George Clarke

Who was George Clarke?

George Clarke was also known as George Clarke of Hyde. He became Secretary of the Province of New York in 1703. Along with his wife, Anne Hyde, he purchased land in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, and built an estate called Hyde Park. He subsequently became acting colonial governor of New York starting in 1736 when William Cosby died and lasting until 1743 when George Clinton arrived to replace Cosby. Clarke then had the post of Lieutenant Governor until 1747.

In 1741, Clarke was involved in putting down the New York Conspiracy of 1741, with African slaves being responsible for a series of arsons in March 1741, trying to burn down the city of New York, as a result of a recession that took particular effect on the slaves of the city.

On his return journey to England, with the fortune he had amassed whilst in America, he was captured by a French cruise boat. After a short time he was released. He died in Chester, England, on 12 January 1760, aged 84. He is buried in Chester Cathedral where there is a monument to him.

In the episode of Who Do You Think You Are?