University of Virginia Library

SIR JEFFREY AMHERST.

Sir Jeffrey Amherst was born in Kent, England, January 29, 1717.
He was page to the Duke of Dorset while Lord Lieutenant of Ireland;
became an ensign in the army in 1731; was aide to Lord Ligonier at
Dottingen, Fontenoy, and Roncoux, and afterwards to the Duke of
Cumberland at Laffaldt. He was made Major General in 1756, and in
1758 was given the command of an expedition against Louisburg. Landing
there June 8th, a lodgment was effected July 26, and the place surrendered,
as did also St. Johns and other French strongholds. He was
appointed Commander-in-chief of the British army in America, September
30, 1758, and the surrender of Quebec to Wolfe's forces, and that
of Fort Niagara to Townsend and Johnson, was followed by that of
Crown Point, July 26th, and that of Ticonderoga, August 4, 1759, to
Amherst in person. Obtaining the naval supremacy on Lake Champlain,
Fort Nevis and Isle Aux Noix fell into his hands; and September

8, 1760, Montreal and the whole of Canada became a British possession.
Amherst was rewarded with the thanks of Parliament, with the
insignia of the Order of a Knight of Bath, and was made Governor-in-chief
of Virginia in 1763. When in 1768 it was desired by the Ministry
that he should reside in the Colony, he resigned, and was succeeded in
July by Lord Botetourt. General Amherst was appointed Governor of
Guernsey in 1771; created a baron in 1776; was commander of the
British army from 1778 to 1795, and was made a Field Marshal in July,
1796. He died August 3, 1797. His brother, William Amherst, was
Lieutenant-General and Colonel of the 32d Foot and Governor of St.
Johns, New Foundland. He was aide-de-camp to Sir Jeffrey Amherst
in America, and was at the capture of Louisburg. He died May 13,
1781. Amherst County, Va., was named in honor of Sir Jeffrey Amherst.