“B” is for Boone, Thomas (ca. 1730-1812)

“B” is for Boone, Thomas (ca. 1730-1812). Governor. Born in England, Boone had strong hereditary ties to South Carolina. In the 1750s he was in South Carolina on family business and married a South Carolinian. In 1759 he was named governor of New Jersey, where he proved popular. In December 1761 Boone arrived in Charleston. His instructions from London directed him to obtain a revision of the Election Act of 1721 and thereby check the power of the Commons House of Assembly. When he raised the issue, it was received coldly. After Boone refused to give the oath of office to a duly elected member, the Assembly resolved not to conduct any business until the governor apologized. When Thomas Boone refused, the colony’s government was at a standstill until he left South Carolina in May 1764.