Peter Chester (1720–1799) was the last governor of the British territory of
West Florida from August 1770 until 9 May 1781.[1]
Chester focused on agricultural development in the
Lower Mississippi Valley.[2] Spain controlled the land west of the Mississippi River, Britain its east side, and the French held influence over the trading post of New Orleans.[3]
Chester was the area's third governor (fifth if acting governors are included).[4] He dealt with issues related to Native Americans in Florida.
John Stuart was the Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the Southern District of North America.[5]George Washington wrote to him March 25, 1773.[6]Robert Ross also wrote a letter to Chester, on August 14, 1778.[7]
British artist
Arthur Devis (1711 – 1787) produced an oil painting of a hunting scene with Peter Chester, his brother Edward Chester who owned
Cockenhatch estate manager Thomas Gorsuch,[citation needed] and a clergyman of
Barkway.[8]
Britain's National Archives at Kew have some of his correspondence in their collection.[9]
^Peter Chester, third governor of the province of British West Florida under British dominion, 1770-1781. July 25, 1925.
OCLC1857630.
^Osborn, George C. (1953). "Relations with the Indians in West Florida during the Administration of Governor Peter Chester, 1770-1781". The Florida Historical Quarterly. 31 (4): 239–272.
JSTOR30138906.