Samuel Cranston (1659–1727) was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations during the first quarter of the 18th century. He held office from 1698 to 1727, being elected to office 30 times (twice in 1698), and served as governor longer than any other individual in the history of both the colony and the state of Rhode Island. The son of former Rhode Island Governor John Cranston, he was born in Newport and lived there his entire life.

His mother was Mary Clarke, the daughter of an early colonial President, Jeremiah Clarke, and through the Clarkes he descends from King Edward I of England.[1][2] The oldest of ten children, he was educated as a youth, and became a merchant as a young adult, with his trade being that of a goldsmith.[1]

Bicknell relates an interesting personal experience Cranston had as a young man. After he was married, he went to sea and was captured by pirates and not heard from for many years.[3] Thinking he was dead, his wife arranged to marry a Mr. Russell of Boston. Cranston managed to gain his freedom and made his way back to Newport, arriving the evening of his wife's wedding. He found his wife before the marriage ceremony, and the event was turned into a celebration for his return, with the groom-to-be surrendering his expected bride with good grace.

His first wife was Mary Hart, a granddaughter of Roger Williams, and his second wife, Judith (Parrott) Cranston, was the widow of his younger brother, Caleb. Cranston is buried in the Common Burying Ground in Newport, and shares a large marker with his father.

Links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Cranston_