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Bernard, Sir Francis, 1714-1779

Colonial governor; born in Nettleham, Lincoln co., England, in 1714: was educated at Oxford, where he was graduated in 1736. The law was his chosen profession. In 1758 he was appointed governor of New Jersey; and in 1760 he was transferred to the chief magistracy of Massachusetts, where he was a most obedient servant of the crown and ministry in the support of measures obnoxious to the colonists. After a stormy administration of nearly nine years Bernard was recalled, when he was created a baronet, chiefly because of his recommendation to transfer the right of selecting the governor's council from the colonial legislature to the crown. Bernard was a friend of learning, and gave a part of his library to Harvard College. He had become so thoroughly unpopular that when he left Boston the bells were rung, cannon were fired, and “Liberty-tree” was hung with flags, in token of the joy of the people. He died in Aylesbury, England, June 16, 1779.

Harper and Brothers Publishers. . New York. 1902.

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