Lord Charles Montagu Explained

Charles Montagu
Office:29th Governor of South Carolina
Termstart:June 12, 1766
Termend:May 1768
Predecessor:William Bull II
Successor:William Bull II
Monarch2:George III
Termstart2:October 30, 1768
Termend2:July 31, 1769
Predecessor2:William Bull II
Successor2:William Bull II
Monarch3:George III
Termstart3:September 15, 1771
Termend3:March 6, 1773
Predecessor3:William Bull II
Successor3:William Bull II
Birth Date:1741
Death Date:3 February 1784
Death Place:Guysborough, Nova Scotia (community)
Parents:Robert Montagu, 3rd Duke of Manchester
Harriet Dunch

Lord Charles Greville Montagu (1741 – 3 February 1784) was the last Royal Governor of the Province of South Carolina from 1766 to 1773, with William Bull II serving terms in 1768 and 1769–1771.[1] He also was the commander of the Duke of Cumberland's Regiment during the American Revolution.

Biography

Charles was the second son of Robert Montagu, 3rd Duke of Manchester. Charles attended Oxford University in 1759 and married Ms. Elizabeth Balmer in 1765. He was also a Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire from 1762 to 1765.

His attempts to enforce the 1765 Stamp Act made him unpopular with the local colonials as governor, and led to his departure during the American Revolution. He tried to be favorable with the colonials and American rebels, having pardoned some of the Regulators. However, it was not enough.

During the American Revolutionary War, Montagu began recruiting American prisoners for the Duke of Cumberland's Regiment to fight for the British war with Spanish forces, who were on the colonists side. Charles was captured recruiting soldiers on British prison ships in New York but was released by General Nathanael Greene. Charles even tried to convince American General William Moultrie to join his regiment, but failed. Charles and his recruits made up the Duke of Cumberland's army regiment, and the outfit was discharged in 1783.

Charles made it to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with his family (and Joseph Marshall). His Duke of Cumberland's Regiment settled Guysborough. He died soon afterwards and is buried in the crypt of St Paul's Church in Halifax. His tomb states that he died on 3 Feb, 1784, still in his 40s. He was remembered as a good and brave man, who was loyal to his King and Country.

Legacy

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Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Smith, William Roy . South Carolina as a Royal Province, 1719-1776 . 1903 . The Macmillan Company . New York . Charles Greville Montagu. . 411 .