One Rhode Island Family

Arnold’s Rhode Island Vital Records through 1850

Vital Record of Rhode Island, 1636-1850, First Series: Births, Marriages and Deaths is a series of 21 volumes compiled by James N. Arnold.  These books were published prior to 1923 and are no longer under copyright.  Arnold occupied himself for years going from town hall to town hall, and library to library, seeking out record books, church manuscripts, newspapers and other government documents, and either copying them out himself, or waiting while a clerk copied them. They were typset into 21 volumes, plus an extra volume for Rehoboth, Massachusetts, which originally contained portions of what is now Rhode Island.

I have recently revised and clarified the list of contents of those volumes, and the links to all volumes online (they are free pdf’s online) and that list lives on a page listed under the “Free Rhode Island Resources” tab at the top of this page, and is repeated here.

Some of the copies are poor quality, however, they may be better than nothing if you are far from a library that holds these.  I own a couple of these on paper so if you get stuck with an unreadable page, or, if you find another copy online that is clearer, please leave a comment. The links, below, will download the books from the sites that are hosting them.  Google Books require a “captcha” first.

Tips for using “Arnold”

• For volumes 1 – 6, pagination begins with each town SECTION, so for a citation, you need to cite the volume AND section, plus page; for the later volumes, volume and page are enough.
• For marriages, the bulk of the information is given under the male name, so when a female name is located, check the male name as well.
• Many vital events in Rhode Island were NEVER recorded by the town before 1851; it’s not that the records are lost, but that the families did not have the event recorded.  In Arnold’s own words:

The compiler believes that not more than a quarter of what should have been placed on the Records has been placed there from the year 1790 to 1850. Before that time probably more than half of the matter was recorded.  Vital Record of Rhode Island, vol. 1, v.

This is why, after recording town records in volumes 1 – 6, Arnold produced another 15 volumes of vital events gleaned from church, military, and newspaper pages.  Remarkably, he utilized the local repositories to review each issue of the original newspapers, sometimes eventually missing a few issues, which were not preserved, but in a remarkable number of cases, he found all early issues.

• Remember, ultimately, Arnold created not vital records but an INDEX to vital records; use these volumes to seek the original record book (or images of the original pages).

Here are the volumes linked from where they can be downloaded. IF you have the Firefox browser, the pdf may try to preview within the browser – something that is slow and faulty for a large book.  To change that setting and open all pdf’s in Adobe Acrobat Reader, go to TOOLS – OPTIONS – scroll down to Portable Document Format and use the pull down to choose Acrobat Reader.

The volumes

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.1    (opens the pdf link to the FamilySearch.org download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 1 contains:

• Vol. 1, Part I.  WARWICK  Marriages (p. 1-136), Births and deaths (p. 137-218)
• Vol. 1, Part II.  EAST GREENWICH  Marriages (p. 1-93), Births and deaths (p. 94-173)
• Vol. 1, Part III.  WEST GREENWICH  Marriages (p. 1 – 59), Births and deaths (p. 60-104)
• Vol. 1, Part IV.  COVENTRY  Marriages (p. 1-60), Births and deaths (p. 61-96)

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.2    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 2 contains:

• Vol. 2, Part I.  PROVIDENCE  Marriages (p. 1 – 206) Births (p. 207-259), Deaths (p. 260-278)
• Vol. 2, Part II.  CRANSTON  Marriages (p. 5-29), Births and deaths (p. 30-36)
• Vol. 2, Part III,  JOHNSTON  Marriages (p. 5-20), Births and deaths (p. 21-30)
• Vol. 2, Part IV,  NORTH PROVIDENCE  Marriages (p. 5-45), Births and deaths (p. 46-53)

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.3    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).  I am seeking to link to a better copy of this document.

