The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: RI
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
Birth: 20 Mar 1714 Kingstown / Washington / RI Death: 20 Nov 1785 South Kingstown / Washington / RI
500 feet east of Camp Fuller Road at telephone pole #13/3976
Author: Douglas Harold Nelson
Seth Eldred was born on March 20, 1714 in Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island the son of Samuel Eldred (1693-1764) and Content Rathbone Eldred (1692-unk). Seth married Mary Eldred about 1743 at the age of 29 and they became the parents of eight children. His wife Mary was born between sometime 1719 and 1720. One year after their marriage, daughter Mary Eldred was born who stands next in the author’s lineage. Seth’s Will identified their children as:
1. Mary Eldred Rathbone
2. Patience Eldred
3. Henry Eldred
4. Waity Eldred Tefft
5. James Eldred
6. Sarah Eldred
7. Samuel Eldred
8. Benedict Eldred
Daughter Waity Eldred Tefft married Gardner Tefft, (SAR Patriot #P-302776) in 1780 at South Kingstown, Rhode. Lieutenant Gardner Tefft is also documented with the DAR as Patriot Ancestor #A113268.
The age range to join the Continental Army was between 16 and 60. At the time the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, Seth Eldred was 61 years of age making him too old to physically contribute. He was a yeomen farmer who owned his own farm and worked it primarily with family labor. Because family farmers didn't exploit large numbers of other laborers and because they owned their own property, they were seen as the best kinds of citizens.
When the Continental Congress passed an Act granting and apportioning a tax of six thousand pounds, in silver or gold, upon the inhabitants of this state, for supplying the Continental Treasury, and when the Rhode Island Congress passed laws for the same, Seth Eldred is recorded as having paid such taxes and thus had Patriotic Service.
Seth Eldred passed away on November 20, 1785 in South Kingstown, Washington County, Rhode Island at the age of 71. At the time his Will was written and signed, his wife Mary was still living having been bequeathed items in his Will. Hence, Mary died sometime after August 23, 1784. There exists no known documentation to verify Mary’s actual death date.
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