Samuel Ward King (1786-1851) - Find a Grave Memorial

Rhode Island Governor. He was the 15th Governor of Rhode Island from 1839 to 1843. He attended Brown University but failed to graduate. After studying medicine, he practiced as a doctor in his hometown. During the war of 1812, he served as assistant surgeon aboard several ships including the USS Providence and the USS Chesapeake. He was taken prisoner when the British captured the USS Providence, but was paroled. While serving on the USS Chesapeake, he attended to a mortally wounded Captain James Lawrence who reportedly uttered, "Don't give up the ship." On May 20, 1818 he married Catherine Latham Angell, and they would have 14 children. He was town clerk for Johnston from 1820 to 1843. He served as assistant to Governor Sprague from 1838 to 1839. In 1839, when all of the candidates for governor or lieutenant governor failed to gain a 50% majority, King became the acting governor. He was however, duly elected in 1840, 1841 and 1842, serving as the last Governor of Rhode Island under the Royal Charter. He was the legitimate governor, as recognized by President Tyler, when Thomas Wilson Dorr led an uprising by military means. The Dorr Rebellion failed in its attempt to gain suffrage for more than just the propertied class. In 1843 a new charter was enacted, which gave the Dorrites most of what they were requesting. Governor King's wife died on May 4, 1841 giving birth to their 14th and last child, who died that day as well.

Bio by: Matthew Fatale