John Cranston

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John Cranston (1625 - 1680) was a doctor and Deputy Governor of Rhode Island in the 17th century.

He was born in Newport, Rhode Island in 1625 and, at an undetermined date early in his life, he was commissioned the captain of of the militia companies of Newport.^[1]

He was licensed "to adminster physicke an practice chirurgery" by the Rhode Island General Assembly on March 1st, 1653-4. The act futher stated "an is by this Court styled and recorded Doctor of phissick and chirrurgery, by the authority of this the General Assembly of this Colony."

On May 1st, 1672 Cranston was sworn in as Deputy Governor of Rhode Island.

During King Philip's War he was appointed major in command of all the militia companies of Rhode Island. He continued to hold the office of Deputy Governor during this time.

On November 1st, 1678 Governor William Coddington died which caused the duties of the office to fall upon Deputy Governor Cranston. At a special session of the General Assembly held between 8 and 15 November 1678 Cranston was formally elected Governor with James Baker of Newport being elected Deputy Governor.

Cranston died in office on March 12th, 1680.^[2]

John Cranston was the father of Samuel Cranston (1659 - 1727) who served as governor from 1798 unitl his death in 1727.

Both Cranstons are buried together in the Common Burial Ground in Newport, Rhode Island. John Cranston's inscription reads "Here lyeth interred the body of Major John Cranston esq. Governor who deceased this life the 12 day of March in the 55th yeare of his age, 1680".

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