The Cranston-Johnston branch of the Sprague Family in Rhode Island. File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan W. Pieroth, (© 1997 Susan W. Pieroth) USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages are for the use of indivisual researchers, and may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The History of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Biograþhical, by the American Historical Society, Inc., 1920. For an unknown reason there are two coþies of the book with the same title þage, but with different contents. From þages 400 - 402 ----------------------------------------------------------- SPRAGUE FAMILY The Cranston-Johnston branch of the Spragues formed one of the mast notable and historically prominent of Rhode Island families since the beginning of the seventeenth century. Members of this family have been leaders in practically every department of the life of the State throughout two centuries. Three generations of the Cranston Spragues, William Sprague, his sons, Governor William and Amasa, and the latter’s sons, Amasa, Governor William (2), and Byron, together and in turn founded and developed one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of the cotton cloth manufacturing industries of the day in the world. William Sprague, Governor of the State of Rhode Island, during the Rebellion, a gallant soldier and citizen whose name occupies a brilliant page in the history of the State, was of this branch. Closely allied by bonds of kinship to this illustrious branch of the family are the Johnston Spragues, and it is with this family, in the line of the late William Anson Sprague, that this article is to deal. The Sprague coat-of-arms is as follows: Arms Gules, a fesse chequy or and azure between three fleurs-de-lis of the second. Crest A talbot passant argent resting the foot on a fleur- de-lis gules. (I) William Sprague, immigrant ancestor and progenitor, was a son of Edward Sprague, of Upway, Dorsetshire, England. Edward Sprague lived at Fordington, Dorsetshire, in early life, and was a fuller by trade. He married Christina, and died in 1614. His will was proved June 6, 1614, in the prerogative court at Canterbury, and copies of the document made at this time are still in possession of the family. Three of his sons, Ralph, Richard, and William, came to America. In Prince’s "Chronology" we find the following mention of the brothers: Among those who arrived at Naumkeag are Ralph Sprague, with his brothers Richard and William, who, with three or four more, were employed by Governor Endicott to e×plore and take possession of the country westward. They traveled through the woods to Charlestown, on a neck of land called Michawum, between Mystic and Charles rivers,. full of Indians named Aborginians, with whom they made peace." Ralph Sprague was about twenty-five years of age when he came to New England In 1631. Captain Richard Sprague commanded a company of the train band. On February 10, 1634, the order creating a Board of Selectmen was passed, and Richard and William Sprague signed it. Richard Sprague left no posterity. His sword, which is named in his brother William's will, was e×tant in 1828. William Sprague settled first in Charlestown, Mass., where he lived until 1636. He then removed to Hingham, landing on the side of the cove, on a tract of land afterward granted him by the town, and he was one of the first planters there. His house lot is said to have been the best situated in the town. Many grants were made him from time to time. He was active in public affairs, and was constable, fence-viewer, etc. William Sprague died October 6, 1675; his will bequeaths to his wife, Millicent, and children, Anthony, Samuel, William, Joan, Jonathan, Persis, Johanna, and Mary. He married, in Charlestown, in 1635, Millicent Eames, daughter of Anthony Eames, who died February 8, 1695-96. (II) John Sprague, son of William and Millicent (Eames) Sprague, was born in Hingham, Mass., and baptized there in April, 1638. He married, December 13, 1666, Elizabeth Holbrook, and settled in the town of Mendon, Mass., where he died. (III) Ebenezer Sprague, son of John and Elizabeth (Holbrook) Sprague, was born about 1672. He was a resident of Rehoboth, Mass., for a short time, and from there removed to Providence, where four of his children are recorded. On January 12, 1706, he married, in Providence, Mary Mann, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wheaton) Mann, of Rehoboth. (IV) Daniel Sprague, son of Ebenezer and Mary (Mann) Sprague, was born in Providence, R. I., March 28, 1712-13. He was a