Thomas Miller (North Carolina)

Thomas Miller was the acting colonial governor of North Carolina for about six months in 1677 during the absence of the official governor Thomas Eastchurch. During Miller's government, the Anti-Proprietors, led by John Culpeper, provoked the Culpeper's Rebellion.

Career

Early years

Miller, originally a merchant and an apothecary in Ireland, emigrated to North Carolina and settled in Albemarle County in 1673, where he secured leadership of the proprietary political faction. Miller was later jailed for blasphemy, treason, and loathing towards the Lords Proprietors, although the Virginia Council acquitted him in May 1676. After the trial, he traveled with Thomas Eastchurch to London, England, where they convinced the Lords Proprietors that Eastchurch should govern Albemarle County. Miller was granted the titles of council member, secretary, and customs collector. In 1677, Miller and Eastchurch traveled to Albemarle.^[1]

Government in Albemarle

Shortly after that, Eastchurch appointed Miller as the Interim Governor^[1] and President of the Executive Council of Albemarle, having obtained a commission.^[2] Miller was nominated because after leaving London and embarking again to North Carolina together with Eastchurch, they had to stop temporarily at Nevis Island^[2] in the Caribbean. Eastchurch met and decided to marry a woman on the island before he eventually returned to North Carolina, spending his honeymoon there. During his absence, Miller occupied his place in the government of the county,^{[1] [2][3]} being elected by Eastchurch because he was his fellow proprietary and traveling companion. Miller arrived in Albemarle in July 1677 and claimed the government of Albemarle county. During his role he punished the anti-proprietors for several offenses which they had apparently committed. He also increased taxes and destined public money to cover the salary of his armed guards. Miller jailed Zachariah Gillam for customs violations and he also tried to jail George Durant, the leader of the anti-proprietary faction, which aroused the Culpeper's Rebellion against him in Albemarle.^[1]

Culpeper's Rebellion and consequences

The revolt began when Thomas Miller was apprehended by his opponents and enclosed in a log house of about 10 or 11 square feet, purposely built for him.^[4]

So, although Eastchurch arrived in Virginia in 1678, in the December month, he could not occupy the charge of governor of Albemarle because of the developing the revolt there, so he demanded, among other things, that the settlers surrender their weapons, the prisoners were taken out of prison, that a delegation was formed with the aim of that visit Virginia to learn and explain the reasons of the origin of the popular revolt, and that Miller's government was restored.

Although Eastchurch's demands were rejected, he was able to stop the advancement of the trial developed against Miller. Therefore, though he remained in prison during two years until his friends pulled him out, Miller's execution was avoided. Miller traveled to London for complain to the Lords Proprietors, the Commissioners of Customs, and the Privy Council about the events that had happened. Because of this, the leaders of Culpeper's Rebellion, Zachariah Gillam and John Culpeper, were jailed after their arrival in London, although the first of them was released from jail because of the lack of evidence to aid the charges, and Culpeper was absolved of his treason. As compensation, the royal treasury paid Thomas Miller.^[1]

Last years

In March 1681, he was appointed customs collector in Poole, England. However, in July 1682, he was fired and incarcerated for the offense of embezzling, and he died in prison prior to October of 1685.^[1]

References

External links

• Thomas Miller - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill