Author: Gary Owen Green
Census of the State of Rhode Island page 158
FAMILIES.: Greene, Benjamite
WHITES. MALES. Above 16.: 2
WHITES. MALES. Under 16.: 1
WHITES. FEMALES. Above 16.: 2
WHITES. FEMALES. Under 16.: 4
Total.: 9

!1774: Deed is signed in RI with wife, Dinah

!1774: Census indicates another white male born circa 1758 was living with this family and was probably a hired hand to help with the farm.

!1777: member of the Militia Force of the Colony: Captain in 2nd Kent County Regiment, Coventry 3rd Company under Col Stephen Potter; Lt Col Nathaniel Brown, Major Archibald Kasson; Surgeon's mate

Member: Frances Briggs Waterman Nat'l #: 28776 Ancestor #: A046833

1. Christopher Spencer Briggs born on 25 - Nov - 1822 at _______________ died at _______________ on 19 - Jun - 1898 and his ( 1st ) wife Barbara Cornell Greene born on 25 - Jun - 1829 at _______________ died at _______________ on 23 - Mar - 1895 married on - May - 1849

2. The Said Barbara Cornell Greene was the child of Alden Greene born on - - 1805 at _______________ died at _______________ on - Jun - 1840 and his ( 1st ) wife Waite Cornell born on 3 - Sep - 1806 at _______________ died at _______________ on 20 - Apr - 1879 married on 13 - May - 1827

3. The Said Waite Cornell was the child of Benjamin Cornell born on 21 - Aug - 1778 at _______________ died at _______________ on 5 - Apr - 1853 and his ( 1st ) wife Lois Johnson born on 3 - Dec - 1785 at _______________ died at _______________ on 13 - Jul - 1856 married on 5 - Apr - 1800

4. The Said Lois Johnson was the child of Hosea Johnson born on 5 - Jun - 1758 at _______________ died at ______________ on - - and his ( 1st ) wife Barbara Greene born on - - 1762 at _______________ died at _______________ on - - married on - - 1782

5. The Said Barbara Greene was the child of Benjamite Greene born on 23 - Feb - 1741 at _______________ died at _______________ on 11 - Apr - 1777 and his ( 1st ) wife Dinah Greene born on - - at Coventry died at _______________ on - - married on - - 1761

Revolutionary War

The Kentish Guards were formed on September 24, 1774 to protect the Town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island from Tory attack. They were chartered by the Colonial Assembly on October 29, 1774 as an "elite militia," taking extra responsibility for their own training and equipment. Using the Kent County Court House as their armory, the Kentish Guards were present when the Rhode Island Navy was enacted there in 1775. They built Fort Daniel at the entrance to Greenwich Cove in Cowesett, equipped it with nine cannons, and garrisoned it throughout the Revolution., protecting Warwick Bay from naval attack.

The Guards were also present at the formation of the Continental Army during the Siege of Boston in 1775, where General Washington noticed how exceedingly well the Kentish Guards were trained, equipped, and disciplined. Thirty-five members of the Guards were subsequently to serve as officers in the Continental Army, foremost among them Major General Nathanael Greene, the "Savior of the South" who, by the end of the war, was second only to Washington.

Initially the Guards rotated state duty with other militia companies; but with the British invasion of Newport in 1776, they were on continuous duty from May 1, 1776 to June 1, 1781. They patrolled Warwick Neck, Prudence Island, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown and Newport. In the summer of 1776 the Guards recaptured a ship previously seized by the British Navy. During this engagement they suffered their only casualty; Edward Pearce was shot in the arm and the arm had to be amputated. Always keeping a detachment at Fort Daniel, they were the sole defenders of East Greenwich in 1777 and 1778, and countered several attacks launched on Potowomut and Warwick Neck (to the East), and Quidnessett and Wickford (to the South).

In August 1778 Kentish Guards Commander, Colonel Richard Fry, took command of a regiment of Independent Militia Companies at the Battle of Rhode Island in Portsmouth and Middletown. During the summer of 1779, twenty-six Guardsmen launched a surprise attack on Conanicut Island (Jamestown), destroying a British artillery battery. In November, after the British evacuated Newport, the Guards were ordered to guard duty at Sachuest (Second) Beach to help prevent a British return.

