Burke was born in Tiaquin, County Galway, Ireland, around 1747. By 1764, he had emigrated. Thomas went to Virginia and practiced medicine for several years. He studied law and began his practice in Norfolk, Virginia. He became an early supporter of the American Revolution, writing tracts in opposition to the Stamp Act. In 1774, he moved to Hillsborough, North Carolina.[1]
Burke's neighbors made him a member of the Fifth North Carolina Provincial Congress that met in Halifax in 1776. He participated in the debate that led to North Carolina's new constitution. He was chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress on December 20, 1776, and arrived in Philadelphia to take his seat on February 4, 1777. He was a strong states' rights advocate, although he moderated this view somewhat by 1781. In September 1777, most of Congress prepared to flee Philadelphia as the British advanced. Burke, instead, went to join General Nash's North Carolina troops defending the city. He was present at the Battle of Brandywine before rejoining the Congress.
Burke served in Congress until 1781, when he was chosen to be governor of North Carolina. He returned home to assume that office in June. As governor, he actively supported and encouraged the militia in its resistance to British and Loyalist forces. Then, in September, he was captured by Tories under the command of Col. David Fanning. After a failed rescue attempt by patriot militia under the command of John Butler at the Battle of Lindley's Mill, Burke was imprisoned by the British on James Island near Charleston, South Carolina.
Burke was allowed to live freely on the island under parole, but he was subject to mistreatment and deplorable conditions and feared assassination. Finally, on January 16, 1782, he escaped and went to North Carolina. He wrote to the British that he still considered himself under the terms of his parole. He resumed his governor duties before being released from parole through an exchange. Accordingly, many North Carolinians and Continental officers considered that he had broken his word and remained under a cloud of dishonor. In April 1782, he did not stand for re-election to the governorship and was succeeded by Alexander Martin.
Burke's health never recovered from his term of imprisonment. He retired to his home, known as Tyaquin, in Orange County. He died there on December 2, 1783, and was buried on his plantation near Hillsborough. The gravesite is about 350 feet north of what is now Governor Burke Road.
Burke was claimed to have been a practicing Roman Catholic who succeeded politically in an era when Catholics held little political power and were often discriminated against.[2]
thomas, burke, north, carolina, politician, other, people, named, thomas, burke, thomas, burke, disambiguation, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, intro. For other people named Thomas Burke see Thomas Burke disambiguation This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations April 2010 Learn how and when to remove this template message Thomas Burke circa 1747 December 2 1783 was an Irish physician lawyer and statesman who lived in Hillsborough North Carolina He represented North Carolina as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was the third governor of the state He was the first Catholic governor of North Carolina Thomas BurkeGovernor of North CarolinaIn office June 26 1781 April 22 1782Preceded byAbner NashSucceeded byAlexander MartinPersonal detailsBornThomas Burkeca 1747 1747 County Galway Kingdom of IrelandDiedDecember 2 1783 aged 35 36 Orange County North Carolina United StatesSpouseMary Freeman Doherty Contents 1 Biography 2 Namesakes 3 See also 4 ReferencesBiography EditBurke was born in Tiaquin County Galway Ireland around 1747 By 1764 he had emigrated Thomas went to Virginia and practiced medicine for several years He studied law and began his practice in Norfolk Virginia He became an early supporter of the American Revolution writing tracts in opposition to the Stamp Act In 1774 he moved to Hillsborough North Carolina 1 Burke s neighbors made him a member of the Fifth North Carolina Provincial Congress that met in Halifax in 1776 He participated in the debate that led to North Carolina s new constitution He was chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress on December 20 1776 and arrived in Philadelphia to take his seat on February 4 1777 He was a strong states rights advocate although he moderated this view somewhat by 1781 In September 1777 most of Congress prepared to flee Philadelphia as the British advanced Burke instead went to join General Nash s North Carolina troops defending the city He was present at the Battle of Brandywine before rejoining the Congress Burke served in Congress until 1781 when he was chosen to be governor of North Carolina He returned home to assume that office in June As governor he actively supported and encouraged the militia in its resistance to British and Loyalist forces Then in September he was captured by Tories under the command of Col David Fanning After a failed rescue attempt by patriot militia under the command of John Butler at the Battle of Lindley s Mill Burke was imprisoned by the British on James Island near Charleston South Carolina Burke was allowed to live freely on the island under parole but he was subject to mistreatment and deplorable conditions and feared assassination Finally on January 16 1782 he escaped and went to North Carolina He wrote to the British that he still considered himself under the terms of his parole He resumed his governor duties before being released from parole through an exchange Accordingly many North Carolinians and Continental officers considered that he had broken his word and remained under a cloud of dishonor In April 1782 he did not stand for re election to the governorship and was succeeded by Alexander Martin Burke s health never recovered from his term of imprisonment He retired to his home known as Tyaquin in Orange County He died there on December 2 1783 and was buried on his plantation near Hillsborough The gravesite is about 350 feet north of what is now Governor Burke Road Burke was claimed to have been a practicing Roman Catholic who succeeded politically in an era when Catholics held little political power and were often discriminated against 2 Namesakes EditBurke County North Carolina is named for him See also EditList of U S state governors born outside the United StatesReferences Edit Lewis J D Thomas Burke The American Revolution in North Carolina Retrieved May 26 2019 Catholic Encyclopedia North Carolina www NewAdvent org Retrieved May 26 2019 Gravesite Photo and Details United States Congress Thomas Burke id B001098 Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Watterson John 1979 Thomas Burke NCPedia Watterson John S 1980 Thomas Burke Restless Revolutionary Washington D C University Press of America Political officesPreceded byAbner Nash Governor of North Carolina1781 1782 Succeeded byAlexander Martin Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Thomas Burke North Carolina politician amp oldid 1155198229, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
