Nathaniel Higginson
| Nathaniel Higginson | |
|---|---|
| President of Fort St George (Madras) | |
|
In office 3 October 1692 – 7 July 1698 |
|
| Preceded by | Elihu Yale |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Pitt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 October 1652 Guilford, Connecticut Colony |
| Died | 31 October 1708 London, Kingdom of Great Britain |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Richards |
| Religion | Puritan |
| Signature |  |
Nathaniel Higginson (11 October 1652 – 31 October 1708) was an English politician and a scion of the Higginson family of Salem, Massachusetts who served as the first Mayor of Madras, and later as the President of the colony from 3 October 1692 to 7 July 1698.
Nathaniel Higginson was born at Guilford, Connecticut Colony in a family of American pioneers. His grandfather Francis Higginson was the first Minister of the First Church of Salem, Massachusetts from 1629 to 1630 while his father Rev. John Higginson served as Minister of the First Church from 1660 to 1708. Rev. John Higginson was a leading investigator in the Salem witch trials of 1692–1693 which witnessed the prosecution of his own daughter and Nathaniel's sister Ann Doliver on charges of practising witchcraft.
Nathaniel Higginson graduated in M.A. from Harvard University in 1670. In 1674, he moved to England where he worked for seven years in service of Lord Wharton as steward and tutor to his children. In 1681, he was employed at the Mint in the Tower where he served till 1683, when he joined the service of the British East India Company and travelled to Madras. Soon, he was appointed to the Council of Fort St George. In 1687, when the Corporation of Madras was created, Nathaniel Higginson – who was the Second member of the Council – became the first Mayor.
Nathaniel Higginson married Elizabeth Richards in 1692.
The plan for setting up a corporation in Madras was first detailed by Josiah Child, the President of the Board of Directors of the British East India Company, in a letter addressed to the factors at Madras on 28 September 1687. Three months later, Josiah Child and his deputy had an audience with James II, and as per the ensuing discussions, a Charter was issued by the king on 30 December 1687 which established the Corporation of Madras. The charter came into effect on 29 September 1688, and Nathaniel Higginson – who was then the second member of the Council of Fort St George – took office as the Mayor of Madras.
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