The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-11-30
MEMOIR OF RHODE-iSLAND.
I14O.

MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
l740.
The General Assembly met at New
port May 9th, lat the house of Thomas Pot
ter, the old Colony house having been sold,
aod the new one about to be commenced.) }
On the 9Th of May were chosen,
JOHN WANTON, Governor.
RICHARD WARD, Dep. Gov.
assistants.
Benjamin Ellery. Peter Bours,
Ezekiel Warner, Richard Fenner,
Gideon Cornell, Phillip Arnold,
John Wickes, Jeremiah Gould,
Rouse Helme, John Dexter,
James Martin, Secretary.
James HOneymdn Jr. Attorney Gen'l.
Gideon Want0n Gcn'rl. Treasurer.
The Deputies from Newport were, Geo.
Goulding, VIM. Ellery, Nicholas Easton,
John Cranston, Joseph Whipple and Ez-
bon Sanford.
Governor John Wanton died the 9Th day
of July l74O, and the Assembly appointed
Richard Ward Gov. and William Greene
Deputy Gov. for the remainder of the polit-
ical year.
The town of West Greenwich was incor-
porated April I74I.
Death of Cor. John UGnton.
The early history of John Wanton is so
connected with bis brother William, the
preceding Governor, as TO leave but little to
add to that part of his life he was with his
brother William in all the naval expeditions
against pirates &c. The precise time that
he came from Sciuate to Newport is not
known, bat must have been previous to
1897, as his first child tgns born in Newport
IN that year. His wif;'s name wasHa-
~, and tradition says her maiden name
was Stafford, but whether he married her
here, or before he came, we do not know.
He had eight children, but the family here
is now extinct excepting a few in the fe-
male line. He was useful man in public
affairs, and filled number of stations in
and under the Government, before he was
elected Governor. After the death # his
brother William, when the Colony was ag-
jtated by violent party strife, principally re-
specting the issue of paper money, he was
induced by his friends to stand, as a candi-
dale for Governor, with the hope of allay-
ing party rage, by adopting middle course,
which might be in a degree acceptable to
both parties. His personal qualifications,
his former bravery, his great wealth, his
correct habits and extensive benevolencc,
rendered him the most suitable person to
heal the political discord of the state, in
which it's said he in measure succeeded.
In one of the years Of his administration
he was appointed, together with the Gov.
of Massachusetts and that of Connecticut,
20 decide great cause between the Colony
of Connecticut and the Indians wl,hin that
Colony, as to the title Of their lands. At
this trial a question vas raised, whether the
Sachems should be permitted to speak in
their own cause: council contended that they
should not, and two of the board inclined
10 that opinion, when Gov. Wanton remark
ed, that as they had already agreed to ad-
init the testimony of some Of the natives, 1t
would be but proper that their chief should
be allowed to speak. al have (said he)
been accounted man of courage in my
day, but think shall turn coward and
flee, if you bring in body without head
This sally carried the point.
Not long after his removal to Rhode-Is-
land he became religious and united him
self to the Friends Society, and about the
year l1iO became a preacher of eminence
for great number of years, until his death.
His attachment to children was very re-
markablc.
Ills house, where he lived, was opposite
the one owned and occupied by his brother
William, and is now in the occupancy OF
William Melville and James Eiorswell, a
small portion of which is still owned by a
surviving granddaughter.
He was a successful and wealthy meT-
chan, of hi. day remarkable foi hospl'ali-
" aud beneyolence.
lie was taken suddenly i'll Of Cholera
Morbus in July l740, and on the 9th o
tha, month quietly departed this life ageC
&c years. His remains were carried to Tie,
Friends Westinghouse, and after meetlnl
Ncr, inferred ~ the Coddingtou bury'ni