Cranston Historical Cemeteries Commission

Cranston Historical Cemeteries Commission Check us out! Activities, volunteer opportunities and fascinating stories. Tell a friend about us! If you enjoy our content please "like" and "follow" our page.
(2)

The Cranston Historical Cemeteries Commission was established by the Cranston City Council and is a group of volunteers, appointed by the city, to locate, assess, document, and provide signage for Cranston’s historic cemeteries. Documentation of these cemeteries includes physical location, GPS Coordinates, cemetery description and condition, and gravestone information in photographic, electronic a

nd hard format. All data will be compatible with the software and methods used by the Rhode Island Historical Cemetery Commission. The Commission will provide leadership for all volunteer citizens who wish to work with the commission in carrying out the maintenance and documentation of our historical cemeteries. The Commission will attempt to answer any questions from Cranston Citizens and others regarding the cemeteries and those buried within them. The Commission, with the help of volunteers, will strive to provide maintenance of the grounds, the repair and restoration of stones, walls, and fences as resources become available. We formally meet on the second Tuesday of each month (March thru November) at 6:30 p.m. at the Sprague Mansion located at 1351 Cranston Street. These meetings are open to the public for those who wish to bring an issue of concern to the Commission, to learn more about what we do, or to become more involved. Attendance at meetings is not necessary to volunteer with our group. It is only with the assistance of volunteers in our community that we can achieve our goals. We would like to thank everyone who has contributed their time and treasure to assist us and are excited to continue working with Cranston’s citizens in doing great work to improve our many historical cemeteries. If you are interested in volunteering with us, require community service hours, would like to learn more about Cranston’s cemeteries, or if you have any questions or concerns regarding Cranston cemeteries, please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail. Thanks for your interest

CR106FORMERLY KNOWN AS CR303EPRHAIM CARPENTER LOTA/K/A OLD KING CEMETERYVALLEY STREET At first glance, one wouldn’t thin...
06/23/2026

CR106
FORMERLY KNOWN AS CR303
EPRHAIM CARPENTER LOT
A/K/A OLD KING CEMETERY
VALLEY STREET

At first glance, one wouldn’t think that there would be much of a story to tell about this largely unassuming lot located just off Cranston Street in the Meshanticut section of the city. But looks can be deceiving. For some two decades ago, an archeological dig took place here meant to prove that this was indeed the site of a previously unregistered and unlocated historical cemetery. A 1990 attempt to locate this cemetery had failed to identify any surface evidence for its existence. As you will discover, this is a tale with a number of fascinating twists and turns.

As the story goes. In order to accommodate the installation of a new railroad track in the late 19th century several members of the King family and some others had to be moved from the cemetery that is now known as CR030 (King-Randall Lot) on Ezekiel Street to a new location on what is now Valley Street (off Cranston Street) in Cranston. According to legend, this lot came to be known as the Old King Cemetery. Stories about this relocation were handed down among families in the neighborhood from generation-to-generation. When in 2003 the owner of the lot where the cemetery was thought to be located applied to the City of Cranston to build a duplex there a number of neighbors and other concerned citizens raised objections. As a result, it would appear that the City of Cranston ordered the owner of the property to do an archeological investigation of the site before any construction could proceed. The owner engaged the firm PAL (Public Archeological Lab) of Pawtucket to do the work.

The archeological investigation of the Valley Street lot took place in July 2003. A Schmidt 410 E backhoe equipped with a 3-ft-wide grading bucket was used to scrape and remove topsoil within the 0.23-acre lot. PAL archeologists followed the backhoe, using square shovels and trowels to clean the topsoil/subsoil interface to observe and identify any grave shafts. The archeologists were looking for any change in the color of the soil which was usually a tell-tale sign that there were burials there. The result of the dig was found to be as follows: “Machine-assisted archeological identification of the King Family Cemetery resulted in the identification of 27 features. Twenty of the features were grave shafts, one feature is likely a marker stone trench, three features were either children’s graves or marker stone trenches and three features were of various other types. The size, shape and overall morphology of the grave shafts indicate that they were used to inter both adults and children.”

