Sheffield R. Remington

Notes:

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

I am going to make an assumption that Sheffield is a son of Thomas & Patience (Matteson) Remington (needs additional research to confirm). So far the evidence points to this.

In the 1840 Federal Census, Sheffield Remington is listed as residing in Coventry, RI. The household includes: two free white males age 0-5, one free white male age 20-30, and one free white female age 20-30. Census data shows that Sheffield was engaged in agriculture.

In the 1850 Federal Census, he is age 37 and living at West Greenwich, RI, with various family members in the household of Sarah (Nichols) Whitford, mother of Levi who married Sally Ann Remington. Thus, it seems very possible that Sheffield is a younger brother of Sarah Whitford's daughter-in-law, Sally Ann (Remington) Whitford.

In 1850 Sheffield's wife Huldah is not with him, so possibly he is widowed (or divorced?). His son Christopher b.c.1838 is also living in West Greenwich with the Benoni Matteson family. A Cyrus W. Remington, b.c.1840 is living with the Burrill Matteson family. Could Cyrus be another son? It is very likely, especially since Christopher later had a son named Cyrus.

Sheffield named a son Christopher H. He could be named after the maternal grandfather of Patience (Matteson) Remington (Christopher Hall); Patience also had a brother named Christopher. Very possibly Sheffield named a son after this (assumed) uncle and his (assumed) great grandfather.

Another point of interest is that a younger sister of Sally Ann (Remington) Whitford, Susan, married Dr. Cyrus Place, whose first wife was Rosannah Matteson, first cousin of Susan. Thus, the name Cyrus appears among the uncles in the Remington/Matteson extended family.

In 1860 at West Greenwich, the census shows Cyrus, age 19, George, age 17, & Henry C., age 15, living with various families in town. Are these all brothers, possibly sons of Sheffield & Huldah? Possibly.

In the 1860 Federal Census, Sheffield "Remeninto" is age 47 and living in Coventry, RI, at the home of John B. & Ruth Strait, along with several other individuals who may be boarders. In the 1870 Federal Census, Sheffield Remington is age 57 and living alone (keeping house) at West Greenwich, RI. He is living next to Burrill (age 35) & Caroline Matteson and family. Are these folks related to the Burrill Matteson in 1850 in whose household Cyrus Remington, age 10, was living? Probably.

Sheffield Remington was liberated from jail in Jan 1860. I don't know what his offense was -- possibly not paying his debts or taxes -- this needs more research. (source: Acts and Resolves of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Passed at the May Session, 1858; p. 226; Google Books): "Upon the petition of Sheffield Remington, praying to be released from imprisonment in the Kent county jail: Voted and resolved, That the senate do hereby advise and consent to the pardon of the said Sheffield Remington from his said imprisonment, as recommended by His Excellency the Governor."

Unfortunately, the death record at Coventry does not identify his parents, or his age. In fact, it gives no information at all about him. I have no idea where he could have been buried, as there is no record of a gravestone in the RI Cemetery Database. Of course, he may be buried in the family plot without a stone.

As an alternative to the above notes, Sheffield may be a son of Tiddeman Remington & Elizabeth Sheffield, but I have no other evidence with which to confirm this. The death record of George, Sheffield's son, says Sheffield was born in Coventry, so this leads me to favor the possibility that he is a son of Thomas & Patience.

Sheffield married Huldah Macomber Abt 1836. Huldah was born Abt 1815; died Between 1839 and 1865. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(If you use any part of these notes, please give credit to me, Lois Sorensen, Remington researcher.)

I think Christopher may have been named after Christopher Hall, father of Patience (Hall) Matteson, his assumed maternal grandmother.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Christopher is age 12 and living in West Greenwich with the Benoni Matteson family, which includes Alice (Barber) Matteson, and their daughters Phebe, Eunice, & Dorcas. Christopher's father Sheffield is also in the 1850 census at West Greenwich, age 37, living with Sarah Whitford, William N. Whitford, William's two sons, and other individuals who may or may not be related. There is also a Cyrus W. Remington, age 10, living with the Burrill Matteson family. Is he a brother of Christopher? Possibly Sheffield had been widowed and needed help caring for his children.

In the 1870 Federal Census, Christopher & Almira are living in Ward 6, Providence, RI, with their children Cyrus & Esther.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Christopher and family are living at Johnston, RI. They have three children: Cyrus H. 16, Esther W. 13, & Marie L. B. 3. Apparently they had gone to NY for a while, because according to census data Esther was born there.

