Henry William Bentinck

Henry William Bentinck (15 November 1765–10 November 1820) was a Dutch-born military officer, planter and colonial administrator. He served as Governor of Saint Vincent (1802–1806), Essequibo Demerara (1806–1812), and Berbice (1814–1820).[1]

This article is about the colonial governor. For the Conservative politician, see Lord Henry Bentinck.

Biography

Bentinck was born in The Hague, Dutch Republic on 15 November 1765 as Hendrik Willem Bentinck.[2][3] He was a grandson of Willem Bentinck van Rhoon,[4]: 71  and a relative of William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland.[4] Bentinck was educated in Great-Britain.[1]: 13  He served 12 years in the cavalry of William V, Prince of Orange.[2][1]: 13  On 18 January 1795, William V fled from the Netherlands, and went into exile in Great-Britain.[5] In the same year, Bentinck left for Great-Britain,[3] and started to work for the British colonial service.[1]: 13 

In 1802, he was appointed Governor of Saint Vincent and served until 1806.[4]: 32  After returning from England, he was appointed Governor of Demerara and Essequibo on 10 May 1806.[6] The British government issued a rule overturning the Demerara Court of Policy's decision to proscribe slaves from holding meetings at night. Bentinck delayed implementing the rule, and was dismissed as a result.[4]: 32  In April 1812, he returned to England and was succeeded by Hugh Lyle Carmichael.[7] On 8 January 1814, Bentinck served as Governor of Berbice.[8] In Berbice, he was also owner of plantation "La Bonne Intention".[9] He was involved in cotton, but ran into financial difficulties.[4]: 14–15 

On 10 November 1820, Bentinck died in Georgetown, at the age of 54.[10]

References
  1. Haggerty, Sheryllynne; Seymour, Susanne (2018). "Imperial Careering in the Long Eighteenth Century::The Bentinck Family, 1710-1830s" (PDF). Slavery and Abolition. Nottingham: University of Nottingham. 39 (4). doi:10.1080/0144039X.2018.1429190. S2CID 148797974.
  2. "Landmacht: Officieren, Onderofficieren en Manschappen (Staatse Militairen), Achternaam: Bentinck". Dutch National Archive. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  3. Johan Friederich Egbert Einaar (1934). Bijdrage tot de kennis van het Engelsch tusschenbestuur van Suriname, 1804-1816 (in Dutch). Dubbeldeman. p. 92.
  4. Susanne Seymour and Sheryllynne Haggerty (July 2010). "Slavery connections of Bolsover Castle (1600-c.1830)" (PDF). University of Nottingham.
  5. "Vlucht van de Prins Willem V op 18 januari 1795". Scheveningen Toen en Nu (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  6. "PROCLAMATIONS". Essequebo and Demerary Gazette. 10 May 1806. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  7. "To His Excellency Governor BENTINCK". Essequebo and Demerary Royal Gazette. 16 May 1812. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  8. "Proclamation". Berbice Gazette. 8 January 1814. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  9. "Henry John William Bentinck". Legacies of British Slavery database. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  10. "Georgetown, Demerara, 10 Nov". De Curaçaosche courant (in Dutch). 24 February 1821. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
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