoal. The weather being moderate, a part of her cargo is saved. The persons drowned were Russell W. Allen, son of Mr. Joseph Allen, of this town; STEPHEN S. REMINGTON, of Pawtuxet; and Jenckes Perkins, of Connecticut. The two latter were found in the cabin after the wreck went on shore, and were interred on Cape Fear in as decent a manner as circumstances would admit."

Notes:

From Cranston Land Evidence 7-19, dated 25 Sept 1802: Charles Remington of Cranston, mariner, sold property to James Rhodes, merchant, for $750. The transaction included "one lot of land in Cranston in part called Pawtuxet." It was "bounded westerly on Main St., northerly by land of Remington Sheldon, and southerly on said Sheldon." This was sold "together with dwelling house -- barn & buildings -- was purchased by me of Rhodes Greene in April 1786" (should be 1796 -- note by Mary E. Rice) . . . "I, the said Polly Remington, wife of said Charles Remington, releases dower." (sic) This was signed by Charles Remington & Mary Remington, and witnessed by John A. Aborn & Patience Smith.

On a tombstone erected in memory of Capt. Charles Remington and his two sons is the following inscription: "Tho locked in deathly embrace on foreign shores, and pitying strangers closed their eyes. To mourn their sad and early loss is ours. While fair in Memories page, thy virtues rise. The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. To Captain Charles Remington and his two sons Stephen and Charles. John 5-25."

According to descendant Virginia Adair, now deceased, late of Altanta, GA, Charles was named after his grandfather Charles Rhodes. A letter from her states that family tradition "always listed" Charles as a son of Peleg. Also, she refers to some notes of Charles W. Farnham, RI genealogist of past decades, who listed Charles among the children of Peleg & Waite -- but no source noted. There is also reference to a twin named Deborah -- but I have no other information on her. Mrs. Adair also said she had two property deeds recording land transaction between Charles and his brother Peleg, although their relationship is not stated in the documents.

Charles is mentioned as a son of Peleg in an article on Henry Adolphus Remington, Jr., published in "Club and Professional Life in Rhode Island" dated 1895. A copy of this was given to me by Mrs. Dorothy White of the Roger Williams Family Association. The copy has a notation on the front: R. I. Coll. H32?24, R5, C42, v. 21, no. 21 (difficult to read these numbers and letters).

The book "History of Washington and Kent Counties," p. 1296, says Charles Remington came from England, and that he died in 1812. I believe it is incorrect in this information. While interesting and informative reading, the book does have numerous errors.

From a letter to my grandmother from Lalla Remington West, Charles's great-granddaughter: "Captain charles Remington was a sea captain and had his own sailing vessel, and made trips to Africa and China -- went around South America to get to China. He died on one of his trips to Africa and is buried in Sierra Leone, Africa . . . His father Peleg R also died at sea as he was a sea captain, too."

Charles married Mary "Polly" C. Smith 1793. Mary (daughter of Stephen Smith, Jr. and Patience Arnold) was born 6 Nov 1770; died 6 Nov 1842; was buried , Arnold-Pawtuxet Burial Ground, Harrison St., Pawtuxet, Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Mary was known as Polly.

From Cranston Land Evidence 7-19, dated 25 Sept 1802: Charles Remington of Cranston, mariner, sold property to James Rhodes, merchant, for $750. The transaction included "one lot of land in Cranston in part called Pawtuxet." It was "bounded westerly on Main St., northerly by land of Remington Sheldon, and southerly on said Sheldon." This was sold "together with dwelling house -- barn & buildings -- was purchased by me of Rhodes Greene in April 1786" (should be 1796 -- note by Mary E. Rice) . . . "I, the said Polly Remington, wife of said Charles Remington, releases dower." (sic) This was signed by Charles Remington & Mary Remington, and witnessed by John A. Aborn & Patience Smith.

Again, on 4 Dec 1805, a Cranston deed includes the following: "I, Mary or Polly Remington, wife of the above named Charles Remington, releases dower." It was signed by Charles and Polly Remington.

From the records of the First Baptist Church of Providence, RI: Mrs. Mary Remington (date of membership or baptism?) Not known Nov. 16, 1806, L (letter?) to Pawtuxet church. W. of Charles.

Notes from the Mary E. Rice Collection, concerning Cranston Land Evidence, deed bk #1 pp. 584 & 585, dated 17 Oct 1825: Mary C. Remington, widow of Charles, deceased late of said Cranston, mariner, and William Henry Aborn of Providence, merchant, and his wife Harriot Angeline Aborn . . . " The content concerned the release of all debts pertaining to the estate of Charles, also a release to Samuel Aborn Condy and wife Maria Frances. (Maria & Harriet were sisters, and daughters of Charles & Mary)

The announcement of her death said she died "after 4 yrs. 6 mos. suffering."

Her gravestone has this saying: [she died] "after 4 years and 6 months of suffering which she endured with calm resignation and solid hope of Heaven."

The 2003 supplement to the book "Descendants of Roger Williams, Waterman and Winsor Lines" has her date of birth as 6 November 1776. Depending on whether she was born in 1770 or 1776, determines which of Stephen's wives was her mother. She did have a granddaughter named Phebe, but whether this is a clue that her mother was Phebe is debatable.

