James Colleton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Colleton
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|---|---|
| 7th Governor of South Carolina | |
| In office 1686–1690 |
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| Monarch | Mary II William III |
| Preceded by | Joseph Morton |
| Succeeded by | Seth Sothell |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 1706 Barbados |
| Signature |  |
James Colleton (died around 1706) was an important leader. He served as the governor of the English Province of Carolina from 1686 to 1690. Carolina was a special type of colony, owned by a group of people called "proprietors."
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About Governor James Colleton
James Colleton was the son of Sir John Colleton. His father was one of the people who helped start the Carolina colony. Before becoming governor, James managed his family's lands in Barbados. The colony's owners, the proprietors, chose him to be governor.
Early Actions as Governor
When Governor Colleton arrived, he stopped a planned attack. This attack was meant for St. Augustine, a Spanish settlement. The people in Carolina wanted revenge for an earlier attack on Charles Town. However, England and Spain were at peace. The proprietors agreed with Colleton's decision. This made many local leaders in Carolina upset.
Colleton also made the colonists angry by following the colony's original rules. These rules were called the Fundamental Constitutions. Many people in the colony did not like these rules anymore.
Challenges with the Council
In 1687, the Lords Proprietors wrote to Governor Colleton. They were unhappy that a member of his Grand Council was helping people who broke the rules. A man named John Boone had been removed from the Council. He had been accused of helping some rule-breakers and hiding their stolen goods.
The proprietors were very upset when Boone was allowed back on the Council. They wrote, "This must not be." They said that people who had done wrong should not be put back in power. They hoped such problems would not happen again.
End of His Term
By 1690, Governor Colleton and the local assembly were in a big disagreement. Colleton tried to govern without the assembly's help. This led to people openly resisting his leadership. He then declared martial law, which meant he tried to use military power to control things. However, he quickly changed his mind because he couldn't even control the local soldiers.
James Colleton was removed from office when Seth Sothel, one of the colony's proprietors, arrived in 1690.
Later Life
After leaving Carolina, Colleton became the Speaker of the House of Assembly of Barbados. He held this position from 1700 to 1701.