In the 1885 RI State Census, Christopher H. and his brother Cyrus W. are both living in Johnston; both are carpenters and their birthplace is given as Coventry.

In 1900 the family is at Providence: Christopher Remington 64 (b June 1835 RI; carpenter; md 28 yrs), Almira S. 67 (b Dec 1832 RI; 2 of 4 children still living), Maria L. Hopkins 23 (dtr; b Dec 1876 RI; md 9 yrs; 3 of 5 children still living), May L. Hopkins 8 (b May 1892 RI), Pansy A. Hopkins 6 (b Feb 1894 MA), and Christopher E. Hopkins 2 (b July 1897 MA).

In 1920 Chris Remington is age 82, living in Providence with Maria Hopkins 43, Burton Hopkins 12, and Charles & May Nickolajewk 32 & 27. Maria is his daughter and May is his granddaughter. All were born in RI except Charles in Poland.

For some reason, Christopher is identified as John Remington in the birth record of his daughter Maria L. B. Remington. However, his wife is Almira S. in the birth record, as in the censuses.

Christopher married Almira Searle 18 Aug 1861, Newport, RI. Almira was born Abt 1833, RI; died 27 Apr 1901, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Cyrus W. Remington was a Civil War Veteran. He was a Private in the 3rd Regiment, RI Heavy Artillery, Batallion C; Date of Muster 5 Oct 1861; residence Coventry, RI. He re-enlisted 20 Jan 1864 as an Articifer; mustered out of service 9 June 1865; rank at discharge was ARTF (Artificer).

Cyrus's ancestry has not been proven. For the time being I have made an assumption that Cyrus is a son of Sheffield, because he is living near him in West Greenwich, RI, in the 1850 Federal Census (needs more research to confirm). An additional clue is that Christopher (son of Sheffield, thus his assumed brother) named a son Cyrus. I am not sure of the parentage of Sheffield, his (assumed) father -- see notes.

The Ancestry CD says his next of kin at death were George & Mary A. Remington (not sure who they are). It says the same for Christopher, and I know his parents are Sheffield & Huldah, at least, according to the marriage record at Newport.

In the 1850 Federal Census, Cyrus W. Remington is age 10, living in West Greenwich, RI, with the family of Burrill Matteson (age 31). Burrill is the first cousin of Patience (Matteson) Remington. Sheffield Remington is living nearby with a Whitford family. In 1860 Cyrus is still at West Greenwich, age 19, a laborer in a mill; he is living at a boarding house kept by Jason & Betsey Hazard. In the 1870 Census, Cyrus W. Remington is age 30, married to Susan J., age 20, and living in North Providence, RI. They have two young daughters, Ann E. & Mary J. In 1880 Cyrus & Susan Jane are living at Cranston, RI; their children are Mary Jane, Henry R., Levi W., & Elvira P.; the oldest daughter Ann is apparently living with her grandparents, William & Mary Diamond.

In the 1885 RI State Census, Cyrus W. and his brother Christopher H. are both living in Johnston; both are carpenters and their birthplace is given as Coventry.

According to the cemetery record, his middle name is Waterman. His son Levi's middle name is Waterman, also.

The death record says he died at 27 Laban St., Providence, RI.

Cyrus married Susan Jane Diamond 30 Nov 1865, RI. Susan (daughter of William Diamond and Mary A. Unknown) was born 1850, RI; died 5 Apr 1912; was buried 8 Apr 1912, Pocasett Cemetery, Dyer Ave., Cranston, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1880 Federal Census, George & Betsy are living at Voluntown, Windham Co., CT. They have four children, the oldest of whom is probably from George's first marriage: George E. 13, Frank 4, Gertie 3, Annie 1; all born in RI except Annie born in CT.

In 1900, the family is living at Coventry, RI. The three younger children are with them. According to the census data in 1900, George was born in August 1839. However, that would place his birth closer to (assumed) brother Cyrus. Also, his wife's birth date is given as "unknown" in the 1900 census, and the children's dates differ from other census data.

The gravestone inscription says he was born in 1839. Possibly he and Cyrus were twins.

In the Apr 1910 Federal Census, George W. Remington is a widower age 70, living at Voluntown, New London Co., CT. He is with or next to (assumed) married daughter Grace Gardner and her family.

