Thomas Miller (North Carolina governor) facts for kids

Thomas Miller (who died in October 1685) was a temporary leader of the North Carolina colony. He served as governor for about six months in 1677. This happened when the official governor, Thomas Eastchurch, was away. During Miller's time as governor, a big event called Culpeper's Rebellion started. This revolt was led by people who disagreed with the government, like John Culpeper.

Thomas Miller's Life and Work

Early Life and Moving to America

Thomas Miller started his career as a merchant and a pharmacist (called an apothecary) in Ireland. In 1673, he moved across the ocean to North Carolina. He settled in an area known as Albemarle County.

Once in Albemarle, he quickly became a leader for the group that supported the colony's owners, known as the Lords Proprietors. Miller faced some serious accusations, including speaking against the government and showing disrespect to the Lords Proprietors. He was even put in jail for these reasons. However, a group called the Virginia Council found him innocent in May 1676.

After his trial, Miller traveled to London, England, with Thomas Eastchurch. They managed to convince the Lords Proprietors that Eastchurch should be the governor of Albemarle County. Miller himself was given important roles. He became a council member, a secretary, and was in charge of collecting taxes on goods (customs collector). In 1677, Miller and Eastchurch began their journey back to Albemarle.

Leading Albemarle County

On their way back to North Carolina, Miller and Eastchurch made a stop at Nevis Island in the Caribbean. While there, Eastchurch met and married a woman. He decided to stay on the island for his honeymoon. Because of this, Eastchurch chose Thomas Miller to act as the temporary governor. Miller was also made the President of the Executive Council of Albemarle.

Miller arrived in Albemarle in July 1677 and took charge of the government. He started to punish people who were against the Lords Proprietors. He also raised taxes and used public money to pay his own armed guards. Miller put Zachariah Gillam in jail for not following customs rules. He also tried to arrest George Durant, who was a main leader of the group against the Proprietors. This attempt to arrest Durant led to a major uprising known as Culpeper's Rebellion.

Culpeper's Rebellion and Its Results

The rebellion began when Thomas Miller was captured by his opponents. They imprisoned him in a small, specially built log house.

Even though Eastchurch arrived in Virginia in December 1678, he could not become governor of Albemarle. The rebellion was still happening there. Eastchurch demanded that the settlers give up their weapons and release all prisoners. He also suggested sending a group to Virginia to explain why the rebellion started. He wanted Miller's government to be put back in charge.

The rebels did not agree to Eastchurch's demands. However, Eastchurch was able to stop Miller's trial from going forward. Miller stayed in prison for two years until his friends helped him escape. This saved him from being executed.

Miller then traveled to London to complain to the Lords Proprietors, the tax commissioners, and the Privy Council about what had happened. Because of his complaints, the leaders of Culpeper's Rebellion, Zachariah Gillam and John Culpeper, were arrested when they arrived in London. Gillam was later released because there wasn't enough proof against him. Culpeper was also found innocent of the serious charge of treason. As a way to make up for what happened, the government's treasury paid Thomas Miller.

Miller's Final Years

In March 1681, Thomas Miller was given a job as a customs collector in Poole, England. However, in July 1682, he was fired from this job. He was put in prison for misusing money (embezzlement). Thomas Miller died in prison in October 1685.