Ruth Miller Spencer, daughter of Thomas Lyon and Sarah Hart (Bateman) Spencer, was born in East Greenwich, R. I., March 23, 1838. She was given excellent educational advantages, and in 1860 was graduated from the East Greenwich Academy, then called the Providence Conference Seminary. She subsequently taught school for several years in the grammar department of the East Greenwich schools. On June 22, 1886, she married Stephen Burlingame, who was born in the town of Coventry, R. I., in 1819, son of Stephen and Celia (Fisk) Burlingame, and descendant of several notable Rhode Island families.
Stephen Burlingame was educated in Coventry and spent the early years of his life on his father's farm in that town. On reaching manhood he managed a farm in Coventry for a period of years, but in the fifties he exchanged his property there for land in East Greenwich, whither he removed. With the exception of a few years spent in Randolph, N. Y., he was identified with East Greenwich and with public and business life in the town until his death. He became a prominent figure in politics at an early date, and was a member of the Town Council for several terms. During the administration of Governor Burnside he was chosen to represent East Greenwich in the Legislature, and during his term of office served the interests of his constituents most ably. He was eminently respected in official circles for his earnestness and unswerving honesty of purpose. Mr. Burlingame was a member of the Christian church of Coventry and a generous donor to all its efforts. His death, on November 15, 1890, was deeply mourned. Mrs. Burlingame, who survives her husband, since his death has lived a quiet life, devoting a great portion of her time to religious and philanthropic efforts. She is a member of the Nathanael Greene Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and of the Rhode Island Historical Society. Mrs. Burlingame has for many years been active in temperance movements, and since 1898 has been president of the East Greenwich Society of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She is active in Red Cross work.