Notes:

"Descendants of Roger Williams" Book I, p. 153 says Peleg was lost at sea in 1776. There is a single gravestone in Pawtuxet Cemetery (WK #3) for him and his wife Waite Remington. This has been photographed for my collection.

Information from Richard Allen Brownell, Sr.:
Peleg's specific dates of birth and death were received in an email from Mr. Brownell.
Peleg Remington was captain of a vessel in the Maritime Service and took the Oath of Allegiance to the Colonies in 1775.

He is likely one of the two Peleg Remingtons listed for Warwick in the 1774 RI Census.

A typewritten Remington genealogy given to Mrs. Dorothy White of the Roger Williams Family Association shows Peleg as a son of Stephen Remington & Lydia Rhodes. No specific documentation is provided.

A note in the papers of the Mary E. Rice Collection, excerpted from a copy of a letter written by Mrs. Rice to Virginia Adair, a descendant of Peleg Remington: "Dear Mrs. Adair, I have found that Peleg Remington is the son of Stephen & (guess what) a Lydia Rhodes. I will continue to check this . . . "

Peleg married Waite Rhodes 10 Jul 1757, Cranston, RI. Waite (daughter of Charles Rhodes and Deborah Greene) was born 25 Aug 1740, Warwick, RI; died 25 Oct 1810, Pawtuxet, Warwick, RI; was buried , Historical Cemetery 3, Post Rd., Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I have estimated the birth years of some of the children, based on their dates of marriage.

Notes:

Peleg & Waite were married by Joseph Harris, Justice. A copy of the official marriage record is among the papers in the Mary E. Rice Collection.

I have estimated the birth years of some of the children. Russell is not found in most of the genealogies, but is in a family Bible record. Also, it is said that Charles had a twin named Deborah -- she must have died in infancy. I have no further information on either Russell or Deborah.

Notes:

The will of Stephen Smith, Sr., of Warwick, is dated 1 June 1815, codicil dated 13 Feb 1821, and proved 12 July 1824. It mentions his wife Phebe, sons Benjamin, Stephen Jr., & Israel, and daughters Mary Remington, Phebe Smith, Lydia Smith, & Sally Smith.

I have been able to find definite birth dates for only two of the children -- Benjamin & Israel. For Mary, the RI Cemetery Database says 1770, but the supplement to Descendants of Roger Williams says 1776. This needs more research. Consequently, I am not sure which children are of Patience and which are of Phebe.

Stephen married Patience Arnold 26 Dec 1765, Warwick, RI. Patience (daughter of Simeon Arnold and Lydia Greene) was born 4 Dec 1747, Warwick, RI; died 31 Jul 1775; was buried , Arnold-Pawtuxet Burial Ground, Harrison St., Pawtuxet, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In her father's will, she is called Patience Sweet (?). This may simply be a mis-transcription of Smith.

From the RI Cemetery Database:
SMITH, PATIENCE 1748c - 31 JUL 1775 WK005

From newenglandancestors.org -- RI Vital Records:
1765 Smith: Smith Stephen, Jr., of Stephen, and Patience Arnold, of Simeon ; m. by Eld. Charles Holden, Dec. 26, 1765. more 2 176 Marriage Warwick

Notes:

1765 Arnold: Arnold Patience, and Stephen Smith, Jr., Dec. 26, 1765. 2 176 Marriage Warwick

Notes:

Stephen is mentioned in his father's will.

Stephen & Lydia Remington signed a receipt for a legacy "from the estate of my uncle" Francis Stevens of Rehoboth; dated sometime between 20 Jan 1731/32 and 21 Apr 1732. (source: Bristol County, MA, Probate Records 1687 - 1745 p. 234, on Family Archive CD #502)

Warwick Land Evidence, dated 22 Nov 1736: Stephen Remington of Providence, mariner, sold to Jonathan Remington of East Greenwich, mariner, one lot in Chippowinoxit, Warwick, Lot #16, one and one-half acres; signed by Stephen Remington, witnessed by Dan Remington. (These three were brothers.)

Scituate Land Evidence Vol. 3, p. 278 records a deed dated 28 March 1747, in which Stephen Remington and Lydia R. his wife sell "to Thomas Barnes of Glocester 361 1/2 acres bordering the southerly side of Wilkinson's land, part of the original right of William White and of Benjamin Herington."

Also, an earlier Scituate deed dated 31 Dec 1742 identifies Lydia as "Lydia Remington, formerly Rhodes, daughter of Peleg Rhoads."

Notes from the Mary E. Rice Collection, concerning Cranston land evidence: on 18 March 1784, Stephen Remington sold one lot of land in Pawtuxet to Rhodes Greene; "Marcy Remington, wife of the above-said Stephen," surrenders her dower right. On 10 Feb 1785, Stephen Remington sold land to Capt Josiah Haines. This document was signed by Stephen & Marcy Remington. (Cranston bk 4, p10)

In 1741 a Stephen Remington refused the Captaincy of the Providence County Militia.

