Teacher Notes (Founding of Georgia)

Teacher Notes (Founding of Georgia)

The colony of Georgia was officially founded on February 12, 1733. Historical research has concluded that, contrary to popular belief, Georgia was not a debtor’s colony and not a single debtor was released from prison to settle the 13th colony. In addition, James Oglethorpe was not the primary “founder” of Georgia nor was he the colony’s official “governor.” He was one of 21 trustees who was responsible for governing the colony.

Nevertheless, the story of Georgia’s founding is still unique in comparison to the establishment of the other 12 colonies. The intent of this standard is for students to gain a better understanding of the events that led to the founding of Georgia and the people and circumstances that created Georgia’s colonial history. Additionally, understanding the differences between the Trustee and the Royal Periods of the colony will help students identify how these changes shaped the future state of Georgia economically, politically, and socially.

Reasons for Georgia’s Charter

Georgia’s Charter of 1732 outlined in detail the reasons for Georgia’s settlement and is a remarkable document based on its provisions for the colonists. Georgia was founded for three primary reasons: philanthropy, economics, and defense. Of the three, the only true success the colony had under the Trustees was Georgia’s defense of South Carolina against Spanish invasion.

• Philanthropy:Moved to action by his concern for the treatment of prison conditions for indebted people, James Oglethorpe was hopeful to create a colony for debtors and the “worthy poor.” His dream, however, never became a reality as no debtor was ever released from prison to live in the colony. Philanthropic work in the colony was guided by the details of the Charter of 1732. The charter provided the guidelines for the colonists of the new colony. While most of Georgia’s first settlers were not wealthy, many were skilled craftsmen who were looking for a “new start” in the new colony. Incentives, including 50 acres of land (500 acres if the colonists paid their own passage), one year’s supply of food, and free seed and agricultural supplies for a year, were too enticing for many people to disregard and was more than they could expect to have if they remained in England. This philanthropic gesture caused many to try their luck in the new colony.

• Economics: Mercantilism was a guiding factor in the establishment of the colony of Georgia. The Trustees hoped that the colonists of Georgia would be able to produce four agricultural products that could not be grown successfully in England. Rice, indigo, wine, and, most importantly, silk were the crops that were desired in England. In fact, silk was so important to the trustees that all colonists were required to set aside land on which to grow mulberry trees. The mulberry leaves were the food of choice for silkworms. Tobacco, as in other southern colonies, was grown by some Georgia colonists but this crop was not an important crop until the late colonial period and early statehood period.None of these products reached the level of success desired by the Trustees. During the colonial period, Georgia’s wine industry never produced sufficient quantities for successful export and the silk industry did not return the profits that were desired. Rice, indigo, and tobacco were more successful during the Royal period and early statehood period.

• Defense:The most important reason for Georgia’s founding was defense, primarily against the Spanish in Florida. In the 1730’s, South Carolina was a profitable British colony that was threatened by Spanish militaryoutposts in Florida. The Georgia colony’s role was to serve as a military “buffer” between the two. Evidence of the buffer zone includes the forts that Oglethorpe constructed between Spanish Florida and Georgia and his bringing the highly-skilled Highland Scots to reoccupy the abandoned Fort King George (near modern-day Darien) in 1736.

The War of Jenkins’ Ear was important to the survival of the colony of Georgia and helped Georgia serve its function as a buffer for South Carolina from the Spanish in Florida. The war was named after a British captain, Robert Jenkins, whose ear was cut off by the Spanish after he attempted to raid one of their ships. Jenkins, who survived the attack, brought his ear to the English Parliament which in turn caused the English public to demand retribution against the Spanish.

Once war was declared, James Oglethorpe made a failed attempt to capture St. Augustine. After the British retreated, Spain decided to attack and destroy the young Georgia colony. The Spanish attacked St. Simon’s Island but were soundly defeated by the colonists and their Indian allies during the Battle of Bloody Marsh. After this battle, the Spanish never overtly threatened the colony again. In 1748 both sides agreed that the border between English Georgia and Spanish Florida would be the St. Johns River.

Charter of 1732

The Charter of 1732 created strict guidelines for Georgia colonists. To ensure an unbiased role in the colony, Trustees were not paid, could not own land, or hold office in the colony. The Trustees genuinely believed the guidelines of the charter to be beneficial to the colonists. Because the colony was to support the “worthy poor,” the Trustees initially forbade rum (hard alcohol) as they feared hard liquor would cause the colonists to become idle and avoid hard work. Slavery was also forbidden as the Trustees hoped to avoid what had happened in South Carolina: the creation of large plantations versus the small farmers who struggled (the wealthy v. the poor). The Trustees also barred liquor dealers and Catholics from the colony. Some historians indicate that lawyers may have been banned as well. Defending the colony against Spanish, French or American Indian attack was a requirement of the colonists, a major provision of the Charter of 1732. The production of silk forced the colonists to grow mulberry trees. Colonists could not sell their land and their land must be passed down to male heirs, and they had to obey all Trustee rules. The original Charter also included a prohibition of Jews settling in the colony. However, when the colonists were besieged with medical concerns, a group of Portuguese Jews arrived with a doctor. Oglethorpe, violating Trustee rules, allowed the Jews to settle in Savannah and Dr. Samuel Nunes was credited with “saving the colony.”

