Clifton Burying Ground
Encyclopedia
The Clifton Burying Ground is an early colonial cemetery located in Newport, Rhode Island. It is a Quaker cemetery, and has the graves of four Rhode Island colonial governors.
where Golden Hill Street bends and becomes Thomas Street. The cemetery is named for Thomas Clifton, who gave the land to the Society of Friends for a burial ground in 1675, though some who are presumably buried here died much earlier than that. The cemetery has 168 known interments, including four colonial Rhode Island governors: Jermey Clarke
, Walter Clarke
, William Wanton
and Joseph Wanton
. There is an inscription in this cemetery for Governor John Wanton
as well, but he has a marker in the Coddington Cemetery
on Farewell Street, and that is where he is likely buried. Neither cemetery has a governor's grave medallion for him, while this cemetery has medallions for all four of the other governors.
The person with the earliest death date buried here is Governor Jeremy Clarke
, who died in January 1652, and who has a governor's medallion, but no tombstone. The latest interment was for Sarah Howland who died in 1856.
Description
The Clifton Burying Ground is located in Newport, Rhode IslandNewport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
where Golden Hill Street bends and becomes Thomas Street. The cemetery is named for Thomas Clifton, who gave the land to the Society of Friends for a burial ground in 1675, though some who are presumably buried here died much earlier than that. The cemetery has 168 known interments, including four colonial Rhode Island governors: Jermey Clarke
Jeremy Clarke (Governor)
Jeremy Clarke was an early colonial settler and President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations...
, Walter Clarke
Walter Clarke (governor)
Walter Clarke was an early Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and the first native-born governor of the colony. The son of colonial President Jeremy Clarke, he was a Quaker like his father. While in his late 20s, he was elected as a Deputy from Newport, and in 1673...
, William Wanton
William Wanton
William Wanton was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving a short term prior to his death...
and Joseph Wanton
Joseph Wanton
Joseph Wanton was a merchant and governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations from 1769 to 1775. Not wanting to go to war with Britain, he has been branded as a Loyalist, but he remained neutral during the war, and he and his property were not disturbed.Born in Newport of a...
. There is an inscription in this cemetery for Governor John Wanton
John Wanton
John Wanton was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving for six consecutive terms from 1734 to 1740. He was the son of Edward Wanton who was a ship builder, and who became a Quaker after witnessing the persecution of these people, also becoming a preacher of...
as well, but he has a marker in the Coddington Cemetery
Coddington Cemetery
The Coddington Cemetery is an early colonial cemetery located in Newport, Rhode Island. It is sometimes called the Friends' Burial Ground, and has more colonial governors buried in it than any other cemetery in the state.- Description :...
on Farewell Street, and that is where he is likely buried. Neither cemetery has a governor's grave medallion for him, while this cemetery has medallions for all four of the other governors.
The person with the earliest death date buried here is Governor Jeremy Clarke
Jeremy Clarke (Governor)
Jeremy Clarke was an early colonial settler and President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations...
, who died in January 1652, and who has a governor's medallion, but no tombstone. The latest interment was for Sarah Howland who died in 1856.