John Wentworth was in London when he received the appointment
as royal governor of New Hampshire, succeeding his uncle,
Benning Wentworth, in 1766. Before leaving England, he
received a degree from Oxford University to add to those
that he had already received from Harvard, Princeton,
and Aberdeen, Scotland. He sailed for America with some
fine English horses and a retinue of servants. The new
way of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. He
was met by a New Hampshire delegation at Newburyport and
escorted to the capitol at Portsmouth.
The procession was joined by leading citizens, and everyone
of importance was there except the deposed governor, Benning
Wentworth. John Wentworth took the oath of office which
made him "captain-general, chief executive and vice-admiral
of New Hampshire." The cannon at Fort William and
Mary fired a salute, the militia fired three volleys,
and the spectators gave three cheers. This was followed
by a public banquet and another parade. Thus began the
stormiest administration in the history of New Hampshire.
