Note 375 — SECOND VISIT TO AMERICA. (continued 3)

The governor was the Honourable Jonathan Belcher, a native of Massachusetts, where his father was a wealthy merchant. After an academical education in his own country, he came to Europe, was twice at Hanover, and was introduced to the Court there when the Princess Sophia was the presumptive heiress to the British crown. The gracefulness of his person, his talents, and property, procured him considerable notice. In 1730, he was appointed Governor of New England, and continued in that office until the year 1740, the time of Whitefield's visit. He lived in great state, was hospitable, fond of splendid equipages, and of an aspiring turn of mind. In 1741, he became Governor of the New Jerseys, and was succeeded in New England by Governor Shirley. To enable the reader to estimate the value of some of Whitefield's collections for the orphans, it may be added that, when Belcher left New England, the currency was so much depreciated, that £100 sterling was equal to £550 Massachusetts currency. Belcher, to the end of his life, was one of Whitefield's most faithful friends. (Milner's "Life of Dr. Watts," and Johnston's "History of Bristol and Bremen.")