Person:Samuel Ward (42)

m. 2 Nov 1709
  1. Amey Ward1710 - 1710
  2. Thomas Ward1711 - 1760
  3. Mary Ward1713 - 1781
  4. Elizabeth Ward1715 - 1715
  5. Amey Ward1717 - 1792
  6. Isabel Ward1719 - 1808
  7. Hannah Ward1721 - 1783
  8. John Ward1723 - 1724
  9. Gov. Samuel Ward1725 - 1776
  10. Mercy Ward1727 - 1730
  11. Margaret Ward1729 - 1765
  12. Richard Ward1730/31 - 1732
  13. Henry Ward1732 - 1797
  14. Elizabeth Ward1735 - 1815
  • HGov. Samuel Ward1725 - 1776
  • WAnna Ray1728 - 1770
m. 20 Dec 1745
  1. Charles WardAbt 1747 -
  2. Hannah Ward1749 -
  3. Anna Ward1750 -
  4. Catherine Ward1752 - Bef 1783
  5. Mary Ward1754 -
  6. Samuel Ward1756 - 1832
  7. Deborah Ward1758 -
  8. Simon Ray Ward1760 -
  9. John Ward1762 -
  10. Richard Ward1765 -
  11. Elizabeth Ward1767 -
Facts and Events
Name[3] Gov. Samuel Ward
Gender Male
Birth[1] 27 May 1725 Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, United States
Marriage 20 Dec 1745 Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island, United Statesto Anna Ray
Will[2] 22 Aug 1774 Westerly, Washington, Rhode Island, United States
Death[3][4] 26 Mar 1776 Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Burial[4] Common Burying Ground, Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, United States
Probate[2] 20 Apr 1776
Reference Number? Q7412877?


the text in this section is copied from an article in Wikipedia

Samuel Ward (May 25, 1725 – March 26, 1776) was an American farmer, politician, Rhode Island Supreme Court justice, governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and delegate to the Continental Congress where he signed the Continental Association. He was the son of Rhode Island Governor Richard Ward, was well-educated, and grew up in a large Newport, Rhode Island, family. After marrying, he and his wife received property in Westerly, Rhode Island, from his father-in-law, and the couple settled there and took up farming. He entered politics as a young man and soon took sides in the hard-money vs. paper-money controversy, favoring hard money or specie. His primary rival over the money issue was Providence politician Stephen Hopkins, and the two men became bitter rivals—and the two also alternated as governors of the colony for several terms.

During this time of political activity, Ward became a founder and trustee of Brown University. The most contentious issue that he faced during his three years as governor involved the Stamp Act, which had been passed by the British Parliament just before he took office for the second time. The Stamp Act placed a tax on all official documents and newspapers, infuriating the American colonists by being done without their consent. Representatives of the colonies met to discuss the act, but when it came time for the colonial governors to take a position, Ward was the only one who stood firm against it, threatening his position but bringing him recognition as a great Patriot.

Ward's final term as governor ended in 1767, after which he retired to work on his farm in Westerly. On August 5, 1769, he was baptized at the age of 44 in the old church of Westerly as a Seventh Day Baptist becoming a member, despite having been a long time visitor.

He was called back into service in 1774 as a delegate to the Continental Congress. War was looming with England, and to this end he devoted all of his energy. After hostilities began, Ward stated, "'Heaven save my country,' is my first, my last, and almost my only prayer." He died of smallpox during a meeting of the Congress in Philadelphia, three months before the signing of the American Declaration of Independence, and was buried in a local cemetery. His remains were later re-interred in the Common Burying Ground in Newport.

This page uses content from the English Wikipedia. The original content was at Samuel Ward (American statesman). The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with WeRelate, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
Image Gallery
References
  1. Newport Births and Deaths, in Arnold, James N. Vital Record of Rhode Island, 1636–1850: First series, births, marriages and deaths. A family register for the people. (Narragansett Hist. Publ. Co., 1891)
    122.

    WARD, Samuel, of Richard and Mary, [born] May 27, 1725.

  2. 2.0 2.1 Abstracts of Westerly Wills, in Alden G. Beaman. Rhode Island Genealogical Register. (The Rhode Island Genealogical Research Institute)
    14:124-125.

    Samuel Ward of Westerly, Esquire. Will dated 22 Aug 1774, proved 20 Apr 1776, pps. 298-299.
    Son Charles Ward.
    10 youngest children: Hannah Ward, Anne Ward, Katherine Green lately married, Mary Ward, Samuel Ward, Deborah Ward, Simon Ray Ward, John Ward, Richard Ward and Elizabeth Ward (some of whom are under age 21).
    Exors: William Greene Esquire of Warwick, Benjamin Clarke of Stonington and Henry Merchant Esquire of Newport (they all declined).
    Capt. Ethan Clarke appointed Adminstrator.

    20 Apr 1776 Whereas Miss Hannah Ward now of Westerly is a person well known by this council to be deprived of her reason, council appoints Mrs. Isabel Merchant of Newport widow, but now residing in Westerly guardian of said Hannah Ward.
    Witnesses: Ethan Clarke, Christopher Clarke and Thomas Hall.

  3. 3.0 3.1 185. (Gov.) Samuel Ward, in White, Dorothy Higson, and Kay Kirlin Moore. Descendants of Roger Williams. (East Greenwich, Rhode Island: Roger Williams Family Association, c1991- (Baltimore : Gateway Press))
    Book III; pp. 96-97.

    ...born at Newport 27 May 1725; died at Philadelphia, PA 26 March 1776.

    In March 1860, his remains were removed from Philadelphia to Newport and rest at Common Burial Ground, Newport.

  4. 4.0 4.1 Samuel Ward, in Find A Grave.