Volume 3 contains:

• Vol. 3, Part I.  GLOCESTER  Marriages (p. 5-42), Births and deaths (p. 43-68)
• Vol. 3, Part II.  BURRILVILLE  Marriages (p. 5-16), Births and deaths (p. 17-23)
• Vol. 3, Part III.  SCITUATE  Marriages (p. 5-36), Births and deaths (p. 37-52)
• Vol. 3, Part IV.  FOSTER  Marriages (p. 5-32), Births and deaths (p. 33-42)
• Vol. 3, Part V.  CUMBERLAND  Marriages (p. 5-71), Births and deaths (p. 72-135)
• Vol. 3, Part VI. SMITHFIELD  Marriages (p. 5-83), Births and deaths (p. 84-123)

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.4    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 4 contains:

• Vol. 4, Part I.  PORTSMOUTH  Marriages (p. 3-48), Births and deaths (p. 49-105)
• Vol. 4, Part II.  NEWPORT Marriages (p. 3-79), Births and deaths (p. 80-124)
• Vol. 4, Part III.  MIDDLETOWN  Marriages (p. 5-20), Births and deaths (p. 21-42)
• Vol. 4, Part IV.  NEW SHOREHAM  Marriages (p. 7-21), Births and deaths (p. 22-37)  See also corrections and additions Introduction section, p. 6
• Vol. 4, Part V.  JAMESTOWN  Marriages (p. 5-15), Births and deaths (p. 16-30)
• Vol. 4, Part VI.  LITTLE COMPTON  Intention and Marriages (p. 5-75), Births and deaths (p. 76-200)
• Vol. 4, Part VII.  TIVERTON  Intentions and Marriages (p. 5-58 [58 is mis-numbered as 68]), Births and deaths (p. 59-117)

 

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.5    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 5 contains:

• Vol. 5, Part I.  NORTH KINGSTOWN  Marriages (p. 5-52), Births and deaths (p. 53-112)
• Vol. 5, Part II.  SOUTH KINGSTOWN  Marriages (p. 5-36), Births (p. 37-60) Deaths (p. 61-63)
• Vol. 5, Part III.  EXETER  Marriages (p. 5-37), Births and deaths (p. 38-64)
• Vol. 5, Part IV.  WESTERLY  Marriages (p. 5-71), Births and deaths (p. 72-146)
• Vol. 5, Part V.  CHARLESTOWN  Marriages (p. 5-16), Births and deaths (p. 17-28)
• Vol. 5, Part VI.  RICHMOND  Marriages (p. 5-22), Births and deaths (p. 23-36)
• Vol. 5, Part VII.  HOPKINTON  Marriages (p. 5-29), Births and deaths (p. 30-54)

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.6    (opens the pdf link to the FamilySearch.org download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 6 contains:

• Vol. 6, Part I.  BRISTOL  Intention and marriages (p. 5-60), Births (p. 61-113), Deaths (p. 114-175)
• Vol. 6, Part II.  WARREN  Marriages (p. 5-42), Births (p. 43-96), Deaths(p. 97-101)
• Vol. 6, Part III.  BARRINGTON  Intentions and marriages (p. 5-19), Births and deaths (p. 20-38)

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.7    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 7 contains:

• Rhode Island Friends, p. 1
• Narragansett Friends, p. 131
• Smithfield Friends, p. 160
• Kings Towne Friends, p. 202
• Providence Friends, p. 235
• Swansey Friends p. 277
• MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS
  • Rev. Gardiner Thurston’s Marriages, p. 330
  • Elder John Gorton’s Marriages, p. 375
  • Elder Samuel Littlefield’s Marriages, p. 394
  • Rev. James Wilson’s Publishments and Marriages, p. 406
  • Rev. Stephen Gano’s Marriages, p. 476
  • Rev. Nathan B. Crocker’s Marriages, p. 514
  • Elder James A. McKensie’s Marriages, p. 525
  • Rev. Thomas Sheperd’s Marriages, p. 586
  • The United Brethren, BMD, p. 616.
  • Elder James Wilson’s Record of Deaths, p. 620
  • The Sabbattarian Church of Newport, p. 623

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.8   (opens the pdf link to the Google Books download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 8 contains:

• BARRINGTON  Congregational Church, p. 69
• BRISTOL
  • Congregational Church, p. 239
  • Dr. Shepard’s record of deaths, 1834-1857, p. 481
  • First Baptist Church, p. 515
  • Rev. Henry Wight’s Records, p. 270
  • St Michaels Church (Episcopal), p. 145
  • State Street Methodist Church, p. 565
• LITTLE COMPTON  United Congregational Church records, p. 1
• NEWPORT
  • Dr. Ezra Styles’ Record, p. 430
  • First Congregational Church, p. 400
  • Second Congregational Church, p. 439
• NORTH KINGSTOWN  First Baptist Church, p. 598
• SOUTH KINGSTOWN  First Baptist Church, p. 616
• TIVERTON
  • Congregational Church, p. 49
  • Free Baptist Church, p. 495
• WAKEFIELD Church of the Ascension, p. 577
• WARREN
  • First Baptist Church, p. 531
  • St Marks Church (Episcopal), p. 95
  • Methodist Church, p. 559