The Guards were again ordered to Newport in 1780 and 1781 to reinforce the travel-weakened French Army, and were present in Newport during General Washington's visit there. After the war, the Kentish Guards continued to provide local defense when many other militia companies were disbanded or became volunteer fire departments. During this period, even the United States Army and Navy were temporary disbanded.
Source: http://www.kentishguards.org/brief-history.htm

In this era, every male between 18 and 45 was 'in the militia', but this was a very casual organization; the well-to-do merchants of East Greenwich wanted to form a 'good unit'. In June 1774 Rhode Island had taken the hitherto unheard of step of chartering their own militia company; a charter was usually acquired from either the King or Parliament. This was possible because Rhode Island had a totally locally elected government; Massachusetts, in contract, had a Royal Governor, appointed by the King. Being aware of this legal possibility, a local lawyer, James Varnum, arranged to have a charter granted by the Colonial Assembly to this militia company being formed in East Greenwich.

First meeting on September 24th, 1774 and formally meeting on October 16th in Arnold's Tavern (which occupied the site of the current Greenwich Hotel) the Kentish Guards were granted a charter by the Colonial Assembly on October 29th; the Kentish Guards were formed with James Varnum as its first Commander. The admission requirements for this unit were high; it was considered an 'elite militia company'. Members had to be voted in, have sufficient funds for dues and to supply themselves with a full uniform and equipment. The well-to-do men of Kent County wanted to be in a quality unit, and so this unit attracted the cream of the county.

While not having any military experience, Nathanael Greene was well read on military subjects, but he was not voted in as an officer; there was even talk that he wouldn't be voted-in as an enlisted member. Much has been written on this subject with the majority view being that he was looked down-upon for having a noticeable limp, this not giving him a military bearing. The Kentish Guards wanted to have a 'top notch' organization. He became depressed by this rejection, he appeared to have an inferiority complex; but he was strongly encouraged to join the Kentish Guards as an enlisted member by his friend, James Varnum, and so he did, proving to be a very strong, contributing member.

Greene was able to get a British Drill Sergeant in Boston to desert and to train the Kentish Guards in proper military drill. It is written that, during the closure of Boston when access roads were blocked by British sentries, that Greene was able to smuggle a musket out of Boston under a wagon load of hay. Smuggle a musket he did (it currently resides in the Greene Family Collection), but one does not cart hay out of a city; one brings hay into a city and carts out manure…

Greene also arranged for the Kentish Guards to hire a fife and a drum instructor to teach two lads each this military music; copies of these contracts exist in the collection of his papers. The Kentish Guards have a fife & drum corps, which today can claim Nathanael Greene as one of its founders.

In April 1775 dispatch riders spread word throughout New England and beyond of the hostilities in Lexington and Concord. On April 20th the Kentish Guards set out to aid the Patriots, marching northward in their proper, red regimental uniforms. Nathanael Greene and a few of his cousins met-up with them in Apponaug, a section of Warwick just north of East Greenwich. A witness would later write that he saw the Kentish Guards march to the north with Nathanael Greene marching noticeably among them, noticeable by his limp. When the Guards reached Providence, they received word from Deputy Governor Darius Sessions "not to leave the colony"; so, obedient to civilian control, they marched up to the border and there waited, until they received word that it was all over.

In May 1775 Rhode Island decided to raise three regiments in support of the Patriots in the Siege of Boston. James Varnum, the Colonel commanding the Kentish Guards became the Commander of one of these regiments, the Kent and Kings County Regiment. At that time the southern-most county of Rhode Island was named "Kings County"; this would later be changed to "Washington County" or informally "South County". In the General Assembly there were three candidates for the General commanding the three regiments; Nathanael Greene was the third proposed. As it was said, "That the Baptist couldn't, the Methodist wouldn't, but the Quaker would." Nathanael Greene, in one step, went from being a Private in the Kentish Guards to Brigadier General of the three Rhode Island regiments.

During the Siege of Boston and the formation of the Continental Army, Greene caught the eye of the new Commander in Chief, George Washington. Many of the New England militia units from colonies with Royal Governors, who suppressed militia development, were disorganized and insubordinate, which Washington thought they mistook for independence; but the Rhode Island regiments were organized and run straight out of the British military manual "down to the tent peg." Washington would also take a liking to Greene's Boston friend, Henry Knox, who later would distinguish himself with the artillery. During this early organization of the Continental Army, thirty-five members of the Kentish Guards would become officers, by virtue of their military knowledge. The first Rhode Island causality was Adjutant August Mumford, one of these Kentish Guardsmen; he was killed by a cannon ball within sight of Nathanael Greene, an upsetting sight about which he wrote.

