Andrew Elliot

Andrew Elliot (born November 1728 in Edinburgh , Scotland , † 25 May 1797 in Jedburgh , Scotland) was the last British governor of the province of New York in 1783 .

Life

Andrew Elliot grew up in his Scottish homeland. In 1746 he left his home for Philadelphia , where he engaged in trade and gained a good reputation. He also took part in local social and political life. He became a member of the city council and curator of the College of Philadelphia , which later became the University of Pennsylvania . During a visit to Scotland in 1763 he was appointed Head of Customs at the Port of New York City (Collector of the Port of New York). Soon afterwards he became the head of the tax authorities of the province of New York (Receiver General of New York). Because of these appointments, he moved from Philadelphia to New York City.

When the American Revolutionary War broke out , Elliot remained loyal to the British crown. In the meantime he left New York and lived in Perth Amboy , New Jersey . After the British retook New York, he returned to the city. On May 1, 1777 he was appointed head of the Military Court of Police. Soon afterwards he was again in charge of customs. Eventually he became Deputy Colonial Governor under James Robertson . In 1783, when the British were defeated, Elliot was part of a delegation from New York who started talks with George Washington . Between April and November 1783 he was the last (acting) British colonial governor. During this time the withdrawal of the British troops was prepared and carried out. Although he was treated well by the Americans and he was not threatened with reprisals because of his British past, he felt unsafe in America after the war. So he returned to Scotland. In 1790 he was offered the post of British envoy to the United States. However, he refused this office.

Andrew Elliot died on May 25, 1797 in Jedburgh, Scotland.

Web link

• Elliot in the University of Pennsylvania database