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.9   (opens the pdf link to the Google Books download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 9 contains:

• SEEKONK
  • Marriages and Intentions, 1
  • Intentions, 147
  • Births, 189
  • Deaths,  247
• PAWTUCKET
  • Marriages and Intentions, 297
  • Births,  371
  • Deaths, 421
• Newman Congregational Church
  • Membership, 459
  • Baptisms, 491
  • Marriages, 529

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.10   (opens the pdf link to Family History Books (familysearch.org) for immediate download download).

Volume 10 contains:

• BARRINGTON  First Congregational Church
  • Marriages, 1728-1740, p. 231
  • Baptisms, 1728-1740, p. 235
  • Members in Full Communion, 1728-1740 p. 241
  • Owned the Covenant, p. 243
• COVENTRY  Maple Root Baptist Church, p.  245
• CRANSTON  Marriages performed by Rev. Otis W. Potter, 1833-1852, p. 299
• EAST GREENWICH  Third Six Principle Baptist Church of East Greenwich, 291
• EAST PROVIDENCE  First Baptist Church , p. 117
• EXETER  Baptist Church, p. 399
• HOPKINTON  First Sabbatarian Church to 1785. p. 93
• NARRAGANSETT  St. Paul’s Church , 1718-1775, p. 333
• NEWPORT  Trinity Church , p. 427
  • Marriages, p. 433
  • Births and Baptisms, p. 477
  • Deaths and Burials, p. 537
• NORTH KINGSTOWN, Six Principle Baptist Church of North Kingstown
  • Elder Albro’s Covenant, p. 285
  • Elder Wightman’s Covenant, p. 287
  • Elder Pendleton’s Covenant, p. 289
  • Present Membership, p. 290
• PAWTUCKET
  • Intentions and Publishments, 1828 to 1843, p. 1
  • Marriages, 1828 to 1843, p. 43
  • Births, p. 61
  • Marriages performed by Rev. David Benedict, p. 310
• PROVIDENCE
  • First Congregational Church Marriages, p. 155, Deaths, p. 177
  • Marriages of King Church (now St. John’s) , p. 135, Burials, p. 147
  • Westminster Congregational Church, Marriages, p. 185, Deaths, p. 191
  • Congregational Church, west side of river, Marriages, p. 197, Deaths, p. 227
• RICHMOND  Marriages performed by Edward Perry-Justice of Peace, p. 305
• SMITHFIELD  Second Freewill Baptist Church, p. 297
• SOUTH KINGSTOWN
  • Narragansett Baptist Church , p. 545
  • Queen’s River Baptist Church , p. 387
• WEST GREENWICH  West Greenwich and Exeter Union Church, Baptist, p. 279
• WESTPORT
  • Record of Friend’s Marriages, 63
  • Births and Deaths, 75
• WICKFORD  First Baptist Church, p. 553

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.11    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 11 contains:

• CHARLESTOWN, First Baptist Church, Cross Mills, p. 261
• EAST GREENWICH
  • Baptist Church, p. 437
  • Methodist-Episcopal Church, p. 457
  • St. Lake’s Church, p. 517
• HOPKINTON  Rockville Seventh Day Baptist Church, p. 373
• NEWPORT  Sabbatarian Baptist Church, p. 297
• NORTH KINGSTOWN
  • Quidnessett Baptist Church, p. 419
  • Marriages performed by Joshua Babcock, Justice, p, 339
• PROVIDENCE Westminster Congregational Church, Members, p. 323
• RICHMOND
  • First General Baptist Church, p. 387
  • Second Baptist Church, p. 239
• SOUTH KINGSTOWN  Second Baptist Church, p. 265
• STONINGTON, CONN
  • Pawcatuck Congregational Church, p. 347
  • Pawcatuck Sabbatarian Baptist Church, p. 273
• WESTERLY
  • Christ Church, Marriages, p. 1, Births and Baptisms, p. 51, Confirmations, p. 89, Communicants, p. 109, Deaths and Burials, p. 129
  • First Baptist Church, Members, p. 205
  • First Christian Church, p. 309
  • Grace Church, Marriages, p. 145, Members, p. 179

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.12    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).  This is a faint copy, I am looking to link to a better one.

