George Carteret

Sir George Carteret (c. 1610 - 1680), also known as George de Carteret, was an royalist statesman in Jersey and England, who served in the Clarendon Ministry as Treasurer of the Navy. He was also one of the original proprietors of the Carolina colony.

Related Topics:
1610 - 1680 - Jersey - England - Clarendon Ministry - Treasurer of the Navy - Carolina

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He was born in the island of Jersey sometime between 1609 and 1607. Entering the navy at an early age, he attained a high reputation as a naval officer, and in 1626 was appointed by Charles I as Joint Governor of the island of Jersey. He was much esteemed by all parties. In 1640 he was appointed Comptroller of the Navy, and May, 1645, was created a Baronet.

Related Topics:
Navy - 1626 - Charles I - 1640 - 1645 - Baronet

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On the commencement of the Civil War he retired from the navy, and withdrew with his family to Jersey, but subsequently returned to aid the projects of the royalists. He afterwards, on the ruin of the royal cause, afforded an asylum to the Prince of Wales and other refugees of distinction within his government of Jersey where he served as Bailiff 1643-1651, and defended the island against the Parliamentarians, Elizabeth Castle being the last fortress that lowered the royal banner.

Related Topics:
Civil War - Navy - Bailiff - 1643 - 1651

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George Carteret also had Charles proclaimed King in Saint Helier on 17 February 1649 after the execution of his father, Charles I. Charles II never forgot this gesture whereby Jersey became the first of his realms to recognise his claim to the throne.

Related Topics:
Saint Helier - 17 February - 1649

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At the Restoration, having shared Charles II?s banishment, Sir George formed one of the immediate train of the restored monarch on his triumphant entry into London. The next day Carteret was sworn into the Privy Council, appointed Vice Chamberlain, and constituted Treasurer of the Navy.

Related Topics:
Restoration - Charles II - London

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In 1669 he was expelled from the House of Commons to which he had been elected in 1661 to represent Portsmouth, for misconduct as Vice Chamberlain, being accused of embezzlement (see Andrew Marvell's Letters, pp. 125, 126). In 1673 he was appointed one of the Lords of the Admiralty, and continued in the public service until his death 14 January 1679 (old style).

Related Topics:
Portsmouth - 1673 - Lords of the Admiralty - 14 January - 1679 - Old style

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The fidelity with which Carteret, like Berkeley, had clung to the royal cause, gave him also great influence at court. He had, at an early date, taken a warm interest in the colonization of America. With John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton, he became one of the proprietors of the Province of Carolina, prior to their becoming jointly interested in New Jersey.

Related Topics:
John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton - Province of Carolina - New Jersey

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Shortly before Carteret's death, the king proposed to give him the title Baron Carteret, but Carteret died too soon, so the honor passed to his grandson George Carteret, 1st Baron Carteret.

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