Charles Craven was the son of Sir William Craven and Margaret Clapham. He was a younger brother of the Palatine, William Craven, 2nd Baron Craven, and was born in 1682. He died on 27 December 1754. He held the office of Governor of Carolina between 1712 and 1716. Charles Craven was married to Elizabeth Staples and they had one son, John.

Three years later all of the Indians from Cape Fear to St. Mary's River combined under the leadership of the Yamassees for the purpose of destroying the colony at Ashley River. Governor Craven at once proclaimed martial law, laid an embargo on all ships to prevent the departure of men or provisions, and at the head of 1,200 men, part of whom were faithful slaves, met the Indians in a series of desperate encounters and finally drove them beyond the Savannah River.

One in North Carolina with the Tuscaroras, and another much more distressing with the Yamassees, which were ably and successfully conducted by the governor, as shall be related in its proper place. On his departure for England, in 1716, he appointed Robert Daniell, Deputy Governor. In the year following, Robert Johnson, son of Sir Nathaniel Johnson, succeeded to the office of Governor. He was the last who held that office under the authority of the Lords Proprietors. [Ramsay]

The Commons House of Assembly in his time was not elected, as formerly, in a riotous and tumultuary manner, but with the utmost harmony and regularity, and proceeded to their deliberations with great temper and mutual friendship.

The governor had instructions to defend the province against the French and Spaniards, and for that purpose to form and cultivate the firmest friendship and alliance with the Indians; to promote fisheries and manufactures, which was certainly an absurd and ridiculous instruction; for while they had so much land, agriculture was evidently more profitable and beneficial to both the possessors and the Lords Proprietors of Carolina.

He was required to oversee the courts, and take special care that justice be equitably administered, and that no interruptions or delays attend the execution of the laws: he was ordered to employ eight men to sound Port Royal river for the benefit of navigation, and to fix on the most convenient spot for building a town, with a harbor nigh it; and to transmit all Acts of Assembly made from time to time to England, for the Lords Proprietors approbation or disapprobation; and such other public matters as appeared to him of general concern and utility, he was required carefully to study and promote. [Hewat]

The Indian War had severely taxed the resources of the province and the government was desperate for arms, ships and supplies. Impressment seemed to be the only alternative to "standing naked against the Indian Enemy and their Confederates." The public treasury was required to make restitution, and officers were required to give receipts for the reasonable value of confiscated materials.

The act also allowed the militia officers to "seize and take up such quantities of medicines, spices, sugars, linen and all other necessaries" required by both the poor and wounded militiamen. The governor planned to send a ship "northward" to trade peltries for arms and ammunition and, since it was expected that Governor Craven would have to bargain for arms and supplies, he was authorized to seize furs with a value not to exceed £2,500, giving receipt for such seizures.

During the Yamassee War, Governor Charles Craven ordered "about two hundred stout negro men" to serve in the militia. Since there were less than 1,500 able-bodied whites in the colony, Governor Craven felt justified in enlisting the slaves.

The people of Port Royal were alarmed just in time to escape in a ship to Charles Town. The desperate savages rushed on to within a short distance of the capital. It seemed that the city would be taken and the whole colony driven to destruction. But the brave Charles Craven, governor of the province, rallied the militia and began a vigorous pursuit of the savages.

A decisive battle was fought and the Indians were completely routed. The Yamassees collected their shattered tribe and retired into Florida, where they were received by the Spaniards as friends and confederates.

1721 - With the above "Commitment" came frontier Forts and outposts so that the promise of defense now became a threat of
"encroachment" the sequence seemed inevitable; Forts were built and white settlers followed, creating an unresolvable tension.

[Author's Note - Since Governor Craven left office in 1716, either the citations above are referring to a later governor, or the years are wrong.]

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