Thomas Pollock

The title of this article is ambiguous. For the ice hockey player of the same name, see Tom Pollock (1925–1994).

Thomas Pollock (born May 6, 1654 in Glasgow , Scotland , † August 30, 1722 in later Bertie County , Province of North Carolina ) was a British colonial governor of the Province of North Carolina.

Life

Nothing is known about Thomas Pollock's youth and schooling. Via Maryland he came in June 1683 to what would later become the province of North Carolina. In the following years he became an influential man in his new homeland, who worked throughout his life as a trader, lawyer, planter, soldier and not least as a politician. He was also involved in the church. In addition, he was one of the wealthiest landowners (50,000 acres) in North Carolina. He managed his lands with the help of up to 70 slaves of African origin. There were also some enslaved Indians.

Pollock held several political offices since 1689. He became a member of the colonial parliament and the executive council of the then Province of Carolina . He also worked as a judge. As a member of the Church of England , he was a staunch opponent of the Quakers . When they rebelled in 1711 under the leadership of Thomas Cary against the then governor of North Carolina Edward Hyde (Cary's Rebellion), Pollock stood behind Hyde. Almost at the same time, the Tuscarora War broke out . Pollock, who was also an officer in the militia at the time, raised a force of about 150 men to take part in the war.

In January 1712 the Province of Carolina was split up. The Province of South Carolina arose in the south and the Province of North Carolina in the north. The first official governor of the northern province was Edward Hyde, who had been acting as deputy governor of the old province of Carolina since 1710. However, he only held office for about nine months until he fell victim to a yellow fever epidemic on September 8, 1712. Thereupon Thomas Pollock was chosen as his successor as British governor of North Carolina. He held this office until May 28, 1714. On this day, the newly appointed governor Charles Eden took office. In just under two years as governor, Pollock had to deal with the ongoing Indian War. After leaving office, he continued his previous activities. After Eden's death on March 26, 1722, Pollock was again appointed governor of the colony. He held this office until his death on August 30 of the same year.

Thomas Pollock was married twice and had eight children from his first marriage to Martha Cullen West. His second marriage to Esther Wilkinson was childless.

Web links

• Thomas Pollock in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• Thomas Pollock in NCpedia
• Thomas Pollock at Carolana.Com
• Thomas Pollock on WikiTree