His death record at Voluntown, CT, has confirmed my guess concerning his parentage, that his father is Sheffield R. Remington. The informant was Manford Malborn (probably Malbone?).

George married Elizabeth "Betsey" A. Malbone 23 Mar 1873, Coventry, RI. Elizabeth (daughter of John M. Malbone and Huldah Unknown) was born Abt 1848, RI; died 1909; was buried , Rt. 14A, Oneco, CT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I don't know whether Henry belongs in this family group. However, I am placing him here pending further research, since he is age 15 in the 1860 Federal Census at West Greenwich, RI, in the same town as Cyrus, 19, and George, 17.

Notes:

I am making an assumption that this couple, Cyrus & Eliza, living on Laurel Hill Ave., Providence, RI, in 1910, belongs to this family group. The age is right for Cyrus, but no middle initial is given.

Cyrus married Eliza Firth 27 Nov 1902, RI. Eliza was born Abt 1862, England; died Aft 1 Jun 1910. [Group Sheet]

Esther married Patrick Murphy 31 Dec 1881, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the birth record, her parents are identified as John & Almira S. Remington. However, in the censuses, as in her marriage record, her father is always Christopher. I believe it must be an error in the birth record.

Maria married Edward Edison Hopkins 18 Nov 1891, Warwick, Kent Co., RI. (son of Stephen Hopkins and Cordelia Unknown) [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1880 Federal Census, Ann Remington is age 13, living at Johnston, RI, with her maternal grandparents William & Mary Diamond.

Annie E. Remington died at age 19. Apparently she was buried in the Manton area, and later reinterred at Pocasset Cemetery at the same time as her brother James, on 22 January 1913.

Notes:

In the 1910 Federal Census, this family is living at 243 Chalkstone Ave., Ward 10, Providence, RI. I have made an assumption that this wife and four children belong to this particular Henry Remington, because the age and location match. (needs research to confirm)

In 1920 the family is in Providence as follows: Henry Remington 45, Lena 44, Harold 24, Carol 20, and Beatrice 15.

In 1930 the family is in Providence as follows: Henry R. Remington 57, Lena 55, Beatrice 24, Malinda 34 dtr-in-law, Frances 12 gr-dtr, and Clarence W. 6 gr-son, all born RI.

Henry — Lena Frances Sweet. Lena was born 1876, RI; died 1951; was buried , Mohassuck Cemetery, Lonsdale Ave., Central Falls, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1910 Federal Census, this Remington family is living at the rear of 13 Greenville Ave., Johnston, RI

In the 1920 Federal Census, Levi & Mary are aged 44 & 52, and living at Smithfield, RI, with their four children. In 1930 they are aged 54 & 62, and are living at 125 Wilson St., in Providence, RI.

Levi married Mary Elizabeth Lincoln 14 Sep 1895, RI. Mary (daughter of Alfred C. Lincoln and Martha E. Evans) was born 22 Aug 1867, RI; died Aft 1 Jun 1930. [Group Sheet]

Elvira — Varnum Steere. Varnum was born Abt 1869; died 4 Dec 1957, Scituate, RI; was buried 7 Dec 1957, Pocasett Cemetery, Dyer Ave., Cranston, RI. [Group Sheet]

Abby — George Earle Parkinson. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

James died at the age of one year and four months. The RI Death Index identifies him as a son of Cyrus & Susan. However, the date there is 21 July 1887.

According to the cemetery records at Pocassett, James was first buried in North Providence, but reinterred at Pocasset on 22 Jan 1913, along with his sister, Annie.

Notes:

George's mother was his father's first wife, but I don't know her name. Betsy was his step-mother.

In 1880, George is 13 and living with his family at Voluntown, CT. In the 1920 Federal Census, George is age 52, married, and boarding at Hopkinton, Washington Co., RI. His brother Albert, 36 and single, is with him. There is no sign of George's wife, though.

Notes:

In 1910 & 1920 the family is living at Coventry, RI.

Frank married Ida M. Unknown Abt 1903. Ida was born Abt 1887, CT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Gertrude died of diptheria. The death record identifies her parents as George & Betsey A. Remington, and appears to give her age as 17. However, it should be closer to 11. If she really was 17, Gertrude must have been born to George's first wife.

Grace — John F. Gardner. John was born Abt 1865, CT. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The 1900 census gives Annie's dob as Jan 1876 but that cannot be correct because her older brother was born in July 1875.

