Jonathan Remington

Notes:

The exact identity of this Jonathan is unclear (see notes below). It is possible that he was a son of a Remington family of Prudence Island, and married an Allen girl from there. Both the Remingtons and the Allens lived on Prudence Island, Portsmouth, and had family connections and land connections.

There is a marriage record for Jonathan Remington, of Jonathan & Susannah (or Luranah?) Remington of East Greenwich, 18 Oct 1753, to Mary Thurston (RI Friends' Records). At first it was unclear to me whether this might be a first marriage for this particular Jonathan (mother's name unclear); however, Mary (Thurston) Remington died between 1777 and 1782, probably after her husband Jonathan died. See notes for Mary Thurston.

Jonathan was probably born in East Greenwich, or at least spent part of his youth there, since his birth is registered there. At some point, probably before 1741, his family moved to Massachusetts. He may have married there or in RI, but apparently at some point probably moved to Portsmouth, RI, because at least two of his children were born there; at least, their births were registered there. I am not sure when or where Jonathan and his wife died. He is very possibly the Jonathan Remington listed in the 1790 Federal Census at Hancock, MA. His son Allen lived in both MA and RI.

"A Scattered People: An American Family Moves West" by Gerald W. McFarland, p. 81 (Google Books) says that Allen Remington and his father (Jonathan) had briefly lived at Exeter, RI; Allen came to Hancock, MA, from RI after the Revolution.

Boyd Scott Remington's chart shows this Jonathan married to Prudence. However, according to an unpublished manuscript of "Family Notes" at the Knight Memorial Library in Providence, "Jonathan Remington, b.1726 Hancock, MA, married Pruda, b.1731, and had a son Allen who married Deidama; they in turn had a son Jonathan who married Diana Hall." This is clearly the same family group, but unfortunately appears to be different Jonathans, because this one was born at East Greenwich, RI, in 1730 (at least the birth was recorded there). Which is correct? (See notes for Allen's son Jonathan b.1784) See also DAR ID Number: 25799, Mrs. Sarah M. Remington Taylor; this says Jonathan was born 1726 at Hancock, MA.

BSRs chart shows the son Allen as having lived and then dying at Hancock, MA. However, James N. Arnold's "Vital Record of RI" shows Allen & Diadama Remington on the membership list of the First General Baptist Church of Richmond, RI, on 17 September 1810. Possibly Jonathan's family, and/or one or more of his children, moved to RI and then back to MA. But was Jonathan, father of Allen, born in MA or RI? This Jonathan needs more research. See notes for his father, implying that he may have moved out of state (his land was sold at public auction to pay outstanding debts).

James N. Arnold's Vital Record of RI, Richmond, lists the following Remingtons as church members in 1770: Hepsibeth, Jonathan, Lydia, Martha, Prudence, and William. This would appear to support part of this family group in BSRs chart; but who is William? At the present I am assuming he is another son, and thus adding him to the list of Jonathan's children, pending further research. However, the possibility remains that these were two different but related Remington families.

Jonathan married Prudence "Pruda" Unknown Abt 1756. Prudence was born 1731. [Group Sheet]

1. Martha Remington
2. Hepsibeth Remington
3. Thomas Remington
4. William Remington
5. Lydia Remington was born 5 Feb 1757, Portsmouth, RI.
6. Allen Remington, I was born 30 Dec 1759, Portsmouth, RI; died 14 Nov 1820, Hancock, Berkshire Co., MA.

Notes:

Jonathan & Lorana were married at Providence, RI; had children born and/or registered at East Greenwich, RI; and probably moved to Berkshire County, MA, sometime after Nov 1736 but before July 1741 (see notes below). They may have had other children, and -- Jonathan may have married again. These are unsolved mysteries at this point. One of their children, Jonathan, appears to have returned to Rhode Island, at least for a while.

Warwick Land Evidence, dated 22 Nov 1736: Stephen Remington of Providence, mariner, sold to Jonathan Remington of East Greenwich, mariner, one lot in Chippowinoxit, Warwick, Lot #16, one and one-half acres; signed by Stephen Remington, witnessed by Dan Remington. (These three were brothers. This land was most likely a narrow waterfront lot extending from Post Rd. down to the cove, in the area just south of Cowesett Rd. This area is still called Cheppowinoxet.)