The provisions detailed in the Charter of 1732 eventually caused discontent among the colonists. Believing that the provisions were causing few opportunities for economic success, some colonists petitioned for changes in the charter.

James Oglethorpe, Chief Tomochichi, and Mary Musgrove

The positive relationship between Oglethorpe, Tomochichi and Musgrove was essential to the development of the city of Savannah at Yamacraw Bluff. Without Tomochichi’s generous gift of land to Oglethorpe, the colony’s initial location would have been elsewhere. The relationship was mutually beneficial to all three. Oglethorpe provided protection to the Yamacraw and trade opportunities to both Tomochichi and Musgrove. Musgrove used her language skills to bring the British Oglethorpe and Yamacraw Tomochichi to a land agreement as well as a lifelong friendship. Musgrove benefitted by expanding her trade opportunities with both the British colonists and the Yamacraw. Her assistance was rewarded with land grants from Oglethorpe and Tomochichi. The establishment of Savannah at Yamacraw Bluff was dependent on the genuine friendship forged between Oglethorpe, Tomochichi and Musgrove.

James Edward Oglethorpe (1696-1785) is often credited as the “founder” and “first governor” of Georgia. He is portrayed as a man who was so upset about the treatment of Britain’s debtors that he established a colony for the “worthy poor;” helping those released from debtors’ prison start a new life in Georgia. While this myth is historically inaccurate, it should be understood that Oglethorpe did play an important role in the establishment of Georgia and served as its unofficial leader during the colony’s early years.

Oglethorpe, a member of the British Parliament, was instrumental in the push for British prison reform after his friend, Robert Castell, died from small pox. Castell was sent to prison due to his inability to pay his debts and ultimately suffered from a disease acquired from his cellmate. Oglethorpe campaigned to reform Britain’s prisons and considered the possibility of creating a colony for those in debtor’s prison as well as Britain’s “worthy poor.” Unfortunately, Oglethorpe’s dreams of a colony created to help debtors pay off their debts never came to pass.

Still, Oglethorpe lobbied to create a new colony and eventually he, along with 20 other Trustees, was granted a charter to establish Georgia. Oglethorpe’s role in the creation of Georgia is heightened due to the fact that he was the only trustee to travel to the new colony. Oglethorpe took on the roles of both military and de facto civilian leader of the colony, and in many cases acted against the policies of the trustees. During his time in Georgia, Oglethorpe befriended Tomochichi, Mary Musgrove, and American Indians, allowed groups of Jewish, Scottish, and German immigrants to settle in the colony, created the towns of Savannah and Fredericka (on St. Simons Island), and fought the Spanish on three separate occasions. Oglethorpe left Georgia in 1743, never to return. Nonetheless, Oglethorpe was alive to witness the colony he helped realize break away from England and become part of the United States of America.

Tomochichi was the chief the Yamacraw Indians. Having created this tribe in 1728 with members of the Creek and Yamasee Indians, Tomochichi’s people (around 200) believed that future opportunities would come from an alliance with the British instead of the Spanish. Tomochichi allowed Oglethorpe to settle on Yamacraw Bluff (the future home of Savannah) in hopes that the British would serve as allies and trading partners.

Oglethorpe and Tomochichi developed a strong and long lasting friendship. Through the help of Mary Musgrove, who served as a translator, Tomochichi advised Oglethorpe on matters of Indian affairs and relations with the Spanish. He traveled with Oglethorpe to England and helped establish English speaking schools for American Indians in Georgia. When Tomochichi died in 1739, he was said to be in his 90’s. Based on his achievements and service to the colony, he was buried in Savannah with full British military honors.

Mary Musgrove is best known for her service as the translator for James Oglethorpe and Tomochichi. Born to a Creek Indian mother and British father, Musgrove spoke both languages and understood the norms of both cultures. In 1717, Mary married fur trader John Musgrove, and they set up a trading post near the Savannah River. Mary’s fluency in both Creek and English served her well in her role as a trader and business woman.

Musgrove became involved in the affairs of the colony of Georgia after her husband accompanied Oglethorpe on a trip to England. After this voyage, the Trustees gave John land near Yamacraw Bluff. The Musgroves moved their trading post to this area and Mary continued to manage the successful business after John died in 1735. In addition to her business, Musgrove served as Oglethorpe’s personal interpreter from 1733-1743.