PAL concluded its report with the following: “Archeological identification of the Old King Cemetery in Cranston resulted in the identification of 20 unmarked interments associated with the cemetery. The identification partially delineated the cemetery that occupies the majority of the parcel (Plat 17-3 Lots 954-957) and may extend beyond the lot boundaries. It is projected that there are other unmarked interments within the lot. The presence and location of the cemetery should be registered and filed with the City of Cranston and a historic cemetery marker should be erected at the site to indicate its location. The cemetery occupies much or all of the lot, consequently PAL does not recommend any construction on the site. Maintaining a 25 ft no construction buffer around the boundaries of the cemetery in accordance with R.I.G.L. 23-18-11 would preclude any construction within the lot.”

A short time later the lot was designated Rhode Island Historic Cemetery CR303. Several years later the designation would be changed to CR106 and renamed the Ephraim Carpenter Lot.

--Thanks to Alessandro Amalfitano for supplying us with the source material for this story.

--June 2022 CHCC photo

EDGAR ALLAN POE1809-1849THE PROVIDENCE CONNECTION The fascinating and tragic story from https://providenceathenaeum.org/...
06/22/2026

EDGAR ALLAN POE
1809-1849
THE PROVIDENCE CONNECTION

The fascinating and tragic story from https://providenceathenaeum.org/
One of the Athenæum’s most famous visitors was Edgar Allan Poe. In September of 1848, he traveled to Providence in order to meet and court the wealthy Rhode Island widow, Sarah Helen Whitman.

Whitman was a Providence poet, critic, Spiritualist, and cultural figure. She was an avid reader and spent much of her time at the Athenæum, enjoying a relationship with the library for almost three-quarters of a century and cultivating a far-reaching network of writers, thinkers, and artists. Born on January 19, 1803 (exactly six years to the day before Poe’s birth), Whitman is most commonly remembered for her brief engagement to the troubled author. She was, however, a skilled poet in her own right. In fact, it was her poetry and writing that attracted Poe’s notice and affections.

In January of 1848, Whitman wrote a poem to Poe referencing his most famous work, “The Raven,” which was intended to be read to him at a literary gathering on Valentine’s Day. Although she later learned that he had not been invited to the party due to misgivings among the New York literati, this poem served as the start of their correspondence. Poe sent several anonymous poems to Helen (including “To Helen” that recounted his accidental sighting of her in her Providence home’s garden three years earlier), before the two met in September.

After several meetings, Poe proposed to Whitman in a local cemetery. She eventually accepted, but their engagement was troubled, and both parties (Whitman in particular) were counseled to break off the match by friends and family. Whitman even wrote to Poe days after their first meeting to directly refuse his proposal, but he eventually convinced her to marry him with a series of impassioned love letters, promises of sobriety, and various visits. It was during one of these trips to Providence that the couple spent time together in the Athenæum, and Whitman showed Poe a new interesting poem called “Ulalume,” published anonymously in the library’s copy of the American Whig Review (December 1847). Poe revealed himself as the author and signed his name in pencil next to the poem. Whitman discovered it still there years later, and the book and signature remain in the Athenæum Special Collections. Poe also checked out at least one book from the library’s collection using the membership share of local jewelry manufacturer and anti-slavery Democrat Thomas Davis, and this signature can still be seen in the Athenæum’s 1848 Charging Book.

It was during this time that Poe survived a half-hearted su***de attempt and shortly after sat for a daguerreotype portrait in Providence, a copy of which hangs next to Whitman’s portrait in the Athenæum’s Art Room. It is fitting that the two poets’ images hang together in the library, as it was here they were last together as an engaged couple.

On December 23, 1848 (two days before their planned Christmas Day wedding), Poe and Whitman were sitting in an Athenæum alcove when an unnamed messenger handed her a note that told her Poe had broken his promise of sobriety and had been drinking both the night before and that morning. Whitman immediately called off the wedding, rushed back to her house, drenched her handkerchief in ether, threw herself on the sofa, and attempted to lose herself in unconsciousness. In spite of Poe’s attempts to rouse her, she merely murmured “I love you” before fainting away.

