Josiah Martin

Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Martin (April 23, 1737 – July 1786) was the last colonial governor of the Province of North Carolina (1771-1775).

Martin was born in on the island of Antigua. He became an ensign in the British Army in 1756, and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1769. He was appointed the royal governor of North Carolina, succeeding William Tryon, who had been transferred to Province of New York. After his home was attacked by Whigs on April 24, 1775, he sent his family to New York and took refuge on board the sloop-of-war "Cruiser", transferring his headquarters to Fort Johnston on the Cape Fear River.

When the Mecklenburg Resolves were published in May 1775, Martin transmitted a copy to England, [Archibald Henderson, [http://www.newrivernotes.com/nc/meckdec1.htm "The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence"] , "The Journal of American History", 1912. Henderson noted that it was previously thought that Martin sent a copy of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, but that it is "now established beyond doubt" that he sent a copy of the Resolves.] which he described as "setting up a system of rule and regulation subversive of his majesty's government." Martin then requested a supply of arms and ammunition from General Thomas Gage in Boston. In July 1775, a plot instigated by Martin to arm the slaves was discovered. In retaliation, John Ashe led a group of colonists against Fort Johnston on July 20. Martin was forced to flee aboard the "Cruiser" while the colonists destroyed the fort. Martin remained off the coast of North Carolina, directing the rising of the Loyalists, whom he supplied with weapons brought from England. After two attempted invasions during the Carolina campaign of the American Revolutionary War to reestablish his administration were turned back, Martin, who was then in ill health due to fatigue, left for Long Island and then England. He died in London.

References

###@@@KEY@@@###succession box
title=Governor of the Royal Colony of North Carolina
before=James Hasell
after=James Hasell
years=1771 – 1774

succession box
title=Governor of the Royal Colony of North Carolina
before=James Hasell
after="President of the North Carolina Committee of Safety"
Cornelius Harnett
years=1774 – 1775