William Joseph (governor) facts for kids

William Joseph was an important leader in Maryland from 1688 to 1689. He was the 11th Proprietary Governor. This meant he was chosen by Charles Calvert, who owned the colony of Maryland.

Joseph tried to keep control for Calvert. But big changes in England, called the Glorious Revolution, caused trouble. People in Maryland, especially Protestants, removed Joseph from power. The Calvert family then lost control of Maryland.

William Joseph's Time as Governor

The Calvert family, who were Catholic, started Maryland. They wanted it to be a safe place for English Catholics. At that time, Catholics were a religious minority in England. However, many people who came to Maryland were Protestant.

By 1681, Protestant colonists began to rebel. They were unhappy with the Calvert family's control. Many of these Protestants were part of the Anglican Church. Calvert chose Joseph to be governor. He hoped Joseph could stop these rebellions.

The Protestant Revolution of 1689

When Joseph arrived in Maryland, big religious problems were happening in England. This was during the Glorious Revolution. In England, the Catholic King James II was removed from power. He was replaced by the Protestant William of Orange. News of this took time to reach Maryland.

Joseph was from Ireland and was Catholic, like Calvert. He strongly supported King James II. Soon after arriving, Joseph asked the Maryland Assembly to create a holiday for King James II's birthday. He also made some unpopular changes. For example, only high-quality tobacco could be sold. Also, Calvert ordered that all future taxes be paid in money, not tobacco.

When the news reached Maryland that the King was removed, Joseph tried to keep control. He asked farmers to turn in their weapons. He also canceled a meeting of the colonial assembly. Protestant settlers started to gather in armed groups. They heard rumors that Catholics would join with Native Americans to force Protestants out.

Joseph tried one last time to get the assembly to support the old King. But Protestant colonists took control of the colony in July.

Col. Henry Darnall, a Catholic leader in Maryland.

In 1689, Puritans in Maryland revolted. They were now the main group in the colony. They were unhappy that Catholics like Joseph and Colonel Henry Darnall held important positions. Colonel John Coode led an army of 700 Puritans. They defeated a small army led by Colonel Darnall.

Darnall later wrote that they had no hope of stopping the angry people. To avoid bloodshed, they gave up. Coode and his Puritans set up a new government. This new government made Catholicism illegal. Darnall lost all his important jobs.

Joseph's Escape from Maryland

Joseph and other important Catholics left the colony. They might have taken some weapons with them. Joseph was replaced by John Coode. Coode was a leader of the Protestant Associators. He was a main person who started the rebellion.

Coode and his followers later said the rebellion was peaceful. But they were accused of stealing from those who supported the old government. They were also accused of taking the colony's money. Coode and his group said the old government did not help the poor. They also said the old government made people pay too many taxes.

The new leaders removed the Calvert family's control over Maryland. They also stopped Catholics from voting, carrying weapons, or serving on juries. In 1704, a law was passed to stop the growth of "Popery" (Catholicism) in Maryland. This law stopped Catholics from holding political jobs. Full religious freedom did not return to Maryland until the American Revolution.