The sun., 1912-08-11
A RHODE ISLAND BARON.
British Title for Descendant Of =
''StGner."
From the Providence Tribune.

From the Providence Tribuue
by the grace OF his Majesty. King
George v. a native born Yankee Of dis
tingulshed Rhode Island blood has be-
come a British baron. with all the rights
and privileges pertaining TO the title ex-
cept that. being new peer. he does not
enjoy the hereditary dignity that belongs
to barons whose ancestors were kniGhted
hundreds Of years ago.
This new American barons title dates
from King Georges birthday. which he
celebrated by dispensing smiles and titles
among his loyal subjects. including this
former America citizen, whose native
name Is Francis Allston Charming.
There IL no reason. so far as known
here In Rhode Island. why in the circum-
stances ne need blush at the alien honor
that has come to him. But British title
would not have been accepted by some OF
his patriotic American ancestors, c,pe-
ciauy that William Eliery OF Rhode
Island who signed the Declaration OF
independence and who was Great-grand-
father Of the new baron on the
two william Ellery Channings.
From an early day the Channings were
true and loyal Americans and typical rep
resentatives Of New England culture. The
hrst William Ellery Charming was born
at Newport. r. l.. April 7. 1880.
HIS father. william Charming. was .
prominent lawyer Of the day. and his
mother. born Ellery. was a dauEhtsr OF
the Revolutionary patriot and slgner.
William Ellery Charming waA graduated
from Harvard in l7sS and became cele-
brated In this country and in ENGLAND as
. preacher. phiianthropist and author.
In early life he was a Congregationalist.
preaching several years In Boston. but
later he became a Unitarian. though his
49,
ism But without reference to his "doxy"
he was counted a great preacher. Other
members Of the family were Harvard men
and literary workers.
William Henry Charming. nephew Of
William Ellcry and father OF the one
who has now been knighted, was born
In Boston. May eb. 1910; graduated from
Harvard in 1929 and became famous as
preacher 'Cnitarian), author and plat
form speaker He preached for several
years, about ls39-%7. in Cincinnati and
from there returned Fast and became a
leader In movement OF Christian So
cialism. Visiting England In 1884. he
was much admired as n preacher and ac-
cepted pastorate In Liverpool and
preached there several years.
When tho civil war began his patriotic
instincts drew him to the United States
and during the war he preached In Wash
ington until the Unitarian church build
Ing was offered and employed as a mill
tary hospital. when he was chosen chap
lain OF the House. He served in that
capacity about two years when he re-
turned TO England and died there In 1884,
His daughter became the wife OF Ed
win Arnold. the poet. and his son. Fran
els Allston Charming. the new baron who
was born In Boston. was graduated from
Oxford University. Ia n lawyer and MEM
Der OF Parliament and is prominent In
social and political circles IN England
Ono Of the American Channings. Edward.
In professor OF history at Harvard and
author Of several histories. another.
Grace Ellery Channing Stctson. Ia . pop.
ular ma9asine writer and widow of Char
leo Walter 6tetson. ono of the most fam.
Gus artists that Rhode Island ever pre-.
duesA