USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > Governors for three hundred years, 1638-1959; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations > Part 14
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NOTE :- THIS HOUSE WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE IN 1910
HENRY BULL HOUSE BUILT 1639-40, NEWPORT, R. I.
CODDINGTON CEMETERY, FAREWELL STREET, NEWPORT
WHO SEFTILO THE TOWN
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
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the citizens, and at the third of these meetings officers for the trainbands were chosen, Randal Holden and Henry Bull being elected corporals. A few months after he was chosen sergeant, "to execute orders of the Court, to serve warrants, and to keep the prison, with similar power to demand aid from any persons in the discharge of his office." We find his name among the seven "elders" who, under date of April 28, 1639, agreed "to propagate a Plantation in the midst of the island, or elsewhere, etc." The "Planta- tion" referred to was Newport, whither the colony proceeded, taking with them the rec- ords of the Aquidneck settlement down to this date. Henceforth Henry Bull is identified with the fortunes of the colony at Newport.
Without dwelling particularly upon the events of his life for a number of years, it may suffice to say that Governor Coddington having declined his re-election in 1685 as chief magistrate, Henry Bull was chosen to fill the office.
It was about this time that Edward Randolph was plotting in England against the liberties of the colonies, and urged the revoking of the charters of Connecticut and Rhode Island. He was sent to New England in the summer of 1685 to carry into execu- tion his plans. Fortunately for Governor Bull, his term of office expired at the expiration of the year 1685-86, and he escaped the annoyances which fell to the lot of his successor.
The appointment of Sir Edmund Andros as Governor General of the New England Colonies, and the arbitrary measures to which he resorted, are familiar to readers of American history. Rhode Island did not escape the tyranny of Andros. Party politics ran high in 1689, Royalists and Republicans dividing the colony. There had for some time been a confused state of things. For nearly four years the Assembly had held no session. At length, February 26, 1689-90, it convened. Governor Walter Clarke, who was absent, was sent for, came, but declined to act, and resigned his office. Christopher Almy was chosen to take his place. He also declined. It was then, as Bancroft tells us, that "all eyes turned to one of the old Antinomian exiles, the more than octogenarian, Henry Bull." and he was elected. He served one year, and then, on account of his great age, re- fused a re-election. His death took place in 1693. Governor Bull was thrice married, his first wife, Elizabeth, was the mother of several children. She died December 8, 1648. Sec- ondly in 1666 to Esther, daughter of Ralph Allen, who died in 1676; thirdly to Ann (Clay- ton) , widow of Governor Nicholas Easton, who died January 30th, 1708.
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KING CEMETERY
JOHNSTON, RHODE ISLAND
HARTFORD AVE. ABOUT 14 MILE WEST OF PROVIDENCE CITY LINE
GOVERNOR SAMUEL WARD KING IS BURIED HERE See Pages 218-219
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
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JOHN EASTON
Governor: May 1690 to May 1695.
Born: Circa 1617 in Wales, Great Britain.
Died: December 12, 1705 in Newport, Rhode Island.
Buried: Newport, R. I. Coddington Cemetery.
EASTON, GOVERNOR JOHN, son of Gov. Nicholas Easton, was born in 1617, in Wales, and came to this country with his father in 1634, and shared with him in his fortunes from the time of his arrival to that of his settlement in Newport. That he was well educated for the times in which he lived appears from the fact that he was chosen Attorney-General of the united governments of Portsmouth and Newport from May 17, 1653, to September 12, 1654, also from May 20, 1656 to May 19, 1657, and from May 22, 1660, to May 22, 1663. Under the royal charter he held the same office from May 4, 1664, to May 4, 1670, and for the years 1672, '73, '74. He was Deputy Governor from May, 1674, to April, 1676. In 1690, Governor Henry Bull declining a re-election on account of the infirmities of age, Mr. Easton was chosen his successor. It was an important period in the history of Rhode Island. At the time when he entered upon the duties of his office "the first grand period of Rhode Island history," says Governor Arnold, "the formation period, was ended. The era of domestic strife and outward conflict for existence, of change and interruption, of doubt and gloom, anxiety and dis- tress had almost passed. The problem of self-government was solved, and a new era of independent action commenced."
Governor Easton was in office five years,-1690-95,-and well and faithfully did he discharge the duties assigned to him, all his services, as those of the deputy governor and assistants, being performed gratuitously, only they were excepted from paying any colony tax.
