William Bull was an American landowner and politician. He is noted for his service as a lieutenant-governor of South Carolina from 1738 to 1744 and for his participation in the founding of the new Province of Georgia .
Background
William Bull was born in 1683 and was the son of Stephen Bull, a man prominent in the first settlement of South Carolina and a deputy of Lord Ashley, a proprietor. Stephen was a member of the Council and engaged extensively in the Indian trade.
Career
William Bull followed his father's example in both politics and trade. He was a member of the Commons House, 1706-19. During the Tuscarora and Yemassee wars he served as a captain of the militia. He was appointed Lord Proprietor's Deputy in 1719; and when the proprietary government was overthrown in the same year by the people with the connivance of the Crown, he was loyal to the proprietors. Despite his support of the defeated faction he was so prominent that he was made a member of the Council in 1721 under the new government and served in that capacity until 1737.
Also in 1721 he was chosen one of the three commissioners to manage the colony's lucrative Indian trade, and his knowledge of colonial conditions led to his selection in 1733 as adviser to Oglethorpe in locating his first settlement in Georgia.
Savannah was chosen, and Bull furnished laborers who worked for a month in building the new town. When Lieutenant-Governor Broughton died in 1737 Bull as senior member of the Council became acting governor and in 1738 lieutenant-governor, an office which he held until his death.
His active administration lasted from 1737 until the arrival of Governor Glen in 1743.
From 1740 to 1742 his son, William Bull II, was speaker of the House, and the laws of the province were authenticated by the signatures of father and son during this period. Bull's administration was notable for three constitutional advances. The governor was excluded from the Council's legislative sessions; the House secured control of money bills; and it obtained the right of electing a treasurer without the consent of the governor and Council.
The colony was ready for these changes, but they were perhaps more easily obtained under a native-born governor who could readily understand the temper of the people. During Bull's administration the colony was menaced by war with Spain and by servile insurrection. In the handling of both situations he showed resource and decision.
He persuaded the Assembly to vote 600 men and £120, 000 paper money to aid Oglethorpe in an attack on St. Augustine, which failed because of Oglethorpe's incompetence. Bull himself sounded the alarm of the slave outbreak.
On his way to Charleston he saw the negroes plundering, murdering, and compelling others to join the insurrection. Avoiding them, he hastened to his destination, gave the alarm, raised the militia, and succeeded in ending the revolt before it gained great headway. In addition to Ashley Hall and other property which he inherited from his father he obtained large grants in the province and settled on the Sheldon estate, adding materially to the family fortune.
Achievements
Works
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Connections
He was married to Mary, daughter of Richard Quintyne, who died on Mar. 19, 1738/39.