Greene would become a close friend and tactical advisor to Washington during the course of the war. A very active field commander, Greene was promoted to Major General in August 1776. He was largely in charge of laying down the defenses on Long Island until he was immobilized by a severe illness and missed the initial British assaults there. Later, during the defense of Manhattan, he committed his greatest blunder by declining to abandon Fort Washington, which led to the capture of thousands of American soldiers and many cannon and other equipment; but Washington continued to have faith in him and Greene performed well afterwards at Trenton (where Greene commanded the left wing), at Brandywine (where the Continental Army avoided annihilation by Greene's marching a brigade five miles in 45-minutes to fill-in a gap in the battle line at Dilworth) and at Germantown (covering the retreat after the confusing results of the battle).

At Valley Forge, with the Quartermaster's Department in disarray and the Continental Army in grievous need of food and supplies, Greene accepted the position of Quartermaster General in March 1778, much to his displeasure; but the situation was critical and Washington needed to have a competent person in that position. Greene straightened out the mess and performed miracles until he resigned as Quartermaster in June 1780. From time to time, he was given field command assignments and even took charge of the Army during Washington's absence while consulting with Rochambeau in Hartford in September 1780. During Washington's absence, the Army under Greene repulsed an attack made by Clinton at Springfield and Rahway Bridges, New Jersey. In position in Tappen, New York, Greene took charge of West Point after Benedict Arnold's treason was discovered, until Washington returned. He formally assumed command of West Point on October 8th.

On October 14th Greene was appointed Commanding General of the Southern Army by the Continental Congress, replacing General Gates, who had failed significantly at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. When he assumed command in December 2nd in Charlotte, North Carolina the Southern Army was virtually non-existent; Greene displayed his brilliance conducting a guerrilla campaign, disturbing British communications and supply lines. Greene's army gained control of much of the back county and won the tacit support of the local Tory population by treating them fairly; this left the British in control of only the major port cities of the South. His actions frustrated British General Cornwallis so greatly that Clinton went 'off station' and, with limited supplies to allow for faster movement, chased Greene's army northward until Greene fought him at a battlefield of Greene's choosing. At Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina Greene met Cornwallis' attack with a three zoned defense wherein he brilliantly employed the lay-of-the land and the virtues and limitations of the troops under his command.

In the first zone Greene placed his most inexperienced troops, local North Carolina militiamen just recruited, behind a slip-rail fence (upon which they could rest and better aim their muskets) facing a newly plowed field (which would slow the initial British assault). When the British came too close, ready to start a bayonet assault, this first line of militia ran away, as planned; they did not have bayonets. This led the British into dense woods, which broke-up their formations; where they were met by experienced Virginia militia, who engaged them in sniping and prolonged hand-to-hand combat. Finally emerging from the dense woodland, the British had to cross a brook and proceed uphill to attack the well rested Continental Troops. At one point the lead British unit was surrounded and could have been annihilated; to forestall this Cornwallis had British field cannon fire into the melee, injuring as many of his own troops as those of Greene. Greene's army was forced to withdraw from the field, the first priority being the survival of the Continental Army; Cornwallis was left holding the field and technically winning the battle, but his army had been mauled.

Cornwallis retired to Wilmington, North Carolina and then moved to Yorktown, Virginia, where another fate awaited him. Greene circled back into South Carolina and in several battles completely drove the British out of the back country. He was instrumental in re-establishing a state government in South Carolina and Georgia; an important consideration in advance of the final treaty negotiations, or the British might have continued to claim jurisdiction over these states at the end of the war. In 1785 he moved to Mulberry Grove, a plantation given to him by the State of Georgia, where he died in 1787, age 44, of sunstroke. He was survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters. An idea by Catherine Greene was developed and engineered by the family tutor, Eli Whitney, creating the cotton gin, which would revolutionize agriculture in the South. The patent, however, could not be easily enforced; so this invention brought Catherine Greene and Whitney little financial reward.

Source: http://www.kentishguards.org/nathanael-greene.htm

28 Jan 15
Hi Gary,
Just wanted to give you an update on the progress of the Greene project. I searched some military manuscript materials at the RI Historical Society Library relating to Benjamite Greene’s service. He is mentioned once in the index, in a Jan 1777 receipt for Nathl Brown’s 2nd Regiment of Kent County militia “victuals”. Nothing so far related to his death, though. Unfortunately, the biggest issue is that there are SOOOO many Greene’s in Coventry during that time period who could possibly be Robert’s parents. I have found no direct evidence so far that suggests he is the son of Benjamite Greene. There are several other Roberts, sons of Uzal and Ebenezer, and a lot of movement between the neighboring towns in particular East and West Greenwich. The probate research did not provide any definitive connections, but I concentrated on Coventry and I can always expand to nearby towns. I have the Benjamite and Dinah deed which may prove useful based on the land description for neighbors. I believe that the land records are going to be the most useful to tease apart the various families, but there are more than a hundred relevant deeds. I’m planning to concentrate on William, son of Othniel who owns neighboring property to Benjamite and Dinah to see if Benjamite is mentioned in the land descriptions. Another Benjamite, the son of Wardell was born in 1771 so may also be significant based on the naming patterns.
It is not going to be easy, but we’ll figure out Robert’s parents.
I’m at 11 hours of research so far. We didn’t really discuss limits to time, so let me know if you want me to continue or write up what I have so far.
Hope that all is well,
Let me know if you have any questions,

