William Bull (governor) facts for kids

William Bull's House, Charleston

William Bull (1683 – March 21, 1755) was an important landowner and politician in the early Province of South Carolina. He helped shape the colony during a time of growth and challenges.

William Bull was a military leader before he became a politician. He was a captain in the Tuscarora War and a colonel in the Yamasee War. Later, in 1721, he became the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. This role meant he worked with Native American tribes. He also served on the governor's council. From 1738 to 1755, he was the lieutenant governor under James Glen. He even served as acting governor from 1738 to 1744.

In 1733, William Bull helped James Oglethorpe create the new Province of Georgia. He helped plan the town of Savannah. A street there, Bull Street, is named after him. His father, Stephen Bull, was also a leader. Stephen came from England in 1670 and helped settle Charles Town.

William Bull was married to Mary Quintyne. His family continued to be important in South Carolina. His son, also named William Bull, later became an acting governor too. A monument honoring Governor Bull is at Ashley Hall Plantation. This place is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

William Bull's Military Service

William Bull played a role in several conflicts. He was a leader in both the Tuscarora War and the Yamasee War. These wars were important for the safety of the South Carolina colony.

Fighting in the Tuscarora War

During the Tuscarora War, William Bull joined an expedition led by John Barnwell. This group traveled into North Carolina. Bull was made a captain of a company of 117 Native American warriors. These warriors came from different tribes, including the Watteree and Pedee.

Barnwell divided his forces during the march. He put about 200 men under Captain Bull's command. Bull's group took part in an attack on a town called Narhonte's head town. His company had some injuries but also captured enemies. After taking the fort, they moved to Tonarooka. There, Captain Bull's entire company left, along with many others. Only the Yamasee warriors stayed with Barnwell's expedition.

William Bull as Governor

William Bull became acting governor of South Carolina in 1737. This happened because Thomas Broughton's term ended. The new governor, James Glen, was delayed. He didn't arrive in the colony until 1743. So, William Bull, who was the lieutenant governor, stepped in to lead.

His time as governor was challenging. The colony faced two main threats. One was a war with the Spanish in Florida. The other was a possible uprising by Native American tribes. In the 1730s, more colonists began moving deeper into South Carolina. This caused new disagreements over land rights with Native Americans.

Changes were also happening in the government. The Commons House of Assembly, a group of elected representatives, was gaining more power. Bull worked closely with Charles Pinckney, who was the Speaker of the Assembly. Pinckney was a trusted helper to Bull.

The War of Jenkins' Ear

In 1739, the War of Jenkins' Ear started. This war put South Carolina directly against Spanish-controlled Florida. Usually, the governor of South Carolina was in charge of defending the southern colonies. This role came with extra pay. But with the new Georgia colony, this job moved to the Georgian governor, James Oglethorpe.

This change affected William Bull in two ways. First, it made him the acting governor when James Glen was delayed. Second, it meant Bull had to watch as Oglethorpe led the war efforts.

Oglethorpe planned to attack St. Augustine in Florida. South Carolina supported this attack. However, the campaign failed. Many South Carolinians criticized Oglethorpe's leadership. They felt he mismanaged the attack on the city.

With Oglethorpe out of favor and St. Augustine still under Spanish control, the southern colonies felt unsafe. People worried about a Spanish-backed slave uprising or an attack on Port Royal. In 1742, the Spanish attacked St. Simon's Island in Georgia. About 3,000 attackers were involved, but they were eventually defeated.

New Laws After the Stono Rebellion

After the Stono Rebellion, Lieutenant Governor William Bull wrote to the Board of Trade and Plantations. He told them about the revolt. In his letter, he described the actions of the rebels. He also explained how the colonial militia stopped the rebellion. He suggested that the colony use Native American slave hunters to find runaway slaves.

In 1740, after the rebellion, the Commons House of Assembly created new laws. These laws were called a comprehensive slave code. They hoped these rules would help control the institution of slavery.

The Priber Incident

Near the end of Bull's time as governor, a long-standing issue came to a head. In 1734, a man named Christian Gottlieb Priber arrived in South Carolina. He started living among the Cherokee people. Priber wanted to create a town called Paradise. This town would be deep in the South Carolina wilderness. It would be a safe place for criminals, people in debt, and runaway slaves.

He taught Native Americans how to use scales when dealing with dishonest traders. He also dreamed of uniting the southern tribes into a confederacy. Priber's presence among the Native Americans increased tensions between South Carolina and the Creeks and Cherokees. So, in 1743, during Bull's last year in office, Priber was arrested.