In 1743 his brother Joseph was involved in a Scituate land transaction, deeding land to his son Thomas.

In 1745, a Stephen Remington, Justice of the Peace for Providence, refused reappointment to the office in June.

Since there seem to be two Stephen Remingtons born around 1696, one of Thomas of Warwick, and the other of Stephen of Jamestown, it is possible that the data from the two has been confused by some researchers. I know that one married Lydia Rhodes, daughter of Peleg, and according to genealogist Martha A. Benns the other married Mercy Fenner, widow of Thomas. However, I believe Benns was incorrect in this, and that Stephen of Warwick married both of these women. The RI Cemetery Database records Mercy Remington's grave, but not the others, so does not help sort out these individuals.

Although Benns has paired the Stephen of Jamestown with Mrs. Fenner, no documentation is noted. It seems more likely that Mercy would have been a second wife for the Stephen of Warwick, especially since Mercy is buried in Warwick. That is the way that Boyd Scott Remington's chart at RIHSL lists them, and I concur with him in this instance; so I have placed Mercy with this Stephen, of Warwick.

Additional evidence is the death announcement for this Stephen, "a noted nautical Commander," who died at Pawtuxet in his 90th year.

Martha Benns has noted the date of death for Stephen Remington of Jamestown as 24 Dec 1785. However, that was the date of the death announcement for this Stephen, of Warwick, published in the Providence Gazette.

His will mentions a wife "Marcy," but no children. It also mentions friend Christopher Sheldon and his five children, including the oldest son named Remington.

James N. Arnold's "Family Notes" at the Knight Memorial Library has Stephen's dates as: 1689 - 16 Dec 1785.

A typewritten Remington genealogy given to Dot White of the Roger Williams Family Association gives Stephen's year of birth as 1695; it also says he died 16 Dec 1785. While it mentions his second wife as Marcy or Mercy (Unknown), it also lists three children by his second wife: Lydia, Mary, & Rosanna. However, this information is erroneous and most likely due to a misreading of Stephen's will (or abstract of his will). Stephen's will mentions three daughters of said friend Christopher Sheldon: Lydia, Mary, & Rosanna, all surname Sheldon. If Stephen & Mercy had any children, they are not in the Warwick city records and are not mentioned in his will.

Interestingly, "The Fenner Family," a comprehensive genealogy by Mrs. Eva Fenner and others, agrees with my conclusions concerning Mercy Sheldon as the wife of both Thomas Fenner and Stephen Remington. [http://www.fennerfamily.com/pdf/four.pdf]

Stephen married Lydia Rhodes Aft 15 Jun 1720. Lydia (daughter of Peleg Rhodes and Sarah Stevens) was born Abt 1698; died Aft 15 Jun 1756. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Scituate Land Evidence Vol. 3, p. 278 records a deed dated 28 March 1747, in which Stephen Remington and Lydia R. his wife sell "to Thomas Barnes of Glocester 361 1/2 acres bordering the southerly side of Wilkinson's land, part of the original right of William White and of Benjamin Herington."

Also, an earlier deed dated 31 Dec 1742 identifies Lydia as "Lydia Remington, formerly Rhodes, daughter of Peleg Rhoads."

The following is from the notes of Mary E. Rice, concerning a document in Cranston land evidence: "This proves that Lydia Rhodes was d/o Peleg and she married as first wife Stephen Remington, he married 2nd Mercy Fenner" . . . The deed reads "I, Lidia Remington, & Stephen Remington . . . deed to Christopher Sheldon, of Providence, mariner, the house and lot/land in Pawtuxet where we now dwell, near to the Pawtuxet Bridge." It mentions a bordering lot formerly laid out by Peleg Rhodes, deceased . . . "lots and tracts of land above-mentioned were given to me by my honorable Father Peleg Rhodes who was formerly of Providence but now deceased" . . . dated 15 June 1756, signed by Lydia Remington & Stephen Remington.

Notes:

The Genealogy of Zachariah Rhodes has Charles's birth date as 29 April 1719. It also says he was a sea captain, and when he retired from the sea he became a Baptist minister.

Charles married Deborah Greene 31 Jan 1738/39, Warwick, RI. Deborah (daughter of Peter Greene and Keziah Davis) was born 4 Feb 1720/21, Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Her parents were either Job & Phebe (Sayles) Greene, or William & Mary (Sayles) Greene. See "Descendants of Roger Williams, Book I" p. 55.

Stephen married Mary Sabin Abt 1742. Mary was born Abt 1717, Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I have estimated Mary's year of birth.

Notes:

The will of "Simon" Arnold, of Warwick, yeoman, dated 6 Nov 1769, proved 14 Mar 1774, mentions wife Lydia; sons Benjamin, Israel, Barlo; dtrs Hester Rhodes, Phebe Hunt, Patience Sweet, Lydia Arnold, & Elizabeth Arnold. (I think "Sweet" should read "Smith.")

Simeon married Lydia Greene 1 Mar 1737/38. Lydia (daughter of Barlow Greene and Lydia Harding) was born 18 Mar 1717/18, Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]