Hutchings Gordon Burton was born around 1774 and was the son of John and Mary (Gordon) Burton. There is a conflict of opinion as to his birthplace, with statements that he was a native of Virginia and on the other hand that he was born in Granville County, North Carolina.
It is certain that while Hutchings Gordon Burton was still a youth his parents died and that he was reared and educated in the household of his uncle, Robert Burton, of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
He attended the University of North Carolina as a student, 1795-98, was trained in the law, and achieved an early success in his profession, becoming ultimately a leader of the state bar.
Burton's political career began with his election to the House of Commons in 1809. For six years (1810 - 16), by election of the General Assembly, he served as attorney-general of the state, resigning to reenter the Commons in 1817. From 1819 to 1824, he was a representative in Congress.
His participation in the work of the committees on the judiciary and on military affairs, however, appears to have been more active.
In 1824, he resigned to become governor, being elected by the Assembly. Twice reelected, he served from December 1824 to December 1827. His administrations were uneventful. Perhaps the most colorful happening was the visit and reception of General Lafayette in 1825. Burton's messages were concerned, in the main, with the advocacy of internal improvements--development of resources, deepening of watercourses, and construction of roads--and with educational reform.
He also interested himself in an effort to modify the criminal code. One act, passed in 1827, authorized the directors of the Literary Fund to sell a lottery for $50, 000, $25, 000 of which was to aid Archibald D. Murphey in the preparation and publication of a history of the state. This measure was one of several attempts to raise funds by means of a lottery. Some notice was taken of a resolution of the legislature of Ohio looking toward gradual emancipation of slaves and their colonization.
His remaining years were spent in retirement.
Burton served as chief executive of North Carolina from December 1824 to December 1827. As governor he supported both internal improvements and public education. The first real step toward free education in North Carolina was taken in 1826 with the passage of the Literary Fund Bill, creating a fund for the support of common schools and a board to administer the fund.
Some sources indicate that he was not affiliated with any party at the time, although he was associated, according to other sources, with the Federalist Party and later with the National Republican Party.
Burton was not a Jackson man; so although he was nominated at the end of John Quincy Adams's term to be territorial governor of Arkansas, this nomination was not confirmed by the next administration.
His service was inconspicuous; he remained silent through most of the proceedings; his speeches on vaccination and the bank were modestly apologetic.
Quotations:
Although leaving the matter to the Assembly for disposal, Burton commented on it, calling Ohio's attention to the eleventh commandment: "Let every one attend to his own concerns. "
His last words were "Oh, my dear wife and children! Lord, receive my Spirit. "
There is evidence that his genial personality and social gifts made him a general favorite.
His marriage to Sarah, a daughter of Willie Jones, a man distinguished in politics and society, contributed to his success. His wife and several children survived him.
