Joseph Edmunds was a carpenter by trade. In 1710 he was admitted a freeman of East Greenwich. In 1718 he was a deputy to the General Assembly and in 1747-48, 1758-59 he was assistant.
His will was proved 15 June 1767. Executor: son, Andrew. To son Thomas all wearing apparel. To wife Elizabeth, negro named Jeremiah, a good cow, a riding beast, two feather beds, all silver spoons she brought me, and all other things she brought, with use of west end of house and chamber above with bedroom adjoining, privilege in cellar and kitchen and half of profits of homestead farm, all to her while widow. If wife refuses this provision in lieu of her dower, then executor to have all. To son Andrew, all my homestead farm. To son William, land in Coventry, wife privilege of getting firewood on premises. To son Andrew, all remaining part of estate both real and personal.
Inventory: 1,271.00 pounds, viz: 6 silver spoons, pewter, warming pan, looking glass, 5 chairs, loom, quilt wheel, bible, 1 yearling, bull, 2 cows, a horse, 3 hogs, etc.
Andrew was an "old Indian fighter" who didn't seem to spend much time at home, and the early records of Providence have quite a bit to say about him.
Andrew Edmunds, the immigrant ancestor, came of old English stock. He was born in 1639 and died in 1695. He was probably related to William Edmunds, who settled in Lynn, Massachusetts before 1635 and died in 1693 leaving sons John, Joseph, and Samuel. Also related to Walter Edmunds who settled in Concord, Massachusetts as early as 1639 and removed to Charlestown, Massachusetts and died July 13, 1667 leaving sons Joshua, Daniel, and John. The records show little concerning the early life of Andrew Edmunds. He settled in Warwick, Rhode Island and married Mary Hearnden who died in 1696, probably his second wife on October 14, 1675. During King Philip's war he was a captain of a Rhode Island company, and on August 6, 1676, the general assembly voted to "Captain Andrew Edmunds and his company one-half the produce of the Indians, thirty-five, brought in by them." These Indian captives were sold into slavery by the colonists for nine-year terms. He was granted four acres for his services in the war and granted the right to operate a ferry at what is now Red Bridge, March 3, 1679. In this year he deposed that he was aged about forty years. In 1687, nine acres of land were given him in lieu of the four previously granted, the first land given being unsuitable and poor. He was granted the sum of twenty shillings a week by Plymouth colony, December 25, 1689, for services in the late expedition against the Indians. He was allowed the balance of his pay as captain, March 3, 1690, for his good services in the late eastern wars and his wife was paid his wages later in 1690 during his absence in the service. He returned from the war and was afterward appointed by the general assembly of Rhode Island special constable for the main land. His will was dated June 22, 1695 and proved August 13 following. His wife Mary was executor and his sons, Andrew, William, and Joseph were legatees. In 1696 his widow was allowed to keep the ferry.
Andrew married Meribah Field, left her and went to north-east part of New England where he married Mary Hobbs. Meribah was granted a divorce 31 Oct 1716 on those grounds.