George Clarke (Governor)
Encyclopedia
George Clarke was also known as George Clarke of Hyde. He became Secretary of the Province of New York in 1703. Along with his wife, Anne, he purchased land in Hempstead
, Long Island, New York, and built an estate called Hyde Park. He subsequently became acting colonial governor of New York
starting in 1736 when William Cosby died and lasting until 1743 when George Clinton arrived to replace Cosby. Clarke then had the post of Lieutenant Governor until 1747.
In 1741, Clarke was involved in putting down the New York Conspiracy of 1741, with African slaves being responsible for a series of arsons in March 1741, trying to burn down the city of New York, as a result of a recession that took particular effect on the slaves of the city.
On his return journey to England, with the fortune he had amassed whilst in America, he was captured by a French cruise boat. After a short time he was released. He died in Chester
, England, on 12 January 1760, aged 84. He is buried in Chester Cathedral
where there is a monument to him.
In the episode of Who Do You Think You Are? screened on 24 August 2011, the British athlete and politician Sebastian Coe discovered that he is descended from George Clarke, who was his seven-times-great-grandfather.
Hempstead (village), New York
Hempstead is a village located in the town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 53,891 at the 2010 census.Hofstra University is located on the border between Hempstead and Uniondale.-Foundation:...
, Long Island, New York, and built an estate called Hyde Park. He subsequently became acting colonial governor of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
starting in 1736 when William Cosby died and lasting until 1743 when George Clinton arrived to replace Cosby. Clarke then had the post of Lieutenant Governor until 1747.
In 1741, Clarke was involved in putting down the New York Conspiracy of 1741, with African slaves being responsible for a series of arsons in March 1741, trying to burn down the city of New York, as a result of a recession that took particular effect on the slaves of the city.
On his return journey to England, with the fortune he had amassed whilst in America, he was captured by a French cruise boat. After a short time he was released. He died in Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
, England, on 12 January 1760, aged 84. He is buried in Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral
Chester Cathedral is the mother church of the Church of England Diocese of Chester, and is located in the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. The cathedral, formerly St Werburgh's abbey church of a Benedictine monastery, is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary...
where there is a monument to him.
In the episode of Who Do You Think You Are? screened on 24 August 2011, the British athlete and politician Sebastian Coe discovered that he is descended from George Clarke, who was his seven-times-great-grandfather.