1.   Historical note

2.   Scope and content

3.   Provenance

4.   Processing note

5.   Inventory

6.   Subjects


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 Jacob Greene Papers

 Merchant of Coventry, R.I.

 Personal Papers, 1775-1813

 Size: 0.5 linear foot

 Catalog number: MSS 462

 Processed by: Lori Salotto, November 1999


©Rhode Island Historical Society

Manuscripts Division

 


Historical note:


            Jacob Greene (1740-1808) was born in Potowomut Neck, Warwick, Rhode Island to Nathanael Greene (1707-1768) and Mary (Mott) Greene (1708-1753). He had a sister, Phebe (b./d. 1741) and five brothers: Gen. Nathanael (1742-1786), William (1743-1826), Elihu (1746-1827), Christopher (1748-1830), and Perry (b. 1749). He also had two step-brothers, Benjamin (1733-1762) and Thomas (1735-1760).

            Jacob married his cousin Margaret (ca 1740-1802), the daughter of his uncle Jabez Greene and Susannah (Arnold) Greene, on March 26, 1761. They resided in Coventry and had six children: Polly Maria (1762-1832), Thomas (1767-1832), Jabez (ca 1770-1808), Margaret (1772-1786), Jacob Varnum (1773-1815), and Julia (d.1830).

            Jacob was involved in the family iron forge at Potowomut and was a merchant as well. He was also a veteran of the American Revolution. In 1772, a sloop of his carrying rum and sugar was seized between East Greenwich and Newport. At some point prior to 1786, Jacob became the sole owner and manager of the forge. Jacob died on November 8, 1808 and he is buried at the Greene Homestead Burial Ground in Coventry. Upon his death his estate was divided evenly among his children.


Bibliography:

Clarke, Louise Brownell. The Greenes of Rhode Island with Historical Records of English Ancestry. (New York, 1903). pp. 127, 197, 199-200.

Rhode Island Cemetary Index


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Scope and content:


            This collection contains account records, a cash book, receipts, and several pages of poetry and penmanship dated 1775 to 1813.


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Provenance:


            These records are believed to have arrived as part of the "Albert C. and Richard W. Greene Collection." The actual date of the accession is not known for sure, but the collection was in hand by the late 1940s. Therefore, the date of 1948 was assigned to the collection.


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Processing note:


            This collection was originally processed by Harold Kemble circa 1985 and was reprocessed by Lori Salotto, November 1999.


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Inventory:


Box 1, folder 1: Loose accounts, 1813

Box 1, folder 2: Ledger, 1775-1778

Box 1, folder 3: Memoranda book, 1785-1802, including:

                                    Cash book, 1797-1802

                                    Draft of three letters, 1785 and undated

                                    Penmanship book, undated

                                    Thirteen pages of poetry, undated

Box 1, folder 4: Obituary notice,1810



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Subjects:


Coventry, Rhode Island - Commerce

Merchants - Rhode Island - Coventry

Poetry


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RIHS1822