The two would never see each other again and Poe was dead within a year. Whitman would live for almost thirty more years, spending much of her time at the Athenæum. In spite of their relationship’s unhappy conclusion, Whitman continued to advocate for Poe’s work both nationally and abroad throughout her life.

Sources referenced | Inquire Within: A Social History of the Providence Athenæum since 1753 by Jane Lancaster and Last Flowers: The Romance and Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe & Sarah Helen Whitman by Brett Rutherford.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Sarah Helen Whitman resided at 88 Benefit Street in Providence. The house is still standing and is pictured here. The local cemetery referred to in the story is thought to be Swan Point Cemetery. Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7, 1849 at the age of 40. He is buried at the Westminster Burial Ground in Baltimore.

CHECK OUT THIS MARVELOUS STONE IDENTIFICATION CHART....SOURCE: GraveGeeks.org
06/22/2026

CHECK OUT THIS MARVELOUS STONE IDENTIFICATION CHART....

SOURCE: GraveGeeks.org

GEORGE COLVINREVOLUTIONARY WAR SAILOR1744-1806CR032GEORGE COLVIN LOTPHENIX AVENUE George Colvin, son of Caleb and Anne (...
06/19/2026

GEORGE COLVIN
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SAILOR
1744-1806
CR032
GEORGE COLVIN LOT
PHENIX AVENUE

George Colvin, son of Caleb and Anne (Burlingame) Colvin, was born in Coventry, R. I., on December 25, 1744. He was a resident of Cranston, RI and served during the American Revolution in the Continental Navy. Founded on October 13, 1775, the fleet developed into a substantial force throughout the Revolutionary War.

George Colvin married Mary Sheldon, daughter of Nicholas and Abigail Sheldon of Cranston on March 13, 1774. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 3 daughters. Records indicate that George continued to work as a mariner for most of his adult life.

George Colvin passed away on December 19, 1806 at the age of 61 and was buried in a lot that now bears his name on Phenix Avenue.

After his death, his wife Mary received a pension from the United States government. Mary died on December 30, 1841 at the venerable age of 91.

INSCRIPTION:
"He passed through perils
by sea and by living
and called upon the Lord to have
mercy upon him at the close of his life."

************************

About CR032.....

James Arnold visited this lot 19 Jul 1891, Vol 2, pg 263, on the Furnace Road and beside it about midway from Pierces Corner to the Furnace are three distinct burial yards all walled and well protected and in good order adjoining each other. This is actually 2 cemeteries side by side located just southwest of Interstate #295 and northwest of Phenix Ave. at #767 Phenix Ave. South is the Watson Lot (designated as section A) surrounded by a stone wall 35 ft by 55 ft. North is the Colvin lot (designated section B) surrounded by a stone wall 60 ft by 55 ft. Section C was recorded by James Arnold in 1891 as the east yard. Recorded in 1933 by Charles & Martha Benns, their #158.

There are said to be 33 burials here with 33 inscriptions here
For more information on CR032 click on the link below:
https://rihistoriccemeteries.org/newsearchcemeterydetail.aspx?ceme_no=CR032

--June 2023 CHCC photo

OAKLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH CIRCA 1915The Oaklawn Baptist Church was built on a site that was originally a Quaker Meetinghou...
06/19/2026

OAKLAWN BAPTIST CHURCH
CIRCA 1915

The Oaklawn Baptist Church was built on a site that was originally a Quaker Meetinghouse dating back to 1729. This was the first church in Cranston, built by Quakers who had been meeting in the homes of members since 1705. They also built a small schoolhouse nearby. The new church was built in 1879 on the original site of the Quaker meetinghouse. The Quaker meetinghouse was moved behind the new church. If you look carefully to the right of the church you will see the cemetery. The first burial in this cemetery took place in 1754 and the last in 1935.

Today this historical cemetery is known as CR068 Friends Burial Ground. The cemetery measures 125 ft x 60 ft and is enclosed by a stone wall that is still in relatively good condition.

There are said to be 21 burials here with 16 inscriptions and 5 fieldstones. Since May 2023 this lot has been well-maintained by Sara Valletta and her son J.J. We appreciate their efforts.