The following probably applies to this Jonathan:
In an official document dated 18 July 1741, Thomas Rice, Esq., Sherrif of the County of Providence, refers to an act of the General Assembly of the Colony of RI in sessions held at Providence on the last Wednesday of Oct 1736, concerning "an act for making the real estate of a person that has left this colony or concealed themselves therein or do not live in this government liable for the payment of debts . . . By virtue of which said act the lands or real estate of Jonathan Remington late of East Greenwich in Providence County, mariner, has been attached at the suits of John Walton of Warwick -- merchant, James Gould of Newport, and Mercy Gorton of Warwick, innholder . . . judgments were obtained by John Walton and Mercy Gorton against Jonathan Remington at the last Inferior Court of Common Pleas held at Providence on the second Tuesday of December last, and by James Gould at the last Inferior Court of Common Pleas held at Newport in November." Jonathan Remington's land was sold at "Public Venue" for 97 pounds 10 shillings, to Philip Arnold of Warwick and John Potter of Providence, Esq. Thomas Rice, Sherriff, acknowledged receipt in bills of credit . . .

"Philip Arnold & John Potter have been conveyed a certain tract of land in Warwick and by examination containing 269 acres more or less it is all the part or parcel of a certain farm number 17 in The Grand Purchase of Warwick belonging to the said Jonathan Remington, bounded on the north by the farm of John & Richard Waterman, southerly by Warwick's southern boundary, westerly by the RI/CT border, easterly however as per plot of land or however otherwise bounded or reputed to be bounded." Dated 18 July 15th yr of George II, 1741. Recorded at Warwick 5 Nov 1741 in 7th Great Book of Land Evidence by John Wickes, Town Clerk.

(above record found at RI Historical Library, Manuscript Room, Providence, RI)

Did he have a second wife named Susannah? A newspaper entry of Oct. 1753 announced the marriage of Jonathan, of Jonathan & Susanah Remington of East Greenwich, to Mary Thurston. Or was that another Jonathan?

A notation in "One Hundred and Sixty Families" by John Osburne Austin, p. 13, suggests that she was b 1703 and that her name was Susanna Lorana Arnold." (Definitely needs more research.)

Jonathan married Lorana Arnold 16 Nov 1726, Providence, RI. Lorana (daughter of Stephen Arnold, Jr. and Mary Sheldon) was born 1703, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

A notation in "One Hundred and Sixty Families" by John Osburne Austin, p. 13, suggests that she was b 1703 and that her name was Susanna Lorana Arnold." (Definitely needs more research.)

Notes:

(If you use any portion of these notes, please give credit to me, Lois Sorensen, and to other sources as noted herein.)
According to Oliver Payson Fuller's "The History of Warwick, RI," published in 1875, Thomas Remington in 1692/3 bought Cowesett farm # 1 consisting of 240 acres for the price of 57 pounds, from John Warner & Philip Sweet. As nearly as I can determine, this property was at the northwest corner of Post Rd. (Route 1) and Cowesett Rd. The next farm westward, bordering Route 2, was later purchased by the Remingtons -- probably Thomas Remington, Jr., who married Maplet Gorton.

According to the early town records of Portsmouth, RI, "Thomas Rimmington of Prudence is Admitted a freeman in this town" at a Town Council meeting held 6 June 1692 at William Corey's house (also William Allin of Prudence at the same meeting). Later that same year, the records of a Town Council meeting held on 22 Aug 1692, again at William Corey's house, show that three men were chosen to serve on the next Jury of Tryals at Newport: John Vaughan, Thomas Rimmington, & Joseph Sheffield.

These references likely refer to our ancestor, if in fact he was at Prudence Island and a freeman of Portsmouth in the early 1690s. If this is so, then he must have bought property in Warwick shortly after this and later settled there (possibly c1704 -- see note below). His wife was of Portsmouth, so it is reasonable to assume that this is our ancestor and that they were married at Portsmouth.

In 1701, Thomas Remington was Constable on Prudence Island.

Similarly, genealogist Armand Lariviere says that Thomas initially settled on Prudence Island, Rhode Island, then relocated to Warwick, where he purchased farm #1, the Cowesett Plot, containing 240 acres, in 1693, for 57 pounds. He was deeded land in Haverhill, MA, by his father John in 1695 & 1709. Thomas became a freeman of Warwick in 1704.