Shellee Morehead

Date: 19 June 2015

Client: Gary Greene
Project: Robert Greene and Benjamite Greene of Coventry
Limitations: 20 hours of research on Benjamite and Robert Greene of Coventry, Rhode Island

Summary of Previous Information: Robert Greene was born in Rhode Island about 1771 presumably to Benjamite Greene and his wife Dinah. No concrete evidence of this connection was provided, but subsequent naming patterns of Robert’s children are suggestive of a connection between Benjamite and Robert, after the family’s subsequent move to New York.

Objective: Determine if Robert Greene who married Naomi Cummings is the son of Benjamite Greene.

Summary of Results:

Direct and indirect evidence found in probate, land and tax records in the town of Coventry confirm that Robert Greene, who married Naomi Cummings and subsequently moved to New York, was the son of Benjamite Greene. Benjamite Greene died sometime before 11 April 1777 when his estate was inventoried. 1 Tax books for the years 1776 through 1786 were searched for Benjamite, Dinah and Robert Greene.2 Benjamite Greene appeared in the Coventry Town Rate tax book for 1776, the following year, Dinah, widow was recorded.3 She was recorded every year until 1785 when the “Heirs” of Benjamite Greene, Lydia and Robert, were assessed a tax.4 remarried between 13 Dec 1784 when she is listed as a widow in the Coventry Town Rate Bill and 9 November 1785 when the Coventry State Rate Bill no longer lists her name but lists the heirs of Benjamite Greene, Robert and Lydia. If she remarried, she would no longer have been in control of Benjamite’s property. That job would have gone to her new husband, and held in trust for Benjamite’s heirs. 5 The Coventry State Rate bill from November 1785 also lists “Greene Benjamites heirs, Lydia and Robert.” 6

Therefore, it is more likely that Dinah had remarried, leaving her children Robert and Lydia, as the sole underage heirs to Benjamite Greene’s estate, and also responsible for taxes on that estate. If the children were underage, they should have been assigned a guardian, or chosen a guardian if they were over age 14, but guardianship records were not searched. No other children of Benjamite and Dinah were identified in these documents. Other tax books also refer to Benjamite’s wife, Dinah, widow, Robert’s father, as well as Mary Greene, Benjamite’s mother, also a widow. For example, the Estate Tax bill of 1777, the year of Benjamite’s death, shows Dinah and Mary listed sequentially.

Benjamite Greene prior to April 1777.

One additional tax document that may prove significant is “Value of Estates” from 1792 which specifically lists “Greene Robert of Benjamite Land.” Direct evidence from the deed between Robert Greene and Nathaneal Greene, dated 7 March 1797, states that Robert is the “son of Benjamite Greene, late of Coventry, deceased.”

2 A and B] This deed suggests that he inherited his father’s lands, following the death of his parents or upon his mother’s remarriage. He would not have been able to sell this property if his mother was still widowed, since she would have had a dower interest in it and would have had to release her claim to the

property. It is unclear what interest his sister and co-heir Lydia would have had in the property, but since her father died intestate, it is possible she would have rights to half the estate, which could have been given to her upon her marriage in a form other than real estate. The release of dower on this deed also confirms the relationship of Robert Greene, son of Benjamite, and Robert Greene who married Naomi Cummings since “Neomy” Greene releases her dower rights to the property. This primary information on this document provides direct evidence of the relationship between Robert, Neomy and Benjamite Greene. As Benjamite’s heir, Robert needed to state that he had title to the land he was selling, though there was no probate or deed transfer of ownership of the land prior to 1797.

There are at least two other Robert Greene’s living in Coventry during the time period of interest, from about 1780 to 1800. Robert ,the son of Ebenezer, was listed in the tax books and Robert, the son of Uzal Greene, appeared in a 1797 deed. Another Robert Greene who was married to Sarah also appeared in many deeds though Robert, son of Uzal and Robert married to Sarah are most likely the same man.

