HYDE, Edward, governor of North Carolina, born in England about 1650; died in North Carolina, 8 August, 1712. From 1706 till 1712 the colony of North Carolina was in a state of confusion from the conflicting claims of Anglicans and Quakers, each party having its governor and its house of representatives. To restore order, Hyde was despatched in 1711 to govern the province, but he was to receive his commission from the governor of the southern division, who had died when he arrived, and he had no evidence of his right except private letters from the proprietaries. The legislature that he convened made severe enactments, which were condemned even by its friends, and which it had no power to enforce. Thomas Cary, the claimant of the Quaker party, and his friends, now took up arms. Fortifying his house against a possible attack, Cary armed two vessels, filled them with soldiers, and attempted to land in Chowan sound, where Hyde and his council were assembled. Hyde called in the aid of Governor Alexander Spottswood, of Virginia, who sent a party of marines from the guard-ships, restored quiet, and expelled Cary. In September, 1711, the Tuscarora indians, taking advantage of the dissensions among the colonists, massacred 120 white settlers along Roanoke, Meuse, and Pamlico rivers. Governor Hyde called out the militia, and with a force of South Carolinians and several hundred friendly Yemassee Indians, attacked the Tuscaroras near New Berne, 3 January, 1712, and defeated them with great slaughter. Hostilities continued during the remainder of the winter and spring. Hyde died in a yellow-fever epidemic.