John Page | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Col._John_Page_by_Peter_Lely.jpeg) Portrait c.1670 | |
| Born | circa 1627 East Bedfont, Middlesex, England |
| Died | January 23, 1692 (aged 64) James City County, Virginia, British America |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, politician, businessman, planter |
| Years active | 1645–1692 |
| Member of the House of Burgesses | |
| In office 1665–1677 | |
| Governor | Governor Sir William Berkeley |
| Member of the Virginia Governor's Council | |
| In office 1677 – January 23, 1692 | |
| Governor | Governor Herbert Jeffries Governor Thomas Culpeper Acting Governor Nicholas Spencer Governor Francis Howard |
Colonel John Page (c. 1627 – 23 January 1692)[1]: 39, 41 was an English-born planter, merchant, slave trader and politician who spent most of his life in North America. Born in East Bedfont, Middlesex, Page eventually migrated to the English colony of Virginia, where he lived in Middle Plantation and served as a member of the House of Burgesses from 1665 to 1677 and a member of the Virginia Governor's Council from 1677 to 1692. A wealthy landowner, Page donated land and funds towards construction of the Bruton Parish Church.[2] Page was also involved in the establishment of the College of William & Mary in 1693, as well as being a chief proponent of Middle Plantation being designated the colony's capital in 1698.
His efforts eventually resulted in the renaming of Middle Plantation as Williamsburg in 1699, perhaps most well known as the birthplace of democratic governmental principals among Patriot revolutionaries before and during the American Revolution. In the 21st century, Page's Middle Plantation residence serves the modern home of the restored colonial-era tourism destination known as Colonial Williamsburg, a popular travel destination in Virginia.
- ^ " Genealogy of the Page Family in Virginia, published in 1883" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ "A Brief Guide to Bruton Parish Church" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 29, 2016. Retrieved June 14, 2010.