For more information on CR068 click on the link below:

https://rihistoriccemeteries.org/newsearchcemeterydetail.aspx?ceme_no=CR068

PHOTO: Courtesy of Cranston Historical Society

"ANYTHING BUT A STORYBOOK LIFE"STORY BY DAVE GUIOTCLARK STONE1845-1913CR002POCASSET CEMETERY DYER AVENUEClark Stone was ...
06/17/2026

"ANYTHING BUT A STORYBOOK LIFE"
STORY BY DAVE GUIOT

CLARK STONE
1845-1913
CR002
POCASSET CEMETERY
DYER AVENUE

Clark Stone was born in Cranston, R.I., the second child of Otis and Huldah (Whitaker) Stone. This branch of the Stone family has been in Rhode Island since the late 1600’s. According to his military records, he was born February 15, 1845.

On February 15, 1862 (likely his 17th birthday), Clark enlisted in the Union Army at Providence into Co H 3rd Heavy Artillery. He transferred to Co B on October 6, 1864. He mustered out on March 17, 1865 in Hilton Head SC. His records show he had an injury to his right hand incurred in service in 1864 and rheumatism.

The 1870 census shows Clark living with his wife Marietta and son Cleveland in Warwick RI. He was employed as a carpenter.

In 1875 Clark, Marietta and their 4 children were living in Warwick. His occupation was listed as "clams and fishing".

Clark would have at least 7 children between 1869 and 1880. He may have been married more than once.

In 1884, Clark was admitted to the Oswego (NY) County Poor House. He is listed as 38 yrs old and single. The existing cause of dependence is shown as rheumatism.

The 1900 US Census shows Clark living with his Aunt (Mary Waterman) in Scituate RI.

Clark would appear in the local newspaper a number of times:

In 1902, two men were charged with robbing Clark at a Fountain Street saloon.

In 1905, it was reported that he was robbed of $30 at the Oakland Beach Hotel.

The BOLD headline on October 8, 1906 was “VETERAN FALLS DOWN SCUTTLE; BADLY INJURED. Clark Stone, 63 Goes to Sleep in Loft at South Scituate, Drops Through Opening to Floor Below – Strikes Head and Shoulders”….”Alton Hill the owner of the barn, has a saloon a short distance away…It is supposed that the veteran went into the barn, lay down and fell asleep, rolling about until he reached the scuttle, through which he fell…..A man named Corbin died as the result of a fall through the same scuttle in 1902.”

A May 6, 1909 Providence Evening Bulletin article titled “Freak Kitten at Scituate. Two-headed Animal Born Recently, Lives Only Nine Days”, Clark Stone strolled into the Bulletin office carrying a small box under his arm………………Mr. Stone had the dead kitten stuffed and mounted. A Brown University professor took great interest in the kitten.

In the 1910 US Census, Clark is living at the Soldiers Home in Bristol RI.

Clark passed away on May 29, 1913 at an Asylum in Scituate RI (his Civil War grave marker shows 1914). His cause of death was listed as “fell twelve feet through barn fractured three ribs right side – lobar pneumonia”. Remember, he had fallen in 1906! He was buried at Pocasset Cemetery in single grave number 2399. It is unknown when the Civil War marker was erected.

--Dave Guiot has been a member of the Cranston Historical Cemeteries Commission since August 2019 and is a past Chairman.

--June 2026 CHCC photos

***CEMETERY ADOPTED***CR045JOHN STONE LOTFRANKFORT STREET CHCC is pleased to announce that CR045 has been "adopted" by C...
06/17/2026

***CEMETERY ADOPTED***
CR045
JOHN STONE LOT
FRANKFORT STREET

CHCC is pleased to announce that CR045 has been "adopted" by Crystal Jackins who resides just around the corner from the cemetery.

Crystal loves cemeteries, gardening and working in the great outdoors. It turns out that she is also quite proficient with a chainsaw! She saw one of our "available for adoption" posts for another cemetery a few days ago and wondered if CR045 might be available. We met with Crystal earlier today and she was already there raking half an hour before our scheduled meeting. This looks like a perfect fit!

CHCC would like to express our sincere thanks to Lisa Ventetuolo and students from Cranston High School East who did such a marvelous job maintaining this cemetery in 2025. Lisa is a guidance counsellor at the school and she thought that this would be both a fun and educational way for students to fulfill the school's community service requirements.

