At the RI Historical Society Library, Manuscript Room, there is a letter from G. Tillinghast to Mr. Thomas M. Remington. Dated May 10/55, New Berlin, it concerns a note his brother held against him -- in other words, money owed by Mr. Tillinghast. He states that he is unable to pay it at this time, but "if you will come up here I will give you such as I have" -- an old pair of boots, also an old hat, both "badly worn" -- but "such as I have I will give you." My response would be, "No, thanks!"
In the 1850 Federal Census, the family is living in Foster, RI, with three daughters, along with Cynthia's parents, Samuel & Hannah Tillinghast.