George Burrington
Encyclopedia
George Burrington was the governor of the Province of North Carolina
, from January 1724 to April 1725, and again from February 1731 to 1734.
Not especially well educated or otherwise qualified for the position, Burrington gained his office by family influence
. He was known principally for physically threatening other North Carolina officials, including most notably Chief Justice Christopher Gale. The Lords Proprietors of Carolina
replaced him as governor because so many colonists complained about his behaviour.
However, Burrington's successor, Sir Richard Everard
, proved even more unpopular with the people of North Carolina and they eventually requested that Burrington be re-appointed. When the Crown bought the colony back from the Lords Proprietors in 1729, Burrington was appointed as the first royal governor of North Carolina. He was instrumental in exploring and settling the Cape Fear
area of the colony and resided in Brunswick Town
.
He acquired a large amount of land but his son, also named George, sold it to Samuel Strudwick in order to clear debts incurred by the elder Burrington with the Strudwick family.
Burrington's 1731–34 term was almost as controversial as his earlier one, and he was again dismissed. He later returned to England and was killed in an apparent robbery attempt on 22 February 1759 in St. James's Park
, London.
Province of North Carolina
The Province of North Carolina was originally part of the Province of Carolina in British America, which was chartered by eight Lords Proprietor. The province later became the U.S. states of North Carolina and Tennessee....
, from January 1724 to April 1725, and again from February 1731 to 1734.
Not especially well educated or otherwise qualified for the position, Burrington gained his office by family influence
Nepotism
Nepotism is favoritism granted to relatives regardless of merit. The word nepotism is from the Latin word nepos, nepotis , from which modern Romanian nepot and Italian nipote, "nephew" or "grandchild" are also descended....
. He was known principally for physically threatening other North Carolina officials, including most notably Chief Justice Christopher Gale. The Lords Proprietors of Carolina
Province of Carolina
The Province of Carolina, originally chartered in 1629, was an English and later British colony of North America. Because the original Heath charter was unrealized and was ruled invalid, a new charter was issued to a group of eight English noblemen, the Lords Proprietors, in 1663...
replaced him as governor because so many colonists complained about his behaviour.
However, Burrington's successor, Sir Richard Everard
Sir Richard Everard, 4th Baronet
Sir Richard Everard, 4th Baronet was the last Governor of North Carolina under proprietary rule, serving in that capacity from 1725 to 1731....
, proved even more unpopular with the people of North Carolina and they eventually requested that Burrington be re-appointed. When the Crown bought the colony back from the Lords Proprietors in 1729, Burrington was appointed as the first royal governor of North Carolina. He was instrumental in exploring and settling the Cape Fear
Cape Fear (region)
Cape Fear is a coastal plain and tidewater region of North Carolina centered about the city of Wilmington. The region takes its name from the adjacent Cape Fear headland, as does the Cape Fear River which flows through the region and empties into the Atlantic Ocean near the cape...
area of the colony and resided in Brunswick Town
Brunswick Town, North Carolina
Brunswick Town is a colonial ghost town located beside the Cape Fear River in Smithville Township, Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States. Brunswick Town was the first settlement in the Cape Fear region, a major North Carolina port in the 18th century, and home to three colonial governors...
.
He acquired a large amount of land but his son, also named George, sold it to Samuel Strudwick in order to clear debts incurred by the elder Burrington with the Strudwick family.
Burrington's 1731–34 term was almost as controversial as his earlier one, and he was again dismissed. He later returned to England and was killed in an apparent robbery attempt on 22 February 1759 in St. James's Park
St. James's Park
St. James's Park is a 23 hectare park in the City of Westminster, central London - the oldest of the Royal Parks of London. The park lies at the southernmost tip of the St. James's area, which was named after a leper hospital dedicated to St. James the Less.- Geographical location :St. James's...
, London.
