Ray Greene (politician)

Ray Greene (February 2, 1765 – January 11, 1849) was a United States senator and Attorney General from Rhode Island during the early days of statehood.

Ray Greene
United States Senator from Rhode Island
In office November 13, 1797 – March 5, 1801
Preceded by	William Bradford
Succeeded by	Christopher Ellery
44th Attorney General of Rhode Island
In office 1794–1797
Governor	Arthur Fenner
Preceded by	William Channing
Succeeded by	James Burrill Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1765-02-02)February 2, 1765 Warwick, Rhode Island
Died	January 11, 1849(1849-01-11) (aged 83) Warwick, Rhode Island, US
Resting place	Governor Greene Cemetery, Love Lane, Warwick
Political party	Federalist
Alma mater	Yale College, 1784

Life

Born in Warwick, Rhode Island, Greene was a son of William Greene Jr. and Catharine Ray. His father was a governor of Rhode Island during the American Revolutionary War, and his mother was a correspondent of Benjamin Franklin. Greene pursued classical studies and graduated from Yale College in 1784, then studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Providence. He was attorney general of Rhode Island from 1794 to 1797, and in the latter year was elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Bradford. Greene was reelected in 1799 and in total served from November 13, 1797, to March 5, 1801, when he resigned, having been nominated for a judicial position. He was designated a district judge of Rhode Island by President John Adams, but, through a technicality, was not appointed.

Family

Greene married in Charleston, South Carolina, on July 23, 1794, Mary Magdalene Flagg (1775–1817), the daughter of George Flagg and Mary Magdalene Henderson of Charleston. The couple had five children, the oldest of whom was George Turner Greene (1795–1821) followed by William Greene III who became a Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in the late 1860s. Their third child, Catharine Ray Greene (1799–1875) married in 1815 Dr. James Varnum Turner; Mary Elizabeth (born 1804) died as a youngster; and Isabella Mary (1805–1863) married in 1833 Joseph S. Jenckes.

Ancestry

Greene's grandfather was colonial governor William Greene Sr., and both his father and mother, who were second cousins, descend from early colonial deputy governor John Greene Jr. Ray Greene also descends from several early Rhode Island settlers, including Warwick founders John Greene Sr., Samuel Gorton, and Randall Holden, and Providence founder Roger Williams.

Ancestors of Ray Greene (politician)

16. John Greene Jr. (1620 - 1708) 8. Samuel Greene (1671 - 1720) 17. Ann Almy (1627 - 1709) 4. William Greene Sr. (1695 - 1758) 18. Benjamin Gorton (died 1699) 9. Mary Gorton (1673 - 1732) 19. Sarah Carder (died 1724) 2. William Greene Jr. (1731 - 1809) 20. Thomas Greene (1628 - 1717) 10. Benjamin Greene (1666 - 1757) 21. Elizabeth Barton (died 1693) 5. Catharine Greene (b. 1695) 22. Randall Holden (1612 - 1692) 11. Susannah Holden (1670 - 1734) 23. Frances Dungan (c. 1630 - 1697) 1. Ray Greene (1765 - 1849) 24. Simon Ray (born 1610) 12. Simon Ray (1638 - 1737) 25. Mary Rowning (born 1613) 6. Simon Ray (1672 - 1755) 26. Nathaniel Thomas (born 1606) 13. Mary Thomas 27. Mary 3. Catherine Ray (1731 - 1794) 28. John Greene Jr. (1620 - 1708) 14. Job Greene (1656 - 1745) 29. Ann Almy (1627 - 1709) 7. Deborah Greene (1690 - 1763) 30. John Sayles (died 1681) 15. Phebe Sayles (1658 - 1744) 31. Mary Williams (1633 - 1684)

References

• United States Congress. "Ray Greene (id: G000427)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• Greene family of Rhode Island
• Ray Greene at Find a Grave