prominent resident and leading citizen of Johnston, R. I., and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. Daniel Sprague married (first) about 1730, Sarah Ballou, and (second) about 1736, Hannah Brown. (V) Rufus Sprague, son of Daniel and Sarah (Ballou) Sprague, was born in Johnston, June 7, 1735. Like his father he was active in public affairs during the greater part of his life, He was deputy sheriff and later high sheriff of Providence county. He was a farmer on a large scale in Johnston, where he died. Rufus Sprague is buried in a private yard on his own farm. (VI) Welcome Sprague, son of Rufus Sprague, was a resident at different times of Warwick, Cranston, and Johnston, and followed the trade of carpenter successfully until his death. He married (first) ---- Peck, and they were the parents of one son, Jenckes Sprague, who removed to the eastern part of Pennsylvania, where his descendants still reside. Welcome Sprague married (second) Ruth Collins, member of a prominent old Rhode Island family. Their children were: Colinda, Sylvia, and Rufus, mentioned below. He died at his home in Johnston. His widow, who survived him many years, died at the home of her son, Rufus, in Providence. (VII) Rufus (2) Sprague, son of Welcome and Ruth (Collins) Sprague, was born during the residence of the family in Cranston, and removed during boyhood to Johnston, where he grew up on his father’s farm. He learned the trade of carpenter under his father, and plied his trade in Johnston until 1852. In the latter year he removed to Providence, established himself in the building and contracting business on a large scale, and engaged successfully in the building and selling of houses and the development of real estate until his death. Mr. Sprague was a well known figure in the business circles of Providence in the si×ties, and was eminently respected. He was a member of the Si× Principle Baptist Church. Rufus Sprague married Lavina V. Lovell, of Scituate. Their children were: 1. George W., a farmer, of Johnston and Providence. 2. A child, who died in infancy. 3. William A., mentioned below. 4. John L. 5. Sheldon P., who was engaged in the grocery business in East Providence. 6. Arnold P., a mechanic, resided in Pawtucket. 7. Abby, widow of Henry A. Barnes, of Providence. 8. Celinda, who became the wife of Frank Barrows. 9. Mary E., who married Professor James K. Allen, of Providence. 10. Lavina, first wife of Frank Barrows. 11. Albert, of Johnston. 12 Rufus, of Providence. (VIII) William Anson Sprague, son of Ruins and Lavina V. (Lovell) Sprague, was born in Johnston, R. I., June 9, 1832. He was educated in the public schools of Johnston, and completed his studies in the Smithfield Seminary of North Scituate, under Principals Quimby and Coburn. After completing his education, he taught school for nine sessions in Coventry and Cranston, but gave up this profession to engage in business as a carpenter. Having gained a satisfactory working knowledge of the business, he established himself independently as a builder and contractor. Mr. Sprague was very successful in business, confining his operations largely to building houses and disposing of them or renting them. From time to time, however, he accepted contracts for other work. He was widely known in business circles in Providence and eminently respected. He was also a prominent figure in Masonic and fraternal circles. He was a member of Crescent Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and held all the offices in that body. In religious faith he was a Baptist and a member of the Auburn Free Baptist Church, of which he was a deacon for many years. Mr. Sprague married (first) Katharine A. Wood, daughter of Jonathan Wood, and member of a prominent old Rhode Island family. Mrs. Sprague died in Providence, the mother of one son, Walter E., who married Julia Upham, of Boston; he had the care of his father’s estate until his death, in December, 1914; he was a member of. Harmony Lodge, Pawtucket, attaining the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Masonry. Mr. Sprague married (second) Bessie A. Wood, sister of his first wife, and they were the parents of a daughter, M. Alice. Miss Sprague resides at No. 472 Cranston street, in the Sprague home, which was built by her father, in 1872. William Anson Sprague died at his home in Providence, May 19, 1912, in his eightieth year. The Wood coat-of-arms is as follows: Arms Argent, an oak tree vert, fructed or. Crest A demi-wild man, on the shoulder a club proper holding in the de×ter hand an oak branch of the last, wreathed about the middle vert.