Thomas Edmunds

Notes:

The surname is sometimes spelled Edmands or Edmonds.

Joseph Edmunds of Warwick is mentioned as a son-in-law in the 7 Dec 1738 will of Thomas Nichols of East Greenwich. The name of Joseph's wife is not mentioned, but the East Greenwich records show the birth of Thomas to Joseph & Hannah; Thomas is also mentioned as a grandson in the will of Thomas Nichols.

The will of Joseph Edmunds of Warwick is dated 9 June 1765 and proved 15 June 1767. It mentions wife Elizabeth -- probably not a first wife, based on the wording of the will -- and sons Thomas, Andrew, and William.

I have estimated the birth years of most of the children.

The following notes are from a family tree by Kristi Anne McKenzie at Rootsweb's Worldconnect; much of the information already has been substantiated by my own research, but some remains to be confirmed:

"His will was proved 15 Jun 1767, ex. son Andrew. To son Thomas all wearing apparel. To wife Elizabeth (Elizabeth Vaughan who he married 7 Jun 1759) negro named Jeremiah, a good cow, a riding beast, two feather beds, all silver spoons she brought me, and all other things she brought, with use of west end of house and chamber above with bed room adjoining, privlege in cellar and kitchen and half of profits of homestead farm, all to her while widow. If wife refuses this provision in lieu of her dower, then executor to have all. To son Andrew all my homestead farm. To son William, land in Coventry, wife privilege of getting firewood on premises. To son Andrew, all remaining part of estate both real and personal. Inventory,

Joseph married Hannah Nichols Abt 1708. Hannah (daughter of Thomas Nichols and Mercy Reynolds) was born 9 Mar 1684/85, East Greenwich, Kent Co., RI; died Bef Jun 1759. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The surname is sometimes spelled Edmands or Edmonds.

Land records involving Andrew are viewable in "The early records of the town of Providence" at Google Books.

Captain Andrew Edmonds fought in King Philip's War, leading 30 men from Providence. "On 3 March 1679 'on account of his service done in the war' he was granted four acres of land 'at the place called the narrow passage [where Red Bridge now stands] he there intending the keeping of a ferry.' " (source: "Early Rehoboth: Documented Historical Studies of Familes and Events in this Plymouth Colony Township, Volume 3" by Richard LeBaron Bowen, p 86)

See notes for wife Mary.

Andrew married Mary Hearnden 14 Oct 1675, Providence, Providence Co., RI. Mary (daughter of Benjamin Hearnden) was born Abt 1650. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Mary is identified as d/o Benjamin Harendean in "Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America."

According to "Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America" p 168, in 1696 Andrew's widow Mary was allowed to keep the ferry over the Seekonk River. See notes for Andrew.

Notes:

The will of Thomas Nichols of East Greenwich is dated 7 Dec 1738 and proved 30 Nov 1745. It mentions sons James, and Thomas dec'd; dtr Frances Peirce, widow; other daughters not named; son-in-law Giles Peirce; son-in-law Joseph Edmunds of Warwick; grandson Thomas Edmunds; other family members.

I have made an assumption that he is the Thomas Nichols born to Thomas & Hannah Nichols, 6 Aug 1660 recorded at North Kingstown. The time period is right; this seems to be confirmed by John Osborne Austin's "Genealogical Dictionary of RI" p 138.

Thomas married Mercy Reynolds Abt 1684. Mercy (daughter of James Reynolds and Deborah Unknown) was born 22 Dec 1664. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Maiden name to be confirmed; check "New England Marriages Prior to 1700" compiled by Clarence Almon Torrey; p. 536; The Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc.; Baltimore, Maryland; 1985.

Her maiden name as Reynolds seems to be confirmed by John Osborne Austin's "Genealogical Dictionary of RI" p 138, which says she is d/o James & Devorah Reynolds; also she is identified as Mercy Reynolds in "Representative Men and Old Families of Rhode Island" p 1814.

The children's birth are registered at East Greenwich to Thomas & Mercy Nichols.

Notes:

The surname is sometimes given as Herenden, Harandean, or Harrington.

Thomas — Hannah Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She may have been Hannah Griffin. See "New England Marriages Prior to 1700" compiled by Clarence Almon Torrey; p. 536; The Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc.; Baltimore, Maryland; 1985.

Notes:

James was s/o William Reynolds, according to "New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, Volume 1" ed. William Richard Cutter, p 52 (Google Books).

James married Deborah Unknown Abt 1647. Deborah was born Abt 1629. [Group Sheet]