Volume 12 contains:

• Cowell’s Spirit of 76, Index to, p. 91
• NEWPORT
  • Newport Herald, 1787-1790, Deaths, p. 81
  • Newport Herald, 1787-1790, Marriages, p. 73
  • Newport Mercury, 1758-1799, Deaths, p. 37
  • Newport Mercury, 1758-1799, Marriages, p. 3
• PROVIDENCE  Providence Journal  Deaths, 1820-1829. A-R, p. 397
• Rhode Island Officers and Pensioners of the Revolution
  • Rhode Island Officers of the War of the Revolution, Killed, Died of Disease, or Pensioned. p. 301
  • Rhode Island Pensioners. List of Names on the Pension Role of 1820. p. 303
  • Rhode Island Pensioners. List of Names on the Pension Role of 1835. p. 313
  • Rhode Island Pensioners. List of Names on the Pension Role of 1840. p. 375

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.13    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 13 contains:

• PROVIDENCE Providence Journal  Deaths, 1820-1829. S-Z, p. 19
• PROVIDENCE Providence Gazette Deaths, 1762-1825. A – J, p. 101

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.14    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 14 contains:

• PROVIDENCE  Providence Gazette Deaths, 1762-1825. K-Z,  p. 21
• PROVIDENCE  Providence Gazette Marriages, 1762-1825. A-C, p. 457

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.15    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 15 contains:

• PROVIDENCE  Providence Gazette Marriages, 1762-1825. D-Z, p. 21
• PROVIDENCE  United States Chronicle Deaths, 1784-1804. p. 467

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.16    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 16 contains:

• PROVIDENCE  American Journal Deaths, 1779-1782, p. 129
• PROVIDENCE  American Journal Marriages, 1779-1782, p. 140
• PROVIDENCE  Impartial Observer Deaths, 1801-1802, p. 145
• PROVIDENCE  Impartial Observer Marriages, 1801-1802, p. 151
• PROVIDENCE  Providence Journal Deaths, 1799-1801, p. 153
• PROVIDENCE  Providence Journal  Marriages, 1799-1801, p. 179
• PROVIDENCE  Providence Journal (Semi-weekly) Marriages, 1820-1829, p. 199
• PROVIDENCE  United States Chronicle Marriages, 1784-1804, p. 17

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.17    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 17 contains:

• PROVIDENCE  Providence Phoenix, Providence Patriot and Columbian Phenix, 1802-1832. Marriages, A-R, p. 23

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.18    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 18 contains:

• PROVIDENCE  Providence Phoenix, Providence Patriot and Columbian Phenix, 1802-1832. Deaths, A-M  p. 209
• PROVIDENCE  Providence Phoenix, Providence Patriot and Columbian Phenix, 1802-1832. Marriages,  S-Z, p. 23

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.19    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 19 contains:

• PROVIDENCE  Providence Phoenix, Providence Patriot and Columbian Phenix, 1802-1832. Deaths, M-Z, p. 23
• PROVIDENCE  Rhode Island American (also R.I. American Statesman & Gazette, Microcosm American & Gazette), 1808-1834, Marriages, A-G, p. 269

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.20    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 20 contains:

• PROVIDENCE  Rhode Island American (also R.I. American Statesman & Gazette, Microcosm American & Gazette), 1808-1834, Deaths, A-B, p. 503
• PROVIDENCE  Rhode Island American (also R.I. American Statesman & Gazette, Microcosm American & Gazette), 1808-1834, Marriages,  H-Z, p. 21

Arnold Rhode Island VR v.21    (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

Volume 21 contains:

• PROVIDENCE  Rhode Island American (also R.I. American Statesman & Gazette, Microcosm American & Gazette), 1808-1834, Deaths,  C-S, p. 21

Arnold Vital Record of Rehoboth, 1642-1896 [Massachusetts] (opens the pdf link to the Internet Archive download, or, browse book online and download from this page).

The REHOBOTH volume contains:

• Marriages and Intentions, p. 3
• Intentions whose marriage was Solemnized in other towns, p. 417
• Births, p. 517
• Deaths, p. 789
• Supplement Containing the Record of 1896, p. 893
• Colonial Returns, p. 897
• (beginning p. 910) Lists of the Early Settlers, Purchasers, Freemen, Inhabitants, the Soldiers Serving in Philip’s War and the Revolution.

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