XLIV.
GEORGE HAMILTON DOUGLAS.
(EARL OF ORKNEY.)
XLIV. Governor-in-Chief.
XLIV. 1697-1737.
George Hamilton, Earl of Orkney, was fifth son of
Lord Selkirk. He entered the army early, and distinguished
himself at the battle of the Boyne and on other occasions, for
which he was raised to the peerage, and created by William
III. Earl of Orkney, in consideration of his gallantry. His
valor was equally displayed under Marlborough at Blenheim
and Malplaquet. In 1697 he was appointed Governor-inChief
of Virginia, and enjoyed the honor and emoluments of
the position for forty years, although the actual conduct of the
government was delegated to others. Out of an annual salary
of ¢2000 he received ¢1200, though he never once set foot upon
the soil of Virginia. But he was as great a favorite of Queen
Anne as he had been of William III. She bestowed honors
upon him, and he served with distinction in the wars of her
reign. He was made a Major-General and a Knight of the
Thistle, and as one of the sixteen peers of Scotland he was a
member of the House of Lords for many years. He married
in 1695, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edward Villiers, and left
descendants. He died January 29, 1737, and was succeeded
as Governor-in-Chief of Virginia by the Earl of Albemarle.
