John Smith (Virginia burgess)
Encyclopedia
John Smith also known as Francis Dade (Francis Dade (Virginia Burgess)
), was a Virginia politician and landowner. He was an English Royalist who emigrated to Virginia some time after the death of Charles I
, possibly after involvement in some plot against Oliver Cromwell
. In Virginia he adopted the name "John Smith". He served as Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1658. He died at sea in 1663.
, and was chosen as Speaker. Governor Samuel Mathews tried to dissolve the House on April 1. The House, under Smith's leadership, replied that the dissolution was illegal; it swore its members to secrecy and threatened to censure anyone who left the session. The following day, Mathews and his council offered to refer the dispute to Cromwell. The House refused and declared the governor's and councillors' offices vacant. It then proceeded to reelect Mathews and his council, forcing them all to swear an oath to honor the sovereignty of the House.
Francis Dade (Virginia Burgess)
Francis Dade , also known as John Smith , was a Virginia politician and landowner. He was an English Royalist who emigrated to Virginia some time after the death of Charles I, possibly after involvement in some plot against Oliver Cromwell. He was notoriously attached to the Stuarts. In Virginia he...
), was a Virginia politician and landowner. He was an English Royalist who emigrated to Virginia some time after the death of Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
, possibly after involvement in some plot against Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
. In Virginia he adopted the name "John Smith". He served as Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1658. He died at sea in 1663.
House of Burgesses
Smith served in the House only during the 1658 session, representing Warwick CountyWarwick County, Virginia
Warwick County was a county in Southeast Virginia that was created from Warwick River Shire, one of eight created in the Virginia Colony in 1634. It became the City of Warwick on July 16, 1952...
, and was chosen as Speaker. Governor Samuel Mathews tried to dissolve the House on April 1. The House, under Smith's leadership, replied that the dissolution was illegal; it swore its members to secrecy and threatened to censure anyone who left the session. The following day, Mathews and his council offered to refer the dispute to Cromwell. The House refused and declared the governor's and councillors' offices vacant. It then proceeded to reelect Mathews and his council, forcing them all to swear an oath to honor the sovereignty of the House.