One memorable event took place during his administration,-the attack of Cap- tain Thomas Paine on five French sail near Block Island in July, 1690, in which the French were beaten. "The brilliant exploit of Paine at once inspired the people of this colony with a naval spirit. It was the first victory of Rhode Island in the open ocean, and the worthy harbinger of many daring deeds." Governor Easton lived some ten years after his term of service had expired, and died December 12, 1705. One important pro- duction of his pen has within a few years been republished, his "Narrative of King Philip's War," Albany, 1858.
Governor Easton was twice married: first on January 4, 1660, to Mehitable Gant, who was the mother of five children. She died November 11, 1673, and he married Alice, whose surname is unknown, but whose death occurred December 12, 1689.
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GOVERNOR JOHN EASTON
CODDINGTON CEMETERY, FAREWELL STREET NEWPORT. R. I.
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CALEB CARR
Governor: May, 1695-December 17, 1695.
Born: 1623 in Great Britain.
Died: December 17, 1695 in Jamestown, R. I.
Buried: Jamestown, R. I. Family Lot.
CARR, GOVERNOR CALEB, was born in 1623 in Great Britain and was among the early settlers of Rhode Island. He was a Friend by religious profession. As an evidence of the confidence which his fellow-citizens reposed in his integrity, we find that he was chosen Treasurer of the colony, and held the office from May 21, 1661, to May 22, 1662. We find also his name associated with the names of three other persons who were sent by the Council at Newport to Wickford to sit in judgment on certain matters in dispute between Connecticut and Rhode Island.
In a list of persons who secured the services of certain Indians who were taken captive in King Philip's War we notice the name of Caleb Carr. The terms on which these captive Indians were disposed of were, "all under five years to serve till thirty; above five and under ten, till twenty-eight; above ten to fifteen, till twenty-seven; above fifteen to twenty, till twenty-six; from twenty to thirty shall serve eight years; all above thirty, seven years." Mr. Carr took one of these Indians,-what was his age is not stated, -for which he paid to the town of Providence twelve bushels of Indian corn.
In 1678 he was chosen Third Assistant under Governor John Cranston, and in May, 1695, he was elected Governor to succeed Governor John Easton, who had been in office for the five preceding years. Up to this period for most of the time public service had been rendered gratuitously by civil officers. It was now enacted that the Governor should have ten pounds a year, the Deputy Governor six pounds, and the Assistants four pounds each. Governor Carr did not live long enough to reap much reward for the dis- charge of his duties as chief magistrate. He died in Newport, December 17, 1695, being the fourth governor who died while in office. He was buried in a small family burying- ground on the north side of Mill Street, between Thames and Spring Streets, Newport and about the year 1900 his remains were removed to a new family lot on the East Main Road, Jamestown, R. I.
Governor Carr established a ferry between Newport and Jamestown about 1675. This was controlled by his descendants for over one hundred and fifty years, and still in operation. He was thrice married; first. to Ann Easton, secondly to Mercy Vaughn who died in 1675, and thirdly to Sarah (Clarke) Paine. She was born in 1651 and died in 1706, and was the daughter of Governor Jeremy Clarke, and the widow of John Paine. Governor Carr was the father of eleven children.
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GOVERNOR CALEB CARR
EAST MAIN ROAD, JAMESTOWN, ABOUT 1,000 FEET SOUTH OF FERRY ROAD
Moved from Original Family Lot on Mill St .. Newport, R. I., about 1900.
Stone Slab Covering the Grave of Governor Caleb Carr
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SAMUEL CRANSTON
Governor: March 1698 to April 26, 1727.
Born: August 1659 in Newport, R. I.
Died: April 26, 1727 in Newport, R. I.
Buried: Newport, R. I .. Common Ground Cemetery.
CRANSTON, GOVERNOR SAMUEL, son of Governor John Cranston, was born in Newport in 1659. He was Governor of Rhode Island for twenty-nine consecutive years, from 1698 to 1727. His father was a physician and surgeon, and served as Attorney- General of the Colony from 1654 to 1656; was Deputy Governor in 1672, 1676, and 1677, and Governor from November, 1678, to March 12, 1680, when he died. He was the nephew of Governor Walter Clarke, whom he succeeded in office. The Quaker re- gime went out with Governor Clarke, and that of "the world" came in with Samuel Cranston.
