Capt. Benjamin Remington

Notes:

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

Benjamin and his wife Hannah were first cousins. Marrying a cousin was very common in those days.

Newenglandancestors.org, Vital Records of Jamestown, has his birth date as 19 Sep 1733.

DAR membership file #750866 (Christine Welch Lindsey) has Benjamin's dob as 17 Apr 1733.

Benjamin & Hannah lived in Jamestown. He was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and two of his houses were burned by the British, 10 Dec 1775 and 19 Aug 1780.

The Providence Gazette of 30 Sept 1820 reported the death of Capt. Benjamin Remington, age 84, at Jamestown.

ID Number T2012.010.019; Collection Town Records (Jamestown)
The following subscribers declared that they believe the war resistance and operations in which the United American Colonies are now engaged to be just and necessary:
John Gardener
John Weeden son of Daniel Jr.
Benjamin Remington
Samuel Jewel (?)
Abel Franklin
William Smith
Date April 16, 1777

There is a note in the archives at The RI Historical Society Library which mentions a voyage of Capt. Benj. Remington of Jamestown to the coast of Africa for slaves. The note is not dated, but this may refer to this particular Benjamin: (Mss 9006 Shepley Collection Updike, Daniel Rhode Island Accounts n.d. [c. 1756] Volume 15, page 73: One page of accounts with no date contains the note, "the within act. I supose was Capt. Benjamin Remington's of Jamestown, R.I. while on a voyage to the coast of Affrica for slaves.")

Boyd Scott Remington's chart has his dates of birth and death as: 19 Sept 1733 - 30 Sept 1820. However, if it was reported in the newspaper on 30 Sept, he probably died before then.

BSR also lists a Sarah & Mary among the children of Benjamin & Hannah. See notes for Sally.

ID Number T2013.005.012
"Description The town council of Jamestown chooses two delegates, Captain Benjamin Remington and Nicholas Carr as representatives to a State Convention to be held in South Kingston. Date 1790/02/08"

ID Number T2007.003.017
Collection Town Records (Jamestown)
"Description Invoice, handwritten; invoice to be paid to Benjamin Remington for fencing of road to Beavertail as approved by the town council; reverse side notes that the committee allows an account of ten dollars; June 25, 1800."

ID Number T2007.003.016
Collection Town Records (Jamestown)
"Description Records, handwritten; minutes of town council meeting, votes including acquisition of George Armstrong

Benjamin married Hannah Martin 9 Sep 1756, Jamestown, RI. Hannah (daughter of John Martin and Phebe Remington) was born 24 Nov 1734, Jamestown, RI; died 7 Apr 1812; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Note: According to an abstract of her father's will (Beaman's), in it he mentions a daughter Sally Carr Armstrong; a separate item mentions a granddaughter as Sarah Carr Armstrong. Are these two separate people, or was there a mistake in the writing of the will, or in the recording of it by the clerk, or by the one who wrote the abstract? Very possibly. Or, were there two Sarah/Sallys who married Armstrong men? Also possible.

BSR's ancestry chart lists a daughter Sarah for Benjamin & Hannah (no source noted).

Notes:

Quote received from both Pam Amari and Peter Fay:
"The Papers of Alexander Hamilton" Feb-June 1792; Volume XI, pages 535-536
New York, June 21, 1792
"From John P. Mumford & Co.: Oliver Remington late of Jamestown on the island of Conanicut, in the State of Rhode Island, was during the War, a Mate on board the Frigate Trumbull, James Nicholson Esqr Commander, in the service of the United States. Since that period he has been lost at sea. His father Capt. Benja. Remington, intends claiming the balance due from the United States for his late Son's services, & has requested us to write you on the subject. He wishes a copy of Oliver Remington's Accot. as it stands on the Ship's Book, or in the proper office, may be sent us......." (John P. Mumford and Company was a New York City mercantile house.)

See The Papers of Alexander Hamilton Digital Edition, ed. Harold C. Syrett. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, Rotunda, 2011.
Canonic URL: http://rotunda.upress.virginia.edu/founders/ARHN-01-11-02-0448
Original source: Volume XI: February 1792, June 1792

On the cover of this letter Hamilton wrote: "Mr Woolcott will please to examine the fact & answer this letter in his own name."

Notes:

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

John was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Boyd Scott Remington's ancestry chart has his year of death as 1847. I have not verified the date of death, but the National Archives would have the date of his last pension payment. The Frederick C. King Papers at Newport Historical Society in Newport, RI, give John's date of death as c14 Nov 1847.

