Burke, Thomas, c. 1747-1783

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>02/01/1782 NC Governor Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>06/00/1781 NC Governor Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1780 NC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1779 NC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1778 NC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1777 NC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1776 NC Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

<p>Thomas Burke (ca. 1747 – December 2, 1783) was an Irish physician, lawyer, and statesman who lived in Hillsborough, North Carolina. He represented North Carolina as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was the third Governor of the state. He was the first Catholic governor of North Carolina.</p>

<p>Burke was born in Tiaquin, County Galway, in the Kingdom of Ireland around 1747. By 1764 he had emigrated. Thomas went to Virginia and practiced medicine for a number of years. He studied law, and began its practice in Norfolk, Virginia. He became an early supporter of the American Revolution, writing tracts in opposition to the Stamp Act. In 1774 he moved to Hillsborough, North Carolina.</p>

<p>Burke's neighbors made him a member of the Fifth North Carolina Provincial Congress provisional that met in Halifax in 1776. There he had a part in the debate that led to North Carolina's new constitution. He was chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress on December 20, 1776, and arrived in Philadelphia to take his seat on February 4, 1777. He was a strong states' rights advocate, although he moderated this view somewhat by 1781. In September 1777 most of the Congress were preparing to flee Philadelphia as the British advanced. Burke instead went to join General Nash's North Carolina troops defending the city. He was present at the Battle of Brandywine before rejoining the Congress.</p>

BURKE, Thomas, a Delegate from North Carolina; born in Galway, Ireland, about 1747; studied medicine; immigrated to America in 1764, settled in Accomac County, Va., and practiced; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Norfolk, Va.; moved to Hillsboro, N.C., in 1771; delegate to the State convention at New Bern and Hillsboro in 1775 and at Halifax in 1776; member of the State house of commons in 1777; Member of the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1781, when he became the third Governor of North Carolina under its State constitution; kidnaped by the Tories September 13, 1781, and carried to Charleston, S.C., where he was held as a hostage; succeeded in escaping; resumed his duties as Governor February 1, 1782, and served until April 22, 1782; died at ``Tyaquin,'' near Hillsboro, Orange County, N.C., December 2, 1783; interment in Mars Hill Churchyard, near Hillsboro, N.C.