His life was romantic, almost from the beginning to the close. He married Mary Hart, a granddaughter of Roger Williams. Soon after his marriage he went to sea, and was not heard of for many years. He had been captured by pirates, and was unable to communicate with his family, who, after a long time, concluded that he was dead. It is related by Bull, in his Memoirs of Rhode Island, that "his wife having an offer of mar- riage," from Mr. Russell, of Boston, "accepted it, and was on the eve of solemnizing the marriage ceremony. But Cranston, having arrived in Boston, hastened homeward, and at Howland's Ferry. just before night, was informed that his wife was to be married that evening. With increased speed he flew to Newport, but not until the wedding guests had begun to assemble. She was called by a servant into the kitchen, a person being there who wished to speak with her. A man in a sailor's habit advanced and in- formed her that her husband had arrived in Boston, and requested him to inform her that he was on his way to Newport. This information induced her to question the man very closely. He then told her that what he had said was the truth, for he had seen her husband at Howland's Ferry that very afternoon, and that he was on his way to Newport. Then, stepping toward her. he raised his cap and pointed to a scar on his head, and said, 'Do you recollect that scar' from which she at once recognized her hus- band as in her presence. He then entertained the wedding guests with the story of his adventures and sufferings." It is said that Mr. Russell took this very unexpected turn of events in good part, and relinquished his expected bride to her lawful husband with a good grace.
In giving an account of his elevation to the gubernatorial chair, Governor Arnold, in his History of Rhode Island, says: "The administration of Governor Cranston is re- markable for many reasons. He held his position, probably, longer than any other man who has ever been subjected to the test of an annual popular election. His great firm- ness in seasons of unexampled trial, that occurred in the early part of his public life, is, perhaps, the key to his wonderful popularity."
He died in office, April 26. 1727. aged sixty-eight years. "The death of Governor Samuel Cranston," says Arnold, "was no ordinary event in the history of the colony. In
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GOVERNOR SAMUEL CRANSTON
Cranston Ciest
Here lieth the body of SAMUEL CRANSTON, Esq., Late Governor of this Colony, Aged 68 Years; and Departed this life, Aprul ye 26, A. D. 1727 He was son of JOHN CRANSTON, Esq., who also was Governor here, 1680; He was descended from the noble Scottish LORD CRANSTON And carried in his veins a stream of the Ancient Earls of CRAWFORD, BOTHWELL & TRAQUAIR'S. Having had for his Grandfather JAMES CRANSTON, Clerk. Chaplain to King Charles the First. His Great-Grandfather was JOHN CRANSTON, of Bool, Esq., This last was Son of JAMES CRANSTON, Esq. Which James was Son to WILLIAM, LORD CRANSTON
Rest Happy now, brave patriot, without end, Thy country's father, and thy country's friend.
on the head of the tombstone is emblazoned a rich coat-of-arms, with the motto- Dum Curo Vigilo
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the strength of his intellect, the courage and firmness of his administration, and the skill with which he conducted public affairs in every crisis, he resembles the early race of Rhode Islanders. Thirty times successively chosen to the highest office, he preserved his popularity amidst political convulsions that had swept away every other official in the colony. He was the connecting link between two centuries of its history, and seemed, as it were, the bridge over which it passed in safety, from the long struggle for existence with the royal governors of Massachusetts to the peaceful possession of its chartered rights under the House of Hanover.
He was buried at Newport, and his tomb bears the following inscription: "Here lieth the Body of Samuel Cranston, Esqr., late Governor of this Colony, Aged 68 years, and departed this Life, April 26, A. D. 1727. He was son of John Cranston, Esqr., who also was Governor here, 1680. He was descended from the noble Scottish Lord Cran- ston, and carried in his veins a stream of the ancient Earls of Crawford, Bothwell and Traquair; having for his grandfather James Cranston, clerk, chaplain to King Charles the First. His great grandfather was John Cranston, Esqr., of Bool. This last was son to James Cranston, Esqr., which James was son of William Lord Cranston." James Crans- ton, Esqr., married Lady Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of Francis, seventh Earl of Both- well, who was nephew of Mary, Queen of Scots.
Others of this distinguished family have also been in public office. John Cranston, Jr., was Speaker of the House in 1716; Thomas Cranston in 1748, and again from May, 1760, to May 1762; Henry Y. Cranston in 1835, from 1839 to 1841, and again in 1854. He was also a member of Congress from 1843 to 1847. The city of Cranston, Rhode Island, takes its name from this family.
As previously stated, Governor Cranston married (1) Mary, daughter of Thomas and Freeborn (Williams) Hart (a daughter of Roger Williams) born in Newport in 1663, where she died, September 17, 1710. He then married (2) Judith (Parrot), wid- ow of Caleb Cranston. All of his children, five sons and two daughters, were by his first marriage.
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JOSEPH JENCKS
Governor: May 1727 to May 1732.
Born: 1656 in Pawtucket, R. I., formerly Providence, R. I.
Died: June 15, 1740 in Providence, R. I.
Buried: Pawtucket, R. I. Mineral Spring Cemetery.
