Richard Philipps
Encyclopedia
General Richard Philipps (1661 – 14 October 1750) was said to have been in the employ of William III
as a young man and for his service gained the rank of Captain in the British army. He served at the Battle of the Boyne
in 1690 and made the rank of Lt. Col. in 1712.
In 1717 he was appointed Governor
of Nova Scotia
by George I
. He actually arrived in Annapolis Royal
in 1720, stayed until 1722 and returned to England. He made another visit to Nova Scotia and persuaded the Acadian French to swear allegiance to the British Government. He returned again to England about 1731. During the early years he evidently was an active and responsible governor. After 1731 his interest in the province was much reduced. Because of absences and laterally, waning interest, the roles of those acting for the Governor were greatly enhanced. They were: John Doucett
, (1717–1725); Lawrence Armstrong
, (1725–1739); Alexander Cosby
, 1739–1740; Paul Mascarene
, (1740–1749). At that point Edward Cornwallis
was appointed Governor.
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
as a young man and for his service gained the rank of Captain in the British army. He served at the Battle of the Boyne
Battle of the Boyne
The Battle of the Boyne was fought in 1690 between two rival claimants of the English, Scottish and Irish thronesthe Catholic King James and the Protestant King William across the River Boyne near Drogheda on the east coast of Ireland...
in 1690 and made the rank of Lt. Col. in 1712.
In 1717 he was appointed Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
by George I
George I of Great Britain
George I was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698....
. He actually arrived in Annapolis Royal
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Annapolis Royal is a town located in the western part of Annapolis County, Nova Scotia. Known as Port Royal until the Conquest of Acadia in 1710 by Britain, the town is the oldest continuous European settlement in North America, north of St...
in 1720, stayed until 1722 and returned to England. He made another visit to Nova Scotia and persuaded the Acadian French to swear allegiance to the British Government. He returned again to England about 1731. During the early years he evidently was an active and responsible governor. After 1731 his interest in the province was much reduced. Because of absences and laterally, waning interest, the roles of those acting for the Governor were greatly enhanced. They were: John Doucett
John Doucett
John Doucett was probably of French descent although he did not speak the language and was likely born in England. He was a career military man and, from 1702 on, received several promotions....
, (1717–1725); Lawrence Armstrong
Lawrence Armstrong
Lawrence Armstrong was a lieutenant-governor of Nova Scotia and acted as a replacement for the governor, Richard Philipps, during his long absences from the colony....
, (1725–1739); Alexander Cosby
Alexander Cosby
Alexander Cosby was born in Ireland and had a younger sister who married Richard Philipps, governor of Nova Scotia and a military man. Through this connection, Cosby was appointed major in the 40th regiment and was stationed in Nova Scotia around 1721...
, 1739–1740; Paul Mascarene
Paul Mascarene
Paul Mascarene was a Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia from 1740 to 1749. He had an extensive military career throughout his life, during the events of British and French conflict that led to the Seven Years' War.-Biography:...
, (1740–1749). At that point Edward Cornwallis
Edward Cornwallis
Lieutenant General Edward Cornwallis was a British military officer who founded Halifax, Nova Scotia with 2500 settlers and later served as the Governor of Gibraltar.-Early life:...
was appointed Governor.