William Tufton

William Tufton (1589–1650) was the British governor of Barbados between 21 December 1629 and 16 July 1630.

Career

William Tufton was born in 1589, in Mote, Hothfield, Kent, England. Raised in a family of Baronet, William Tufton was the fifth son of Sir John Tufton, 1st Baronet, and his second wife, a daughter of Sir Humphrey Brown, who was also a baronet. One of his older brothers was the also first Baronet Humphrey Tufton.[1] In 1629, the Earl of Carlisle appointed Sir William Tufton as governor of Barbados, sending him to the island.

In Barbados, Tufton removed Governor freehold, building six parishes and churches of the parishes and parish councils to govern it. In addition, improved some aspects of employment of workers, changing some of the policies of former governor Robert Wheatley. However, the increased attention given to the workers rather than entrepreneurs made that Carlisle and traders decided to replace him by Henry Hawley, who returned to Barbados in June 1630.

However, with Hawley, was increased the entrepreneurs´s benefits, while was reducing the living conditions of the working class in Barbados. In addition, Barbados suffered a severe drought, which restricted the supplies to workers and gave way to the so-called "hunger period".

Therefore, Tufton accused to Hawley of withholding supplies for himself and his Council, while workers had nothing to eat. Tufton could find a large number of signatories to the island that supported his ideas, but he was not able to convince the board, as this was formed by people who supported Hawlery.

After this, Hawley judged him for treason to him, basing that Tufton had rejected to him as governor. However, the Council accepted the indictment and Tufton was executed in 1650,[2] in the May month, being shot.[3]

Personal life

He married with Ann on 30 January 1620/1 in Greenwich, England.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Geni: William Tufton, of Vintners
  2. ↑ totallybarbados. Retrieved on 25 April 2013, to 21:30 pm.
  3. ↑ The History of Barbados. Edited by R.H. Schomburgk. Page 256.


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