Obediah DENNIS

Notes:

In the Federal Census of 1790, Obediah Dennis is listed as a head of household in Tiverton, RI; 1 free white male >16, 2 free white males <16, 5 free white females; no other free persons in household; no slaves. He is listed next to Robert Dennis, probably his son.

The will of Obadiah (or Obediah) Dennis, of Tiverton, yeoman, is dated 29 Oct 1793, proved 10 Jan 1794. It mentions his wife Phebe; sons Thomas, Robert, Joseph, & John; and dtrs Susannah (w/o David Lake), Mary Hathaway, Hannah (w/o John Lamunyon), Sarah, Deborah, Phebe, & Ruth Dennis, last three under age 18.

Baptist minister Rev. Peleg Burrough's journal tells how he preached at the home of Obediah Dennis: "After which I travelled on foot to the house of Obadiah Dennis and preached with much freedom, 2 brethren gave a word of exhortation and after meeting was concluded (as we thought) Sister S.S. seemed constrained by the power of the spirit of God to fall on her knees and pray . . . "

Obediah married Ruth FISH Abt 1756. Ruth (daughter of Ebenezer FISH and Hannah GIFFORD) was born Abt 1735, Dartmouth, MA; died Between 1775 and 1782. [Group Sheet]

Obediah married Phebe Unknown Abt 1782. [Group Sheet]

Susannah — David Lake. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1850 Federal Census, John & Roby Dennis are living at Tiverton, Newport Co., RI. His age is given as 70, and hers is 65. He is a laborer. This census was taken at Tiverton on 20 Sept 1850. Obviously she was older than that, since her first son was born in 1800. Probably both of their ages have been estimated; she is more like 70 and perhaps he is 70 or older.

Please note that John's parentage as shown on this family tree has not yet been proven. More research is needed to confirm the data.

He is very possibly the son named John Dennis who was born to Obediah & Ruth (Fish, d/o Ebenezer) Dennis on 18 Aug 1775 at Tiverton, RI. (Obadiah, who married second to Phebe, was a son of Tabitha, who was a daughter of Robert & Susannah [Briggs] Dennis.) However, there was another John Dennis born at Tiverton 16 Apr 1767 to Robert & Joanna. This needs more research.

I tend to think that John was the son of Obediah & Ruth (Fish) Dennis, of Tabitha Dennis, of Robert & Susannah (Briggs) Dennis, of Robert & Sarah (Howland) Dennis.

If he is the older John, then he is son of Robert & Joanna (Hilliard) Dennis, of John & Hannah (Wilbor) Dennis, of Robert & Susannah (Briggs) Dennis, of Robert & Sarah (Howland) Dennis. If he is this particular John Dennis, then his age should be 83 in the 1850 census. For this reason I lean toward his being the son of Obediah.

I obtained the names of some of John & Roby's children from "Genealogy of a Part of the Wodell Family" by Eli Wodell p 67 (Google Books).

John married Robena "Roby" SOULE 29 Dec 1799, Westport, MA. Robena (daughter of Nathaniel SOULE and Rebecca GIFFORD) was born Abt 1780, Westport, MA; died Aft 1 Jun 1860, Tiverton, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

According to Eli Wodell, Joseph "went up country and I think married there."

Daniel — Bathsheba Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1850 Federal Census, this is the family household: Roderick Rounds 53, Mary Rounds 42, Emeline Manchester 17, William Manchester 23, Lucy A. Manchester 7, Bradford C. Rounds 4, Charles E. Rounds 2, John Rounds 18, & Abraham Rounds 25. This is what we today would call a blended family. The other two children, Adeline & Isaac, are living with married sister Roby Rounds and her husband Joseph, at the home of Edward & Elizabeth Wing.

The 1860 Federal Census at Tiverton, RI, shows a Mary H. Rounds, age 50, living with Lucy A. 18, Bradford C. 14, and Charles E. 11. If accurate ages, this would mean their years of birth were: 1810, 1842, 1846, 1849.

Her death record identifies her as d/o John & Roba.

Mary married Jeremiah A. MANCHESTER Abt 1825. Jeremiah (son of John MANCHESTER and Lucy ALMY) was born Abt 1805, Tiverton, RI; died Between 1843 and 1845. [Group Sheet]

Mary married Roderick Rounds Abt 1845. Roderick (son of Sarah Rounds) was born Between 1795 and 1797, RI; died 24 Dec 1857, Tiverton, RI. [Group Sheet]

Mercy — Ichabod Potter. Ichabod was born Abt 1800. [Group Sheet]

William — Hannah King. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The 1850 Federal Census at Tiverton, RI, shows Holder Dennis, age 34, a sailor, living with Betsey Dennis 30 and son Edward M., age 4. The family is living right near Betsey's parents, Philip & Abby Manchester, and some of their children.