The DAR Patriot Index has his date of death as 11 Nov 1849; according to Frederick C. King, researcher (see above note), this is in error (see his Remington family manuscript at Newport Historical Society).

BSR's chart lists two more children for John: Edward & Samuel (but no dates, no sources, and no other evidence). BSR's chart is known to have numerous errors.

In the Jamestown Town Records, there are many references to a John Remington of this time period being a Representative from Jamestown to the General Assembly, member of the Town Council, Overseer of the Poor, Town Sergeant, Town and Council Clerk, Tax Collector, and Warden of the Peace. Brief descriptions and dates for these records are indexed online through the Jamestown Historical Society.

In the Federal Census of 1840, John Remington was a Revolutionary War Pensioner, age 79, residing at Jamestown with George Weeden.

In a letter dated 4 Nov 1838 written by his son Benjamin E. Remington, John is mentioned: "father is smart for an old man as can be expected." He would have been age 77. (source: "Lydia's Letters, 10 More" compiled by Margie Brown and Virginia Remington Rich)

The following is excerpted from his son John's Revolutionary War Pension File, transcribed and provided by descendant Pam Amari: "He in the month of November 1777 belonged to a company of militia in the town of Pomfret, in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut . . . was drafted from said company of militia for term of two months and was marched to New London under Captain Evans of said company . . . After having served out the term of two months for which he was drafted he was discharged and returned home. Again in the month of May 1778 he was drafted from said company's militia for two months and was marched to New London where he was stationed as before in the public service to guard said town from attacks of the enemy. He was in this draft under the command of Captain Evans . . . Again in the summer of 1779 and he thinks in August he was drafted from said company of militia for the term of two months [and as before went] to New London under Captain Evans of said company where he was in the public service . . . At another time, but before or after this last aforementioned service there was a general alarm and the whole of the brigade of militia was ordered out to repel the attack and the marching for New London under the command of General McClaminen who then commanded the brigade of militia, to which your declarant belonged. When after they had marched about ten miles towards New London, received counter orders and we were ordered and we were marched back and discharged at this time all of the officers of our company were ordered out as were also all of the soldiers of said company of militia, to which your declarant belonged . . . And the said Remington [remembers] that he truly and faithfully served his county in the war of the revolution in the months for the full time, aforesaid, making in all between six and seven months he does not recollect any continental or militia regiments except as afore stated. And he further declares that he was born in said Jamestown on the 21st day of October 1761 when he continued to reside with his father until his said father was compelled to leave the state of Conanicut in the month of September 1775 in consignment ? of the continued attacks of the enemys armed vessels in Narragansett Bay under the command of notorious Wallace. He then with his father's family removed to South Kingston on the west side of the bay. His father's house was burned by said Wallace in the month of November following about two months after removal as aforesaid. He lived in South Kingston till March 1776 when he removed with his father to the town of Estes in said state of Rhode Island and then rented till 1777 when he removed with his father's family to said Pomfret in the state of Connecticut where he lived when he was called into service. As aforesaid in March 1780 after the army has evacuated the neighboring island of Rhode Island in Narragansett Bay. He removed back with his father's family to the ruins of the estate in the island of Conanicut which conform the 3rd town of Jamestown where he has ever since lived . . . "

This gives us an idea of how and where the family had to relocate during the war.

John married Phebe R. Carr 27 Nov 1783, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI. Phebe (daughter of James Carr and Sarah Tew) was born Between 10 and 14 Nov 1760, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; died 7 Feb 1831, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She is mentioned in the will of her aunt, Damares Carr.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Hannah M. Douglass is age 65, living at Jamestown, RI, with her son John M. Douglass & family. She is still with them in 1860.

Hannah — Thomas Douglass. Thomas died Bef 1 Jun 1850. [Group Sheet]

Sarah married George Armstrong, Jr. 21 Feb 1805, Jamestown, RI. George was born 26 Feb 1785; died 11 Oct 1876; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Oliver M. Remington married Sarah and moved from Tiverton, RI, to Ohio about 1813/14, among the first settlers to live in New Castle, Coshocton County, OH. He was a school teacher, and later moved to Holmes County, c.1820/21. His brother Peter also moved to Ohio.

In the 1850 Federal Census, the family is at Richland, Holmes, OH. Oliver is 62, Sarah is 57; sons John, Thomas, & Lyman are in the household.

