XLVI.
EDWARD NOTT.
XLVI. Lieutenant-Governor.
XLVI. August 15, 1705, to August, 1706.
Edward Nott succeeded Governor Nicholson, and
arrived in the Colony in August, 1705. He died in August,
1706, and although he was in office one year only, he enjoyed
the esteem and affection of the people in the highest degree.
In some measure he was subordinate to the Earl of Orkney,
but his official acts were always for the benefit of the Colony
over which he presided. In the first year of his government
William and Mary College was burnt to the ground. The
building was first modeled by Sir Christopher Wren; it was
afterwards rebuilt by the ingenious direction of Governor
Spotswood.
During Governor Nott's administration an Act was passed
"directing the building an house for the Governor of this
Colony and dominion," appropriating land for that purpose,
stating dimensions and materials for house, and authorizing
the Governor to draw on the Treasurer for the sum of ¢3000.
An Act also was passed at this time, continuing the Act directing
the building of the Capitol and City of Williamsburg at
Middle Plantation. The specifications of this Act are very
interesting, when in the light of later days we review the
plans laid for the Capitol of Virginia. Special provision was
also made now for the French refugees, whose settlement was
above the Falls of James River, and their parish was known
as "King William Parish in the County of Henrico."
Virginia in 1703 contained 60,606 souls, not including
the French refugees, and it numbered 25 counties. Such
had been the outgrowth of the landing of 1606, nearly one
hundred years before.
Governor Nott died in Virginia August 23, 1706, and was,
buried in the churchyard of Old Bruton Church, in Williamsburg.
In the graveyard surrounding the Old Church at
Williamsburg, Bruton Parish, Virginia, the following inscription
was found on a time-worn slab:
"Under this marble rest ye ashes of his excellency, Edward Nott, late
Governor of this Colony, who, in his private character, was a good Christian,
and in his public, a good Governor. He was a lover of mankind,
and bountiful to his friends. By the prudence and justice of his administration
he was deservedly esteemed a public blessing while he lived, and
when he died it was a public calamity. He departed this life the 23d day
of August, 1706, aged 49 years. In grateful remembrance of whose many
virtues, the General Assembly of this Colony have erected this monument."