The 1860 Federal Census at Tiverton shows Holder Dennis, farm laborer age 44, living with Lydia A. Dennis 35 or 38, Edward M. 13, Abby S. 10, Daniel 5, and Nathaniel 1. These two are obviously the same individual. Holder's first wife, Betsey Manchester, died in 1857, after which he must have married Lydia.

In 1870 Holder is age 53 and Lydia A. is age 40, still living at Tiverton, RI Three children are in the household: Nathaniel 11, Frank 7, & James 5.

In 1880 Holder & Lydia A. Dennis, ages 62 & 50, are still at Tiverton. In the household are their son James H. age 14, and Holder's brother Bradford C. Dennis, age "about 55."

In 1900 Holder is age 84, living in Little Compton with son Frank and family.

Holder married Betsey Jane Manchester Abt 1845, RI. Betsey (daughter of Philip Manchester and Abigail "Abby" Hambly) was born Aug 1820, Tiverton, RI; died 22 Nov 1857, Tiverton, RI. [Group Sheet]

Holder married Lydia Ann Macomber 12 Aug 1858, Tiverton, RI. Lydia was born Abt 1829, MA; died Aft 1 Jun 1870. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The death record at New Bedford says she died on the 11th but the date of record is the 9th, so I am assuming that is a clerical error. She probably died on the 8th or 9th. Her age at death was 69 y 5 m. She died of paralysis. Residence was 84 Shawmut. Birthplace: Tiverton; parents identified as John & Roby, born Tiverton/Westport.

Ruth married Nathaniel D. Manchester Bef 1 Jun 1850. Nathaniel (son of Perry Manchester and Anna Bennett) was born Abt Jan 1822, Tiverton, RI; died 10 Mar 1898, New Bedford, MA; was buried , Dartmouth, MA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In 1865, Bradford C. Dennis, age 42 RI, is living in New Bedford; a letter carrier.

In the 1880 Federal Census, Bradford C. Dennis is "about 55" and living at Tiverton, RI, with his brother Holder and family.

According to his death record at Westport, Bradford died at age 74; his grave is in Tiverton, but I don't know where it is. Parents John Dennis and Roby Sowle.

Notes:

In the 1870 Federal Census, William H. & Maria Manchester are living at Tiverton, RI. They have two sons: George S., 6, and Charles F., 4.

In 1880 the family is still at Tiverton. They have five children. In addition, another young man named Arthur Manchester, age 21, is with them (the relationship says son, but I don't think so unless the age is 2 instead of 21); also, a brother-in-law, Philip Basset, and his wife Sarah. They are living next to Holder Dennis and family.

In 1900 the family is at Tiverton as follows: Wm H Manchester 73 RI, Margaret 56 MA, George S. 38 RI fisherman, Elsie J. 11 RI gr-dtr, John H. Taylor 38 MA nephew, and Bradford C. Rounds 48 RI fisherman, lodger (likely William's step-brother).

The death record identifies his parents as Jeremiah Manchester and Mary Dennis.

William married Margaret Maria Bassett Abt 1863. Margaret was born Mar 1844, MA or RI; died Aft 1 Jun 1880. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Roby's name is given in one entry as Robena. Probably her middle name was Soule (or Sowle), after her maternal grandmother.

The death record identifies her parents as Jeremiah Manchester and Mary Dennis.

Her grave is next to her husband's and daughter's, behind a farm across from 330 King Street, Tiverton. I have visited the graveyard and have a photo of the gravestone.

From the RI Cemetery Database: ROUNDS, ROBY S 1832c - 12 FEB 1899 TV033

Robena married Joseph Rounds 18 Jun 1848, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI. Joseph (son of Roderick Rounds and Zilpha Wodell) was born Jan 1831, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; died 1 Jun 1903, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Historical Cemetery 33, off King St., Tiverton, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Was her middle name Gifford? Or Gertrude?

In the marriage records of her children, Emeline is called Emeline Rounds twice and Emeline Manchester once.

The death record identifies her parents as Jeremy & Mary Manchester.

Emeline married John B. Manchester 6 Apr 1853, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI. John (son of Bailey Manchester and Hannah Wilcox) was born 1825, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; died 7 Jan 1891, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Adeline is one of our links to our Mayflower Pilgrim ancestry, through her maternal grandmother.

The 1850 Tiverton census shows Adeline Manchester as a 15-year-old living in the household of Edward and Elizabeth Wing, ages 78 and 73. There is also Isaac Manchester, age 11, her brother. Others living there are Joseph and Roby Rounds, 22 and 20; and John Keefe, 24, from Ireland. Roby was Adeline's and Isaac's older married sister. Another Tiverton home lists Emeline Manchester, 17; William Manchester, 23; and Lucy A., 7; living with six individuals of the surname Rounds. These other Manchesters were Adeline's siblings, and her mother, Mary, had remarried to Roderick Rounds. I have found the birth entries for all of them except Lucy.

