Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 1.djvu/177

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COLONIAL COUNCILLORS OF STATE
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Andres appointed him a member of ihe council, but for some reason he was not continued in office by Gov. Nicholson, and on Jan. 4, 1699-1700, the lords of trade and plantations wrote to Nicholson that they approved of his action in not admitting Col. IMggos. Whatever the (jbjecliun may have Ijeen it was renjoved in a few years, for on Feb. 27,, 1703-04, the Queen appointed Col. Dudley Digges to the council, as had been recommended by Cov. Nicholson, lie was also included in a new commission dated Feb. 23, 1709-10. In 1705 Digges was appointed auditor and surveyor-general of Virginia. offices which he held until his death. Jan. 18. 1710-11.

Carter, Robert, president of the council and acting governor of Virginia (q. v.).

Custis, John, son of Maj-Gen. John Custis, 01 "Arlington," Northampton county, was born in 1653. He was a justice of Northampton in 1680, a member of the house of burgesses from that county in 1685, 1692, 1696, and in 1699, when he is styled "Colonel John Custis." he was escheator, naval officer and receiver of Virginia for the eastern shore. He was appointed to the council Dec. 14, 1699, and later on Oct. 15, 1705. He was a constant attendant at the sessions during the remainder of his life, his name appearing for the last time on Oct. 15. 171 2, just three months before his death. He died January 26. 1713, and was buried at "Wilsonia," Northampton county.

Page, Matthew, of "Rosewell," Gloucester county, wa- a son of Col. John Page, and was born in 1C59. He was a member of the house of burgesses and a charter trustee of William and Mary College in 1692, and escheator for the district between the York and Rappahannock rivers from 1699 to 1702. He was appointed to the council in 1700, probably to fill a vacancy, and the appointment confirmed in 1702 by the Oueen. He remained a member until his death in 1703. He married Mary Mann, of (iloucester county, Virginia.

Burwell, Lewis, of "Carter's Creek," Gloucester, and of "King's Creek," York, was a son of Maj. Lewis Burwell and Lucy Higginson, his wife. Fie was a justice of Gloucester in 1680 and a trustee of William and Mary College in 1692. He was probably appointed t:' the council by the governor in 1700. Such appointments were always provisional and had to be ratified by the I'Lnglihh authorities and on Dec. 4, 1700, the lords of trade wrote to Gov. Nicholson that he had been appointed to the council. On Oct. 13, 1701. Maj. lUirwell wrote to the lords of trade that he had received his majesty's command recjuiring his service as one of the council of the colony. It was his very great misfortune that upon this occasion it was not in his power to pay the respect of duty and obedience which he had always been ambitious to do, and therefore he prayed their lordships' intercession with his majesty not to insist upon his commands. Sickness and lameness, with which he was very often afflicted, made it impossible for him to attend. Accordingly, on May 7. 1702, the lords of trade recommended to the Queen that Lewis liurwell be discharged from the council, which was done. It was with one of this Maj. r.urwell's daughters that Gov. Nicholson became infatuated, as Dr. lllair reports. He died Dec. 19. 1710. He married (first) Abigail Smith, niece of Hon. .Nathaniel Fiacon, Es(j., and (second) Martha, widow of C(j1. William Cole, formerly secretary of state, and daughter of Councillor Col. John Lear.

Ludwell, Philip, Jr., of Greenspring," James City county, was a son of the I'hilij) Ludwell.