The Francis Tanner Conundrum – A FamilySearch Challenge

Francis Tanner was born in South Kingston, Kings, Colony of Rhode Island, British Colonial America on 3 July 1708. He died on 3 January 1777 in Hopkinton, Kings, Rhode Island, United States. There is very little information about his life and over 100 years of research has failed to accurately document his parents. He has possibly hundreds of thousands of descendants and many of them are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For members of the Church, he is most remembered as the grandfather of the prominent LDS pioneer, John Tanner. Francis Tanner's birth and death have widely been reported as occurring in Washington County, but Washington County was created from Providence Plantations in 1729 as Kings County. It was renamed Washington County was created on October 29, 1781, in honor of General and President Washington. See Wikipedia, Washington County, Rhode Island.

The crucial connection between Francis Tanner and his son, Joshua Tanner (John Tanner's father) born in Hopkinton, Hopkinton, Kings, Rhode Island, British Colonial America on 27 July 1757 was established by the discovery of Francis Tanner's will. See Abstract of Francis Tanner Will, 1775. However, the remaining enigma is the parentage of Francis Tanner.

The challenge here is the FamilySearch.org Family Tree. As I mentioned above, the Tanner family, identified as the descendants of John Tanner (1778 – 1850), has figured prominently in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many well-known leaders of the Church are descendants of this industrious ancestor. John Tanner’s conversion story and other incidents of his life have passed into the folklore of the Church. Despite this prominence in the history of the Church, apparently, very little effort has gone into researching the progenitors of John Tanner.

Despite this lack of documentary evidence, many generations of ancestors have been previously added to Francis Tanner. Since there is presently no substantiating documentary evidence extending the family line past Francis Tanner, the "real" end of the line is Francis. However, trying to establish a basis for extending the family line is constantly hampered by possibly well-meaning contributors adding back in a pedigree based on the "traditional" one. As long as the Family Tree shows a pedigree past Francis Tanner, there is no incentive or motivation to do additional research on the family. 

The published genealogies, which include reference to William Tanner, stretch back to 1893. They include the following volumes, in alphabetical order:

           

Tanner, Elias, Reverend, The Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas Tanner, Sr. of Cornwall, Connecticut, with Brief Notes of Several Allied Families, also Short Sketches of Several Towns of their Early Residence. Lansing, Michigan, Darius D. Thorp, Printer and Binder, 1893.

Tanner, George C., Reverend, William Tanner of South Kingston and his Descendants, Faribault, Minnesota (Self Published, 1910).

Tanner, George C., Reverend, William Tanner of South Kingston and his Descendants, Faribault, Minnesota (Self Published, 1905).

Tanner, George Shepherd, John Tanner and his Family, Salt Lake City, Utah; The John Tanner Family Association; 1974.

Tanner, Maurice, Descendants of John Tanner, Born August 15, 1778, at Hopkintown, R. I. Died April 15, 1850 at South Cottonwood, Salt Lake County, Utah, The Tanner Family Association, 1942.

De Brouwer, Elizabeth, Compiler, Under the Direction of George Shepherd Tanner, Sidney Tanner, His Ancestors and Descendants, Pioneer Freighter of the West, 1809 – 1895, Sidney Tanner Family Organization, 4545 South 2760 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117, 1982.

At best, these volumes contain only very sketchy source citations. This lack of sources has resulted in a chaotic present day view of William Tanner and his family.  For example, the Ancestry.com “One World Tree™” (now abandoned by Ancestry.com) listings for William Tanner[1] showed submissions with references to nineteen entries for wives. Later searches of the same source have turned up more than thirty separate listings for William Tanner’s wives and families. This lack of agreement raises unanswered questions concerning the origin and marriage or marriages of William Tanner of Hopkinton, Rhode Island.

In the relatively recent compilation of the Sidney Tanner family genealogy, historian George Shepherd Tanner made the following statement:

The author has not attempted research into the towns of Hopkinton, Rhode Island, or Greenwich, New York. It was thought the time and effort required would outweigh the beneficial results. The Reverend George C. Tanner of Fairbault, Minnesota, has left some records of the Tanners in these two towns and the information may be seen in John Tanner Family.[2]

           

This lack of research, with a concurrent lack of source citations, has resulted in a virtually unsupportable pedigree for John Tanner, extending back to his assumed immigrant ancestor, William Tanner of Hopkinton, Rhode Island.