Benjamite, by the fact that neither Robert nor his wife Sarah can write, and both sign their deeds with a mark. In contrast, Robert, married to Naomi, signs his name to the deed.11 likely that Robert’s wife Sarah, is the daughter of Capt. Jonathan Nichols since one piece of property that they sell (also signed with their marks) was quit claimed to Jonathan Nichols, of Balltown in Albany County, New York. In this deed, Capt Jonathan Nichols is referred to as “our father” and the will of

1 Coventry, Kent County, “Probate,” Vol. 1, pg 104, Town Clerk’s Office, Coventry.

2 Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “Tax Books,” 1776-1786, Town Clerk’s Office, Coventry.

3 Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “Coventry Town Rate,” 1776, Town Clerk’s Office, Coventry. This item is interesting in determining when Benjamite may have died. The tax was assessed by Town Council meeting 16 September 1776 and again 2 December 1776, but signed by the assessors 26 February 1777, so it is possible Benjamite was still living in February 1777 when the assessors taxed him. The next book chronologically, “Value of Estate for 1777” shows Dinah, widow and no Benjamite. This is most likely due to the fact that when the 1777 estate was taxed in late 1777, Benjamite had already died.

4 Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “Coventry Town Rate Bill” 1784, pg 9 and “Coventry State Rate Bill”, 1785, pg 10; Town Clerk’s Office, Coventry.

5 Research provided by the client suggests that Dinah Greene married Robert Cooke, Sr, father of Robert Cook, Jr, the
husband of her daughter Diadama. This would make sense if Dinah Greene Cooke moved to New York along with her
children and their spouses.

6 Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “Coventry State Rate Bill” 1785, pg 10, Town Clerk’s Office, Coventry. 7 Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “1777 Estate Tax Book,” unpaginated, G’s, Dinah Greene; Town Clerk’s Office,

Coventry.

8 Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “Value of Estates,” 1792, pg 14; Town Clerk’s Office, Coventry. 9 Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “Land Evidence,” Vol. 9, pg 146, Robert Greene to Nathaneal Greene Jr., 1797. 10 Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “Land Evidence,” Vol. 8, pg 46 and Vol, 9, pg 280, Town Clerk’s Office, Coventry. 11 Coventry, “Land Evidence,” Vol. 9, pg 146.

If Robert’s birth year of about 1774 is accurate, he was unlikely to be of age in 1785.

10 The deeds for Robert and Sarah can be distinguished from the deed for Robert, son of

Jonathan Nichols mentions his daughter Sarah, married to Robert Green.12 Additionally, Robert, son of

Ebenezer is noted in the same tax books as Robert and Lydia, heirs of Benjamite Greene, showing they

are separate individuals.13

In the same year that Robert, son of Benjamite, sold his property, Robert, the son of Uzal, signed

his deed to property on Harkening Hill to Uriah Franklin with a mark, showing that they are separate

men. Since Robert, son of Uzal’s, wife was Sarah and signed with a mark and Robert, son of Benjamite

was married to Naomi, they are not the same man. It is also likely that Robert, the son of Uzal, was in

fact married to Sarah Nichols mentioned above.

Given the above sources tying Robert Greene, son of Benjamite to both Dinah Green,

Benjamite’s wife, as well as “Neomy,” Robert’s wife, the evidence shows that Robert is Benjamite and

Dinah Greene’s son.

In an effort to find out more about the death of Benjamite Greene before April 1777, I also

searched a number of manuscript collections at the Rhode Island Historical Society Library that related

to militia units and other regiments between the years 1776 and 1777. Only one document was identified

containing Captain Benjamite Greene’s name [see Document 3 A and B].14 This document is a “Victual

List” for Captain Bennet’s Company, but the exact date is unclear. A more thorough search of available

military documents, manuscript collections and other primary documentation would be needed to

determine Benjamite’s exact death date, though the previously noted tax book and probate inventory

place it between December 1776 (possibly as late as 26 February 1777) and 11 April 1777.15 I also

searched a number of other manuscripts (see notes below) but did not see Capt. Benjamite Greene.

Repository:

Coventry Town Clerk’s Office

Sources Searched:

Land Records

Focused on 1760-1780 with “et al” in order to see who was related and inheriting property that then

needed to be divided among heirs. See Table 1 below.

Sorted them by affiliated individual men, and removed the ones that were all related and didn’t include

Mary Greene. See Table 2. Mary Greene was directly affiliated with Benjamite, so those with her are of

interest.

Also, I included all the Robert Greene’s from 1760-1815, figuring that if he moved from Coventry to

New York he may have had to sell property that he owned or inherited in that town.

Table 1. All Greenes in Land Evidence Grantor Index with et al.

