Lists of governors of colonial America facts for kids

Colonial America

Imagine a time when parts of North America were like giant puzzle pieces, each owned by a different country! These areas were called colonies. A governor was like the main boss or leader of one of these colonies. They were chosen by the king or queen of their home country to make sure everything ran smoothly. They helped manage the land, collect taxes, and keep peace.

This article talks about the important leaders, or governors, who ran these colonies. We'll look at governors from the British colonies that later became the United States. We'll also explore governors from Spanish and French areas that are now part of the U.S.

What Were Colonial Governors?

Colonial governors were very important people. They were usually appointed by the king or queen of countries like Britain, Spain, or France. Their job was to represent the ruler and manage the colony far away from home. This meant they had a lot of power. They could make laws, command the army, and even decide who got land. It was a big responsibility!

These governors had to balance many things. They had to keep the colonists happy while also following orders from their home country. Sometimes, this was a very tricky job!

Governors of the Thirteen Colonies

Before the United States became its own country, thirteen of its states were British colonies. These were called the Thirteen Colonies. Each of these colonies had its own governor. These governors were often chosen by the British King. They helped run daily life and make sure the colonies followed British rules.

Here are some of the British colonies and links to learn more about their governors:

• List of colonial governors of Connecticut
• List of colonial governors of Georgia
• List of colonial governors of Maryland
• List of colonial governors of Maine
• List of colonial governors of Massachusetts
• List of colonial governors of New Hampshire
• List of colonial governors of New Jersey
• List of colonial governors of New York
• List of colonial governors of North Carolina
• List of colonial governors of Pennsylvania
• List of colonial governors of Rhode Island
• List of colonial governors of South Carolina
• List of colonial governors of Virginia

Governors from Other European Powers

Not all colonies in North America were British. Spain and France also had large areas they controlled. These areas, like parts of Florida, Louisiana, and California, later became part of the United States. They also had their own governors. These leaders helped manage the Spanish provinces of New Spain and the French provinces of New France.

Here are some of the areas governed by Spain and France:

• List of governors of California before 1850 (Spanish governors)
• List of colonial governors of Florida (Spanish governors)
• List of colonial governors of Louisiana (French governors)
• List of Spanish governors of New Mexico
• List of colonial governors of Texas (Spanish governors)

See also

• Director of New Netherland (This was the leader of a Dutch colony that later became New York!)