SAMUEL CRANSTON, ESQ.

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tive; finding himself a stranger and unknown, in his own mansion, he at last raised his hat and gave her a significant look, at the same moment pointing to a scar on his forehead, and exclaiming: "Did you, Mrs. Cranston, ever see that mark before?" She at once flung herself on his bosom, and exclaimed, in transports of joy," You are my own, own dear, long lost husband !"

It required, as you may well imagine, some little time for the paroxysm to subside, and for Mr. Cranston to dress himself in a manner becoming his rank and station, before entering the drawing room, where the elegant group had assembled to witness the ceremony.

Mr. Russell, and the officiating clergyman, were already present, and nothing was wanting but the appearance of the bride. Soon, however, she entered, gracefully leaning on the arm of Mr. Cranston, whom she introduced as her long absent husband. The scene was worthy of the chisel of the artist, and produced emotions of delight in the minds of the guests.

Mr. Russell with true magnanimity, insisted that the marriage ceremony should be repeated, he giving the bride to her former husband, and endowing her with the amount which he intended to settle on her as his wife. This is a matter of fact, though assuming the appearance of romance.

Mr. Cranston was the son of the Hon. Samuel Cranston, Governor of the Colony. The Hon. Thomas Cranston, the grandson of Governor Samuel Cranston, and Abraham Redwood, married sisters.

"Three full-length portraits, of Mr. Cranston, wife, and daughter, are hanging up in my house at Kingston. They were painted by Copley, before the Revolution, which, with the carved frames, gilded, cest one thousand dollars at that period." -History of the Narragansett Church.

Newport was once rich in paintings, but time and change have scattered and dispersed them.

The residence of Governor Cranston was in the rear of the Hunter estate, in Thames-street, and was called his "Castle." Being built of stone, and cemented with shell lime, gave to it an antique appearance. He died, A. D. 1727.

The following inscription appears on his tomb-stone:

"Here lieth the body of

SAMUEL CRANSTON, Esq.,

LATE GOVERNOR OF THIS COLONY,
Aged 68 Years; and

Departed this life, April 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 viens 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 POOLE, Esq.,
This last was Son of

JOHN CRANSTON, ESQT

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-ofarms, with the motto

"DUM CURO VIGILO."

The late Rev. Walter Cranston, of the Episcopal Church, a native of Newport, was one of his descendants. The name of Cranston, is still found in Newport, and the Hon. Robert B., and H. Y. Cranston, have both been Representatives in the Congress of the United States, from Rhode Island.

THE MARINE SOCIETY.

The Marine Society was instituted in the year 1756, by the name of the Fellowship Club. It was changed to the name of the Marine Society, by an Act of the Legislature, in 1785. The funds of the Institution have accumulated to about $20,000, the

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interest of which is appropriated to the relief of widows of deceased mariners, and orphan children, and to indigent members of the Society, agreeable to

ARTICLE XII.

"1ST. This Society having been instituted for the relief of unfortunate mariners, their widows and orphan children, its funds are never, in any instance, to be diverted from that object."

Under its present arrangement, far more liberality is displayed towards the unfortunate, than formerly. This happy feature has arisen from the admission of new members, with enlarged and liberal views, and disposed to do ample justice towards applicants, without respect to self It is a noble institution, reflecting honor on the town, and should be fostered and encouraged by every mariner of Newport.

Its first Secretary was Mr. Benjamin Sayer, and its first President, Mr. Oliver Ring Warner.

MASONIC FRATERNITY.

"In the spring of 1658, Mordecai Campannall, Moses Packeckoe, Levi, and others, in all fifteen families, arrived at Newport from Holland. They brought with them the three first degrees of masonry, and worked them in the house of Campannall, and continued to do so, they and their successors, to the year 1742." -Taken from Documents now in possession of N. H. Gould, Esq.

We have noticed this institution from the fact of its having been said to be "the oldest body in the United States." It is in a flourishing condition, numbering about one hundred and fifty members.

