Pardon Tillinghast (1622–1718) was an early pastor of the First Baptist Church in America and a public official in Providence, Rhode Island.
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In 1625 Tillinghast was baptized in Streat Parish Church, Streat, East Sussex, England.[1] He may have been born in Seven Cliffs, near Beachy Head (now Eastbourne), Sussex, England.[2] It is believed that he served as a soldier under Oliver Cromwell and participated in the battle of Marston Moor. Tillinghast settled in Providence, Rhode Island and on November 19, 1645 was admitted a resident and allotted a share as a proprietor. He served as pastor of the First Baptist Church in Providence without remuneration from 1678 until his death in 1717. He was the author of Water-Baptism Plainly Proved by Scripture to Be a Gospel Precept (Boston, 1689). In 1700 at his own expense, Tillinghast built the first meeting-house of the First Baptist Church, the oldest Baptist congregation in America. In 1711 Tillinghast deeded the building to the church and described the church as adhering to Six Principle Baptist principles. Tillinghast worked as a merchant and served as a member of the house of deputies (representatives), and in various official posts within the town of Providence. Tillinghast died in Providence, Rhode Island, 19 January 1718. [3]
Rev. Tillinghast was married twice and he was an ancestor of most persons in the United States with his surname. A little before 1654 he married a Miss Butterworth, whose given name may have been Sarah. They had 3 children. On 16 April 1664 he married Lydia Tabor, and they had 9 children.[4]
His granddaughter Mary Tillinghast married Richard Ward, colonial governor of Rhode Island. Their son Samuel Ward was a delegate to the Continental Congress. He was an ancestor of Julia Ward Howe.
Nicholas Brown, Jr., for whom Brown University was named, was a great great grandson.
The name Pardon was Rev. Tillinghast's paternal grandmother's (Alice Pardon) maiden name.