The Biographical Dictionary of America/Archdale, John

ARCHDALE, John, colonial governor, was born in England, son of Thomas Archdale, of Bucks county. His first visit to America was to New England in 1664 as agent for Governor Gorges of Maine, who had married his sister Mary. His second visit, in 1686, was to North Carolina, where for two years he acted as a commissioner for his brother-in-law. In 1695 Lord Ashley was sent by the English proprietors to govern North Carolina, the people there being in a turbulent condition, but he declined, and John Archdale was chosen in his place. Hewatt says: "He was a man of considerable knowledge and discretion, a Quaker, and a proprietor; great trust was reposed in him, and much was expected from his negotiations." He arrived in 1695, and restored harmony among the colonists; cut public roads and water passages; encouraged the cultivation of rice and regulated their policy and traffic with the Indians. He also concluded a treaty between two Indian tribes allied respectively to the Spanish and British governments. He returned to England in 1696, having named Joseph Blake as his successor, and was elected to Parliament in 1698, but being a Quaker could not take the prescribed oath, so was not allowed to take his seat. He published "A New Description of the Fertile and Pleasant Province of South Carolina (1707).