The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-07-06
MEMOIR OF RHODE-ISLAND.
1927.
Death of Cor. Samuel Crdnston.

Death of Cor. Samuel Cranston.
Unfortunately but little has been preserv-
d of the life of Gov Cranston his high
Examples, unsulled fame and useful life,
procured him the applause and esteem of
.ll who knew him. As Governor of this
State he stood pre-eminent, and it is no
|iisparagement to others if we assign him
he rank of the ablest among the able that
have filled that station either before or since.
He was the son of John Cranston who
was Governor of r. Island in the year
1850. After sustaining various other Off
ces in this Government, he was elected
Gown. some time in the year 1907, doubt
less by the General Assembly, in the room
| of Walter Clarke, who was chosen the May
previous, and must have resigned during
that political year, when Gov. Cranston
was elected his .ucceeor in office. CThese
facts arc drawn from the Court Records,
the Records of the General Assembly for
the year 1907 being mostly missing) lie
continued in the office of Governor from
that time until his death which occurred
April 26 1927 having been elected to that
office thirty times in session.
He was called to the Chair of State in
one of the most dangerous and embarrassing
periods of the Colony history, possessing,
in an eminent degree, the talents to carry
it through the storms that assailed, and per-
ills that threatened its political exis!ance.-
lie conducted the little Bar9ue Of State
with wisdom, prudence and economy, and
left her to his successors with a government
practically settled, people happy, pros
porous and free. The people rendered a
Just tribute to the man, while living, by elec-
ting him for their chief magistrate for q
much longer period than any one before OF
since; and after his death when the rage o
party became exceedingly violent, in the
Colony, some now living, have heard th'
aged people regret that state of things, ant
compare it with the peaceful and happ,
days of the good old Gov. Cranston.
He was endowed with sound penetra
ting and discriminating mind, and mus
have been a good scholar for that day
from his hand writing and diction-muc
of which is still extant-the latter was pair
comprehensive and laconic; his hand wr
ting and signature possessed an ease plain
ness and elegance not often exceeded
the present day. He was an able an
impartial Judge, as appears by his decree
and other divisions, still to be seen on re'
ord. He possessed considerable lande
estate in various parts of the Colony vi
Narraaansett, Greenwich and PrOyidenc
as appears by his will, now before us;
farm of 100 acres in Newport lying on Il
west side Of the road leading to Middleton
and little beyond the windmills, whi'
100 acres is now possessed by VIM. Thur
ton ann others. This farm he ordered
be sold to pay legacies. His homeste
house was the one owned and occupied
the late George Gibbs on they've side
Thames-street. Within so years the
have been old people who remembered hi
sitting in the stoop under a tree before
door, smoaking his pipe. His father
John Cranstons, residence, was on the OF
er side of the street, aud stood some d
tance back-it was built of stone and "
taken down by the late Charles Feke, sol
time since the revolutionary war, but
house occupied by the last Gov. Cranstor
still standing and in good repair.
We are informed, by tradition, that
carly life, he went voyage to sea and
not heard from in some years, was supp
ed to be dead, and his wife having an Of
of marriage, accepted it, aud was on the
Of solemnizing the marriage ceremony,
Cranston having arrived in Boston hastei
homeward and at Howland's Ferry, Just
fore night, was informed that his wife
10 be married that evening. With increa
speed hefew to Newport butnot until the "
ding guests had began to assemble! She
called byc servant into the ki,chen-"aI
son being there who wished to speak =