Adeline Remington is 24 in the 1860 Census at Warwick, and 45 in the 1880 Census at Coventry.

Her death is entered in East Greenwich, Vol. 4, p. 76: "10 May 1893, Adlin T. Remington, age 58, birthplace Tiverton, parents Jeremiah & Mary Manchester, cause of death -- pneumonia." I visited the Greenwood Cemetery on 9 Feb 2002, and took some pictures of the gravestone, which is inscribed Adelin T. Manchester (elsewhere she is named as Adeline H. but that is incorrect). It is a very nice memorial stone, in the area over to the left as one enters the gates.

I found Adeline's middle name in James N. Arnold's "Family Notes" Volume R, "Remington" at the Knight Memorial Library, Elmwood Ave., Providence (these papers are now at the Providence Public Library). It is also on son David's death record at Providence, but is misspelled as Krip.

Her picture shows her with light brown hair, parted in the middle and pulled back, probably in a braid or chignon. Her eyes must have been brown or dark blue. Attired very properly and modestly in a dark-colored dress with a high collar and small bow at the neck, and buttons down the front, she appears somewhat tired, but calm and resolute. In her thin oval face and sloping eyebrows I can see a striking resemblance to my Great Uncle Fran, who was her grandson. (Note from cousin Judith Walton: "The picture was done by Morton Artistic Photographer of Westminster St. in Providence.")

There is no way of knowing for sure, but I suppose the pictures could have been taken when they were about forty, perhaps even for their 25th anniversary, around 1877.

I have been trying to determine whom Adeline was named after -- if anyone. There was an Adeline Manchester who married a Rufus Tripp; this Adeline was a daughter of Perry Manchester, who was a son of Peleg & Margaret. I have not found any Tripp ancestry for this branch of the family, although this is a possibility. John Dennis's ancestry has not yet been determined with certainly, although I have researched it to the extent that I am fairly satisfied with the available evidence.

Adeline married Benjamin Franklin REMINGTON 12 Dec 1852, The Amicable Congregational Church, Tiverton, RI. Benjamin (son of Benjamin REMINGTON and Mary Anne HAMBLY) was born 17 Feb 1832, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; died 12 Aug 1903, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Glenwood Cemetery, East Greenwich, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

In the 1870 Fedreral Census, Isaac A. & Adelia Manchester are living at Tiverton, RI. They have two children: Lizzie 5, and Jeremiah 2.

In 1880 they are still at Tiverton. The household includes Isaac A. 42, Delia S. 39, Lizzie E. 15, and Mary 8.

The 1900 Federal Census gives their birth dates as June 1839 and Feb 1843; I think both of them are off a bit.

For Isaac's marriage and death, see Tiverton vital records: Marriages 1-49 & Deaths 1-21A.

The death record identifies his parents as Jeremiah A. Manchester and Mary Dennis.

Isaac & Delia's gravestone has been photographed.

Isaac married Delia Simmons Macomber 10 Jan 1867, Tiverton, RI. Delia (daughter of Benjamin Macomber and Diana H. Simmons) was born 14 Feb 1841, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; died 28 Feb 1911, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI; was buried , Pleasant View Cemetery, Stone Church Rd., Tiverton, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

I suspect she may have been Lucy Almy Manchester, named after her paternal grandmother.

Is she the Lucy A. Manchester, age 29, housekeeper living at Warwick in the 1870 census, with Charles Grey?

Notes:

In 1900, Bradford C. Rounds is age 48, lodging with Wm. H. Manchester and family. It gives his birth date as March 1852. However, that cannot be correct if he is the son in the 1850 census. His occupation is fisherman.

In 1910, Bradford C. Rounds is age 64, boarding with Charles Slocum in Tiverton. He is employed as a laborer on a fishing boat.

In 1915 he is age 63, boarding with Charles and Sarah Manchester; still a fisherman.

in 1920, Bradford Rounds is age 64, living at the Tiverton Town Farm.

The death record as indexed at familysearch.org says parents unknown.

Notes:

Charles may have been married in North Kingstown, as there is a reference: (NKM 3-31).

Notes:

Possibly his middle name was Manchester, as that was his mother's maiden name. She had a brother named Edward.

Edward married Lucy M. King 19 Dec 1867, Tiverton, Newport Co., RI. Lucy (daughter of Abner C. King and Emeline Snell) was born Abt 1847. [Group Sheet]

Frank — Lucy A. Gifford. [Group Sheet]