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BURKE, Thomas, a Delegate from North Carolina; born in Galway, Ireland, about 1747;
studied medicine; immigrated to America in 1764, settled in Accomac County,
Va., and practiced; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice
in Norfolk, Va.; moved to Hillsboro, N.C., in 1771; delegate to the State
convention at New Bern and Hillsboro in 1775 and at Halifax in 1776; member of
the State house of commons in 1777; Member of the Continental Congress from
1777 to 1781, when he became the third Governor of North Carolina under its
State constitution; kidnaped by the Tories September 13, 1781, and carried to
Charleston, S.C., where he was held as a hostage; succeeded in escaping;
resumed his duties as Governor February 1, 1782, and served until April 22,
1782; died at Tyaquin, near Hillsboro, Orange County, N.C., December 2,
1783; interment in Mars Hill Churchyard, near Hillsboro, N.C.
Bibliography Watterson, John S.
Thomas Burke, Restless Revolutionary. Washington, D. C.:
University Press of America, 1980.
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