William Drummond (colonial governor)

William Drummond (born ca.1617, died 1677) was the first colonial governor of Albemarle Sound settlement in the Province of Carolina and a participant in Bacon's Rebellion.[1]

William Drummond
1st Proprietary Governor of Albemarle Sound
In office
1664–1667
Succeeded bySamuel Stephens
Personal details
Born1617
Scotland
Died1677
Virginia
Spouse(s)Sarah Drummond
OccupationJustice of the Peace, Sheriff and Administrator (governor of North Carolina)

Early life and career

Drummond was born in Scotland and came to Virginia in 1637 as an indentured servant to Theodore Moye.[2] He was an indentured servant to Stephen Webb in 1639.

He rose to the positions of Justice of the Peace and High Sheriff of James City County. He discovered a large, circular lake in the center of the Great Dismal Swamp in 1655, now named Lake Drummond.

In 1664, Drummond was chosen to be governor of the Albemarle County colony (which would eventually become North Carolina) by Virginia Governor William Berkeley at the request of Berkeley's fellow Lords Proprietor of the colony. Drummond summoned the first legislative assembly in Carolina in 1665. Samuel Stephens succeeded him as governor.

He had at least five children with his wife Sarah Drummond.[3]

Death

Drummond returned to Virginia in 1667 and later supported Nathaniel Bacon during Bacon's Rebellion against the government of Governor Berkeley. After Bacon was defeated, Drummond was found guilty of treason and rebellion against the king. Governor Berkeley had Drummond executed on January 20, 1677.

Legacy

Drummond discovered a large, circular lake in the center of the Great Dismal Swamp in 1655. The lake was named after him, and is called Lake Drummond.[4]

References
  1. Kimberly, Maria. "William Drummond (d. 1677)". Encyclopedia Virginia/Dictionary of Virginia Biography. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  2. "William Drummond". NC Office of Archives and History, 2005. Retrieved 15 July 2012.
  3. "Heroines of Virginia". William and Mary Quarterly. 1. 3: 41. 1 July 1906. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  4. Federal Writers' Project (1938). The Ocean Highway: New Brunswick, New Jersey to Jacksonville, Florida. Works Progress Administration. p. 88.


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