The conclusions of the Reverend George C. Tanner, dating from 1905,[3] are repeated, unchallenged, and almost verbatim, in all of the compiled genealogies, up to and including the De Brouwer book in 1982.[4]  However, Reverend Tanner acknowledges that “It would require more research than the writer has been able to give to connect the immigrant William Tanner with his English ancestor.”[5]

Reverend Tanner cites as the first reference to “William Tanner” his signature as a witness on a disclaimer deed signed 12 May 1682.[6] There are, in fact, two deeds recorded in the same year. In both cases, a William Tanner acts as a witness for the signature of Francis Houlding, the wife of Randall Houlding in making a disclaimer deed to her husband’s transfer of property. The real property, for both deeds, was located in “warrick”[7] described as in “Narrangansett countrey” and included “Fox Island.”[8] Fox Island is located in Narragansett Bay.[9] Subsequent references to William Tanner by the Reverend Tanner locate him in Westerly, Rhode Island, and specifically, in the town of Hopkinton, which was formerly part of Westerly.[10] Although by today’s standards the distances in Rhode Island are not great, there appears to be no consistent geographic location for William Tanner and his family. Of course, the different locations could indicate his move from one town to another but there is no evidence connecting the isolated references to a “William Tanner” either to the supposed ancestor or to each other.

In his 1905 book, the Reverend Tanner speculates that William Tanner came to America in 1682, in the year of witnessed deed, and with no further citation, states that “[t]he genealogical indications and indirect evidence all point to this conclusion.”[11] By 1910, Reverend Tanner adds a birth date, “about 1660” and speculation that William Tanner emigrated from England, coming to the Rhode Island colony in 1679 with the same Randall Houlding, for whom he witnessed two deeds.[12] Subsequent research has yet to yield much more information. There is no direct evidence connecting the witness, William Tanner, with any name on the emigrant list from England. There is, in fact, no evidence linking subsequent references to “William Tanner” to the witness to the two deeds. A search of the indexes to early immigrants shows the following:

Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s[13]

Name                                       Date                 Destination

William Tanner                        1680                America

William Tanner                        1680                America

William Tanner                        1680                America

William Tanner                        1682                Pennsylvania

William Tanner                        1682                Pennsylvania

William Tanner                        1682                Pennsylvania

William Tanner                        1671                Barbados

William Elleson Tanner           1683-1684       East New Jersey

William Tanner                        1765                America

Christopher William Tanner    1765                America

Christopher William Tanner    1765                America

William Tanner                        1728                America

William Tanner                        1728                America

Christopher William Tanner    1765                Virginia

William Tanner                        1848                Philadelphia

William Tanner                        1855                Ohio

William Tanner                        1853                Philadelphia

It is unclear whether the three individuals listed as emigrating to America in 1680 are all the same person or three different people with the same name. Two different sources cited for the three entries. In one instance, the reference is to Peter Wilson Coldham’s book, The Complete Book of Emigrants[14] and in another to Coldham’s book, Bonded Passengers to America. In 9 volumes.[15] It is also possible that the William Tanner who witnessed the deeds in 1682 was native born. References by Reverend Tanner to William Tanner’s birth date in “about 1660” also seem to be based on the same level of speculation incident to his assumption that William emigrated in 1679. It is a possible coincidence that the English records show one or more “William Tanners” emigrating in this time period.

The Reverend Tanner mentions that William Tanner paid the “Andrus tax” in 1687. This may be a reference to a William Tanner found on the tax roll of the town of Rochester (Kingstown), under Governor Andrus, for 1687, where he is taxed for one pole, 1 1-2d. This reference, although cited and repeated, cannot now be verified as the source was not given.

Again Reverend Tanner cites an 1893 purchase of land by William Tanner from Henry Hall of Westerly “on the east side of the Usquepaugh River[16], about a mile below the present village of Usquepaugh, formerly known as Mumford’s mills, on which he lived and is buried.”[17] In one of his very few acknowledgments, Reverend Tanner cites “Early history of Narragansett” by Judge E. R. Potter, p. 226.[18] Reverend Tanner notes that on this property lie the graves of William Tanner, identified as “WT” and two of his wives, identified only as “MT” and “ET.”[19] There are also four small, unidentified graves. Two other marked graves on the site are for “JT” and “ST.” Reverend Tanner identifies these two graves as those of William Tanner’s son, John Tanner and John’s second wife, Susannah.[20]