Notes:

In the 1920 Federal Census he appears to be the Albert Remington, age 36 and single, boarding at Hopkinton, Washington Co., RI, along with older brother George.

His 1918 draft registration, filed at Saunderstown, gives his residence as Hope Valley, employer Elisha R. Bitgood, his dob as 15 July 1882, occupation as lumberman in Hope Valley, and nearest relative as Lydia Matteson of Voluntown, CT; he is tall, of stout build, with gray eyes and brown hair.

Notes:

In the Jan 1920 Federal Census, Lee Remington 33 CT is living at Sterling, Windham Co., CT. His wife Flora C. is also 33, and they have three children in the household: Otis E. 10, George F. 7, and Woodrow W. 7 months.

The family is still at Sterling in 1930. In this census Lee's name is written as Leander.

According to descendant Betty Ann (Remington) Sutton, Lee was born in 1886.

Lee married Flora C. Bitgood Abt 1908. Flora (daughter of William Herman Bitgood and Abbie Jane Lewis) was born 1886, CT; died 1958; was buried , Rt. 14A, Oneco, CT. [Group Sheet]

May — Charles Nicolajewk. Charles was born Abt 1888, Poland. [Group Sheet]

Harold married Grace M. Cusick 2 Jul 1923, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Clarence married Melinda E. Carpenter 23 Sep 1915, RI. Melinda was born 1896, RI; died 1951, RI; was buried , Mohassuck Cemetery, Lonsdale Ave., Central Falls, RI. [Group Sheet]

Carol married Robert Irving Quinn 31 Dec 1924, Providence, RI. Robert was born 22 Mar 1901, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Beatrice married Henry C. Johnson 13 Aug 1937, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Dora married Elliott E. Parker 30 Sep 1916, RI. [Group Sheet]

Susan married William E. Dunn 22 May 1937, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I am making an assumption that this family group in the 1930 Federal Census, living in Providence, RI, belongs to this particular Eugene, son of Levi.

Eugene married Anna F. Rushe 15 Nov 1925, Providence, RI. Anna was born 9 Nov 1903, Scotland; died 5 Jul 1979; was buried , Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Phebe married William A. Fisk 4 Feb 1926, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1930 census he appears to be a soldier at Schofield Barracks, Honolulu, Hawaii Territory.

Notes:

In the 1930 census he may be prisoner at Concord, MA.

Notes:

In 1930 she appears to be Mildred Remington, age 11, boarding at St. Mary's Home for Children on Fruit Hill Ave., North Providence, RI.

Leander — Wanda Rocchetti. Wanda was born 9 Mar 1913; died 14 Oct 1986. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Otis was a Corporal in the US Army, World War II.

Notes:

Obituary from the Norwich Bulletin:

PUNTA GORDA, FL- Woodrow W. Remington, 87, of Punta Gorda, FL, formerly of Sterling, CT, passed away on December 17, 2006. He was born May 14, 1919 in Oneco, CT, son of the late Lee and Flora (Bitgood) Remington. "Woody" lived in Sterling most of his life until moving to Florida in 1993. He enjoyed many interests, including clamming and watching the Red Sox. With a forever smile on his face and jolly nature he was sure to become a friend to everyone that met him. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy after WWII and worked many years for Brunswick Worsted in Moosup and retired from Acme Chasten in Dayville in 1984. He was also Sexton of Riverside Cemetery in Oneco for many years. He was a G.S. member of Ekonk Grange #89 in Sterling, CT, the V.F.W. Post #1523 in Putnam, CT, American Legion Post #13 of Putnam, CT and the Social Club of Windmill Village of Punta Gorda, FL.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edith (Nicol) Remington of Punta Gorda, FL; three daughters, Leatrice Shippee and her husband David of Sterling, CT, Elizabeth Sutton and her husband John D. of Raymond, NE and Eleanor Serzan and her husband Robert of Mine Hill, NJ; one son, William N. Remington of Sterling, CT; one brother, Milton Remington of Central Village, CT; five grandchildren, four great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, George Remington and Otis Remington; one sister, Edith Benjamin; and a grandson, Andrew Shippee. Contributions in his memory may be made to The Andrew Shippee Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Savings Institute Bank and Trust, 9 Proulx St., Brooklyn, CT 06234. Tillinghast Funeral Home, 433 Main Street, Danielson is in charge of arrangements.

Woodrow — Edith Nicol. [Group Sheet]

Edith — Mr. Benjamin. [Group Sheet]