William Dummer

William Dummer
Portrait created in 1886 by Frederic Porter Vinton based on an earlier painting
Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay
In office October 15, 1716 – June 11, 1730
Preceded by	William Tailer
Succeeded by	William Tailer
Acting Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay
In office January 2, 1723 – July 19, 1728
Preceded by	Samuel Shute
Succeeded by	William Burnet
In office September 10, 1729 – June 11, 1730
Preceded by	William Burnet
Succeeded by	William Tailer (acting)
Personal details
Born	about 1677 Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Died	October 10, 1761(1761-10-10) (aged 84) Boston, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Spouse(s)	first unknown Katherine Dudley (second)

William Dummer (bapt. September 29, 1677 (O.S.) [= October 10, 1677 (N.S.)] – October 10, 1761) was a politician in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. He served as its lieutenant governor for fourteen years (1716–1730), including an extended period from 1723 to 1728 when he acted as governor. He is remembered for his role in leading the colony during what is sometimes called Dummer's War, which was fought between the British colonies of northeastern North America and a loose coalition of native tribes in what is now New Hampshire, Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia.

Dummer was born into a wealthy Massachusetts merchant family, traveling to England as a young man to participate in the business. Upon his return to Massachusetts in 1712 he entered provincial politics, gaining a royal commission as lieutenant governor through the efforts of his brother Jeremiah. He served during the turbulent tenure of Governor Samuel Shute, in which Shute quarreled with the assembly over many matters. Shute left the province quite abruptly at the end of 1722, while it was in the middle of a war with the natives of northern New England.

The war was brought to a successful conclusion by Dummer. He negotiated a treaty with the Abenakis which formed the basis for a succession of later treaties. In 1728 Shute was replaced by William Burnet, whose 1 1/2 years in office were consumed by a vitriolic fight over his salary. Burnet died in office, and was eventually replaced in 1730 by Jonathan Belcher, who selected William Tailer to be his lieutenant.

Dummer then retired, dividing time between his farm in Byfield and his home in Boston. A proponent of education, he bequeathed funds for the establishment of a preparatory school in Massachusetts, and donated his Byfield estate for its use. For many years it was known as either the Dummer Academy or the Governor Dummer Academy, but is now called The Governor's Academy.