Thomas Remington

Notes:

In the 1850 Federal Census, Thomas & Elizabeth are living at Warwick, Kent, RI. With them are sons Albert G. & John H. C.

The death entry at Warwick City Hall says he died on 15 Nov 1853.

The graves of Thomas & Elizabeth are in the Remington-Arnold Lot, behind the Stop & Shop at Cowesett Corners. This whole area was part of the original Remington farm, but now is mostly residential and commercial. There is a section of woods behind the shopping center, and that is the location of the family cemetery.

Thomas married Elizabeth "Betsey" Remington 3 Jan 1803, Warwick, RI. Elizabeth (daughter of Jonathan REMINGTON and Phebe UNKNOWN) was born 24 Dec 1785, Berkshire Co., MA; died 7 Oct 1870, Apponaug, Warwick, RI; was buried , Warwick, RI Historical Cemetery 60, off Cowesett Rd. at Bald Hill. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Benjamin took over the Remington farm on Cowesett Rd., which had been inherited from his father and forebears.

On 16 November 1832, at Warwick, RI, Benjamin F. Remington & Jonathan Remington, both yeomen of Warwick, signed a deed which acknowledged receipt of $600 from John B. Arnold, yeoman of Warwick, for "land with dwelling thereon situated in Warwick, in the village of Centerville." Also signing the deed were Mary Ann A. Remington, wife of Jonathan, and Sarah A. Remington, wife of Benjamin.

Martha A. Benns has transcribed records with Benjamin's date of death as 15 Jan 1877; however, the official death entry at Warwick Town Hall appears to say 15 Jan 1879, which is probably correct since he died at age 72.

The gravestone has his date of death as 5 Jan 1879. It has the quotation "Charity suffereth long and is kind."

Benjamin married Sarah A. Tillinghast 1831. Sarah (daughter of Samuel Tillinghast and Mary Unknown) was born 1 Mar 1809; died 16 Oct 1896; was buried , Remington-Arnold Lot, Cem. #60, Corner of Cowesett Rd. and Bald Hill Rd., Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(If you use any portion of these notes, please give credit to Lois Sorensen, Remington researcher, and/or to other sources as noted herein.)

I am not positive that Jonathan belongs in this family group. However, the weight of evidence supports including him here.

On 16 November 1832, at Warwick, RI, Jonathan Remington & Benjamin F. Remington, both yeomen of Warwick, signed a deed which acknowledged receipt of $600 from John B. Arnold, yeoman of Warwick, for "land with dwelling thereon situated in Warwick, in the village of Centerville." Also signing the deed were Mary Ann A. Remington, wife of Jonathan, and Sarah A. Remington, wife of Benjamin. This document implies that Jonathan & Benjamin were close relatives.

The Remington family burial plot, near the corner of Cowesett Rd. & Quaker Lane, has four gravestones for children of Jonathan & Mary Ann A. Remington. These are located near the graves of Elizabeth (Earl) Remington and the other three wives of Benjamin Remington, who was the father of Thomas and grandfather of the above-mentioned Benjamin F. Remington. Jonathan certainly must have been in this extended family because four of his children are buried here on the Remington farm.

Jonathan is a name that appears repeatedly in this family line. For example, our ancestor Jonathan was one of the sons of Thomas & Abigail (Eldredge) Remington. The Benjamin mentioned above, who married four times, is his brother, who also named a son Jonathan. Two of Benjamin's other sons, James & Thomas, brothers to Jonathan, also had sons named Jonathan.

To complicate things a bit, Benjamin's son Thomas Remington married Betsey Remington, daughter of Jonathan Remington, who is in all likelihood the brother of Jonathan, making Thomas & Betsey first cousins. Betsey may have been raised by her Uncle Ben after her mother died.

Genealogist Martha Benns lists Jonathan Monroe Remington b. c1825 as a son of Thomas & Elizabeth. However, she includes no documentation, and I have found no birth record for this Jonathan. Rather, I believe their son Jonathan must be the one mentioned in the deed of 16 Nov 1832, who signed along with Benjamin, and their two wives. According to census records, he was born around 1809 or 1810.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Jonathan & Mary A. A. Remington are living at Smithfield, RI. They have three children: Albert, William, & Edwin A. By 1860 they are in Illinois, where they are in the census at Tiskilwa, Bureau Co., IL. Son Edwin is with them. In 1880 Mary is at Indiantown, Bureau Co., IL, apparently widowed. Edwin is with her.