"One of the earliest schools in the township, in all probability the first, was held in the cabin that had been occupied by Isaac Butler, in the western part of the township. The children of the Butlers, Darlings and others attended here. In 1814 or 1815, it was taught by Oliver Remington, from Rhode Island, a well educated, intelligent man. He was a brother-in-law to Squire Humphrey, of New Castle township, and remained here only two or three years, removing to Hotmes county." (http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Coshocton/cofile4.htm)

Oliver married Sarah Sally Humphrey 8 Dec 1811, Tiverton, RI. Sarah (daughter of William Humphrey, Sr. and Lydia Munroe) was born 25 Dec 1792, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; died 20 Oct 1863, Holmes County, Ohio; was buried , Remington Family Cemetery, Holmes Co., OH. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Peter moved westward and first settled in New Castle, Ohio. "He taught one term of school, and had mathematical ability" (source: Remington manuscript).

I have discovered what I believe to be his family in the 1850 census, so I am placing them here based on my assumption and data from various censuses which supports this assumption. See notes for Susanna.

Further research has confirmed that this indeed is Peter's family, based on DAR membership #750866.

Peter married Susanna L. Ames 27 Mar 1817. Susanna was born 7 Oct 1796, PA; died 1880, Bridgeton, Parke Co., IN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

RI Vital Records, New Series, Vol. 13, p. 160, by Alden Beaman, gives Phebe's date of birth as 28 Nov 1793.

Phebe married John Oldfield Dockray 28 Feb 1815, Jamestown, RI. John (son of James Dockray and Margaret Unknown) was born 15 Jul 1795; died 8 Mar 1865; was buried , Town Cemetery, Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1850 Federal Census, Benjamin & Mary Remington are living at Middletown, Newport Co., RI. Three other individuals are in the household with them, including Tripheny Peckham, age 89, Mary's mother. Several other Peckham families are living nearby.

"Benny E." is the writer of several letters published in "Lydia's Letters." His letters show him to be a "doting uncle and loving brother," in the words of Pam (Amari) Rich.

Benjamin E. Remington is mentioned several times in the Jamestown Town Records, indexed online at the Jamestown Historical Society. One example is the following:
"Records; handwritten warrant to warn jurors issued to Walter Watson and Borden Watson for jury duty in the Court of Common Pleas to be held in Newport on May 15, 1820 as well as George Knowles and Daniel Weeden for jury duty in the District Court to be held in Newport May 9, 1820 and Benjamin E. Remington and Oliver Hopkins for jury duty in the Circuit Court to be held in Newport on June 15, 1820; issued April 1, 1820, witnessed by John Remington, Town Clerk.
Date 1820-04-01"

Benjamin married Mary P. Peckham Abt 1837. Mary (daughter of Felix Peckham and Tripheney Stockman) was born 25 Apr 1796, Middletown, Newport Co., RI; died 9 Mar 1868, Newport, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Island Cemetery, Newport, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1850 Federal Census, Susannah G. Wilcox is age 50, living at Jamestown, RI, with the family of John W. & Abby H. Potter and their two young children. I think Abby may be Susannah's daughter (see note below).

From Jamestown records: Susanna G. Remington daughter of John & Phebe born July 9, 1798.

Her gravestone identifies her as Susan G. Wilcox, daughter of John & Phebe R. Remington.

Does this birth record refer to her daughter? "REMINGTON Abby Howland, of Sukey, April 30, 1821." (Jamestown births)

Baptism: "REMINGTON Abby Howland, bapt. by pouring Oct. 11, 1835" (Communicant, Westerly)

Also, this entry: "REMINGTON Abby, April 13, 1836" (Confirmation, Westerly)

"POTTER John W., and Abby H. Remington (also 116); m. by Andrew F. Potter, Warden, Oct. 20 or 26, 1843." (Jamestown marriages)

Susannah — Mr. Wilcox. [Group Sheet]

John — Amy M. Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

According to a letter written 4 Nov 1838 by her uncle Benjamin E. Remington, "Phoebe" had been married five years and had had six children, including two sets of twins, all four of whom had died. As of that date, two of her children were still living. "She has a kind and industrious husband." (source: "Lydia's Letters, 10 More" compiled by Margie Brown and Virginia Remington Rich)

Phebe married Isaac Carr Abt 1831. Isaac was born Abt 1803, RI; died Aft 1 Jun 1850. [Group Sheet]

Sophia — Stephen Davis. Stephen was born Abt 1817, MA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1850 census, Almeida Armstrong is age 40, living at Newport, RI. She is living with the family of Alfred & Ann Maria Smith.