The students Lisa brought in last year were highly enthusiastic, fun to be around and proved to be extremely hard workers. CHCC looks forward to continuing our relationship with Lisa and CHSE in the future.

We thank Crystal for adopting this cemetery and hope that others will follow her lead. Maintaining an historical cemetery really is a great pastime for individuals, families and groups. Since CHCC began its' "Adopt-A-Cemetery" campaign four years ago more than 30 cemeteries have been adopted by individuals. At least a dozen more are maintained by businesses, families and anonymous friends.

As a result, we are convinced that Cranston's historical cemeteries are in the best shape they have been in several decades. We thank everyone who has so generously answered the call to help us to maintain these sacred spaces. If you would like to help please contact CHCC.

--June 2026 CHCC photo

"THE TREE" STORY BY DAVE GUIOTCR030 KING-RANDALL LOTOAKLAWN AVENUE AT EZEKIEL STREETFor at least the past half dozen yea...
06/16/2026

"THE TREE"
STORY BY DAVE GUIOT
CR030
KING-RANDALL LOT
OAKLAWN AVENUE AT EZEKIEL STREET

For at least the past half dozen years, a large tree fronting the King-Randall Lot has been threatening to fall down. Every wind storm resulted in more falling branches or limbs. The trunk had a hole large enough to see through.

The CHCC has been able to cut the grass on a regular basis, but our tree cutting capabilities are very limited.

Last month, when I was cutting the grass, a young man pulled up in a truck and told me that he had reached out to the City Arborist and had permission to cut down the tree. His name is Jon Hill and he is a RI licensed arborist. He actually had been there a few days earlier but the hydraulic line on his bucket truck gave way. Jon promised he would be back in the next few days.

By the end of the week, the tree had been cut down and only two reasonably sized stumps remained. We then reached out to George Daigneault at Pocasset Cemetery who hopped into his Jeep and used the winch and a chain saw to remove what was left standing. Scott Cohoon from CHCC then jumped in and hauled the remaining tree debris into the woods.

The tree is gone. Can’t help but wonder what it saw over the years as it stood tall on Oaklawn Avenue.

Special thanks to Jon Hill of Sunday Climber Tree Service (www.sundayclimber.com) 401.742.2623), George Daigneault and Scott Cohoon.

--Dave Guiot has been a member of the Cranston Historical Cemeteries Commission since August 2019 and is a past Chairman.

--June 2026 CHCC photos

***CEMETERY ADOPTED***CR019NICHOLAS SHELDON LOTSCITUATE AVENUE CHCC is very pleased to announce that just one day after ...
06/16/2026

***CEMETERY ADOPTED***
CR019
NICHOLAS SHELDON LOT
SCITUATE AVENUE

CHCC is very pleased to announce that just one day after posting its availability on Facebook CR019 has been adopted by Bill Carey.

Bill came to our monthly meeting at the Sprague Mansion on Monday evening and expressed his willingness to assist us in any way he could. We told him about CR019 and he thought that would be a great fit for him.

He visited the cemetery today and has agreed to "adopt" it immediately. He told us that he already has a plan in mind to maintain this cemetery properly.

We thank Bill for adopting this cemetery and hope that others will follow his lead. Maintaining an historic cemetery really is a great pastime for individuals, families and groups. Since CHCC began its' "Adopt-A-Cemetery" campaign four years ago more than 30 cemeteries have been adopted by individuals. At least a dozen more are maintained by businesses, families and anonymous friends.

As a result, we are convinced that Cranston's historical cemeteries are in the best shape they have been in several decades. We thank everyone who has so generously answered the call to help us to maintain these sacred spaces. If you would like to help please contact CHCC.

--June 2026 CHCC photo

Address

1351 Cranston Street
Cranston, RI
02920

Opening Hours

Monday 5am - 8pm
Tuesday 5am - 8pm
Wednesday 5am - 8pm
Thursday 5am - 8pm
Friday 5am - 8pm
Saturday 6am - 8pm
Sunday 6am - 8pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Cranston Historical Cemeteries Commission posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category