Sources for information on this family:
"Gorton Family Genealogy"
"New England Historical and Genealogical Society Register," Vols. 29, 42, 43
"The History of Warwick, RI" by Oliver Payson Fuller

Thomas's will mentions his "dearly beloved wife Mary"; names eight sons, six of whom were under age 21 on 20 May 1710; and his two daughters, both under 18. Thomas gave all his lands to sons Thomas, Jr., William, & John -- they to pay legacies to the other children. Based on this will, I have estimated the birth years for his children. Wife Mary and son William were co-executors.

John, still under age 21, received 40 acres, and would pay his brother Thomas 10 pounds when Thomas reached age 21. Thomas received 1/2 of all the remaining land, across the north end, and he is to pay 11 pounds to five of his brothers when they reach age 21 -- Daniel, Joseph, Stephen, Matthew, and Jonathan; he also is to pay his sisters Mary and Prudence 7 pounds each when they reach age 18 or earlier if they marry younger than 18. William received the mansion house with the remainder of lands; he is to pay to each of the 5 brothers 11 pounds each at age 21 and the two sisters 7 pounds each at age 18. All the rest of the estate is left to dearly beloved wife Mary and well-beloved son William who are appointed joint executors. Thomas signed his will with a capital R -- the mark of "Tho Rimington." It was witnessed by Samuel Gorton, Edward Earle (his mark), and Elizabeth Gorton (her mark). On 26 Sep 1710 the witnesses appeared before the Town Council of Warwick and made oath that they saw Thomas Rimington sign and seal the will.

According to Oliver Payson Fuller's "The History of Warwick, RI," William sold his share of the farm in 1712, but reserved the burying ground where his father and grandfather are interred. Portions of the Remington land were later bought by Thomas Jones Spencer & Thomas LeValley.

His gravestone has the inscription T R 23 July 1710. Although recorded by James N. Arnold in 1893, in 1996 the cemetery could not be located. Supposedly, there were four graves -- Thomas and his wife, and son John and his wife. James Arnold described the location as "north of the David Bennett Lot in open pasture without any protection one tomb two graves at feet that of Thomas Remington and his wife and his son John and his wife." The David Bennett Lot is 1400 feet south of Cowesett Rd. across from Hardig Road and west of I 95.

Thomas married Mary ALLEN Abt 1681. Mary (daughter of William ALLEN, I and Elizabeth Unknown) was born Abt 1661, Prudence Island, Portsmouth, RI; died Abt 1710, RI; was buried , Historical Cemetery WK14, Remington Lot, Cowesett Rd., Warwick, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The Allen family were of Prudence Island, according to "Representative Men of Old Families of Southeastern MA," V. I, p. 173.

I have estimated Mary's year of birth, assuming that she was about 20 when she was married, and that none of her children were multiple births. Martha Benns gives her year of death as 1710, the same as for her husband Thomas (see Remington book at Rhode Island Historical Library). She is called Marie in her father's will (William Allin, 2 June 1685 Portsmouth, RI), but Mary in her husband's will (1710 Warwick, RI).

It is unclear exactly where she was born.

Notes:

According to the book "New England Marriages Prior to 1700" (by Clarence Almon Torrey, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1985), their first child on record was born in 1682; Mary's year of death is given as 1710+. Places of residence were Portsmouth and Warwick, RI.

Notes:

Stephen's four daughters were mentioned in the 1708 will of his mother, Sarah Arnold.

Stephen married Mary Sheldon 12 Jan 1687/88. Mary (daughter of John Sheldon and Joan Vincent) was born Abt 1669, Pawtuxet Village, Warwick, RI; died 28 Apr 1735, Providence, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

(If you use any portion of these notes, please give credit to me, Lois Sorensen, and to other sources as noted herein.)
According to Boyd Scott Remington's genealogy chart at RIHSL, John, Jr. was born in 1633 in Rowley, England. He defended Jamestown against the Indians on 28 August 1669, and was granted land in East Greenwich in 1677. He resided in Haverhill and Rowley, MA, and Jamestown & Warwick, RI.

According to Carl Boyer III in "Ancestral Lines Revised," and genealogist Gordon L. Remington, John Remington II was born 1623-1624. However, a more recent article by Gordon L. Remington places John's birth c 1630 (source: The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 147, p. 371).

Alden G. Beaman's article "A Line of Descent from John Remington of Jamestown and Warwick" (RI Genealogical Register, Vol. 20, p.39) gives his year of birth as c. 1625.

