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Danvers Osborn | |
|---|---|
%2c_Governor_of_New_York%2c_by_Petrus_Johannes_van_Reysschoot.jpg) 1736 portrait of Osborn byPetrus Johannes van Reysschoot | |
| Governor of New York | |
| In office 1753–1753 | |
| Monarch | George II |
| Preceded by | George Clinton |
| Succeeded by | James De Lancey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1715-11-17)17 November 1715 Shefford, Bedfordshire |
| Died | 12 October 1753(1753-10-12) (aged 37) New York City,New York |
| Profession | Politician, colonial administrator |
Sir Danvers Osborn, 3rd Baronet (17 November 1715 – 12 October 1753) was a British politician and colonial administrator who served as thegovernor of New York in 1753. During theJacobite rising of 1745, he raised and commanded troops in support ofGeorge II of Great Britain. Osborn later representedBedfordshire in theHouse of Commons of Great Britain from 1747 to 1753. In 1750, he traveled toNova Scotia and became part of theNova Scotia Council. Osborn had a history ofmelancholia and committed suicide in New York shortly after he had taken office as governor.
Osborn was born on 17 November 1715, in the village ofChicksands (Shefford, Bedfordshire, England), which was the seat of the Osborn family. His father was John Osborn, eldest son of Sir John Osborn, 2nd Baronet (seeOsborn baronets). Of the previous four generations of paternal relatives, two grandmothers (Lady Doroty Danvers and Lady Eleanor Danvers) had belonged to theDanvers lineage. Osborn's mother wasSarah Byng. Her father wasGeorge Byng, the 1stViscount Torrington, whereas her brother was theAdmiralJohn Byng. Both Byng relatives were prominent figures against theJacobite rising of 1689. In 1720, he succeeded his grandfather in the baronetcy.
Osborn was married to Lady Mary Montagu on 25 September 1740. She was of the 8th generation ofHenry VIII's lineage. Her father wasGeorge Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, whereas her brotherGeorge Montagu-Dunk became the 2nd Earl. Osborn begot two children, of whom one was namedGeorge. However, in 1743, Lady Montagu died after delivering the second child. Osborn was quite affected by grief for her for the rest of his life. During the subsequent years, Osborn was a frequent guest at the Montagu-Dunk's manor ofHorton (Northamptonshire).
WhenCharles Edward Stuart invaded Britain during theJacobite rising of 1745 on behalf of theHouse of Stuart, Osborn raised troops to support theKing George II and commanded the forces into battle withinColonel Bedford's regiment under theDuke of Cumberland.
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Subsequently, Osborn representedBedfordshire as a Member of Parliament (1747–1753). In 1750, following the 2nd Earl of Halifax, who was presiding theBoard of Trade and founding the city ofHalifax inNova Scotia, Danvers Osborn travelled to Nova Scotia for six weeks, integrating into theNova Scotia Council (August). Therein, many issues were attended by Osborn such as the supplies of the new settlers; the remuneration of the construction workers of the royal projects; and the regulation of the local trade, which was functioning then on Sundays despite the biblical precepts. Attending to so many local matters brought Osborn esteem from the settlers. Back in England, in December, he discussed the issues of Halifax with the official functionaries of trade and plantation.
In May 1753, theBoard of Trade recommended that Danvers Osborn should be the next Royal Governor of theProvince of New York. In July, his appointment was approved. After his arrival on 6 October, Osborn was welcomed officially by the mayor and the assemblymen of New York, and formally assumed his office on 10 October. His personal secretary was the EnglishmanThomas Pownall.
On 12 October 1753, Osborn's dead body was found in the garden of the house in which he was lodged, which belonged to a local councilman. The body presented evidences ofstrangulation.James De Lancey, the lieutenant governor who took over as acting governor on Osborn's death, reported to the Board of Trade that Osborn had had amelancholic demeanor, which evidenced a greatpsychological disorder. Historically, such depression to provoke Osborn's suicide, is attributed to grief over his lost wife. TheNew York Post reported his death and gave details of the last week of his life before his suicide.
Initially, Osborn was buried at theTrinity Church of New York. In 1754, his remains were transported to Osborn's native parish of England (Chicksands), where he was reinterred.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Governor of the Province of New York 1753 | Succeeded by |
| Parliament of Great Britain | ||
| Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Bedfordshire 1747–1753 withThomas Alston | Succeeded by |
| Baronetage of England | ||
| Preceded by John Osborne | Baronet (of Chicksands) 1720–1753 | Succeeded by |