Thomas Miller (North Carolina)
| Thomas Miller | |
|---|---|
| 7th Governor of Albemarle Sound | |
|
In office July 1677 – December 1677 |
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| Preceded by | John Jenkins |
| Succeeded by | John Harvey |
| Personal details | |
| Occupation | Governor of Albemarle County (modern North Carolina) |
Thomas Miller was the acting colonial governor of North Carolina for about six months in 1677 during the absence of the official governor Thomas Eastchurch. During Miller's government, the Anti-Proprietors, led by John Culpeper, provoked the Culpeper's Rebellion.
Miller, originally a merchant and apothecary in Ireland, emigrated to North Carolina and settled in Albemarle County in 1673, where he secured leadership of the proprietary political faction. Miller was later jailed for blasphemy, treason, and loathing towards the Lords Proprietors, although the Virginia Council acquitted him in May 1676. After the trial, he travelled with Thomas Eastchurch to London, England, where they convinced the Lords Proprietors that Eastchurch should govern Albemarle County. Miller was granted the titles of council member, secretary, and customs collector. In 1677, Miller and Eastchurch travelled to Albemarle.
Shortly after that, Eastchurch appointed Miller as the Interim Governor and President of the Executive Council of Albemarle, having obtained a commission. Miller was nominated because after leaving London and embarking again to North Carolina together with Eastchurch, they had to stop temporarily at Nevis Island in the Caribbean. Eastchurch met and married a woman on the island before eventually returning to North Carolina and spending his honeymoon there. During his absence, Miller occupied his place in the government of the county, being elected by Eastchurch because he was his fellow proprietary and travelling companion. Miller arrived in Albemarle in July 1677 and claimed the government of Albemarle county. During his role he punished the anti-proprietors for several offences which they had apparently committed. He also increased taxes and diverted public money in order to cover the salary of his armed guards. Miller jailed Zachariah Gillam for customs violations and he also tried to jail George Durant, the leader of the anti-proprietary faction, which led to the Culpeper's Rebellion against him in Albemarle.
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