A Governor is an official appointed to oversee the administration of a colony as the head of its government. Governors were appointed by either the monarch or in some cases in the British Empire, by the Lords Proprietor. They often were not natives of the colonies they were appointed to oversee. Their main responsibilities included the upholding of law and order, promoting the flow of commerce and ensuring that the colony is profitable.
Governors would often form a Governor's Council that would act as a close body of advisors to assist him with governing. A governor was also responsible for the defense of his colony. While some larger colonies could expect a formal military presence, most could not and would then have to form militias of the able bodied men, who were expected to bear arms in defense of the colony. If the governor failed in any of his duties, he could be deposed.
Most governors resided in an official residence (often called the Governor's Mansion) located in the capital of their colony.
Governors[]
British Governors[]
Governors of New Providence Island[]
- Nicholas Trott, Governor of New Providence Island
- Robert Thompson, Governor of New Providence Island
- Woodes Rogers, Royal Governor of New Providence Island
- Augustus Featherstone, Royal Governor of New Providence Island
Other Governors[]
- Peter Ashe, Lord Governor of Carolina Colony
- Benjamin Bennett, Governor of Bermuda
- Charles Gookin, Governor of Pennsylvania Colony
- Henry Morgan, Governor of Jamaica
- Addison, Governor of Jamaica
Spanish Governors[]
- Vicente de Raja, Governor of Cuba
- Christopher Columbus, Governor of the West Indies (historical title)