Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan William Henry Lyttelton Papers |
William Henry Lyttelton entered politics in 1748 as member of Parliament for Bewdley. He was appointed governor of South Carolina in 1755, but because the ship in which he was sailing was captured by a French squadron, he did not arrive in America until 1756. After five years in South Carolina, he was transferred to Jamaica, where he served as chief executive, 1760-1766. Lyttelton was an admirer of George Grenville and, as colonial governor, supported Grenville's American policy. Lyttelton was envoy to Lisbon, 1766-1771, returning to Parliament three years later. He was a consistent follower of the North administration and a lord of the Treasury, 1777-1782.
Correspondence of William Henry Lyttelton, British statesman, colonial governor of South Carolina and Jamaica.
This collection contains correspondence relating to Lyttelton's career as governor of South Carolina, including letters from officials in London; correspondence with other southern governors relating to Indian affairs, frontier defense, and boundaries; correspondence with military officers in America; and communications with the South Carolina Commons House and Council. A series of reports by Edmond Atkin, superintendent of Indian affairs in the Southern District, provides valuable information on the Cherokees, Creeks, and Chickasaws. There are 142 items, 1761-1766, concerning Lyttelton's governorship of Jamaica, including material on the Negro insurrection of 1765 in St. Mary's Parish.
Purchased, 1954
| Homepage | Manuscripts | Collections | Staff | Hours and policies |
|---|