Burke, Thomas, c. 1747-1783

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Thomas Burke (c. 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.

Born in Tiaquin, County Galway, in the Kingdom of Ireland around 1747, he had emigrated to Virginia by 1764, practicing medicine in Accomack County for a number of years. He then studied law and began its 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. Burke's neighbors made him a member of the Fifth North Carolina Provincial Congress provisional that met in Halifax in 1776. There he had a part 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 the Congress were preparing 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 was active in supporting and encouraging the militia in its resistance to British and Tory forces. Then, in September, he was captured by Tories under the command of Col. David Fanning, and 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 Army 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 he feared assassination. Finally, on January 16, 1782, he escaped and made his way to North Carolina. He wrote to the British that he still considered himself under the terms of his parole. He resumed his duties as governor prior to being released from parole through exchange. Accordingly, many North Carolinians and Continental officers considered that he had broken his word, and he remained under a cloud of dishonor. In April 1782 he did not stand for 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 at Tyaquin and was buried there.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Burke, Thomas, ca. 1747-1783. Thomas Burke papers, 1763-1852 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Thomas Addis Emmet collection, 1483-1876 (bulk:1700-1800) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Washington, George, 1732-1799. George Washington papers, 1777-1798 [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Letters and documents of signers of the Declaration of Independence, 1750-1933. Houghton Library
referencedIn North Carolina papers. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Thomas Burke letter American Numismatic Society
referencedIn Long, Alves,. Alves Long papers, 1783, 1882, 1934, and undated [manuscript]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796. Anthony Wayne papers, 1779-1796. Library of Congress
referencedIn Nathanael Greene Papers, 1775-1785 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Davie, Preston, b. 1881. Preston Davie collection, 1560-1903. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Burke, Thomas, ca. 1747-1783. Thomas Burke correspondence, 1779-1782. Library of Congress
referencedIn Jones, Allen, 1739-1807. Allen Jones papers, 1781. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Webb, James, 1774-1855. James Webb papers, 1725-1918. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Jethro Sumner Papers, 1775-1791, (bulk 1781-1782) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
creatorOf Burke, Thomas, ca. 1747-1783. Autograph letter signed : Philadelphia, to Governor Caswell of North Carolina, 1777 July 30. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Thomas Burke Papers, ., 1763-1852 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
creatorOf Burke, Thomas, 1747-1783. Autograph letter signed : "State of North Carolina," to Gen. Greene, 1781 July 4. Pierpont Morgan Library.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Caswell, Richard, 1729-1789, person
associatedWith Davie, Preston, b. 1881. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Emmet, Thomas Addis person
associatedWith Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786, person
associatedWith Hubbard, John, collector. person
associatedWith Jones, Allen, 1739-1807. person
associatedWith Long, Alves, person
associatedWith North Carolina. Governor corporateBody
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
associatedWith Sumner, Jethro, 1733?-1785. person
memberOf United States. Continental Congress corporateBody
associatedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799. person
correspondedWith Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796. person
associatedWith Webb, James, 1774-1855. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
County Galway C IE
Orange County NC US
Norfolk VA US
Accomack County VA US
Subject
Governor
Occupation
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
Governors
Lawyers
Physicians
Activity

Person

Birth c. 1747

Death 1783-12-02

Male

Americans,

Britons

English

Information

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