Three wives are identified by Reverend Tanner for William Tanner; first, the daughter of Henry Tibbitts; second, Mary Babcock, daughter of Job Babcock of Westerly; third, Elizabeth Cottrill.[21]

The first of these wives listed by Reverend Tanner, the daughter of Henry Tibbitts, is the least likely. Osborne’s The Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island[22] lists the children of Henry Tibbitts, with Hannah Tibbitts as the eighth child. Hannah is shown as married to “William Tanner” with their first child born in 1712. The first born child of the immigrant, William Tanner, is identified by Reverend Tanner as being born before 1692. It is possible, that this son is the one who married Hannah Tibbits. He would have been the right age to marry and have a first child in 1712. It is very unlikely, that Hannah Tibbitts was the first wife of the immigrant William Tanner if the information about the Tibbitts family is accurate. It seems more probable that Hannah Tibbitts, the daughter of Henry, was the daughter-in-law, not the wife, of William Tanner, the immigrant.[23] If this analysis is correct, then this leaves two wives for William Tanner, Mary Babcock, and Elizabeth Cottrill, exactly matching the initials given for two wives in the family burial plot.

Another compendium, Frederick Adams Virkus’ The abridged compendium of American genealogy: first families of America: a genealogical encyclopedia of the United States,[24] refers to William Tanner. This seven-volume work contains references to William Tanner in Vol. III, page 368; Vol. V, page 666; and Vol. VI, page 192. In each case, the pedigree lists essentially the same information given in the books by Reverend Tanner. Since the Virkus book also fails to give any source information, it may be possible that the later book edited by Vikus relies on the information from Reverend Tanner. Therefore, the cumulative references to William Tanner add nothing to clarify the events in his life.

Mary Tanner is identified as the daughter of Job Babcock in his will of 26 March 1715, proved 7 April 1718[25] although her husband is not identified. The time period also leaves some doubt because the will, written in 1715, does not refer to Mary as deceased.

One hypothesis is that Mary Babcock was the first wife of William Tanner. She would also be the mother of the William Tanner who married Hannah Tibbitts. William and Hannah also had a son named William born in 1712.

By researching the town records for Hopkinton, Washington, Rhode Island, I was able to establish at least one wife for William, named Elizabeth from her signature on the disclaimer portion of the deed.[26]

Likewise, further research shows a will for Francis Tanner dated November 4, 1776 identifying all of his children and his wife.[27] This will names his son Joshua Tanner, who by some later search is shown in the birth records contained in the Town Records for Hopkinton, Rhode Island with all of his children who were born in Rhode Island listed.[28] The birth records for Joshua Tanner and his wife, Thankful Tefft, list John Tanner and his birth date.[29]

There is still a considerable amount of research that needs to be done and it is possible that with the increased availability of records, the parentage of Francis Tanner will be found. But currently, it is less than helpful to have the hoards of his descendants recopying the unsupported parentage into the Family Tree.

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[1] Ancestry.com search for “William Tanner” consisting of 7 printed pages involving 207 user submitted trees.

[2] See Tanner, George Shepherd, John Tanner and his Family at page 25. The reference to the book “John Tanner Family” is to Tanner, Maurice, Descendants of John Tanner, Born August 15, 1778, at Hopkintown, R. I. Died April 15, 1850 at South Cottonwood, Salt Lake County, Utah, The Tanner Family Association, 1942

[3]Tanner, George C., Reverend, William Tanner of South Kingston and his Descendants, Faribault, Minnesota (Self Published, 1905).

[4] De Brouwer, Elizabeth, Compiler, Under the Direction of George Shepherd Tanner, Sidney Tanner, His Ancestors and Descendants, Pioneer Freighter of the West, 1809 – 1895, Sidney Tanner Family Organization, 4545 South 2760 East, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117, 1982, Page 10 et seq.

[5] Tanner, George C., Reverend, William Tanner of South Kingston and his Descendants, Faribault, Minnesota (Self Published, 1910) Page 5.

[6] Arnold, James N., Editor of the Narrangansett Historical Register, Compiler, The Records of the Proprietors of Narrangansett. Otherwise Called the Fones Record, Rhode Island Colonial Gleanings, n.d. Pages 79 and 108. As a matter of note, Reverend Tanner cites page 70, the incorrect page for the reference to William Tanner. He also fails to note the reference to the second deed on Page 108.

[7] Likely the modern Warwick, located just south of Providence, Rhode Island.

