What did Lord Dunmore do in the Revolutionary War?
In the years prior to the American Revolution, Lord Dunmore, whose roots ran back to Scotland, served as the Colonial Governor in both New York and Virginia. A staunch supporter of the English Crown and Parliament’s policies, Dunmore raised the ire of patriot leaders in Williamsburg, including Patrick Henry.
Who was the 4th Earl of Dunmore?
John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore (1732 – 25 February 1809), was the colonial governor of Virginia at the outbreak of the American Revolution. He was the son of William Murray, the third Earl, and his wife Catherine (née Murray), and born in Scotland in 1732.
What was the purpose of Lord Dunmore’s proclamation?
Best known for Lord Dunmore’s Proclamation, issued in 1775, Dunmore, in an effort to undermine patriot resolve, declared that any enslaved person who fled his master and would serve with loyalty towards Great Britain, would secure their freedom. By the wars end between 800 to 2,000 enslaved African Americans in Virginia fled…
What was Dunmore’s martial law?
Made bold by the idea of what might be accomplished should the trickle of runaways become a flood, Dunmore declared martial law on November 14, 1775 and published a proclamation that freed “all indented Servants, Negroes, or others … that are able and willing to bear Arms.” He made no distinction between Patriot or Loyalist property.
How did the governor’s decree affect Lord Dunmore?
Lord Dunmore went as so far as to assume that he could rely on “all slaves on the side of the [British] government.” In reality, the governor’s decree only turned more colonists away from the British. Colonists saw Lord Dunmore’s action as another increase in British power and they rallied against it.
What did the Earl of Dunmore threaten to do?
In April 1775, John Murray, the Earl of Dunmore and Virginia’s royal governor, threatened to free slaves and reduce the capital, Williamsburg, to ashes if the colonists rebelled against British authority. In the months that followed, Dunmore’s position became increasingly desperate.