William Carver (before 1640 – before September 7, 1676), a British merchant, mariner, planter and politician who represented Lower Norfolk County in the House of Burgesses from 1665 through 1669, is best known for his participation in Bacon's Rebellion, which led to his execution in 1676.
[4] On June 15, 1659, Carver patented 500 acres of land on the South Branch of the Elizabeth River in Lower Norfolk County in the Hampton Roads area.
In 1663 he renewed that patent (which also required some development of the acreage) and acquired an additional 890 acres nearby based on the people whose immigration he funded.
[5] Meanwhile, in 1663, Carver received an appointment as a local justice of the peace (which involved collective administrative duties as well as judicial responsibilities in that era).
Instead, Bacon appointed Carver and fellow merchant (and recent arrival) Giles Bland as commanders of a naval force.
Governor Sir William Berkeley had retreated with his most loyal followers to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, specifically "Arlington", a plantation owned by Councillor John Custis II.