In 1870 sons Albert and Edwin are in Iowa. Pat Rosenquist originally found Jonathan & Mary in that census for me: "1870 Indiantown Twp. I find them living with the first: Haskell, Delecta, 67 MA keeps house; John Remington 60 MA, does nothing; Mary Remington 67 NY keeps house."

Complicating this research of the various Jonathans is the following erroneous death entry at Warwick City Hall: "Jonathan Monroe Remington d. Oct 9, 1885 age 68 son of Thomas & Elizabeth"; however, the RI Death Index has this exact age and date of death for Jonathan M. Remington, son of James & Sally Remington. Which one is authoritative? I believe the Warwick records are incorrect in this case, and that that particular death record belongs to the son of James & Sally. My reason for this conclusion is that Jonathan M.'s age at death puts his birth year at c1817, which agrees with the birth date of Johnathan M. Remington, s/o James & Sally, as found in the family Bible of William R. Remington. Perhaps the city clerk was confused or misinformed about which of the Jonathans had died.

Two other possibilities that I can see are as follows: this Jonathan, b. c1810, may have been a son of Jonathan & Ardeliza (Rice), born before their marriage in 1811; or, he could have been an illegitimate son of Lydia Remington, daughter of Benjamin & Lydia (Manchester) Remington, before she married Olney Rice Arnold. These do not seem as reasonable as including him as the next younger brother to Benjamin F. (thereby discounting a birthdate of c1825, from Benns).

One more question remains: which one married Phebe A. Cleveland b. 3 Oct 1833? At first I thought it could have been either one. Martha Benns puts Phebe with Jonathan Monroe Remington (whom she has b1825 as a son of Thomas & Betsey). I know that Phebe and her husband Jonathan Remington had at least one child, born 28 April 1861 in West Greenwich. Named Charles E. Remington, he was their first child (see p. 11, book of "Births" for 1857-1905). The original entry identifies the mother as Phebe M. Cleavland, born in West Greenwich, and the father as Jonathan Remington, born in Warwick. The various census records show Phebe's husband as being born c1817, so I feel he must be the other one, s/o James & Sally, rather than the son of Thomas & Betsey.

Jonathan married Mary Ann "Abby" Hazard Bef 16 Nov 1832. Mary (daughter of Sylvester Gardiner Hazard and Elizabeth Greene) was born Between 1800 and 1809, RI; died 20 Aug 1892; was buried , Mt. Bloom Cemetery, Tiskilwa, Bureau Co., IL. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I think this marriage for "Lydia Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth," belongs in this family group, as it is the only couple of this time period that seems to match with her. I am making that assumption pending further research.

Lydia is probably the daughter of Betsey, sister of our ancestor Maplet Remington.

The RI Cemetery Database has her year of death as 1884.

Lydia married Reuben Wightman, III 12 Apr 1835, Warwick, Kent Co., RI. Reuben (son of Reuben Wightman, Jr. and Anna Baker) was born 8 May 1812, Phenix, RI; died 18 Apr 1891, North Kingstown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

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.

Thomas married Cynthia Tillinghast 1 Jan 1846, Warwick, RI. Cynthia (daughter of Samuel Tillinghast and Hannah Tillinghast) was born 2 Apr 1820, West Greenwich, RI; died 4 Oct 1888, Groton, CT; was buried , Tillinghast Lot, Rt. 102, Foster, RI. [Group Sheet]

Phebe — Thomas B. Levalley. Thomas was born Abt 1790, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Miss A. E. Remington was Assistant Principal of the English and Classical School, which opened in Dover, Delaware, on 29 October 1860. She taught Latin, French, & algebra.

Abby wrote many letters to her parents and brothers during the late 1850s and 1860s. Her letters were full of love for her family, dedication to her job, and passion for patriotism. Calling her brothers Jim & Ben, she often chided them for not writing to her more often, saying she was worried about them when she didn't hear from them. These personal and poignant letters, which include much about the Civil War era, can be viewed at the archives of the RI Historical Society Library.

