I've heard that some dispute the fact that Benjamin Cole, the Revolutionary War veteran of Adams, and ancestor of Hiram & Melvil Dewey, was from Rhode Island and not a descendant of Hugh Cole from the Swansea, Bristol Co., Massachusetts family. I would like to offer evidence that Benjamin Cole was a son of Benjamin Cole Sr. & Squcie "Excuse" Fones of North Kingstown, Washington Co., Rhode Island -- not of the Swansea family. In 1794, Benjamin Jr. moved with his wife Martha and family from North Kingstown, Rhode Island to Hebron, Washington Co., New York. In 1803 was recorded the sale by Benjamin and Martha of their land in Rhode Island to their brother-in-law, Stephen Northrup and his son-in-law, Samuel Northrup. According to Kingstown Land Evidence, 1668-1718, where the land transaction is noted, "said Benjamin, Jr. was the son of Benjamin and Squse Cole." This statement is corroborated by the fact that Benjamin Jr.'s half sister, Squcie Smith (named after their mother), is buried near him in Grimes Hill Cemetery, Hebron, Washington Co., New York. The ancestry of Benjamin Cole Sr. & Squcie Fones is readily available in Rhode Island vital records and does not include Hugh Cole of Swansea. Please visit my website for further details: http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~legends/welcome.html Hope this clears questions up, Mark A. Wentling