JENCKS, GOVERNOR JOSEPH, son of Joseph Jencks, was born in Providence, R. I., in 1656. His grandfather of the same name is supposed to have come from England with the emigrants led by Governor Winthrop, who reached Boston in June, 1630, and set- tled in Lynn, Mass. In his history of Lynn Mr. Lewis thus alludes to him: "Joseph Jencks deserves to be held in perpetual remembrance in American history as being the first founder who worked in brass and iron on the Western Continent. By his hands the first models were made, and the first castings taken of many domestic implements and iron tools." The following order, expressed in the quaint language of the times, was passed May 6, 1646, by the General Court of Massachusetts: "In answer to the peti- con of Joseph Jencks, for liberty to make experience of his abilityes and inventions for ye making of Engines for mills to go with water, for ye more speedy despatch of work than formerly, and mills for ye making of Sithes and other Edged tools, with a new in- vented Sawe-Mill, that they may be afforded cheaper than formerly, and that for fourteen yeeres without disturbance by any others setting up the like inventions . .. This peti- con is granted." Several years later he obtained a patent for a scythe, which substan- tially was similar to the scythes of modern times.
The exact date when the father of the subject of this sketch came to Pawtucket is not known, but is supposed to be 1655. He was drawn to Rhode Island to avail himself of what were in those times the thick forests on the shores of the Blackstone River, from which charcoal could be obtained to be used in his blacksmith business, and also to use the fine water-power of the place for the mills his father had been devising. We find but scanty information concerning the experience of the father of the future Governor, his son.
Goodrich, in his historical sketch of Pawtucket, says: "It is known that Mr. Jencks, or Jenks, as he writes the name, soon erected a forge; perhaps he quickly found out that bog iron existed near what has long been styled Mineral Springs, for before the Revo- lution a forge- stood near the Moshassuck, where the ore was converted into blooms." A ready market was found for all the manufactured articles which were offered for sale.
For twenty years things moved on peacefully and prosperously, and then came King Philip's War, of which mention is so frequently made in this work. The battle which is known in history as "Pierce's Fight," so called because Captain Pierce, of Scituate, Massachusetts, had command of the English force, was fought Sunday, March 26, 1675, on the river between Pawtucket and Valley Falls, not far, it is supposed, from the place where the Providence and Boston Railroad crosses the river. Out of the eighty-three men who went into this fight, fifty-five English and ten friendly Indians were killed. So alarmed were the people of Pawtucket that the place was vacated. the forge of Jencks
GOVERNORS OF RHODE ISLAND
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was burned, and, without doubt, the larger part of the humble cottages of the inhabi- tants shared the same fate. After the war was ended Mr. Jencks, with his family, re- turned to his former home, he rebuilt his forge, the people came back and again erected their cabins, and the old prosperity returned to Pawtucket.
Amid such scenes as these the younger Jencks was trained. Several children were in his father's family, four sons and three daughters. Both his father and three brothers acquired distinction in the colony. The former bore the title of Assistant, answering to Lieutenant Governor or Senator. Of the latter, Nathaniel became a major, Ebenezer a minister, and William a judge. Like his father, the subject of this sketch comes into the foreground when he reaches the age of manhood as a man prominent in civil affairs. He was appointed as early as 1705 as commissioner to aid in the settlement of the per- plexing question of what should be considered as the boundary line between Rhode Is- land and Massachusetts. Again and again is he re-appointed to assist in running the line. In 1715 he was elected Deputy Governor, and held the office until May, 1721. While in office he was sent to England in 1720 to bring the boundary disputes between Rhode Island as the one party, and Connecticut and Massachusetts as the other, directly to the notice of the king. On his return to his home he was re-elected Deputy Governor in 1722. and was in office until 1727. when Governor Cranston, who had been Governor twenty-nine years, dying. Mr. Jencks was chosen as his successor, and held the office for the next five years, residing for the larger part of the time in Newport, at the request of the General Assembly.
An amusing tradition is preserved concerning Governor Jencks to the effect that when he was elected. feeling a desire to maintain the dignity of the station, and to wear a garb like that of the other colonial governors he sent an order to England for a cloak. From some blunder, however, on the part of his correspondent, the order was made to read for a clock instead of a cloak. and a clock was sent. The clock remained in the possession of his descendants for more than a century, and, so far as we know, is still in existence, although it had passed out of the family.