She died at age 41. Scripture on her gravestone: "Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die." John 11:26

Abby married John A. Lansing 12 Jun 1867, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Benjamin F. Remington was a Lieutenant in the Civil War, RI 1st Light Artillery, Tompkins Battery. He was originally stationed at Providence, RI, for three months' service, April 1861. His battery was sent to battle, but didn't participate in a full-scale battle, as the confederates vacated camp when the Union troops approached. Remington was in command of the battery on the return trip home. They were disappointed that they didn't have the chance to use their skills.

This family is in the 1880 Census at Warwick, RI.

Cause of death: consumption.

Benjamin married Emily Rhodes Padelford 14 Apr 1864, Providence, RI. Emily (daughter of Seth Padelford and Louisa Rhodes) was born 23 Jun 1837, Providence, RI; died 11 Oct 1904, Providence, RI; was buried , Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

James attended East Greenwich Academy, then Brown University, where he was valedictorian in 1862. His oration, which was on the "Scholar's Relations to Humanity," was delivered in the uniform of a captain of infantry beneath the traditional scholastic gown. In September 1862, he was mustered into the army as captain of Company H, 7th Regiment, RI Infantry. He was wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg, VA, on 13 December 1862, sustaining a hit from a musket ball which shattered his lower jaw. It was a compound fracture in which the bone was "badly shattered and imperfectly united." After a period of recuperation at a hospital in New Haven, CT, he was officially discharged due to disability on 2 May 1863. Having returned to Rhode Island in April 1863, he was elected to the RI House of Representatives from Warwick, but soon resigned this political position to return to military service with a group known as the Invalid Corps, renamed Veterans Reserve Corps. He accepted a captain's commission and served in several different units, including one which guarded rebel prisoners at Camp Chemung in Elmira, NY, from November 1864 to June 1865.

While stationed at Elmira, James studied law in his spare time, and was appointed to serve as Judge Advocate of a General Court Martial in Albany, NY, from May to December 1865. He was later assigned to serve from January 1866 to November 1868 as an officer in Virginia for the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. In this agency his job was to help people transition from wartime to a peacetime economy, and to assist and protect newly freed African-Americans. The organization established schools and distributed food, clothing, and firewood to the needy. James also used his legal expertise to aid individuals in the courts.

During his convalescence at New Haven, CT, James had met a young woman named Ellen "Nellie" F. Howard, with whom he established a lasting friendship and carried on a correspondence. They were married in Brooklyn, NY, in 1868. Shortly after this he entered into law practice in Portsmouth, VA. In 1872 they moved to Brooklyn, where he practiced law in New York City for the remainder of his life. His business focused on tax, patent, and real estate law. James H. Remington was one of the earliest members of the NY State Bar Association, and president of the US Law Association from 1881 to 1899.

In the 1870 Federal Census, James H. Remington is age 31, b RI, a lawyer, living in a hotel at Portsmouth, VA. His wife's name is not listed, although she may very well have been living there with him.

In the 1880 Federal Census, James & Ellen are living in Brooklyn with their two children, as well as Ellen's mother and brother.

James H. Remington was Paymaster of the Kentish Guards c1860 (source: Acts and Resolves of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Passed at the May Session, 1858).

The additional following information on James H. Remington is found in a biographical sketch in "The Seventh Regiment of RI Volunteers in the Civil War, 1862 - 1865," by William P. Hopkins; Providence, RI: Snow & Farmham Printers, 1903; Personal Sketches, pp. 352 - 354:

"Captain James Henry Remington, son of Benjamin F., was born at Warwick, R.I., Nov. 9, 1838, on the old homestead, which, up to 1892, at least, had been in the Remington family since it was purchased from the Narragansett Indians. The father was a member of the Rhode Island legislature . . .

