Colonial governor, born in England; died in Williamsburg, VA, on the 15th of October 1770. In 1761 he was colonel of militia, and became a peer in 1764. In July 1768, he became governor of Virginia, succeeding Mr. Jeffrey Amherst. In November 1768, he arrived on the James River. In May 1769, the Virginia assembly complained of Parliamentary taxation, and of sending accused persons to England for trial; in reply, Lord Botetourt dissolved the legislature, of which Thomas Jefferson was then a leader. On the next day the people met in convention at the Raleigh tavern, and passed resolutions against the use of any merchandise imported from Great Britain. These resolutions were sent to England and to the other colonies. Lord Botetourt’s efforts of conciliation prevented further difficulty. Failing, however, to secure the repeal of the obnoxious laws, he demanded his recall, which was at once complied with by the government. His death followed shortly after.
