| Notes |
- (If you use any portion of these notes, please give source credit to Lois Sorensen, Remington family researcher and compiler, and to other sources as noted herein.)
Some information on Edward's wives and descendants, as well as numerous other family connections, particularly the SMITH line, came from Chandler Smith Cheek (contact info available on request).
Edward was born at Pawtuxet, RI, and died at Thomasville, GA. Edward and his family probably moved from Rhode Island to Thomasville as early as 1827, but certainly by 1829. (Pardon Sheldon Remington Jr. wrote that they moved south in 1829 for health reasons -- email from John Piot.) The newly settled town was incorporated in 1831, and Edward Remington was appointed as one of the town commissioners. Martha Benns, in her compilation titled Remington Family, includes a notation that he was the first mayor of Thomasville, although a county history says Thomasville's first mayor was Robert Hardaway. It has also been said that his daughter Mattie was the first white child born in Thomasville, and that a street in town was named after him. Mr. Remington opened the first general stock of merchandise in the town (probably with his father-in-law Simeon Smith), and thereafter was a leading and highly esteemed merchant there for almost a half century. (see excerpt below) According to Pardon Sheldon Remington Jr., Edward's first store was opened in a small log building (email from John Piot).
Evidently Edward Remington traveled from Georgia to Rhode Island year by year, for part or all of the summer, as was the custom for many northerners who had moved south. He usually stayed with his wife's uncle, Remington Smith.
Edward Remington also went to the Alachua County, Florida, area to set up his merchandising business and for the most part let Lewis G. Pyles, his son-in-law, act as his agent.
Edward died in the 74th year of his age, and is buried next to the Smith lot in the Old City Cemetery at Thomasville. His obituary describes him as "trustworthy and honest, a devoted husband and tender father." He was a member of the Baptist Church. His funeral was held on a Sunday, and due to respect of so many citizens, the churches were not opened for regular morning services. The funeral service at the cemetery included singing, prayers, Scripture readings, and a message by Rev. C. S. Gauden on the theme "The Empty Tomb of Jesus." The headstone inscription reads: "In memory of Edward Remington, born in Warwick, Rhode Island, June 7, 1804; died Thomasville April 18, 1878, There remaineth a rest for the people of God."
Gravestone information for Edward and many of his family members is found online at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/thomas/cemeteries/oldcem.txt
Thomas County, Georgia; The Old Cemetery (Thomasville). File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jack Wynn [jwynn@pop.mindspring.com]
Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/thomas.htm
Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
The Edward Remington household was in the 1850 Federal Census at Thomasville, GA, as follows: Edward 45, RI, merchant; Mary 46, Francis 23, Ann 18 (wife of Francis), Mary 13, Edward S. 9, and Mary (child of Francis & Ann) 4 months.
In 1860, E. Remington (Rimington), merchant age 55 RI, is living at Thomasville with his second wife Pat 30 RI, and infant daughter Mary 1 GA. Two individuals are boarding with them, including a Sheldon from RI (possibly John, age 20 -- unclear).
In the 1870 Federal Census they are still at Thomasville; Edward is 65 and Patience is 40; children in the household are Mary 12, Pardon 9, & William 7.
Chandler has Edward's year of birth as 1804, while RI genealogist Martha Benns has 1805 (RI Historical Society Library).
From the web site newenglandancestors.org:
"1805 REMINGTON Edward, h. Mary A. (Smith) of Pawtuxet, R.I. , ch. William and Patty or Martha (Adams), June 7, 1805 [? in Pawtuxet, R.I. ], P.R.28. Birth," recorded in records of Greenfield, MA (probably from a family Bible record of the Adams family).
From "Ante-bellum Thomas County 1825 - 1861" by William Warren Rogers, Chapter II, Town Life, p. 20: "Perhaps the most successful of the town's merchants was Edward Remington. A random listing of items he offered for sale included pianos, Negro goods, window and bed curtains, furniture, iron plow points, crockery and glassware, bagging and bale rope, sugar boilers, clothing for all ages, such as 'Ladies' Steel Extension Skirts from 8 to 36 hoops,' fans, jewelry, and hats. Within the broad category of groceries, Remington included candle wick, matches, sugar, raisins, soap, sardines, and coffee as well as apple and peach brandy, Holland gin, Monongahela whiskey, rectified whiskey, Madeira wine, and port wine." (this county history was originally published as Florida State University Studies, Number 39, Tallahasee, 1963)
One of Edward's business partners was Isaac Garland Jourdan, born in Jefferson County, GA, 25 March 25 1808, and died in Quitman on 21 August 1886. "He engaged in the mercantile business, in copartnership with the late Col. Edward Remington and others that were then well known in business circles." (excerpted from Jourdan's obituary, "The Thomasville Times," 11 Sept 1886, email from Chandler Smith Cheek)
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1804 - 1878 (73 years)
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