[8] Ibid Page 78.

[9] See American Indian Place Names In Rhode Island Database, http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/IndianPlaceNames8.html#_ftn89  Native American names associated with Fox Island include Sonanoxet , Sowananoxet, Azoiquoneset, Nonequasset, and Nanaquonset.

[10] See Farnham, Charles W. F.A.S.G., Rhode Island Genealogy, typed manuscript, n.d., Page 10.

[11] Tanner, William Tanner of South Kingston and his Descendants, 1905, Page 7. It is interesting to note that although Reverend Tanner acknowledges his lack of information on William Tanner’s origins, the lack does not prevent him from reaching his conclusion.

[12] Tanner, George C., Reverend, William Tanner of South Kingston and his Descendants, 1910, Pages 5 and 6.

[13] Gale Research. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Filby, P. William, ed.. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2005.

[14]Coldham, Peter Wilson, The Complete Book of Emigrants: A Comprehensive Listing Compiled from English Public Records of Those Who Took Ship to the Americas for Political, Religious, and Economic Reasons; of Those Who Were Deported for Vagrancy, Roguery, or Non-Conformity; and of Those Who Were Sold to Labour in the New Colonies, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. 1661-1699. 1990. 894p. Page: 359

[15] Coldham, Peter Wilson, Bonded Passengers to America. 9 vols. in 3. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1983. Vol. 6. Oxford Circuit, 1663-1775: Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire. 95p. Page: 54

[16] Usquepaugh or Usquebaug River, or Osquepaug, or Wawaskepaug, is identified as the west boundary of South Kingstown [in Kingstown] , running from Exeter due South till it meets a stream coming from Warden's pond, and thence running to Shannock mills. The Indian word means “At the end of the pond.” See http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/IndianPlaceNames9.html

[17] Tanner, Maurice, Descendants of John Tanner, Born August 15, 1778, at Hopkintown, R. I. Died April 15, 1850 at South Cottonwood, Salt Lake County, Utah, The Tanner Family Association, 1942, Pages 8 and 9.

[18] See Potter, Elisha R., The early history of Narragansett : with an appendix of original documents, many of which are now for the first time published, Ann Arbor, Michigan : University Microfilms, 1987, [Microreproduction of original published: Providence : Marshall, Brown & Co., 1935. (Providence : Printed by E.A. Marshall). xix, 423].

[19] Tanner, George C., Reverend, William Tanner of South Kingston and his Descendants, 1905, Page 8.

[20] Ibid, Pages 8 and 9. This information likely came from See Potter, Elisha R., The early history of Narragansett : with an appendix of original documents, many of which are now for the first time published.

[21] Ibid, Page 11.

[22] Austin, John Osborne and Moriarty, G. Andrews, The Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island : comprising three generations of settlers who came before 1690 (with many families carried to the fourth generation (Albany, N.Y. : Joel Munsell's Sons, 1887. viii, 440 p. [With a new foreword by Albert T. Klyberg, librarian, The Rhode Island Historical Society, and the additions and corrections, Baltimore, Maryland Genealogical Publishing Inc., 1969], Page 202.

[23] Ibid, Page 202. None of the children of Henry Tibbitts are shown with identified birth dates.

[24] Virkus, Frederick Adams, The abridged compendium of American genealogy: first families of America : a genealogical encyclopedia of the United States, Baltimore, Maryland; Genealogical Publishing, 1968 [Chicago, Illinois, A. N. Marquis, Virkus Company and Institute of American Genealogy], 1925-1942, 7 v.

[25] Beaman, Alden G., Rhode Island Vital Records, New Series, Vol. 4, Washington County, Rhode Island Births from Probate Records, 1685 – 1860, Princeton, Mass. : [s.n.], c1978, Page 15.

[26] South Kingston, Rhode Island Town Clerk, Land Evidence 1696 – 1885, Salt Lake City, Utah Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1973. FHL US/CAN Film 932299. Deed from William Tanner to Benjamin Tanner, 1723.

[27] Hopkinton, Rhode Island Court of Probate, Probate Records, 1757—1920, Salt Lake City, Utah, Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1973, 1993. FHL US/CAN Film 931571. Will of Francis Tanner 1776.

[28] Hopkinton, Rhode Island,  Town Clerk, Town records Vol. 1-4 1757-1923, Salt Lake City, Utah : Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1973. FHL US/CAN Film 931576

[29] Ibid.