Background
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 that religion.
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 that religion.
Edward Wanton had lived in York, Maine. Boston, Massachusetts. And Scituate, Massachusetts before coming to Rhode Island.
John Wanton was a merchant, and like his father was a Quaker, and the Friends" records state that "for many years he was a valuable public friend." He first entered public service in 1706 as a deputy from Newport serving for several years in that capacity, and also as the Speaker of the House of Deputies.
He was called Colonel John Wanton in 1706 when he went after French privateers with John Dublin, who was wounded in the action. He was buried in the Coddington Cemetery in Newport.
Wanton was married to Mary Stover, the daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Norton) Stover of Cape Neddick, York County, Maine, and had five children.