John Jenkins (governor)

John Jenkins was an English soldier who served as governor of Albemarle (now North Carolina) four times: 1672-1675;1676-1677;1678-1679;1680-1681, becoming the only person who has served as proprietary governor so many times.

Biography

John Jenkins was born in England. He went to America in the 1650s and initially settled in Northampton County, Virginia. Here he owned a huge estate of 400 acres, that he got as a price for bringing eight new settlers to Virginia. In 1662 he had moved to the Albemarle County.^[1] Being himself of English origin, he has married an Englishwoman named Johanna. He was one of the earliest settlers in Carolina. in 1633 Jerkins got 700 acre grant from Governor Berkeley, Governor of Virginia, for bringing fourteen new settlers to Virginia. This occurred on 25 September 1663. Captain Jenkins became a man of considerable importance. In 1670 he was deputy of the Earl of Craven and had risen to the dignity of Colonel, and was senior member of the Council.^[2]

When Governor Carteret left Albemarle in April 1672 and went to England, he authorized Colonel Jenkins as deputy governor. Jenkins remained De facto governor for more than three years.By fall 1675, the colonists elected a new assembly, with Thomas Eastchurch as speaker. Eastchurch had Jenkins imprisoned ^[3] and assumed the role of the Governor of General Assembly of North Carolina. for However, in the spring of 1676, some supporters of Jenkins helped him to get out from prison and return the charge of governor of the region. Eastchurch traveled to London in order "to appeal to the Lords Proprietors".^[1] After regaining the power, Jenkins dissolved the assembly.^[4]

But the peace was not yet to being established, as Jenkins passed his power to Thomas Miller.^[1][2] However,Miller did not serve long, as colonists did not like his abuse of power. The series of event took place known as Culpeper's Rebellion leading to the arrest of Miller and Jenkins regained power. The rebel government hold position to the end of 1678. In 1679 John Harvey assumed the position, but has died in six months. The council has elected Jenkins acting governor. At this position he has served up to his death in Perquimans County, North Carolina, on 17 December 1681.^[2]

Personal life

John Jenkins is believed to have graduated from Clare College, Cambridge in 1642.^[5] As it was mentioned above, he was married to woman named Joanna, who has survived him and has later married to Thomas Harvey (North Carolina governor). No exact data is stored about the heirs of Jenkins, also it might be that he had a daughter Joanna Jenkins.^[5]

References