Ruth Essex

Notes:

SPINK RUTH 1793c - 9 JAN 1873 EG026

Her gravestone has this saying: "The faithful are certain of their reward."

Ruth — Silas Spink. Silas (son of John Spink and Judeth Weeden) was born Sep 1792, North Kingstown, RI; died 17 Jul 1867, North Kingstown, RI; was buried , Glenwood Cemetery, Cedar Ave., East Greenwich, RI. [Group Sheet]

1. Matilda Spink was born 9 Feb 1825, North Kingstown, RI; died 10 Dec 1852; was buried , Locust Grove Cemetery, Providence, RI.
2. William Penn Spink was born 12 Apr 1833, North Kingstown, RI; died 24 May 1894; was buried , Glenwood Cemetery, Cedar Ave., East Greenwich, RI.

Notes:

This is probably his listing in the RI Cemetery Database:
ESSEX BENJAMIN 1763c - 22 JUL 1843 WK054

Benajah married Penelope Fones Abt 1786. Penelope (daughter of Daniel Fones and Mary Unknown) was born Abt 1766; died 18 Jan 1827; was buried , Historical Cemetery WK054, Essex-Congdon-Shippee Lot, Potomomut & Austin Rds., Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

RIGR Vol 12 pp 247 & 248 has her maiden name as Jones. At least one online family tree has her name as Penelope Jones (no source noted).

However, I believe she was Penelope Fones, since Daniel Fones Essex is mentioned as a nephew, s/o Benejah Essex, in the will of Daniel Fones who died c1817. Therefore, I have entered her maiden name as Fones.

Also, see this entry from the RI Cemetery Database:
ESSEX PENELOPE ([FONES]) 1765c - 18 JAN 1827 WK054

Notes:

Daniel is mentioned as deceased in his father's will of 8 Apr 1790, and his wife Mary is mentioned as daughter-in-law. Five of their children are mentioned as grandchildren.

I have roughly estimated Daniel's year of birth, as well as the birth years of his children.

Daniel married Mary Unknown Abt 1752. Mary was born Abt 1734. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Some family trees have Daniel's wife as Mercy Remington.

See notes for Daniel's grandfather John.

From the book "The Correspondence of the Colonial Governors of Rhode Island, 1723-1775" (Google Books), p 329, "Fones was an enterprising sea captain who represented North Kingstown in the General Assembly. He was sent to Cape Breton with the Connecticut transports, in command of the Rhode Island colony sloop, Tartar, and there distinguished himself by intercepting at Famme Goose Bay a force of 1200 French and Indians, who were advancing from Annapolis to the relief of Louisburg. This was two days before the surrender of the fortress."

From the book Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Vol 3 p 94 (pub 1980 by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, ed Anne Borden Harding): "He m. Mercy ----- perhaps 1743 - 1747. The identity of his wife, the birth place and dates of his children is [sic] not known . . . From 1744 to 1747 he commanded the RI colony sloop Tartar . . . he is referred to as mariner in his will."

The will of Capt. Daniel Fones of North Kingstown, dated 8 Apr 1790 and proved 9 Aug 1790, mentions son Daniel dec'd leaving widow Mary; daughters Mary w/o Edward Yorke of East Falmouth, Nova Scotia; Martha w/o Michael Spencer of East Greenwich, and their son Fones Spencer; granddaughter Margaret w/o William Helme; grandchildren -- children of Mary and probably dec'd son Daniel -- Cynthia, Christopher, Constant, Mary, Dutee, and Daniel.

Daniel married Mercy Unknown Abt 1733. Mercy was born Abt 1715; died Bef 8 Apr 1790. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

It appears that Daniel's wife is still living in the 1782 RI census:
1782 RI Census at North Kingstown, RI
Daniel Fones: Males - 2<16, 1 50+; Females - 1<16, 1 22<50, 1 50+

Some family trees have suggested that her name was Mercy Remington.

I have used Mercy as her first name because that is given in Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Vol 3 p 94 (pub 1980 by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, ed Anne Borden Harding): "He m. Mercy ----- perhaps 1743 - 1747. The identity of his wife, the birth place and dates of his children is [sic] not known."