"Dec. 30, 1865, General Hooker, by order of the secretary of war, appointed Captain Remington judge advocate of the court of inquiry convened at Rochester, N.Y., to investigate certain charges against Col. E. G. Marshall, a graduate of West Point, attached to the Fifth United States Infantry, who had previously distinguished himself as the commander of the Thirteenth New York Volunteers. The case was hotly contested for several weeks, but resulted in the exoneration of the colonel. In this famous trial he clearly exhibited the ability, learning, and tact that afterward distinguished him at the bar. Subsequently he served at Winchester, Wytheville, and Norfolk, Va., as military commissioner, assisting in the reconstruction of the state and gaining the respect of all parties for his firmness and impartiality. He resigned in September, 1868, having been commissioned major by brevet for gallantry and good conduct to date, from March 13, 1865, and henceforth devoted his attention exclusively to the law.

"Dec. 8, 1868, Mr. Remington was admitted to the bar at Norfolk, and immediately commenced practice in the courts of Virginia. Pending reconstruction he was appointed by General Canby, who commanded the first military district of Virginia, attorney for Norfolk, Princess Anne, Nansemond, South Hampton, and Isle of Wight counties. So satisfactorily did he discharge his duties that when the state had become reconstructed, he was at once elected by the people attorney for Norfolk County and the City of Portsmouth. When the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic commenced he became one of its leaders, and it was largely through his personal influence that the Department of Virginia was established. In December, 1870, he was appointed its commander by Gen. John A. Logan, then commander-in-chief of the order, but previously had been chosen commander of the Farragut Post at Portsmouth . . .

"Mr. Remington was a member of the Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, and for many years a warm friend and admirer of Henry Ward Beecher . . . He was also a supporter of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences."

From website of Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, NY: REMINGTON JAMES H. Burial date 1899-02-11 Lot 26526 Section139

James married Ellen "Nellie" F. Howard 14 Oct 1868, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY. Ellen (daughter of Warner Howard and Juliaette Allen) was born Abt 1848, CT; died May 1898, Brooklyn, NY; was buried 26 May 1893, Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings Co., NY. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1850 Federal Census, Albert is age 13 and living with his parents and siblings at Smithfield, RI. In 1870 he is at Marengo, Iowa Co., IA. Albert is married to Helen, and his brother Edwin A. Remington is living with them there.

In 1900 Albert H.& Helen Remington are ages 63 and 56, living at South Bend, St. Joseph, IN. With them is niece Minna Greeley, 26.

Probably his middle name was Hazard, as was his brother who died.

Albert married Helen A. Unknown Abt 1863. Helen was born Abt 1844, OH; died Aft 1 Jun 1900. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

1870 Federal Census, Indiantown Twp, Bureau County, IL, lists the following:
William 31 farmer RI
Adaline 28 IL
Wallace 6 IL
Charles 4 IL
Paul 2 IL

William married Adeline Ursula Stevens 9 Sep 1862, Tiskilwa, Bureau Co., IL. Adeline (daughter of Calvin Stevens) was born Abt 1842, IL; died Aft 1 Jun 1880. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Harriet died at age 1 y 3 m 23 d.

Notes:

Charles died at age 4 y 1 m 22 d.

Notes:

Jonathan died at age 3 m 23 d.

Notes:

In the 1870 Federal Census, Edwin is at Marengo, Iowa Co., IA, with his brother Albert and sister-in-law, Helen.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Edwin A. Remington is age 29, living at Indiantown, Bureau Co., IL, with his mother Mary A. A. Remington, age 70.

In the Federal Census of 1900, Edw. Remington is age 51, a boarder, living at Arispie, Bureau Co., IL. His birthdate is given as Oct 1848, and his occupation is given as painter.

Notes:

Daniel died of tuberculosis. The Coventry Cemetery Book says he died 2 September 1861.

Notes:

Reuben died while a soldier in the Union Army.

Lydia married Perry Ralph 18 Jul 1880. [Group Sheet]

Elfrida married Lester Seneca Hill 19 Dec 1872, RI. Lester was born 14 Dec 1843, RI; died 9 Sep 1907; was buried , Pocasset Cemetery, Cranston, RI. [Group Sheet]

Hannah married Charles C. Cragin 4 Dec 1869, Foster, RI. Charles was born Abt 1842, RI; died Aft 1 Jun 1880. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Seth is mentioned in the will of his maternal grandfather, Gov. Seth Padelford, for whom he was named.

