Caleb Cranston

Notes:

Benjamin & Elizabeth moved from Newport to the part of Swansea, MA, which later became Warren, RI. All his children are believed to have been born there, and he lived the rest of his life there.

According to "Descendants of Gov. John Cranston of Rhode Island," Benjamin was married first to a Miss Thurber, but had no children by her. However, in looking at the birth date of Benjamin III and the marriage date of his father to Elizabeth Estabrook, it seems that Benjamin might have been born to the first wife.

Benjamin married Elizabeth ESTABROOK 5 Mar 1728/29. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas ESTABROOK, Jr. and Elizabeth THURBER) was born Nov 1703. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Ben Cranston is ancestor of the Cranstons of Warren and Bristol, RI, many of whom were mariners.

Benjamin — Sarah GODFREY. [Group Sheet]

Thomas married Elizabeth THURBER Abt 1702. Elizabeth (daughter of John THURBER and Mary Unknown) was born 24 Aug 1678, Swansea, MA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The following notes are excerpted from "Descendants of Gov. John Cranston of Rhode Island" by Charles Albert Dubosq and William Jones; printed in Genealogies of Rhode Island Families, Vol. I, p. 277ff:

John Cranston came to America about 1637, as stated in a letter written by his Gov. Samuel Cranston. He became an inhabitant of Aquidneck Island in 1638. In 1644, at the General Court of Elections at Newport, he was chosen to be drummer of the Portsmouth Militia. At the very same Court, his guardian and future father-in-law, Jeremy/Jeremiah Clarke, was chosen Treasurer of Newport. Not long after this time, John moved to Newport, where he lived for the rest of his life.

On 1 Mar 1663/64 John Cranston was "licensed to administer physic and practice chirugery throughout the whole colony." This was roughly equivalent to granting an MD. He was known as a "doctor of physik" and a "physition." Thoughout his life he played a prominent role in the affairs of the colony, including Attorney General, Commissioner, Deputy, Assistant, and Deputy Governor, and Governor. During King Philip's War he was appointed "Major and chief Captain of all the Colony forces . . . for the safety and defense of the Colony."

John Cranston was elected Governor of the Colony on 8 Nov 1678.

Gov. John Cranston died in Newport at age 55 while serving as Governor of the Colony of RI.

Information on John's life and his gravesite can be found at findagrave.com.

John married Mary CLARKE 3 Jun 1658, Newport, RI. Mary (daughter of Jeremy CLARKE and Frances LATHAM) was born 1641, Newport, RI; died 7 Apr 1711, Newport, RI; was buried , Common Burial Ground, Newport, RI. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

When Mary (Clarke) Cranston married John Stanton, she was the widow of Gov. John Cranston (b. 1626).

Her will identifies her as "Mary Stanton, of Newport, now wife of Capt. John Stanton of Newport, Physician." It mentions her brothers Walter and J. Clarke; and sons (surname Cranston) Caleb (dec'd.), Samuel, John, Benjamin and Henry; daughter Elizabeth (Cranston) Brown; and son Henry Stanton. Based on Henry's date of birth (1688), Mary would have been about 47 years of age when he was born. The will also mentions son-in-law John Brown, grandsons John & Robert Brown; grandson John Cranston, son of Samuel; and granddaughter Mary Cranston.

Her epitaph reads as follows: "Here lyeth interred the body of Mary Stanton alias Cranston who departed this life ye 7th day of April 1711 in ye 70th year of her age late wife of Capt John Stanton & was ye only wife of Major John Cranston & ye virtuous & worthy mother of ye family here."

John — Sarah Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Thomas — Sarah WOODCOCK. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

She may have been Sarah Woodcock.

John — Mary Unknown. [Group Sheet]