Mary TILLINGHAST

Family/Spouse: Benjamin CARPENTER. Benjamin (son of William CARPENTER and Elizabeth ARNOLD) was born in 1650-1653 in Pawtuxet, Rhode Island; died on 3 Mar 1710/11. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: 29 Jan 1718

Notes:

Name:
Rev. Pardon Tillinghast, the immigrant ancestor, was one of the most prominent and useful of the early pioneers of Providence, Rhode Island. He was a native of Seven Cliffs, County Sussex, England, born in 1622, and according to tradition, he was before coming to America a soldier in Cromwell's army. He was recorded at Providence, January 19, 1646, as the owner of a quarter share, and as such received on that date twenty-five acres of land. He was admitted a freeman in 1658; was deputy to the general assembly in 1672-80-90-94-97 and 1700; was overseer of the poor in 1687; member of the town council in 1688 and 1691, and from 1693 to 1797. He was the leading minister of his day. For many years he served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Providence, declining to receive any remuneration for his labors. About 1700 he erected at his own expense a house of worship located near the southwest corner of Main and Smith streets, and in 1711 he deeded the property to the church.

He came from Seven Cliffs, near Beachy Head (now Eastbourne), in Sussex, England, and is said to have been the son of a Freeholder, to have been a soldier in Cromwell's army and engaged in the Battle of Marston Moor. Savage says he came to Providence in 1645 and was settled there as a Baptist minister. He received a grant of land Jan. 19, 1645/6, though not made a Freeman until May, 1658. His went to Newport about 1659, but returned to Providence about 1665, where about 1700, he built, at his own expense, the first meeting-house, which he gave to the Society, together with the lot on which it stood. In 1661 he was allowed 10s, for the use of his oat. (R.I. Rec., 2, P. 367.) He was a minister of the Church in 1681 and continued so for many years. He was appointed Overseer of the poor of Providence in the Colonial Assembly six times; member of the Providence Town Council 19 years, and Town Treasurer from 1707 to 1711.

Pardon married Sarah BUTTERWORTH about 1653. Sarah was born about 1623; died about 1660. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]