John Gregory (governor)
John Gregory | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Jamaica | |
| In office 1735–1735 | |
| Monarch | King George II |
| Preceded by | John Ayscough |
| Succeeded by | Henry Cunningham |
| In office 1736–1738 | |
| Monarch | King George II |
| Preceded by | Henry Cunningham |
| Succeeded by | Edward Trelawny |
| In office 1748–1748 | |
| Monarch | King George II |
| Preceded by | Edward Trelawny |
| Succeeded by | Edward Trelawny |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1688 St. Catherine, Jamaica |
| Died | 1764 (aged 76) Conduit Street, St George's Square, London, England |
| Spouse | Lucretia Favell |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Rank | Commander-in-Chief of Jamaica & American Territories |
| Battles/wars | First Maroon War |
John Gregory (1688–1764) was a Jamaican-born colonial administrator, slave-owner, and military official in the eighteenth century British colony of Jamaica who acted as Governor of Jamaica three times, served as Chief Justice of Jamaica twice, and served as the President of the Legislative Council of Jamaica, Chancellor, & Commander-In-Chief of the colony of Jamaica and the territories theron depending in America during and following the period of the First Maroon War.[1]
Early life
[edit]John Gregory was born in 1668 in Spanish Town, Saint Catherine Parish, Colony of Jamaica, the offspring of Matthew Gregory and his wife Jane Archer.
Career
[edit]Charles Leslie, a Barbadian writer who authored A New and Exact History of Jamaica, describes him in 1740 as a man "who always acted with that firmness and prudence which became one in such an eminent station; his character is to be strictly honest, and severely just; no motives could ever persuade him to forgive the crimes of convicts, nor could the solicitations or prayers of the most considerable, induce him to deviate from the known laws and rules of justice." [2]
In 1733–35, Gregory was appointed Chief Justice of Jamaica.[3] As a long-time and respected member of the Legislative Council of Jamaica since 1717, John Gregory rose to the position of President from 1735 to 1751.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ The Political State of Great Britain, Volume 53, 1736, p. 290, at Google Books
- ^ A New History of Jamaica, from the earliest accounts, to the taking of Porto Bello by Vice-Admiral Vernon. In thirteen letters from a Gentleman to his friend, etc. [By Charles Leslie. With maps.]. I. Hodges. 1740. p. 285.
- ^ https://archive.org/details/cu31924020417527/page/n25/mode/2up Cundall, Frank. (1915) Historic Jamaica. London: Institute of Jamaica. pp. xviii–xix.
- ^ "1751 Jamaica Almanac - Assembly Public Officers and Justices". www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com. Jamaican Family Search. Retrieved 13 February 2022.