George Burrington

George Burrington (ca. 1682 – 22 February 1759) was a British colonial official who served as the third and fifth governor of North Carolina from 1724 to 1725 and 1731 to 1734.[1] He is noted for opening the lower Cape Fear region to settlement.[2] From the outset of his administration, he encountered opposition to his authority.[1] In 1733 he noted that African slave ships did not bring their trade to his colony.[3]

For the cricketer, see George Burrington (cricketer).

His Excellency
George Burrington
3rd and 5th Governor of North Carolina
In office
15 January 1724 – 17 July 1725
MonarchGeorge I
Preceded byWilliam Reed (acting)
Succeeded bySir Richard Everard
In office
25 February 1731 – 17 April 1734
MonarchGeorge II
Preceded bySir Richard Everard
Succeeded byNathaniel Rice (acting)
Personal details
Bornca. 1682
Devonshire, England
Died22 February 1759
Westminster, England
Cause of deathHomicide
Resting placeSt. John the Evangelist, Westminster
Spouse
Sarah Croswell
​
(m. 1730)​

Biography

Burrington was born in Devonshire, England.[4] The register of Sampford Courtenay, recorded the baptism of a George Burrington on 14 November 1685.[5] His parents were listed as John and Mary Burrington.[5] John Burrington was the son of Gilbert Burrington.[5][6] Notwithstanding his rough exterior, George Burrington seems to have been a man of education; and the sale of his books shows that he was not unprovided with literature at a time when libraries were few and scattered.[7] His last will and testament is dated 8 December 1750.[8] He was killed during an apparent robbery attempt in Westminster's St James's Park, 22 February 1759,[4][7] and buried at St. John the Evangelist two days later.[9]

Works
  • An Answer to Dr. William Brakenridge's Letter Concerning the Number of Inhabitants, within the London Bills of Mortality. Wherein the Doctor's Letter is inserted at large, his Arguments proved inclusive, and the Number of Inhabitants increasing (1757)
  • Seasonable Considerations on the Expediency of a War with France; Arising from a faithful Review of the State of both Kingdoms. To which are Added a Postscript, on the List of the French Army, a Short Comparison Between the British and French Dominions; and a State of the French Revenues, and Forces in the Year, 1701 (1743)

See also

References
  1. Marshall, De Lancey Haywood (1896). Governor Governor George Burrington, with an account of his official administrations in the colony of North Carolina, 1724-1725, 1731-1734. Raleigh, N.C.: Edwards & Broughton. p. 9. LCCN 06036151. OL 6975576M. Retrieved 25 December 2018 – via Internet Archive.
  2. North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program (1948). George Burrington, ca. 1682-1759 (North Carolina Highway Historical Marker). Pender County, N.C.: North Carolina Office of Archives & History. D-32. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  3. Minchinton, Walter E. “The Seaborne Slave Trade of North Carolina.” The North Carolina Historical Review, vol. 71, no. 1, 1994, pp. 1–61. JSTOR website Retrieved 16 Oct. 2023.
  4. Daniels, Dennis F. (15 December 2006). "George Burrington". NCpedia.
  5. Ribble, Frederick (1997). "Sometime Governor of North Carolina: The "Janus" of Fielding's Champion". Studies in Bibliography. 50: 276. JSTOR 40372066.
  6. GENUKI. "Genuki: Will of Gilbert Burrington, Crediton, Devon". www.genuki.org.uk. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  7. Price, Jr., William S. (1979). "Burrington, George". In Powell, William S. (ed.). Dictionary of North Carolina Biography. Chapel Hill, N.C.: University of North Carolina Press – via NCpedia.
  8. Lewis, J. D. (n.d.). "George Burrington". Carolana. Little River, S.C. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  9. Brooks, Baylus C. (7 January 2014). "Historical Execution of Gov. George Burrington of North Carolina". B.C. Brooks: A Writer's Hiding Place. Retrieved 25 December 2018.

Further reading
  • Price, Jr., William S. (April 1974). "A Strange Incident in George Burrington's Royal Governorship". The North Carolina Historical Review. Raleigh, N.C.: North Carolina Office of Archives and History. LI (2): 149–158. JSTOR 23529537.
  • Ribble, Frederick G. (1997). "George Burrington, Sometime Governor of North Carolina: The "Janus" of Fielding's Champion". Studies in Bibliography. Charlottesville, Va.: Bibliographical Society of the University of Virginia. 50: 272–294. JSTOR 40372066.


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