In the 1900 Federal Census, "Seth B. Remington" is age 34, single (no occupation), and living at Warwick, Kent Co., RI. His widowed mother Emily is living with him.

In the 1930 Federal Census, this Seth appears to be single, age 64, and living in District 16, Warwick, Kent Co., RI, next to Charles Remington. They are first cousins once removed.

However, he may instead be the "Seth B. Remington" age 63, single, rooming on May St. in Worcester, MA. However, I am inclined to believe he is the one at Warwick, although he may have lived in both places and thus was counted twice.

Neither one has an occupation at this time.

Notes:

I am making an assumption that Charles H. Remington (b.c.1873 in the 1880 Federal Census at Brooklyn, New York City) is the same individual as Charles Howard Remington (b.Dec 1872) in the RI Cemetery Database. This is a reasonable assumption since his mother's maiden name (in the census) is Howard, and his father James (in the census) was from RI.

In the Federal Census of 1900, Charles H. Remington is age 27, living at Brooklyn, NY, with Charles & Mary Howard. He is their nephew. Also in the household are Pearl Remington (Charles's wife) 25 & Charlotte Remington 24 (Charles's sister). Charles is a produce merchant.

The death record at the RI State Archives identifies his parents as James H. & Ellen. The date of death given by the RI Cemetery Database is 17 Mar 1931.

Charles married Pearl M. Tillinghast 7 Sep 1900, Kings Co., NY. Pearl (daughter of Ozias D. Tillinghast and Josephine Unknown) was born 14 May 1875, RI; died 30 Mar 1943; was buried , North Burial Ground, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the Federal Census of 1900, Charlotte Remington is 24, living at Brooklyn, NY, with her uncle and aunt, Charles & Mary Howard; also her brother Charles and sister-in-law Pearl.

Is she the Charlotte Remington, age 43 NY, living at Los Angeles, CA, in the 1920 census? If so, she is probably also the Charlotte Remington Hatton who died 27 Dec 1946 in Los Angeles Co., CA (source: CA Death Index at Gencircles; her dob is given as 5 Sep 1875).

Mr. James H. Remington "passed from earth Feb. 16, 1899, leaving a son and a daughter, whose pen has already challenged the admiration of the press and of the public" (from "The Seventh Regiment of RI Volunteers in the Civil War, 1862 - 1865," by William P. Hopkins; Providence, RI: Snow & Farmham Printers, 1903; Personal Sketches, pp. 352 - 354).

Apparently Charlotte was a writer (needs more research).

Notes:

In the 1910 Federal Census, the family is living at Winnebago, Faribault Co., MN. There are two sons in the family.

In the 1920 Federal Census, W. W. Remington, 55, and his wife Pauline, 41, are living at Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN. They have three sons. It appears that they are living on Humbolt St.

In the 1930 Federal Census, William W. & Pauline E. Remington, ages 66 & 52, are living at Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN. With them is one son, Mahlon G., age 18. Son James C. is listed on another page as an add-on for Humbolt St.

William married Pauline E. Unknown Abt 1899. Pauline was born Abt 1878, WI; died Aft 1 Apr 1930. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I have made an assumption that this wife and two children in the census data belong to this particular Paul Remington. His age and birthplace agree, and since he moved to MN with his mother and stepfather, this makes it more likely that he later moved to ND.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Paul & Odessa and their daughter Elizabeth are living at Bismarck, Burleigh Co., ND.

In 1910 the family is still at Bismarck, Burleigh Co., ND. There are now two children: Elisabeth & Paul Jr.

In 1920, Paul, Odessa, and Paul Jr. are still there.

In 1930, Paul & Odessa are still living at Bismarck. Son Paul is married and living in the same town.

Paul married Odessa Murphy Abt 1893. Odessa (daughter of Matthew Murphy and Mary E. Williams) was born Dec 1869, IL; died Aft 1 Apr 1930. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I am not positive that Addie belongs here, but since William's wife was named Adaline (or Adela), it is likely that this infant buried with the Remingtons belongs to them.

Prescott married Eva Fenner 27 Dec 1909. Eva was born 1885; died 27 Dec 1972; was buried , Pocasset Cemetery, Cranston, RI. [Group Sheet]