Person:Matthew Grinnell (7)

Matthew retained some connections to East Greenwich after moving to Jamestown in 1738, as Howard D. Chapin's book "Rhode Island Soldiers and Sailors in the French and Indian War (1755-1762)" showed him living in East Greenwich in 1757 where he marched on the Alarm of August 1757. Shortly after moving to Jamestown in 1738, he received the standard "warning out," as was the custom when a newcomer came to a town. The Rhode Island Civil and Military Lists showed Matthew serving as an Ensign in the Newport Militia, Jamestown Co. in May 1743. By June of 1761, Matthew was a Lieutenant in the Newport Co. Regiment, Jamestown Company. Matthew was a small landowner in Jamestown, his name appearing quite often in the Jamestown, Rhode Island Land Evidences Books, mostly mortgaging and remortgaging his property. He served as the town's Sergeant of Arms, for several years and served as constable in 1764. He also served as tax collector for several years during the 1760s. As he was in the Rhode Island Militia, it is presumed that he had loyalist leanings, "bucking the trend," so to speak. Since he also collected taxes and acted as constable for several years, he may have been a rather unpopular individual within the Jamestown community. He appeared alone in the 1770 Jamestown tax rolls, though in 1771, he and sons Henry and Jonathan appeared in the tax rolls. He appeared, alone again, in the 1783 and 1790 tax rolls. He seems to have suffered financial reversals in the 1770s, as it was reported in local newspapers that on 23 May 1774, he was declared insolvent. He was cared for in his last years by several of his children. In January 1802, Jonathan Greenold was sued by the state to force him to provide for the care of his father, Matthew. Seven months later, son Robert was paid the sum of $24.00 for the care of his father, Matthew Greenold. Apparently, Matthew was moved to Exeter, Rhode Island to be cared for by Jonathan once again, as the Jamestown Town Meeting record of 15 October 1805 noted that a committee was appointed to inquire into Matthew's treatment, noting he was living with his son in Exeter. In January, 1806, Matthew was back with Robert, where he spent the rest of his days, but not before the town council appointed Job Watson to prosecute a complaint against Jonathan (presumably something to do with the support of his father). His daughter, Betsey Andrews, cared for him from about 1800 to 1802. In 1806 he was moved to the home of his son, Robert, with the financial assistance of the Town Council.

1. ↑ East Greenwich - Births and Deaths, in Arnold, James N. Vital Record of Rhode Island, 1636–1850: First series, births, marriages and deaths. A family register for the people. (Narragansett Hist. Publ. Co., 1891)
   122.

   GRINOLD, Matthew, of Matthew and Mary, [born] Sept. 2, 1713.

2.   -23 April 1733, Matthew bought 25 acres from brother Thomas for love & goodwill. (East Greenwich Land Evidences, Book 4, page 84)
3.   Jamestown (Rhode Island) Land Evidences:
   -12 January 1738 John Wilson gave 10 acres of land for love & etc., to son-in-law Matthew Grenal and his wife Sarah. The land was bounded to the east by the sea, to the south by the land of Nicholas Carr, and west and north by land of John Wilson. (Vol. 2, pg. 348)
   -11 August 1744 Matthew Greenall 10 acres of land to the town of Jamestown by mortgage for £12, 6s. The land was bounded to the east by the sea, south by other lands owned by Matthew Greenall, north by land owned by J. Eldred, and west by land owned by John Wilson. (Vol. 3, pg. 13)
   -26 March 1751 Matthew Grinnold sold 10 acres of land for £1000 to John Wilson. The land was bounded to the north by John Eldred, east the bay of saltwater, south land owned by Nicholas Carr, and west the land of John Wilson. (Vol. 3, p.90-91).
   -9 April 1752 Matthew Grinnold bought 10 acres from Walter Spencer for £230. The land was bounded to the north by the land of John Eldred, east by the sea, south land owned by Nicholas Carr, and to the west by John Wilson. (Vol. 3, pg. 106).
   -9 April 1752 Matthew Grinnold bought 10 acres from Alice Fish for £235. The land was bounded to the north by the land of John Eldred, east by the sea, south land owned by Nicholas Carr, and to the west by John Wilson. (Vol. 3, pg. 107).
   -6 April 1756 Matthew Grinnold, tax collector, reported receipts of £620. (Vol. 5, pg. 165).
   -8 December 1756 Matthew Grinnold, tax collector, reported receipts of £970. (Vol. 5, pg. 165).
   -13 June 1763 Matthew was told to warn all the proprietors of Dutch Island to meet at the house of Oliver Hazard on 14 June 1763 for a business meeting of the proprietors. (Vol. 3, pg. 263).
   -12 March 1765 Matthew Grinnold sold 6 acres of land to John Eldred for 110 spanish silver mill dollars. The land is bounded to the east by salt water, south by Joseph Wanton's property, and to the west and north by John Eldred. (Vol. 3, pg. 286).
   -May 1769 Matthew Grinnold was tax collector and turned in £1124, 8s, 10 farthings, and £8, 13s, 3 farthings. (Vol. 3, pg. 382).
   -20 August 1773 Matthew Grinnold sold Wilson Grinnold of Providence, 6 acres of land for $300. Land is bounded to the east by the sea, the south by Joseph Wanton, and to the west and north by John Eldred. (Vol. 3, pg. 418).
4.   Jamestown Town Council Record:
   -19 April 1748 Was ordered to build a town Pound (Book 3, page 33)
   -Last Wednesday of October 1755 Matthew Grinnold, tax collector, reported receipts of £650 5s. (Vol. 5, p. 155).
   -Matthew was voted several sums of money for keeping poor people from 18 May 1756 to 18 May 1757. Also paid for services as town Sergeant. (Book 3, page 86)
   -13 April 1764 Matthew Grinold Appointed Constable (Book 3, page 112).
   -Jan 1802 Bill before the Supreme Court against Jonathan Greenold for the support of his father Matthew Greenold as the law allows (Book 4, pg 31)
   -15 Oct 1805 Committee appointed to enquire into the treatment of Matthew Grinold who was put into his son's in Exeter to live by order of the Superior Court (Book 4, pg 62).