According to genealogist Armand Lariviere, "John Remington, the founder of the Rhode Island branch of the Remington family, first settled in Haverhill, MA, and became a citizen of Portsmouth, RI in 1669."

In Haverhill, MA, in 1661 when 53 lots were drawn, John Remington is listed among the names. He is also among the recipients of land in July 1667, when he received 4 acres in Haverhill. (source: "History of Haverhill Since Settlement in 1640" pp. 92 & 106; on Family Archive CD #502)

Some of the following information is from:
Paul Remington's web site: http://www.uftree.com/UFT/WebPages/Paul-Remington/REMFAM/
"Some History and Genealogy on the Remington Line in England and America" by J. W. Remington
"History of Warwick" by Oliver Payson Fuller (at Rhode Island Historical Society Library)
"Early Settlers of Rowley, Massachusetts" by Blodgett & Jewett

John Remington II, eldest child of John Remington I, was probably born about 1630 (ref: Gordon L. Remington). This John Remington is our ancestor. Boyd Scott Remington's ancestry chart gives his birth year as 1633. John, Jr. was with his family in Newbury in 1637 and in Rowley in 1638. In Rowley records he is mentioned as "junior" and in deeds as "carpenter." He most likely remained there with his father until 1649, when he married Abigail Acie/Acey, and then about 1654 he removed to Andover, where there is a record of him from 1654 to 1656. Around 1661 he settled in Haverhill, MA, but did not remain there very long, because shortly after 1664 he was identified as a member of the colony of Jamestown, RI. Later, in a deed dated June 2, 1670, he described himself as "of the Island of Quanonagutt" (probably phonetic spelling for Conanicut, native name for Jamestown, RI) in the colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations." This deed transferred a parcel of land in Rowley to Anthony Crosby.

[The record states that] "On August 28, 1669, he (John Remington) and two others (John Holmes & Michael Kelly) were named as Conservators of the Peace, and ordered to assemble the inhabitants of Conanicut Island, to consider what may be most suitable for their defense and preservation against any invasion or insurrection of the Indians."

Also, in 1677 it was ordered that a certain 5,000-acre tract of land in the East Greenwich area be divided into 100-acre lots, to accommodate inhabitants of the colony as needed. "And further this Assembly do enact, order and declare, for the services rendered during King Philip's War, the persons here named" . . . There follow the names of fifty persons [to receive land] among which is that of John Remington. [Note: likewise our ancestor Capt. Benjamin Gorton, whose daughter Maplet later married Thomas Remington, Jr., grandson of John Jr.] On 6 Sept 1687, John Remington, Junior is on a list for taxes under Gov. Andros, assessing estates of the Towne of Rochester in the King's Province. (Rochester is a former name for North Kingstown, RI.) My observation -- this John Remington could be his son, who married Abigail Richmond and lived in South Kingstown.

Around this time [John Remington II] removed to Warwick, RI, where he on Aug. 13, 1709 confirmed an earlier deed of May 24, 1695 in which he had given to his son Thomas Remington of Warwick "all my right which I had at Haverhill, Mass. and [said deed being somehow damaged and nearly illegible], being willing gift, should stand, therefore for love, etc." His son Thomas received a house and town lot at Haverhill containing four acres, also two orchards and 40 acres called "Fishing River." [Note: this son Thomas is our ancestor.] John Jr. died in 1709 in Warwick, RI. Many of his descendants remained in this spot five or more generations later.

Like his father John the first, John Jr. was a carpenter. His eldest son, John, was born 12 March 1651 in Rowley, MA; he resided in Newport and Kingston, RI, and died in Jamestown, RI (not sure about this). [This son John (the third) married Abigail Richmond. His brother, John Jr.'s third son, named Thomas, married Mary Allen; this couple are our ancestors.]

According to Carl Boyer III, in "Ancestral Lines Revised," p. 337, John II married second to Martha (Unknown).

See also:
http://www.bugthorpe.eril.net/Bugthorpe%20Village.htm
http://www.bugthorpe.eril.net/churches_in_the_garrowby_hill_group_of_paris hes.htm
"The Remingtons of Utah, Their Ancestors and Descendants," by Ward J. Roylance

John — Abigail ACIE. Abigail (daughter of William ACIE, Jr. and Margaret HAITON) was born Abt 1628. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

This marriage is listed in "New England Marriages Prior to 1700" ( by Clarence Almon Torrey, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1985), which gives the year of the birth of their first child as 1650, and locations of record as Rowley/Haverhill/Andover.