"In the year 1768, a lottery was granted by the Assembly, to pave Thames-street; it was called the Newport Pavement Lottery.'"-From the Newport Mercury.

1774. The entries at the Custom House in Newport, for the months of June and July, were: vessels from foreign voyages, 64; coasters, 134; whalemen, 17; making an aggregate of 215 in the space of two months.

THE RHODE ISLAND GREENING.-It is stated that the first tree

of the kind, came up spontaneously, near the wall, by the brook which runs through the farm of Joseph I. Baily, Esq., in Middletown, the owner at that time being a Mr. Greene; from him the apple took its name. It is highly celebrated and much sought after.

The Gardner Pear was introduced by Mr. Lucas, a French Huguenot, who, on his arrival at Newport, hired an estate of Mr. R. Gardner, for his residence. About the time the tree began to bear, Mr. Gardner occupied his own estate, and the pear remaining, it obtained the name of the "Gardner Pear." They have nearly run out.

The Tallman Sweeting Apple, is a native of the Island, deriving its name from the family of Tallmans.

ORIGIN OF THE DECATUR FAMILY.

Stephen Decatur, who was a Captain in the United States' Navy, and father of the late distinguished Commodore Stephen Decatur, was born in Newport, April, 1752. His grandfather was a native of Genoa, who came to Rhode Island about 1746. He married, in Newport, in 1751, the widow Priscilla Hill. Her maiden name was George. The family had their residence in Broad-street, where the house is still standing. As the mother's character so sensibly affects that of her children, it may not be amiss here to say, that Mrs. Hill possessed a force of mind and energy of character which was a characteristic feature of the George family. Stephen Decatur, the elder, was born in the house which then stood where the splendid mansion of Levi H. Gale, Esq., now stands, directly fronting the Mall.

Previous to the Revolution, they removed from Newport. In the war of the Revolution, Capt. Decatur greatly distinguished himself as the commander of a private ship from Philadelphia, called the Fair American," by the capture of several British armed vessels. After the peace, he commanded a merchant vessel. At the establishment of the navy, in 1797, he was appointed to the command of the Delaware Sloop of War. He continued in her until the frigate Philadelphia was built, when the command was given him, at the request of the mer chants who had built her by subscription..

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He remained in command of the Philadelphia, until the settlement with France, when he resigned his commission and retired to his farm, a few miles from Philadelphia, where he resided until his death, which took place in March, 1808, in the 57th year of his age.

He had three sons and several daughters. His sons were, the late gallant Commodore Stephen Decatur, Lieut. James Decatur, who was killed in the Tripolitan war, and Col. John P. Decatur. Commodore Stephen Decatur was unfortunately killed in a duel with the late Commodore Barron. No eulogy from our pen is needed, to establish the high reputation which Stephen Decatur acquired in his naval career; we feel a pride of character, however, in being able to connect him with the illustrious personages whose origin has been in Newport.

1761. This year a company of commedians arrived in Newport from Williamsburgh, Virginia. They erected a temporary theatre at the upper part of the Point near Dyre's Grove, and the performances were well attended. This is said to have been the first company that ever performed in America. John Whipple, on his return from the theatre, was drowned by fall. ing from the Point Bridge.

.

SLAVER OF G. AND F. MALBORN.

Godfrey and John Malborn, had a slaver bound to Rhode Island, loaded with slaves: a pirate looking vessel hove in sight, and the captain offered to knock off the irons of the slaves, if they would consent to defend the vessel from the pirates. On their consenting, they were taken up and armed, and succeeding in driving off the enemy, they were rewarded, and afterwards taken to Pomfret, in Connecticut, on the large estate of Godfrey Malborn. Many of their descendants are still living in that neighborhood. An old hanger is now in the pos session of Thomas Brinley, Esq., one hundred years old, which was used on that occasion.

John Brown, who was an eminent merchant of Newport, died October, 1753. He married a daughter of the Rev. James Honyman. He was extensively engaged in privateering, in company with Godfrey Malborn and George Wanton.