Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 1.djvu/155

 COLOXIAL COUNCILLORS OF STATE

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lows of the colleges in the university there. He emigrated to \'irginia when a young man and was soon appointed clerk of Charles River county. He appears to have been a friend of Sir John Harvey, and wlien that governor was succeeded by Sir Francis Wyatt, Wilhs severely denounced the new governor, the council and the house of burgesses for their hostility to Harvey. For this he was con- demned in 1040 to lose his offices, to be dis- barred from practicing as an attorney, to be fined and imprisoned during the governor's pleasure. His period of misfortune was brief, however, for in two years Wyatt was suc- ceeded by Berkeley, and it is probable that AX'illis's disabilities were removed. Certain it is that in 1648 he was a justice of York county and in 1652 was one of the first representa- tives of Gloucester county. He was appointed to a committee for the review of the laws of \'irginia in March. 1658-59. and a year later, ht also became a councillor and held that office for many years, and even after he had returned to England in 1676. He never re- turned to \^irginia, but died in Kent some- time between 1689 and 1691. He left all his large estates in Virginia to his nephew Fran- cis Willis, son of Henry Willis, and from him descend our Virginia Willises.

Carter, Edward. Lieut. Col. Edward Car- ter was a burgess for Upper XorfolK in March 1657-58, and again in the following year. He was a councillor in 1659 and seems to have held his seat in the council until 1667, when his name appears as present at a session. He returned, however, to his home "Edmondton,"' Middlesex county, England, where he died in 1682.

Swann, Thomas, of Swann's Point, Surrey, countv, son of William Swann of the same

place, was a member of the house of burgesses from James City county, Nov., 1645, ^^^ Oct., 1(49. and, as Lieut. Col. Thomas Swann, for Surrey. March, i''>57-58. He was appointed to the council in i59 and held that office until his death. He held many civil and military posts in Surry county and seems to have been a very prominent man there. During Bacon's rebellion and llie preceding troubles. Col. Swann acted with great moderation. He was opposed to Berkeley's measures and signed the proclamation of .April 11, 1676, calling for the election of burgesses to meet in September, but he did not follow Bacon in open opposition to the government, and when Gov. Berkeley re- fused to entertain the three commissioners sent fiom England to suppress the rebellion, Swann received them at his house at '"Swann's Point," opposite Jamestown and all their meetings were held there. In Dec, 1677. the committee of trade and plantations of the English privy council, directed that Col. Swann be recom- n-;ended to Gov. Jeffreys for some reward for his kindness and expense in receiving the com- missioners at his house after Berkeley had refused. His tomb, with crest and epitaph is at Swann's Point and thereon is recorded the day of his death as the sixteenth of September, "in ye year of cur Lord God 1680." The good councillor seems to have had an unusual num- ber of wives even for that marrying day and generation, having been wed no le>s than five times. He had many descendants; some of them very distinguished.

Whitaker, William, of James City county, was a member of the house of burgesses at the session of Oct., 1649, April, 1652, Nov., 1652, July, 1653, Nov., 1654. Dec, 1656, and March. 1658-59. Soon after the last named session he was appointed to the council, and as "Major