Thomas Eastchurch

Thomas Eastchurch (? - January, 1678) was governor of Albemarle County, North Carolina between 1675 and 1676. During his time in office, he imprisoned the former governor John Jenkins for various offenses. Jenkins was later released from prison with the aid of his supporters and reclaimed his position as governor in the spring of 1676. After Eastchurch explained the situation in London to the Lords Proprietors, they reappointed him as governor. In 1677, he left London to celebrate his honeymoon in Nevis Island. During his absence, his fellow proprietary Thomas Miller acted as governor. Miller's crimes created a revolt and Eastchurch, upon return to Albemarle, was unable to help the government recover. In addition, the Anti-Proprietors' leaders decided to send an army to the northern part of the Albemarle County to prevent the new governor from accessing Albemarle. Although Eastchurch sought aid to invade the county, he never got it. He did not return to the government of Albemarle until after the spring of 1676.

Biography

Early years Many details about Eastchurch's childhood are largely unknown. A description provided by Lords Proprietors stated that Eastchurch was raised in a very wealthy family. In October 1669 he worked as surveyor general of Albemarle County (although he aspired to be Governor of Albemarle County). An influential relative of Eastchurch, Thomas Clifford, recommended Eastchurch to the Lords Proprietors for the government of Albemarle.

Governor of Albemarle In the September 1675 Albemarle County elections, the faction of Eastchurch was elected to govern the General Assembly of North Carolina. Eastchurch was appointed governor and Speaker of the Assembly. However, he only used this last title, never that of governor. In fall 1675, However, in the spring of 1676, supporters of Jenkins helped him to get out from prison and return the charge of governor of the region. Eastchurch travelled to London, together to his fellow proprietary Thomas Miller, in order "to appeal to the Lords Proprietors". |group="note"

Although Eastchurch arrived in Virginia in December 1678, he could not occupy the governor's charge of Albemarle because a revolt was developing there. Eastchurch demanded several things: the resignation of the colonists to their guns, release of prisoners from prison, restoration of Miller's government, and the formation of a delegation with the aim to visit Virginia to learn and explain the origin of the revolt.

Eastchurch's demands were rejected, but Eastchurch was able to halt the advancement of the trial against Miller. Anti-Proprietors leaders decided to send an army to the northern part of Albemarle County with the intent of preventing the new governor from entering Albemarle. Eastchurch decided to invade Albemarle County, and wanted to form an army in the Virginia colony. He sought help from Virginia Governor William Berkeley to assemble the troops, but Berkeley refused to accept the invasion and Eastchurch was never able to invade the county. Eastchurch died of fever in January 1678, in Jamestown, Virginia.