John Usher (colonist) facts for kids

John Usher (born April 27, 1648 – died September 1726) was an important English official in the American colonies. He was born in Boston, a major city in the colonies at that time. John Usher played a key role in how the English colonies were managed.

Who Was John Usher?

John Usher was an English colonial administrator. This means he was an official who helped govern the English colonies in America. He worked for the English government to help run things like taxes and laws.

Early Life and Role as Treasurer

Usher was born in Boston. This city was a very important center for trade and government in the colonies. From 1686, he served as the treasurer for the Dominion of New England. A treasurer is like a chief financial officer. They are in charge of managing all the money. This included collecting taxes and paying for government activities.

The Dominion of New England

The Dominion of New England was a large area of English colonies. It included many colonies grouped together under one government. This was a way for England to have more control. John Usher managed the money for this big colonial area.

The Boston Revolt

In 1689, there was a big event called the Boston Revolt. This was when people in Boston rebelled against the governor. They were unhappy with how the Dominion of New England was being run. After the revolt, the governor, Sir Edmund Andros, was held in John Usher's home. This shows how important Usher was at the time.

Lieutenant Governor of New Hampshire

After the revolt, John Usher took on new roles. He became the lieutenant governor of the Province of New Hampshire twice. His first term was from 1692 to 1697. His second term was from 1702 to 1715.

What is a Lieutenant Governor?

A lieutenant governor is like a second-in-command to the main governor. They often step in and take charge when the governor is away. This was often the case for John Usher. The main governors, like his father-in-law Samuel Allen and Joseph Dudley, were often not in New Hampshire. So, Usher frequently had to lead the province.

Challenges and Unpopularity

John Usher was in charge for many years. However, his time as a leader was not always easy. His rule was not very popular with the people of New Hampshire. Leading a colony could be very challenging. There were many different groups of people with different ideas.

Later Life and Death

John Usher continued to be involved in colonial affairs. He died in September 1726. His life showed the challenges and responsibilities of colonial leaders. They had to balance the needs of the colonists with the demands of the English government.