New Hampshire's first Royal Governor. Longest serving Royal Governor in American colonies. Son of John Wentworth, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, which then included New Hampshire. Eldest of 14 children. Graduate, Harvard, 1715. Married Angela Ruck, 1719. Three sons, all of whom died before him. Joined family business importing wine from Spain and exporting naval stores. Lived in Spain for nearly 15 years. Actively promoted creation of New Hampshire as separate colony, anticipating that Wentworth family would fill many lucrative government offices. Member, Massachusetts colonial legislature. Member, Massachusetts Governor's council. Appointed New Hampshire's Governor at colony's founding in 1744. Granted lands in area west of New Hampshire, initiating long running dispute with New York over who had authority to give charters to settle New Hampshire Grants, which came to be known as Vermont. Became one of New England's wealthiest men through sale of charters and by having one tract in each new town chartered reserved for himself. Although both New Hampshire and New York had plausible claims to land between Connecticut River and Lake Champlain/Hudson River line, he began selling charters for land grants in this area on his own authority, even ignoring decrees by the King's Council that he stop until dispute could be resolved. Granted 128 towns in Vermont. Angela died, 1755. Married 23 year old housekeeper Martha Hilton, 1760. Resigned as Governor, 1767. Succeeded by nephew John. After his death Martha married his cousin Michael. Martha subject of Longfellow poem "Lady Wentworth." Bennington, Vermont is named for him. Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion is open to public under auspices of New Hampshire State Parks Department.
New Hampshire's first Royal Governor. Longest serving Royal Governor in American colonies. Son of John Wentworth, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts, which then included New Hampshire. Eldest of 14 children. Graduate, Harvard, 1715. Married Angela Ruck, 1719. Three sons, all of whom died before him. Joined family business importing wine from Spain and exporting naval stores. Lived in Spain for nearly 15 years. Actively promoted creation of New Hampshire as separate colony, anticipating that Wentworth family would fill many lucrative government offices. Member, Massachusetts colonial legislature. Member, Massachusetts Governor's council. Appointed New Hampshire's Governor at colony's founding in 1744. Granted lands in area west of New Hampshire, initiating long running dispute with New York over who had authority to give charters to settle New Hampshire Grants, which came to be known as Vermont. Became one of New England's wealthiest men through sale of charters and by having one tract in each new town chartered reserved for himself. Although both New Hampshire and New York had plausible claims to land between Connecticut River and Lake Champlain/Hudson River line, he began selling charters for land grants in this area on his own authority, even ignoring decrees by the King's Council that he stop until dispute could be resolved. Granted 128 towns in Vermont. Angela died, 1755. Married 23 year old housekeeper Martha Hilton, 1760. Resigned as Governor, 1767. Succeeded by nephew John. After his death Martha married his cousin Michael. Martha subject of Longfellow poem "Lady Wentworth." Bennington, Vermont is named for him. Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion is open to public under auspices of New Hampshire State Parks Department.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Inscription
WENTWORTH 1770
Gravesite Details
Obscured by a parking space on the northeastern corner of the cemetery, the southwestern wall of Bow St.
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