Charles Craven

For other people named Charles Craven, see Charles Craven (disambiguation).

Charles Craven (1682 – 27 December 1754) was governor of colonial South Carolina from 19 March 1712 to 23 April 1716. He held the office during the end of the Tuscarora War and the beginning of the Yamasee War. He served as secretary to South Carolina's Lords Proprietors before being appointed governor by them.

At the start of the Yamasee War, in early 1715, Craven led a hastily assembled force of 240 militia troops against the Yamasee Indians. A pitched battled fought at Salkehatchie resulted in a decisive victory for South Carolina.

After the initial military victories of 1715, the South Carolina militia had trouble defending the colony and many members deserted. Governor Craven, having declared martial law at the start of the war, disbanded the militia and replaced it with a professional army. This was the first time the militia was disbanded as well as South Carolina's first professional army. Within a year, as the crisis of war ending, the army was dissolved.

Governor Craven founded the city of Beaufort, South Carolina.

See also

• List of colonial governors of South Carolina

References

• Charles Craven, Carolina Governors
• “Charles Craven”, Preservation Society Halsey Map

Persondata
Name	Craven, Charles
Alternative names
Short description	American politician
Date of birth	1682
Place of birth
Date of death	27 December 1754
Place of death