William Rhett | |
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| Born | September 4, 1666 London, England |
| Died | January 12, 1723 (aged 56) |
| Occupation(s) | Planter, politician, military officer |
Colonel William Rhett (4 September 1666 – 12 January 1723) was an English-born planter, politician and military officer who immigrated to the Carolinas, where he spent the majority of his life. Born in London, Rhett emigrated to North America in 1694, accompanied by his wife Sarah. He gradually acquired ownership over several slave plantations which specialized in producing rice. Rhett also sat in the South Carolina General Assembly and served in the colonial militia; in 1718, he commanded two chartered sloops and defeated the Barbadian pirate Stede Bonnet in the Battle of Cape Fear River.[1][2]
- ^ Konstam, Angus (2006). Blackbeard. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 192–193. ISBN 9780471758853.
- ^ Rhett's death is recorded on his headstone as 12 January 1722, but in the Gregorian calendar, that date corresponds to 12 January 1723. Until 1751, in the British Empire the year ended on 24 March and the new year began on the 25th. Thus from 25 March until 24 March would be 1722, but in the current dating system January–March of that year is 1723.