Edward Randolph (colonial administrator) facts for kids

Edward Randolph (born 1632, died 1703) was an important English official who worked in the American colonies. He is mostly known for making big changes to how England managed its colonies in North America during the late 1600s.

Early Life and Career

Edward Randolph was born in Canterbury, England. His father was Edmund Randolph, a doctor. In 1650, Edward joined Gray's Inn, which was a place where people studied to become lawyers. The next year, he went to Queens' College, Cambridge. It's not known if he finished his law studies or got a degree.

Working for the King in America

In 1676, King Charles II of England sent Randolph to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. His job was to help settle land claims in what are now New Hampshire and Maine.

Randolph sent reports back to England about the colonies. He told the King that the Massachusetts Bay Colony was not following all of England's rules. Because of his reports, King Charles II decided to take away the colony's special permission (called a charter) in 1684. This was a very big deal for the colonists.

The Dominion of New England

Randolph became a key figure in a new government called the Dominion of New England. This was a large area created by the King that combined several colonies under one ruler, Edmund Andros. Randolph served as the secretary for this new government.

He believed that the King should have more control over the colonies. He was often given the tough job of making sure the colonies followed England's trade laws, known as the Navigation Acts. These laws said that colonies could only trade with England. Many colonists did not like these rules and resisted them.

Randolph's actions helped England create a stronger system for managing its colonies. However, he was very unpopular with the people in the Dominion.

Randolph's Arrest and Later Work

In 1689, the colonists in Boston rebelled against the Dominion of New England. This event is known as the 1689 Boston revolt. During this time, Edmund Andros was removed from power, and Randolph was put in jail.

After being released, Randolph continued his work for the Crown. In 1691, he was made the main customs officer for the American mainland and some island colonies. A year later, he also became a deputy auditor in Maryland.

Randolph traveled to many colonies, from the northern ones down to the The Bahamas. He suggested to the English government that more colonial charters should be taken away. He died in Virginia in 1703.