TANNER family files

TANNER family files RETURN TO DEGOLIER family files page

More TANNER family data:

I have no new information on what has been termed a "well documented" family in other websites, but wish to point anyone coming to THIS website without having yet found these sources to some information already published elsewhere. AB, June 2006.

1.) Excerpt from website on "Seventh Day Baptists and their Elders in Rhode Island":

THE TANNER FAMILY

William Tanner (1660-abt.1730) had been a member of the Baptist faith,
advocating the practice of baptism by immersion for accountable persons who
chose to become Christians. This was, of course, considered blasphemy by
both the Church of England and the Catholics, since the Baptists were
implying that the established form of baptism, by sprinkling, was wrong;
and that all previous infant baptisms were invalid. The Baptists were
severely persecuted for holding this view. Seeking religious tolerance and
freedom to worship according to the dictates of his own conscience,

William Tanner came from England and settled in Rhode Island in 1682 (the
year of founder Roger Williams' death). The Tanners remained in Rhode
Island for over one hundred years and remained devout Baptists. William
Tanner's son Francis Tanner, Esq. (1708-1777) lived in Washington County,
Rhode Island during his entire lifetime. He was a highly respected citizen,
a member of the Town Council, and Justice of the Peace for many years.
Francis' son Joshua (John Tanner's father) also lived in Washington County,
Rhode Island until 1791, when he and his wife moved their growing family to
New York state, seeking better opportunities.

A descendant of William's was Rev. Nathan Tanner who was the elder in
Washington Co., NY prior to and during the Rev. War.

LINK to this web source

2.) Book resource. I learned that two books have been published on the Tanner genealogy, one in 1905, which focuses on William Tanner, Jr. (son of the above-referenced William Tanner) and one that covers four other sons from another marriage, published in 1910. This 1910 book is the one which includes Francis Tanner, Sr., grandfather of our Francis Brown Tanner and great grandfather of Julia Sophia Tanner, married to Josiah B. Seekins. Suffice to say that this book is the one with our "kin" in it! The title is "William Tanner Sr., of South Kingstown, Rhode Island and His Descendants." The author is Rev. George C. Tanner, D. D., published in 1910.

(My local library allows me to access some research databases to which they subscribe via the internet. The "Heritage Quest" database has the 1905 publication which focuses on William Tanner, Jr., who is not our direct relation, but has some good reading on the family nonetheless.)

3.) There is a Rootsweb website of "Books We Own" where people are willing to look up information in published genealogies. One owner of the above-mentioned book is willing to look up specific information which might be included in the book. LINK to this web source.

4.) One web listing includes an excerpt from the "Narrangansett Historical Register" listing the men of Hopkinton, R.I. who supported the Colonies against Great Brittain in the Revolutionary War. Five Tanner men signed the solemn oath: William Tanner, Sr., William Tanner, Jr., Abel Tanner, Francis Tanner, and Nathan Tanner. The document was witnessed by "Abel Tanner, Town Clerk" The text of the web site, minus the full list of names, is as follows:

from The Narragansett Historical Register, Volume IV, No. 2, Oct. 1885. A magazine devoted to the antiquities, genealogy and historical matter illustrating the History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. James N. Arnold, Ed. Narragansett Historical Publishing Co., Hamilton, R. I. E. L. Freeman & Co., Printers, Central Falls, R. I. pp. 138 - 139. "The Patriots of Hopkinton, R. I., 1776. Contributed by Hon. Edwin R. Allen, Town Clerk of Hopkinton. Editor of the Narragansett Historical Register. Dear Sir: -- Thinking your readers would be interested in knowing who were the patriots of Hopkinton during the struggle for independence, we have thought best to send you the following list which we believe comprises the brain and the best portion of our citizens at this time, together with the document to which they affixed their ever to be remembered names. 'Hopkinton, Sept. 19 A.D. 1776. I the Subscriber do solemnly and sincerely declare, that I believe, The War, Resistance, and Opposition in which the United American Colonies are Engaged, against the Fleets and Armies of Great Brittain, is: on the part of the said Colonies, Just: and nesasary [sic]; and that I will not directly or indirectly afford assistance of any sort or kind whatever to the said Fleets and Armies during the continuance of the present war, but that I will heartily assist in the defence of the United Colonies. LINK to this web source.