Notes:

Oliver was a State Senator from Jamestown in 1855-1856.

Sarah — Joseph Hull. Joseph was born Abt 1816, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1850 Federal Census, Benjamin Armstrong is age 38 b RI and living at Chatham Co., GA. Sarah F. Armstrong, age 1 GA Female, is with him.

In the 1860 Federal Census, Benjamin (39 RI) & Eliza (28 SC) are living at Savannah, Chatham Co., GA. With them are: Alexander (12 6/12 GA), Leander (5 7/12 SC), and John R. (2 6/12 GA).

In the Federal Census of 1870, B. R. Armstrong is age 49 RI. He is living at Savannah, Chatham Co., GA. With him is son Leander 16 GA. They are living or staying at the Planters' Hotel. However, he appears to be listed twice, because he is also listed in Effingham Co., GA, as B. R. Armstrong 47 RI. His family is listed as follows: E. M. 40 SC, L. 15 SC, M. 9 GA, F. 6 GA, and G. 1 GA. (Is G. his grandson George? See note below from Georgia Historical Society. However, the census says George is Ben's son.)

In the Federal Census of 1880, the family is living on Gordon Street in Savannah: Benjamin (57 RI), Elizabeth (50 SC), Marion (19 GA), Leander (25 SC), Florence (16 GA), George (11 GA), & Iowa (10 GA, granddaughter).

In the Federal Census of 1900, Ben R. Armstrong is 78 RI and his wife Eliza is 75 SC. They are living at Guyton, Effingham Co., GA.

The following notes are from the Georgia Historical Society web site [http://www.georgiahistory.com/Collections/vm0025.htm]: "Benjamin Remington Armstrong, a native of Rhode Island, was a brickmason, builder, and contractor in Savannah, Georgia. Alexander Armstrong, Benjamin's son, was a machinist and the father of George F. Armstrong."

Benjamin married Elizabeth Ferguson Abt 1847. Elizabeth (daughter of Hugh Ferguson and Elizabeth England) was born Jan 1825, Charlestown, SC; died Aft 1 Jun 1900, GA. [Group Sheet]

Mary — William Alfred Waite. William was born Abt 1825, RI; died Aft 1 Jun 1880. [Group Sheet]

Dorcas married Solomon Barber 24 Jun 1849, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI. Solomon was born 16 Sep 1825, Richmond, RI; died 14 Oct 1907, Cattaraugus Co., NY; was buried , Napoli, Cattaraugus Co., NY. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Notes from Pam Amari, Remington descendant: "Oliver M. Remington and Sally Humphrey's daughter Caroline Sarah Remington is the mother of Adeline Victoria Remington, which is often listed as a daughter to Oliver and Sally. They are all buried in the Remington Cemetery in Ohio. We think that Caroline had this daughter, Adeline, out of wedlock. Caroline lived on the Remington property, though the home is no longer standing.

"Cavanee is a very confusing name to track down because they spelled it so many ways." (See notes for Joseph Cavanah)

Caroline married Joseph Cavenah or Cavenee 16 May 1849, Holmes Co., OH. Joseph was born 1814, Pennsylvania; died Aft 1 Jun 1870. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

A manuscript on the Remingtons has her date of birth as 27 November 1814.

Lydia married Richard A. Greer 20 Sep 1838, Holmes Co., OH. Richard was born 10 Oct 1810, Ireland; died 14 Dec 1878, Greer, Jefferson Township, Knox Co., OH. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1870 Federal Census, the family is living at Knox, Holmes Co., Ohio. William is 49 and Mary is 47; children in the household are: Zachariah T. 21, Joseph C. 16, Sally M. 13, Thomas J. 11, Mary J. 9, & Lydia 5.

In 1880 the family is at Richland, Holmes Co., Ohio. William is 59 and Mary is 57; children in the household are: Sarah 23, Zacariah T. 32, Thomas J. 21, Lydia M. 20, & Mary J. 15. The two youngest daughters are reversed in age in comparison to the previous census.

William married Mary McKenzie 5 Dec 1844, Knox Co., OH. Mary was born 14 Oct 1823, Maryland; died 6 Oct 1908; was buried , Union Grove Cemetery, Rt. 26, Richland Twp., Holmes Co., OH. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the Federal Census of 1870, John & Almera, ages 46 & 43, are living at Richland, Holmes Co., OH. With them are four children: Winfield 16, Marquis 14, Rowena 11, and Sarah 8. They are listed next to Lyman & Louisa Remington and family.

