Peleg Sanford
Encyclopedia
Peleg Sanford was an early governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
, serving three consecutive terms from 1680 to 1683. He was the son of John Sanford
by his second wife, Bridget Hutchinson. His father had been the cannoneer
at the fort in Boston
in the Massachusetts Bay Colony
, but was forced to leave Boston in 1637 when Peleg's grandmother, the famed Anne Hutchinson
, was evicted for her religious views, having "seduced and led into dangerous errors many of the people...in New England.". With Anne Hutchinson and her followers, the Sanfords established themselves in Portsmouth
in the Rhode Island colony
, and Peleg's father, John, was briefly the governor of the two towns of Newport
and Portsmouth, which were separated from Providence
and Warwick
for a short time.
Sanford grew up in Newport, and as a young man was appointed as a Captain of a troop of horse there. Following the events of King Phillips War, he and Captain Goulding informed Captain Church of the hiding location of the Indian warrior King Phillip
, and the following day the Indian was found and killed. In 1677 he and Richard Bailey were chosen as agents to go to England to deal with incursions made by the neighboring colony of Connecticut
. In 1679 he became a major, and in 1687 he was given the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In 1667, at the age of 28, Sanford began his political life and became an assistant, serving for three years, then was deputy for seven years, after which he once again served as assistant for another two years, ending in 1679. In 1680 he was elected governor of the colony, and served three consecutive terms, ending in 1683. During the period from 1686 to 1689 when the New England colonies had their charters revoked, and their governments fell under the Dominion of New England
, Sanford served as a member on the council of Sir Edmund Andros
, the governor of the dominion. Sanford wrote his will in 1701, and it was proved on 1 September of that year.
Sanford had no children by his first wife, but had seven by his second wife who was a daughter of William Coddington
, many times governor of the colony. His granddaughter, Mary Sanford, married Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson, a great grandson of William and Anne Hutchinson
. Sanford was succeeded as governor by his brother-in-law, William Coddington, Jr.
.
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...
, serving three consecutive terms from 1680 to 1683. He was the son of John Sanford
John Sanford (governor)
John Sanford , was an early settler of Boston, Massachusetts, an original settler of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and a governor of the combined towns of Portsmouth and Newport, in the Rhode Island colony, dying in office after serving for less than a full term...
by his second wife, Bridget Hutchinson. His father had been the cannoneer
Cannoneer
"Cannoneer" is a word for an artillery gunner, first recorded in the 16th century. Current titles for a Soldier in the 13B career field within the US Army is "Cannon Crewmember", but more commonly referred to by the shorter "Cannoneer"...
at the fort in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in the Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
, but was forced to leave Boston in 1637 when Peleg's grandmother, the famed Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson was one of the most prominent women in colonial America, noted for her strong religious convictions, and for her stand against the staunch religious orthodoxy of 17th century Massachusetts...
, was evicted for her religious views, having "seduced and led into dangerous errors many of the people...in New England.". With Anne Hutchinson and her followers, the Sanfords established themselves in Portsmouth
Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Portsmouth is a town in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 17,389 at the 2010 U.S. Census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water. Most of its land area lies on Aquidneck...
in the Rhode Island colony
Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...
, and Peleg's father, John, was briefly the governor of the two towns of Newport
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
and Portsmouth, which were separated from Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
and Warwick
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
for a short time.
Sanford grew up in Newport, and as a young man was appointed as a Captain of a troop of horse there. Following the events of King Phillips War, he and Captain Goulding informed Captain Church of the hiding location of the Indian warrior King Phillip
Metacomet
Metacomet , also known as King Philip or Metacom, or occasionally Pometacom, was a war chief or sachem of the Wampanoag Indians and their leader in King Philip's War, a widespread Native American uprising against English colonists in New England.-Biography:Metacomet was the second son of Massasoit...
, and the following day the Indian was found and killed. In 1677 he and Richard Bailey were chosen as agents to go to England to deal with incursions made by the neighboring colony of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. In 1679 he became a major, and in 1687 he was given the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In 1667, at the age of 28, Sanford began his political life and became an assistant, serving for three years, then was deputy for seven years, after which he once again served as assistant for another two years, ending in 1679. In 1680 he was elected governor of the colony, and served three consecutive terms, ending in 1683. During the period from 1686 to 1689 when the New England colonies had their charters revoked, and their governments fell under the Dominion of New England
Dominion of New England
The Dominion of New England in America was an administrative union of English colonies in the New England region of North America. The dominion was ultimately a failure because the area it encompassed was too large for a single governor to manage...
, Sanford served as a member on the council of Sir Edmund Andros
Edmund Andros
Sir Edmund Andros was an English colonial administrator in North America. Andros was known most notably for his governorship of the Dominion of New England during most of its three-year existence. He also governed at various times the provinces of New York, East and West Jersey, Virginia, and...
, the governor of the dominion. Sanford wrote his will in 1701, and it was proved on 1 September of that year.
Sanford had no children by his first wife, but had seven by his second wife who was a daughter of William Coddington
William Coddington
William Coddington was an early magistrate of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and later of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving as the Judge of Portsmouth, Judge of Newport, Governor of Portsmouth and Newport, Deputy Governor of the entire colony, and then Governor of the...
, many times governor of the colony. His granddaughter, Mary Sanford, married Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson, a great grandson of William and Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson was one of the most prominent women in colonial America, noted for her strong religious convictions, and for her stand against the staunch religious orthodoxy of 17th century Massachusetts...
. Sanford was succeeded as governor by his brother-in-law, William Coddington, Jr.
William Coddington, Jr.
William Coddington Jr. was an early governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, serving two consecutive terms from 1683 to 1685...
.
See also
- List of colonial governors of Rhode Island
- Colony of Rhode Island and Providence PlantationsColony of Rhode Island and Providence PlantationsThe Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was one of the original English Thirteen Colonies established on the east coast of North America that, after the American Revolution, became the modern U.S...