Richard Ward

Richard Ward (April 15, 1689 – August 21, 1763) was a governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving for a term from 1741 to 1742.

Life and career Ward was born in Newport, Rhode Island. He was the son of Thomas Ward and Amey Billings of Newport, and grandson of John Ward who had come from Gloucester, England. His father was a merchant who held many positions in the town government, and his grandfather had been an officer in Cromwell's Army who came to the American colonies following the accession of King Charles II of England.

Ward was made a freeman of Newport in 1710, then entered public service as Attorney General.He later became Deputy and Clerk of the Assembly, and then served as the General Recorder for the colony from 1714 to 1730. Richard Ward's older sister Mary married Sion Arnold, a grandson of Governor Benedict Arnold.

Ward is buried under a brick vault in the Common Burying Ground in Newport, and his son Samuel, after first being buried in Philadelphia, was re-interred next to him.