Greene et al Grantor Grantee Vol pg Year

Ann et al Benjamine Green 9 66 1777

Benjamin Nathaniel Green 5 5 1767

12Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, “Probate,” Vol. 1, pg Will of Jonathan Nichols,and “Land Evidence,” Vol 8, pg 46,

Robert Green to Jonathan Nichols, 1791.

13 Coventry, “State Rate Bill,” 1785, pg 9.

14 “Captain Bennett Company Victuals,” Revolutionary War Papers MSS 673 SG 2

Ca 1776, B3 F 46, Bennet, Capt. List of Officers, Col. Brown, Nathaniel, Rhode Island Historical Society Library. 15 See previous note related to “Coventry Town Rate Bill,” 1776.

Benjamin Thomas Stafford 6 18 1768

Caleb Elisha Greene 5 130 1769

Caleb John Andrews 5 308 1771

Catherine John Matteson 7 57 1777

Cathrine Jacob Greene 10 13 1779

Christopher et al Griffen Greene 4 381 1770

Christopher et al Peter Levally 7 68 1778

Christopher et al Michael Letson 7 507 1777

Christopher et al Jacob Greene 10 13 1779

Deborah Charles Cook 5 209 1772

Elihu et al Griffen Greene 4 381 1770

Elihu et al Benjamine Vaughan 5 340 1777

Elihu et al John Greene 5 425 1782

Elihu et al John Matteson 7 52 1777

Elihu et al Michael Letson 7 507 1777

Elihu et al Michael Letson 7 507 1777

Elisabeth Jacob Greene 10 13 1779

Griffen Nathaniel Green 5 5 1767

Griffen Ephraim Letson 6 330 1780

Griffen Peter Levally 7 68 1778

Griffen Jacob Greene 10 13 1779

Griffen Jacob Greene 10 13 1779

Henry Uzal 7 141 1773

Henry Uzal 7 142 1773

Jacob Griffen Greene 4 381 1770

Jacob Benjamin Vaughn 5 340 1777

Jacob Ephraim Letson 6 330 1780

Jacob John Matteson 7 52 1777

Jacob Peter Levally 7 68 1778

Jacob Michael Letson 7 507 1777

James Extr John Wood Jr. 5 159 1773

Jane John Matteson 7 52 1777

Jane Jacob Greene 10 13 1779

John John Briggs Jr 4 323 1772

John Eber Sweet 4 351 1774

John Nathaniel Green 5 5 1767

John James Arnold 5 170 1771

John Charles Cook 5 208 1772

Jonathan Uzal 7 141 1773

Jonathan Uzal 7 142 1773

Joseph Elisha Greene 5 130 1769

Margaret John Matteson 7 52 1777

Mary Ebenezer King 3 363 1760

Mary Jesse Vaugn 5 198 1771

Mary Griffen Greene 5 267 1770

Mary Jacob Greene 9 108 1796

Mary Anthony Holden 5 297 1772

Nathaniel John Greene 5 5 1767

Nathaniel Benjamin Vaughn 5 340 1777

Nathaniel Michael Letson 7 507 1777

Nathaniel Jr Griffen Greene 4 381 1770

Perry Griffen Greene 4 381 1770

Perry Benjamin Vaughn 5 340 1777

Perry Peter Levally 7 68 1778

Perry Michael Letson 7 507 1777

Perry Jacob Greene 10 13 1779

Robert Thomas Welch 2 26 1748 et al

Robert Benjamin Vaughn 2 304 1751

Robert Jonathan Nichols 8 46 1791

Robert

Robert Uriah Franklin 9 280 1797

Robert Jonathan Matteson 9 465 1802

Robert Ezekiah Johnson 10 363 1804

Robert Thomas Litson 11 402 1810 et al

Robert Thomas Litson 11 432 1810 et al

Robert Ezekiah Johnson 13 48 1811

Robert Stephen Greene 13 408 1813

Robert Stephen Greene 13 454 1813

Robert John Greene 14 305 1815 et al

Thomas Anthony Holden 5 297 1772

Thomas Son of Charles Cook 5 208 1772

Nathaneal Greene

Jr 9 146 1797

Table 2. All unaffiliated Greenes

Greene et al

Grantor Grantee Vol pg Year

Robert Thomas Welch 2 26 1748

Robert Benjamin Vaughn 2 304 1751

Mary Ebenezer King 3 363 1760

John John Briggs Jr 4 323 1772

John Eber Sweet 4 351 1774

James Extr John Wood Jr. 5 159 1773

John James Arnold 5 170 1771

Mary Jesse Vaugn 5 198 1771 wife of Joseph

Mary Griffen Greene 5 267 1770 widow of Warwick

Caleb John Andrews 5 308 1771

Elihu et al John Greene 5 425 1782

Benjamin Thomas Stafford 6 18 1768

Robert Jonathan Nichols 8 46 1791

Ann et al Benjamine Green 9 66 1777