Notes:

A "William Allin" was baptized in the town of Wales, Yorkshire, England, on 19 August 1640. This "is almost certainly the William Allin who emigrated to America in 1660." (source: "Genealogy of the Stone Family Originating in Rhode Island" by R. C. Stone)

The location of William's birth and baptism should not be confused with the country of Wales in the British Isles. Rather, Wales, England, is a town in the West Riding of Yorkshire, about nine miles from Sheffield, the largest town in the area. The West Riding of Yorkshire is where our immigrant ancestor John Remington is believed to have come from, so it is possible that these families had common culture and roots, and even the same reasons for coming to the New World. (source: "Some Prudence Island Allens" by Devere Allen, at the RIHSL)

William served as constable of Prudence Island and was surveyor of cattle. In addition to his land on the island, William also owned land in the East Bay area, probably what is now Barrington or West Barrington, RI, but was originally part of Swansea, MA. This land, purchased from Captain Thomas Willett of Swansea, had originally been sold to Captain Miles Standish by the Indian sachem Wamsutta. This land was described as being on both sides of the Seven Mile River; this river now forms approximately the border between Providence Co., RI, and Bristol Co., MA. However, the location may have been different as described in the 1600s. His land in the East Bay area totalled about 600 acres. (source: Cole's "History of Washington and Kent Counties")

The name on his will (dated 2 June 1685, proved 29 June 1685) is "William Allin." In the will he mentions his wife "that now is" Elizabeth (implying she was not his first wife), four sons, three daughters, and two friends. William, Thomas, John, & Matthew were all under 21; Mercy & Sarah were under 18; daughter Marie Remington was already married at this time. Appointed as executors of the will were Elizabeth Allin (wife), son William, and eldest daughter Marie Remington (Mary, my ancestor).

According to notes in the Mary E. Rice Collection, William Allin died in West Barrington, RI; he was married aft 1660 to Elizabeth; and his first child, Mary (who married Thomas Remington, s/o John & Abigail), was born c1664.

According to Charles Gregory Maytum in his book "Paragraphs on the History of Prudence Island" p. 16, William's children were born of his first (unknown) wife. He was a close friend of John Paine, who lived at the northern end of Prudence Island. William was a large owner of cattle and also had hundreds of sheep. In 1669 he was admitted freeman of Prudence Island (along with John Paine). He was tax rate assessor of PI in 1671; also that year he was constable of PI, as well as in 1678, 1679, 1680, 1682, 1683, & 1691. (Maytum's book is at the Newport Historical Society.)

This book also recounts how in 1680 William Allin moved his house from PI across the frozen bay to West Barrington, with the help of Indians and using three large trees made into a sled pulled by oxen.

A note from Cynthia Joly, as found in the PI Cookbook: "William Allin . . . who came to Prudence in 1660 as a tenant farmer for John Paine. He later built his own home along what is now known as Allen Lane."

William married Elizabeth Unknown Abt 1660. Elizabeth was born Abt 1640; died Aft Jun 1685. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Elizabeth was probably not William's first wife, as implied by the wording in his will. He may have married Elizabeth after 1660 (see notes for William).

William's children may have been by his first wife.

A posting on a message board (L-Sweet) suggests that Elizabeth later married Philip Sweet. I have not yet seen evidence of this, so more research is needed.

Stephen married Sarah Smith 24 Nov 1646, Providence, RI. Sarah (daughter of Edward Smith) was born 15 Nov 1629; died 15 Apr 1713. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Sarah's will, dated 26 April 1708 at Warwick, says she is a widow stricken in years, of Pawtucket, of Providence. The will mentions sons Israel (eldest), Stephen, & Elisha (youngest); daughters Elizabeth (Greene), Sarah (Carpenter), & Phebe (w/o Benjamin Smith of Warwick); 11 or 12 granddaughters, and one grandson.

Notes:

According to the Sheldon Family Assocation, John is first found in the Providence records in 1654.

John married Joan Vincent 1660. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From the website of the Sheldon Family Association: "Joan Vincent is the daughter of Nicholas Vincent and Fridgeswith Carpenter, of Amesbury, England. Joan is the niece of William Carpenter, an early founder in Providence Records. Fridgeswith inherited the home in England from her brother William."