William Henry Reynolds

William — Renewed "Newey" Kettle. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Simeon was s/o Amos & Hannah.

Simeon married Elizabeth Pearce 26 Nov 1797, West Greenwich, RI. Elizabeth (daughter of John Pearce and Eunice Briggs) was born Abt 1776; died Bef 1 Jun 1850. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

PIERCE John, of Benjamin, Feb. 20, 1750. North Kingstown Births (Vol. Unknown Original Volume & Page : Pg. 17416)

Please note that there were several individuals of this same name born around the same time.

Some genealogies, including DAR and SAR records, have a different John (born in 1749, birth record at Portsmouth) as marrying Eunice Briggs. But I believe that is incorrect, based on available evidence in NK records.

From the DAR website:
PIERCE, JOHN Ancestor #: A091393 Service: RHODE ISLAND Rank: LIEUTENANT Birth: 15 Feb 1749 NORTH KINGSTON RHODE ISLAND Death: 22 Jun 1829 NORTH KINGSTON RHODE ISLAND Service Description: 1) ALSO ENS, CAPT HAWKINS, COL STANTON

This has to be incorrect because the Portsmouth records make it clear that this John born in 1749 was of Portsmouth, and his family lived on Prudence Island -- so he was not born in North Kingstown. He was a son of Nathaniel and Merebah, of Prudence Island.

The 1829 will of John Pearce of NK mentions his father as Benjamin (not Nathaniel). Please note that I have not seen the clerk's copy at North Kingstown Town Hall -- only a published abstract. John b 1750 NK s/o Benjamin as the one who married Eunice Briggs at NK seems to make more sense, based on two items: John's will which mentions his father, and his granddaughter's being named Eunice Briggs Pearce, as mentioned in that will. It is interesting to note that the two births (Portsmouth and North Kingstown) are just about a year apart. One might wonder if they could be duplicate records in different towns, with one written years afterwards, except that the father's name is different.

There was a third John Pearce who also was a Revolutionary War soldier and a pensioner. He lived at Newport, and died in 1819 at age 67 (according to newspaper reports), which puts the estimate of his birth year at c1752. Elizabeth, widow of John Pearce of Newport, died in 1826.

In addition, there were at least 4 other John Pearces born between 1745 and 1758 in Portsmouth and Little Compton. One of the John Pearces of RI, also a Rev War soldier, died in SC in 1828, as reported in local newspapers.

The will of John Pearce (son of ____amin, deceased), of North Kingstown, is dated May 1817, codicil dated Feb 1819, and proved 14 Sep 1829 (pgs. 279 - 283). It mentions wife Emblin (sp?) who received the furniture she brought (this wording indicates that she was his second or subsequent wife). It names sons William and Nathaniel; daughters Elizabeth (wife of Simon Reynolds) and an unnamed daughter who married Rowland Chadsey; also grandchildren: Christianna Chadsey; and children of son Nathaniel -- William G., Mary Ann, Eliza, and Eunice Briggs, all surname Pearce. Lastly, it mentions Emeline S. Sunderlin, d/o Warren Sunderlin (no relationship specified).

This makes me wonder if John's wife "Emblin" could be Emeline, and perhaps is related to the Sunderlin/Sunderland family. The gentleman referred to in the will is Warren or Warham Sunderland, born in Exeter 2 July 1777; married Mercy; dtr Emeline S. married John Perry in 1826 SK. Warham Sunderland was baptized in NK 19 Aug 1798.

John married Eunice Briggs 24 Mar 1771, North Kingstown, RI. Eunice was born Abt 1750; died Bef Feb 1819. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I have not been able to determine Eunice's parentage. She was not the Eunice Briggs born 15 Jul 1754 at Little Compton, because that Eunice died 5 Nov 1847.

Notes:

BRIGGS Eunice, and John Pierce, March 24, 1771. North Kingstown Marriages (Vol. Unknown Original Volume & Page : Pg. 19005)