Mary Jacob Greene 9 108 1796

Robert Nathaneal Greene Jr 9 146 1797

Robert Uriah Franklin 9 280 1797

Robert Jonathan Matteson 9 465 1802

Robert Ezekiah Johnson 10 363 1804

Robert Thomas Litson 11 402 1810

Robert Thomas Litson 11 432 1810

Robert Ezekiah Johnson 13 48 1811

Robert Stephen Greene 13 408 1813

Robert Stephen Greene 13 454 1813

Robert John Greene 14 305 1815

There were over 70 deeds according to the above criteria for Greene’s in Coventry during the time

period 1760-1815, and 13 for Robert Greene. All 13 Robert Greene deeds, along with some of the others

were evaluated.

Land Evidence Vol 2 pg 26

Robert greene and Benjamin Nichols of Coventry in the County of Providence, yeomen

for fourteen pounds ten shillings paid by Thomas Welch of Same town and county

12 and 3/4 of an acre

lot No 5 of seder swamp lots on the plat and is bounded Easterly on a highway southerly on west

greenwich north line westward runs into grass pond northerly on land layed out to John Greene Jr.

signed

11th of June 1748

Witnessed Randal Rice

Richard Rice

Thomas Bradford and

John Roy (his mark)

Robert Green

Benjamin Nichols

Land Evidence Vol 2 pg 304

Robert Greene pf Coventry, yeoman for consideration of 680 pounds current money

from Benjamin Vaughanof Scituate, Providence County,

Land known by the name of "the Seventeen mens Land" to the westward of Carrs River so called and sd

farm is numbred one on the original plat there of and originally drawn upon the rights of John Smith

second right and contains by estimation about three hundred and twenty acres, one hundred acres and

one half acre

to taken of of sd farm buted and bounded as followeth vis Southerly upon Greenwich North Line,

easterly upon the Great River and Northerly by the Midle highway and to extensd along sd highway one

hundred and fourteen rods as d highway runs and westerly to run from sdWest 41 D south to a black oak

tree thirty five rodsand one half and then to extend due west line three rods and then to run southward to

Greenwich line so as to make up the hundred acres and one half acre above sd

12th day December 1751

Witnessed

George Hall

Silas Green

Signed Robert and Mary Green

Coventry Land Records Vol 9 page 465

R obert Greene, of Coventry etc to Jonathan Matteson

Wife Sarah

Both illiterate and signed with mark

24 Aug 1802

Coventry Land Evidence, Vol 9 pg 280

I Robert Greene, son of Uzal of Coventry in the County of Kent etc to Uriah Franklin

9 dollars and 75 cents

part of land bought from William Sefton On Harkening Hill one acre and one hundred rods

Wife Sarah Greene releases her dower

Both Robert and Sarah sign with Mark 26 Dec 1797

Witnessed by

Benja Greene

Nathaniel Greene Junr

Coventry Land Evidence Vol. 9, pg 146

I Robert Greene son of Benjamite Greene late of Coventry in the County of Kent State of Rhode Island

and Providence Plantations, deceased l

I the said Robert Greene for Two hundred silver dollars to me Nathaneal Greene Junr of Coventry in the

County & State aforesaid husbandman

One Certain Tract of parcel of land situate lying & being in Coventry aforesaid and is butted and

bounded as followeth (Viz) Easterly on Ebenezer johnsons land and southerly on land of Ebenezer

Johnson Junr, Westerly on lands of Benjamin Greene Esqr partly and partly on land of belonging to the

heirs of John Greene, late of Said Coventry Deceased and Northerly partly on land of William Andresw

Junr and partly on land of Russel Greene and Containing by Estimation Twenty acres be the same more

or less..