John married Almera Sayles 18 Sep 1851, Holmes Co., OH. Almera was born 1829, New York; died 1889; was buried , Remington Family Cemetery, Holmes Co., OH. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the Federal Census of 1860, Lyman is listed as Sylvanus Remington. He and his wife Lydia are living at Richland, Holmes Co., OH. They have a daughter Mary F. 2. They are listed next to Oliver and Sally Remington, and next to John & Amelia Remington and family. Probably the families were all on one farm together.

In the Federal Census of 1870, Lyman and Louisa are ages 37 and 32, living at Richland Holmes Co., OH. Three daughters are with them: Mary 12, Lydia 6, & Lucy 4. They are next to John & Almera and family.

In the Federal Census of 1880, Liman & Louisa are still living at Richland, Holmes Co., OH. They have four children in the household: Mary F. 22, Lyda May 16, Lucy C. 13, and Hatty E. 7.

In the Federal Census of 1900, Lyman & Louise are still living at Richland, Holmes Co., OH. They are with or next to Winfield S. & Mary A. Remington.

Lyman married Lydia M. Humphrey 5 Mar 1857, Coshocton, OH. Lydia (daughter of William Humphrey, Jr. and Margaret McMahon) was born 16 Sep 1835, Tiverton Township, Conshocton Co., OH; died 2 Sep 1861, Holmes County, Ohio; was buried , Union Grove Cemetery, Rt. 26, Richland Twp., Holmes Co., OH. [Group Sheet]

Lyman married Louisa May Schultzmann 25 Jun 1863, OH. Louisa was born 4 May 1838, OH; died 13 Feb 1909, Richland Township, Holmes County, OH; was buried , Union Grove Cemetery, Rt. 26, Richland Twp., Holmes Co., OH. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1850 Federal Census, Elisha & Samantha M. Remington are living in District 85, Parke Co., IN. They are next to, or with, Elisha's widowed mother Susanna and family.

In 1860 Elisha & Samantha are at Raccoon, Parke Co., IN. They have five children: Ruth A. 8, George 7, Mary O. 5, Isaac 3, & Emily J. 1.

In 1870 E. & Mary Remington are ages 48 & 35, living at Raccoon, Parke Co., IN.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Elisha and his second wife Mary are living at Raccoon, Parke Co., IN. They have five children in the household. They are listed next to son Isaac and family.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Elisha & Mary Remington are ages 79 and 64, still living at Raccoon, IN. Their son Benjamin, age 18, is with them.

Elisha married Samantha Maria Denman 28 Mar 1850, Parke Co., IN. Samantha (daughter of Isaac W. Denman and Ruth Unknown) was born 28 Dec 1829, Raccoon, Parke Co., IN; died 25 Nov 1868, Bridgeton, Parke Co., IN; was buried , Clear Run Cemetery, Bridgeton, Parke Co., IN. [Group Sheet]

Elisha married Mary Cahill 3 Jul 1870, Parke Co., IN. Mary was born 3 Jun 1835, Carroll Co., OH; died 15 Jan 1924, Topeka, KS; was buried , Clear Run Cemetery, Brodgeton, Parke Co., IN. [Group Sheet]

Francis married Hannah Unknown Abt 1850, IN. Hannah was born Abt 1828, IN; died Aft 1 Jun 1870. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1870 & 1880 Federal Censuses, Benjamin & Angeline are living at Polk, Taylor Co., IA. They have a total of six children in the two censuses.

In 1900 & 1910, Benjamin & Angeline are living on Madison St. in Bedford, Taylor Co., IA. In1900 they have two daughters living with them, Minerva J. & Laura, and also grandson, Frederick J. (probably a son of Francis, Madison, or Charles).

In 1920 Benjamin is aged 85 and a widower, still living on Madison St. in Bedford, IA. With him is married daughter Laura Hagan/Hogan and her husband Elmer and family.

Benjamin married Angeline Hendy Abt 1861. Angeline was born Abt Jun 1837, IN; died Aft 1 Jun 1910. [Group Sheet]

Catharine married William M. Jackman 28 Jan 1858, Parke Co., IN. [Group Sheet]

Eliza married Tiddeman E. Hull Abt 1840. Tiddeman (son of Edward Hull) was born 6 Sep 1808, RI; died 4 Jan 1890; was buried , Cedar Cemetery, Eldred Ave., Jamestown, RI. [Group Sheet]

Abby married John W. Potter Oct 1843, Jamestown, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]