June 12, 1743- A son, Rufus, is born to Captain Jonathan Harrington & Sarah Foster in Scituate, Providence County, Rhode Island.
Family Lore:
Rufus' second great grandfather, John Errington, drowned in 1631 in Boston Harbor shortly after the family's arrival from England.
His son, Benjamin, went to live with an uncle. (Benjamin is Rufus' great grandfather.) When he was about 15 years old, Ben embraced the Baptist faith, then under ban in Massachusetts. His uncle remonstrated with him without effect, finally punishing him severely and as a final resort tying him to a post and administering a flogging which was most unmerciful; threatening to turn him over to the authorities if he persisted in his heretical opinions. As soon thereafter as possible, he arranged his escape stealing away from his uncle's house penniless and alone with his bible, a fish line and a few other articles done up in a hankerchief and carrying a scanty supply of provisions.
He believed that the God he worshipped would care for him in some way and enable him to reach the Roger Williams settlement in safety. The trust was rewarded when, hungry, footsore and weak, he fell in with a family of Quakers, headed by William White, towards the same goal. They welcomed him, gave of their simple fare, caring for him until he became strong enough to assist them. He repaid them in labor caring for the team or when necessary to unload the wagon. He crossed the swollen streams and ravines, sometimes carrying the oldest daughter Elizabeth. The acquaintance with Elizabeth ripened into an enduring love and soon after their arrival in Providence, Rhode Island, she became his wife and in time the mother of his nine children.
In Providence, they settled on Harrington Lane, now Rochambeau Avenue. He fought in King Phillip's War and acquired considerable property, chiefly land. Possibly because of his bitterness towards his uncle, he changed his name to Herendeen and for two generations the name was spelled Herendeen, Herndern, Hearnden interchangably with Herington, Herrington, and Herrengton.
(John Errington is my tenth great grandfather. Benjamin Hearndon is my ninth great grandfather. Harrington is my first cousin 8 times removed. Our common ancestors are John Harrington & Lydia Cranston.)
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