Maj. Peter BEVERLEY

  Noted events in his life were:

• Biography. BEVERLEY, PETER (ca. 1668-1728), of Gloucester County was "Speaker of the House of Burgesses at four of the first five assemblies of the eighteenth century," and had been clerk of the House earlier. He was clerk of Gloucester County from 1695 until 1714, treasurer of the colony from 1712 until 1723, and was elevated to the Council in 1719.

[Kukla, Jon. Speakers and Clerks of the Virginia House of Burgesses, 1643-1776. Richmond: Virginia State Library, 1981.

http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/users/berkeley/public/Cbiodir.html]

• Biography. Peter Beverley of Gloucester county, eldest son of Maj. Robert Beverley of Middlesex county, the councillor and patriot, was born probably about the year 1668. In 1691, soon after his coming of age, he was appointed clerk of the house of burgesses and held that office until the year 1700, when he was elected a member of the house from Gloucester county. He evidently soon attained prominence, for from 1702 to 1714, he was speaker of the assembly, and in the former year, the house, as a token of their esteem and gratitude voted him an annuity of 10,000 pounds of tobacco. From 1710 to 1723, he was treasurer of Virginia, elected by the house of burgesses. On May 23, 1716, Gov. Spotswood recommended for the position of auditor general, John Robinson or Peter Beverley, the latter of whom had been for several years speaker, and was then the country's treasurer. Writing again on July 3, Spotswood said that he intended to appoint as auditor pro tem Col. Peter Beverley. On April 9, 1719, the lords of trade recommended to the King that "Peter Beverley, a gentleman of good estate and abilities, of fair character and well affected to his majesty's person and government," should be appointed a member of the Virginia council. On June 20, 1720, the appointment was made. Col. Beverley remained a member until his death, his last appearance, as noted in the journal, being June 13, 1728, in which year he died. Besides the offices already mentioned as held by him, were those of visitor of William and Mary College and surveyor general of Virginia. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Maj. Robert Peyton, who was grandson of Sir Edward Peyton, of Isleham, county Kent, England, and left issue.

[Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume I]
III--Colonial Councillors of State
Clerk: Gloucester County,Virginia.
Virginia House of Burgesses: Clerk; the house, as a token of their esteem and gratitude voted him an annuity of 10,000 pounds of tobacco. 1691-1700.
Treasurer: auditor general of the Colony of Virginia, 1710-1723.
Virginia House of Burgesses: Speaker of the assembly, 1702-1723.
Colonial Virginia: appointed a member of the Virginia council, 20 Jun 1720.
Colonial Virginia: surveyor general .
[http://www.whosyomama.com/gabroaddrick3/39102.htm]

• Legal: state house fire, 1698, James City County, VA. Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia
Vol. 1 Pages 392-393.
At a Councill held at James City the 20th October 1698.
His Excellency takeing into Serious Consideration the unfortunate Accident which this day happened to the State house by being burnt down & the Publick records & papers of this Countrey (there kept) which were forced to be hurryed Out & thrown into heaps & desireing the Opinion of the Councill what present Care Should be taken thereof likewise called into The Councill Chamber Such of the Noted Gentlemen of this Countrey as were present in Town of which appeared William Randolph Esqr Majr Lewis Burwell, Collo Philip Lightfoot Cpt Wm Leigh Capt Gawin Corbin, Mr. Benjamin Harrison Majr Peter Beverley, Majr Thomas Ballard, Capt Miles Carey, Capt John Taylor Capt Wm Buckner & Capt. George Marable. It is considered & accordingly agreed that Mrs. Sherwoods brickhouse in James City (if it may be obtained) is the Most Secure & Convenient place for the present Lodging the said Records Whereupon the said Gentlemen being retired it is Ordered that Peter Beverley Gent.Clk Genll Court do forthwith go to Mrs. Sherwoods & aske her Consent for the use of her Porch Chamber & Chamber Adjoyning in her said house for the said papers & the said Peter Beverley & Robert Beverly being returned report to this Board that She is satisfied & willing to Spare the Said roomes for that use.

It being represented to this Board that it is Suspected the State house was purposely and willfully Sett on fire. Ordered, that Phillip Lightfoot Esqr & George Marable Gent two of his Majties Justices of Peace for this County of James City being now in town together with Lewis Burwell William Leigh Benja Harrison John Taylor & Miles Cary Gent make Strict inquiry into the beginning and Cause of the said fire & take what Orders Shall be necessary therein.

His Excellency being pleased to aske the advice of the Councill in what place the Genll Court Should now be held the State house being lost by fire It is the opinion & Advice of the Councill that the Same be held in the great Hall at Mrs. Sherwoods house 'till farther conveniencies are made, And Ordered accordingly.

[http://research.history.org/DigitalLibrary/RRDisplay.cfm?FileName=RR0206.htm]

• See also. http://www.ishipress.com/pafg08.htm#1818

http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~marshall/esmd25.htm

Peter married Elizabeth PEYTON in 1688 in Jamestown, VA. (Elizabeth PEYTON was born about 1664 in Jamestown, VA.)