Author: Michael G Bree
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, married in North Kingston, Rhode Island, Walter G. Rhodes and wife Mary Hill lived in North Kingston and Exeter, Rhode Island until after the War of the Revolution.

W.G.R. is recorded as having signed a petition for a ferry to be operated between North Kingston and Newport on May 4, 1765. He is listed as a member of the Baptist Church in Exeter, Rhode Island, October 1777. According to family sources, Walter was the son of Captain Samuel B. Rhodes who commanded an English merchant vessel and under whom W.G.R. served.

The Rhode Island Archive records show that W.G.R. served in the Revolution as a Sergeant, Capt. Joshua Davis's Co., North Kingston, Rhode Island; Col. Charles Dyer's Regt. on Pay Abstract, served for ten days from August 22, 1778 to August 31, 1778.

In his pension application papers, Samuel Rhodes, eldest son, indicates that the family lived in Exeter, Rhode Island 1776 until after the War of the Revolution. They were there for both the 1774 and 1782 Exeter, Rhode Island census. In 1774, Walter was listed as having 1 male over 16, 6 under; 1 female over 16, 1 under. He is listed on page 166 of the Rhode Island Census, living next to John Rhodes (1-1-2-3). The 1782 census listed Walter Rodes with 6 males under 16, two 16-22, 1 female under 16 and Walter and Mary 22-50 yrs. John Rodes is listed on the same page as well (no page number available).

On February 14, 1760, Walter made application to the North Kingstown Town Council to administer his mother's estate. This was approved, but later changed to Martha Rhodes, Walter's sister. Witnesses, Samuel Boone jr, James Boone and Benjamin Cole.

Sometime late in 1782 or early 1783 the family moved to Stephentown, New York, then part of Stephan Van Renssalaer's Patroon System land area. A document of 1783 shows Walter G. Rhodes and wife Mary writing to the Baptist Church of Exeter, Rhode Island for their letters of membership and for permission to organize a church in the area of Berlin, New York. The date of organization for the Baptist Church of Berlin, New York is given as 1784, also listing names of Abel and William Ebenezer Rhodes. Renssalaer County Histories mention early settlers - 1786 - Walter Roads (Sylvester) also W.Rhodes - lotholder west of the Hoosick River in the county (then Albany). Mentioned as prominent residents in 1800 are Ebenezer Rhodes and Samuel Rhodes (History of Renssalaer County, New York, courtesy of Gary L. Rhodes).

According to tradition, all of Walter G. Rhodes' sons were Baptist ministers, as was Walter himself. There is never a reference in any records as to what the "G" in his name was for, although some speculate that it may have been for Greene.

Also according to tradition (Nell McCoy's notes) Walter had two brothers. This seems to be substantiated in the will of John Keyes (sailor on the sloop "Africa" under Captain Samuel Rhodes) dated October 5, 1736. In it he states, "I give unto Captain Samuel Rhodes commander of the sloop Africa twenty pieces of eight.... and I give unto his eldest son all my wages except ten pounds I give unto my friend Robert Bevell..." (Court Files Suffolk Co Massachusetts #46527). This son could not be Walter, since he was not born until 1738.

An interesting ad ran in the March 10, 1795 edition of the Newport Mercury: "A convenient house, with a merchant's house adjoining, and about 12 acres of good land, with a barn, store house, and other buildings thereon standing, still in good repair, situated in Westerly, about eight rods East of Pancatuk Bridge, a good stand for merchandising and public house, and has been occupied for that purpose several years by Walter Rhodes, Esq. For particulars inquire of Walter Brand near the premises, or the subscriber in Richmond. Samuel Brand, Richmond, February 28, 1795." So perhaps, Walter was the proprietor of this business.