| Post: | Governor |
| Body: | North Carolina |
| Insignia: | Coat of arms of Great Britain (1714–1801).svg |
| Insigniacaption: | Royal Arms of His Majesty's Government |
| Style: | His Excellency |
| Residence: | Governor's Palace, Newbern |
| Appointer: | Monarch of Great Britain |
| Termlength: | At His Majesty's pleasure |
| Formation: | January 24, 1712 |
| First: | Edward Hyde |
| Last: | Josiah Martin |
| Abolished: | July 4, 1776 |
The governor of North Carolina from 1712 to 1776 was the representative of the British monarch in North Carolina. From 1729 to 1776, he was appointed by the monarch on the advice of the secretary of state for the Southern Department and the Board of Trade. The role of the governor was to act as the de facto head of state, and he was responsible for appointing members of the provincial government after a general election. The governor served as the commander in chief of the provincial militia and had sole responsibility for defence and security.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Besides the governor, other provincial officials included a secretary, attorney general, surveyor general, the receiver general, chief justice, five customs collectors for each of the five ports in North Carolina, and a council. The council advised the governor and also served as the upper house of the legislature. The president of the council occasionally served as acting governor.
| Name | Picture | Took office | Left office | Monarch (Reign) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edward Hyde | January 24, 1712 | September 8, 1712 | Anne (1712–1714) | |
| — | Thomas Pollock | September 12, 1712 | May 28, 1714 | ||
| 2 | Charles Eden | May 28, 1714 | March 26, 1722 | ||
| — | Thomas Pollock | March 30, 1722 | August 30, 1722 | George I | |
| — | William Reed | September 7, 1722 | January 15, 1724 | ||
| 3 | George Burrington | January 15, 1724 | July 17, 1725 | ||
| 4 | Sir Richard Everard | July 17, 1725 | February 25, 1731 | George II | |
| 5 | George Burrington | February 25, 1731 | April 17, 1734 | ||
| — | Nathaniel Rice | April 17, 1734 | November 2, 1734 | ||
| 6 | Gabriel Johnston | November 2, 1734 | July 17, 1752 | ||
| — | Nathaniel Rice | July 17, 1752 | January 28, 1753 | ||
| — | Matthew Rowan | February 1, 1753 | November 1, 1754 | ||
| 7 | Arthur Dobbs | November 1, 1754 | October 27, 1764 | ||
| 8 | William Tryon | October 27, 1764 | June 30, 1771 | George III | |
| — | James Hasell | July 1, 1771 | August 12, 1771 | ||
| 9 | Josiah Martin | August 12, 1771 | July 4, 1776 | ||