Governor Jencks died a few years after he ceased to be the chief magistrate of the State. the event taking place June 15, 1740. He is said to have been the tallest man of his time in Rhode Island, standing seven feet and two inches without his shoes. His body was exhumed June 2, 1831, and the skeleton was found entire. Eighteen inches was the measure of his thigh-bones. The inscription on his tombstone was as follows: "In memory of Hon. Joseph Jencks. Esq., late Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island, deceased the 15th day of June, A. D. 1740, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He was much Honoured and Beloved in Life and Lamented in Death. He was a bright Exam- ple of Virtue in every Stage of life. He was a zealous Christian, a Wise and Prudent Governor, a Kind Husband and a Tender Father, a good Neighbor and a Faithful Friend, Grave, Sober, Pleasant in Behaviour, Beautiful in Person, with a soul truly Great, Heroic and Sweetly Tempered."
The wife of Governor Jencks was Martha, daughter of John Brown, eldest son of Rev. Chad Brown. It would be impossible to mention the names of even the families of those that have sprung from the early founder of Pawtucket. The descendants of Jo- seph Jencks, the father of the Governor, amounted to about ten thousand. In early times
THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
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a branch of the family was prominent in building up Central Falls, Daniel, a son of Ebenezer, the brother of the Governor, became a wealthy merchant of Providence. For forty-eight years he was a member of the First Baptist Church. being of the same de- nomination with his uncle Joseph. For forty years he was a member of the General Assembly, and for nearly thirty years Chief Justice of the Providence County Court. Nicholas Brown, father of Hon. Nicholas Brown, married his daughter Rhoda, May 2. 1762. There have been other distinguished persons who bear the honored name of Jencks, and the posterity of the Governor is represented still in Pawtucket and its neigh- borhood.
BRONZE PLAQUE ON NEW GRANITE MONUMENT
JOSEPH JENKS PAWTUCKET PIONEERS
JOSEPH JERKS
JOSEPH JERKS
GOVERNOR JOSEPH JENCKS
GOVERROE
JOSEPH JERCKS
Granite monument given by the people of Pawtucket under the direction of Mayor Lawrence Mc- Carthy, May 30, 1955.
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Erol lave Governor of y Colon y. of Rhode Mand Deceated y'ir: Day of Juu MA . D.
1740. 84" Year of his Ade He was much Hongo, to Beloved in life&: "LaA) inented in Death: He was a bright Example of Vertue in every + he of Lifeale was a" Zealous Chriftim, ale & Pitident Gover hour, a lind Htifs. Fander Father, a
good Neighbo bfull Friend ; Grave, Sobert le tout in _ haviour, Beau ith aSoul truely Sweetly Tempered
GOVERNOR JOSEPH JENCKS' GRAVESTONE, 1740 Now located in the basement of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, Rhode Island.
See story of gravestone found during excavation. Page 159
158
THREE HUNDRED YEARS OF
GOVERNOR JOSEPH JENCKS
Original Painting by I. Smibert, 1729. This is from a photograph at the Rhode Island Historical Society Providence, Rhode Island
JOSEPH JENCKS' HEADSTONE FOUND
(Taken from clipping from the Providence, R. I., Daily Journal. Telegram. June 13, 1925.)
Will afford Appropriate Memorial for the City of Pawtucket
The finding Saturday in the rear of 84 North Main Street, Pawtucket, of the head- stone which marked the resting place of former Governor Joseph Jencks will provide an appropriate memorial for the city of Pawtucket which has for years been consider- ing suggestions for the erection of a monument in honor of Governor Jencks and his father, Joseph Jencks.
The stone, a slatestone slab, with a chiselled inscription, was discovered by William J. Burrows, a Pawtucket expressman, on the property of Joseph Percelay, after it had been dug up by Pierre Begin and Manuel Bernard who were working on the premises preparatory to the construction of a garage.
It has been suggested that the relic be turned over to the Old Slater Mill Associa- tion temporarily, and later it be placed in some public spot in Pawtucket.
See Page #157 showing Jencks' family lot at Mineral Spring Avenue Cemetery.
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Gazette and Chronicle.
FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 1894.
THE FIRST BURYING GROUND.
Interesting Recollections of the Spot Where " The Rude Forefathers of the Hamlet" were Buried.
HIGH STREET
1
2
3
5
B
READ STREET
8
9
12
B
10
NORTH MAIN STREET.
1. Frost or Lowden house. The large house second north of City Hall. Occupied in 1829 and later by the late Thomas LeFavour.
2. Phinney house. Occupied in 1829 and for forty years thereafter, by Zenas Phinney, father of the writer of this sketch. It was a small cottage and was torn down six or seven years ago, - 3. "Old Mill House." Owned In 1829 by Amy Ann Brown, and occupied at that time and later by four familles : William Adams (father of Charles P. Adams), Ichabod Jenks (father of Phe- nuel Van Leason, Otis, et al), William Clegg and James Graham (father of Samuel and George).
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