And Neomy Greene, wife to the said Robert Greene for and in consideration aforesaid doth by these

presents freely and willingly give yield up and surrender to the said Nathaneal Greene Junr his heirs and

assignes all her right of dower and power of thirds ,,,,

Seventh day of March 1797

Witnessed

Rufus Cook

Joseph Wickes Junr

Signed Robert Greene

Joseph Wickes Junr Just Peace

Recorded by Wm Stone Clerk

Coventry Land Evidence Vol 10 pg 363

Robert Greene and Ezekiel Johnson

for ninety dollars paid

Robert and wife Sarah, illiterate signed with Mark

27 April 1804

Witnesses Caleb Matteson and William Andrew

Coventry Land Evidence Vol. 8 pg 46

Robert Green and Sarah Green of Coventry, County of Kent State of Rhode Island,

In consideration of a general release from all the personal estate formerly belonging to Capt Jonathan

Nichols late of said coventry deceased have jointly and severaly for our selves our heir executors and

administration promised released and forever quited claim and by these presents do remise release and

forever quitclaim unto Jonathan Nichols of Balltown in the County of Albany and State of New York

gentleman, his heirs...

that belonged to the said Jonathan Nichols deceased and our father lying and being in Coventry and is

butted and bounded as followeth: viz Southerly on land of Jonathan Johnston Westerly on land of Capt

Jonathan Nichols northerly on land of Samuel Wall and Easterly on land of Capt Job Matteson

containing by estimation fifty acres...

Signed the 31st day of October 1791

Witnessed Thos Matteson

Wm Stone

Signed Robert Greene his mark

Sarah Greene her mark

Robert green and Sarah Greene on day and year aforesaid personally appeared

William Stone Justice of Peace

Coventry Land Evidence Vol. 11, pg 432

Robert and Sarah Greene

To Litson on Harkening Hill

5th of May 1810

Witnessed by Henrietta and Benja Greene

Coventry Land Evidence, Vol. 13 pg 408

I Robert Greene of Coventry, yeoman in consideration of one hundred and fifty dollars paid me by my

son Stephen Greene of the said Coventry yeoman

Land abutted by farm I now live on, ten acres more or less

Witnesses

Joseph Wever

Wever Carr

Signed Robert Greene

11 Feb 1813

Coventry Land Evidence. Vol. 13, pg 454

John Greene son of Robert

$320

paid by Stephen Greene

all of Coventry

took photos of remaining entries

Coventry Land Evidence, Vol. 13, pg 48

Robert Greene to Ezekial Johnson

9 Jul 1811

No wife mentioned

Sold 14 acres and dwelling house for $149

Witnessed by Caleb and Benjamin Greene

Robert Greene his mark

Coventry Tax Books

Dinah remarried or died between Dec 13 1784 when she is listed as a widow in the Coventry Town Rate

Bill

0-6-0

and Nov 9th 1785 when the Coventry State Rate Bill no longer lists her but lists heirs of Benjamite

Greene, Robert and Lydia0-3-0

Coventry Town Rate Bill also lists:

Heirs of Benjamite Greene, Lydia and Robert taxed at 0-0-10

Coventry Town Rate bill

Oct 13 1786

Greene Benjamites heirs

Lydia and Robert 0-2-0

Searched 1776 through 1792.

Rhode Island Historical Society Library

Clarke, Louise Brownell. Greene's of Rhode Island. Compiled from the Mss of the late major General

George Sears Greene. New York, 1903

No Benjamite Greene in Index

Benjamite Greene Death Search

Supposedly died April 1777

Was in the Regiment of Col Nathaniel Brown

Was stationed at East Greenwich in Dec 1776

Had the following serving under him,

Stephen Greene

Uzal Johnson

Benjamin Greene

Company taken over by Weaver

Revolutionary War Papers MSS 673 SG 2

Ca 1776, B3 F 46, Bennet, Capt. List of Officers, Brown, Nathaniel

Took photos

Militia List

Capt Bennet Company victuals

handwritten in pencil next to Capt Benjamite Grees

says 3rd Co. Coventry

Also searched the following in MSS 673, SG 2

Box 3, Fld 44 List of Men

Box 3, folder 18

Box 3 Folder 11 Muster and Pay

Box 3 Folder 13 Division Roll

Box 3 Folder 15

Box 3 folder 16

Box 3 Folder 17

Box 3 Folder 19

Box 1 folder 3 1777 Casualties

No Benjamite Greene in any of these papers

Probate of estate of Benjamite Greene, beginning 11 April 1777.

To two notes against Henry Johnson of 31-16

Total of Money & notes 65 -1 - 4 1⁄2

Upon his death, he still had his personal estate including farming equipment

including one set of “quohoak” rake teeth

Gun, Gun barrel and Catridge Box, and old sword

2 beds

8 lbs of geese feathers

One old Bible

total house hold £194—19—8 1⁄4

Finished the inventory seventh day of June AD 1777

Appraised by Isaac Green and James Roberts

Inventory proved and approved 19th July 1777.

Source: "The Greene Family and Its Branches", by Lora S. La Mance, Mayflower Publishing Company, Floral Park, NY, 1904, p 102; Mary K. Witherbee and Ruth Wilder Sherman; Howard Sumners