Charles Eden (politician)
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His Excellency Charles Eden |
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| 2nd Governor of North Carolina | |
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In office July 13, 1713 – March 26, 1722 |
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| Monarch | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Pollock (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Pollock (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1673 County Palatine of Durham, England |
| Died | March 26, 1722 (aged 48) Bertie County, North Carolina |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse(s) | Penelope Golland |
| Religion | Church of England |
Charles Eden (1673 – March 26, 1722) was a British administrator who served as the second Governor of North Carolina, serving from July 13, 1713 until his death in 1722.
Eden was appointed Governor of North Carolina on July 13, 1713. He is best known for his actions to end piracy in the area. Gentleman pirate Stede Bonnet and the notorious Blackbeard (Edward Teach) surrendered to Governor Eden and received the King's Pardon upon promising to change their ways. Both, however, would eventually return to piracy.
In 1719 prominent North Carolinian Edward Moseley accused Governor Eden of profiting from Blackbeard's crimes. Moseley was arrested and fined for his accusations. Eden's secretary of the governor's council, Tobias Knight, was implicated when a letter written by him to Teach was found on the pirate's body at his death and by the fact that cargo taken from a ship captured by Teach was housed in Knight's barn. Knight's letter mentioned the governor's desire to meet with Blackbeard and this was considered sufficient evidence that Eden colluded with the pirates, but no further proof was forthcoming. Eden presented an account of his dealings with Blackbeard to the provincial council, which accepted his pleas of innocence. Nevertheless, Eden's reputation has long been clouded by his connections to Blackbeard.
Governor Eden died of yellow fever in Bertie County in 1722 at the age of 48. Edenton, North Carolina is named for him. His remains were later reinterred in the churchyard of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Edenton.
Governor Eden was featured as a character in the Hallmark Entertainment mini series Blackbeard, portrayed by Richard Chamberlain. However, the film takes severe dramatic license, portraying Eden as the governor of New Providence, the island which is now the capital of the Bahamas, as opposed to his real occupation as Governor of North Carolina. The film also puts heavy emphasis on the fact that Eden engaged in illegal trade with Blackbeard (which is true), but the film also claims he conspired with colonial secretary Tobias Knight to arrange the murder of Eden's stepdaughter in order to claim her inheritance, which is debatable.
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