John Goldsborough facts for kids
Sir John Goldsborough (who passed away in November 1693) was an important sea-captain and a leader for the British East India Company. This company was a powerful British trading group that operated in India and other parts of Asia a long time ago. Sir John helped manage their business and activities.
Contents
Sir John Goldsborough's Life Story
His Early Days
John Goldsborough was born in a place called Suffolk in England. He owned land there. He became a ship captain. In 1673, he was in charge of a ship called the Antelope. This ship was taken by a Dutch fleet near India. He later commanded other ships like the Falcon and the Bengal Merchant.
Working in India
After a leader of the East India Company in India, Sir John Child, died in 1690, there was no one in charge. So, in 1691, the company decided to send Sir John Goldsborough to India.
He was made a knight and given a big title: 'supervisor-commissary-general and chief governor'. This meant he was in charge of overseeing and managing the company's different trading posts in India. He sailed to India in March 1691.
The next year, he became the 'captain-general and commander-in-chief' based in Madras. He arrived at Fort St. George on December 5, 1692. His first jobs were to build a church steeple and make the town bigger. He also looked into problems between the previous governor, Elihu Yale, and his team.
In 1693, he visited Fort St. David and then returned to Madras. Later that year, he traveled to the Bay of Bengal. He arrived at Chatanati, which is near Calcutta, on August 12.
Sir John found some things were not well organized. He saw that people were building without proper plans. He ordered that a good piece of land be chosen and surrounded by walls. This was where a new main trading post, which became Fort William, would be built. He also made sure important papers were kept safe in a brick building, away from fire risks.
His Passing Away
While he was in Chatanati, Sir John Goldsborough got a fever. He passed away a few days after November 28, 1693. Before he left London, he made a will. After his death, Sir John Gayer took over his role as the General of India.
About His Family
After Sir John died, his wife Mary and their children stayed in Fort George. His widow, Mary, later married Roger Braddyll. He was also part of the company's council at Fort St. George. Mary passed away in India before November 4, 1702.