City of Savannah

The city of Savannah was the first step in realizing the colony of Georgia. Due to the cordial relationship between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi, aided by the translating skills of Musgrove, the city began its life on February 12, 1733 when the settlers arrived at Yamacraw Bluff. Chief Tomochichi agreed to move his people upstream from the bluff so that Oglethorpe could establish his inaugural town at that location. Located on the Savannah River about 15 miles inland, the forty-foot-high bluff was the last colonial capital to be developed by the British in America. Construction of the city was based on European design influences of the day with which Oglethorpe was well acquainted. The city, designed by Oglethorpe, was laid out in a series of grids that allowed for wide streets intertwined with tree-covered squares and parks. Colonists located businesses on the squares and built places for public town meetings. As the city grew, the design was repeated. Of the original 24 squares, 22 still exist today. Savannah is recognized as one of the most outstanding examples of eighteenth century town planning.

The Trustee Period

The Trustee Period in Georgia’s history was a unique though unsuccessful social and economic experiment. The Trustees, who were for the most part religious men and social reformers, wanted to start a colony of self-sufficient yeomen farmers who were not influenced by alcohol and not dependent on slavery. In turn, the British government hoped that the colony that would produce agricultural products that Britain had been forced to import from other countries. These goods, including silk and wine, proved to be lackluster in terms of generating profit. Nonetheless, as a buffer colony, Georgia did prove its worth by successfully defending both South Carolina and itself from the Spanish threat in Florida. In the end, due to the permanent departure of James Oglethorpe in 1743 and the complaints made by the Malcontents concerning the selling of rum and their desire to institute slavery in Georgia, the Trustee period ended one year before the Charter of 1732 was set to expire. The lofty goals of the Trustees never came to pass.

Jews first arrived in the Georgia colony five months after Oglethorpe landed at Yamacraw Bluff. Though originally banned from the colony by the Charter of 1732, Oglethorpe made an exception to the Trustee’s provisions because one of the 42 Jews was a doctor. Having lost the colony’s only doctor and at least 20 colonists to fever, Oglethorpe was pleased to have medical assistance to slow the yellow fever from spreading. Dr. Samuel Nunes offered his services to the colonists and those who followed his prescription of cold baths and cool drinks survived. Another Jew, Abraham de Lyon, was experienced in viticulture (wine making). Oglethorpe hoped he would be able to assist the colonists in wine production. Fourteen of the Jews were offered land by Oglethorpe and the group remained in the colony, even though they suffered from language, cultural, and religious differences. The Jews eventually established Congregation Mickve Israel, which is the oldest Jewish congregation in the South and the third oldest in the United States.

The Salzburgers were a group of peaceful, hard-working German-speaking Protestant refugees from present day Austria. Persecuted by the Catholic monarch of their province who had issued the Edict of Expulsion, giving the Salzburgers three months to leave their native land, King George II, who was himself a German Protestant, offered the Salzburgers the opportunity to settle in the colony of Georgia.

Upon arriving in Georgia, the Salzburgers settled a town they named Ebenezer, meaning “Stone of Help.” However, this settlement was too far inland and located in an area that was too swampy with poor water. Many Salzburgers died during their first two years in Georgia. Eventually, the Salzburgers were given permission to relocate to a better location which they named “New Ebenezer.” Once they settled in this new town, they became some of the most successful and industrious colonists in Georgia. They are given credit for being the first group of Georgians to develop a water powered grist mill, a Sunday school, and an orphanage. They were also the only group to have any large-scale success with silk production.

The Salzburgers remained strictly anti-slavery during the later colonial years and were extremely loyal to the Trustees. This was due to the help the Trustees gave the Salzburgers during their immigration to the colony. It should also be noted that Georgia’s first Patriot governor, John Adam Treutlen, was a Salzburger.

Though the Highland Scots (Scottish Highlanders) shared the Salzburgers’ anti-slavery beliefs and valued the importance of hard work and religion, they were quite different in many aspects. The Highland Scots were brought to Georgia by James Oglethorpe based on their reputation for being some of the best soldiers in the world. The group was given land near the abandoned Fort King George, which they named Darien. With the promise of owning their own land, the Highland Scots fought in the Battle of Bloody Marsh and in two failed campaigns to capture St. Augustine, Florida. Many of the Highland Scots’ ancestors played important roles in Georgia’s history. Today, McIntosh County is named in honor of one of these important families.

The Malcontents

The provisions created by the Charter of 1732 eventually caused discontent among the colonists. Dissenters, known as the Malcontents, argued that they were not financially obligated to Oglethorpe and the Trustees as they had paid their own way to the colony. They complained that the limitations placed on land ownership and the ban on slavery stifled their economic opportunities. They resented the restriction on purchasing rum. The ban on rum was lifted in 1732. Having petitioned the Trustees to allow slavery and being declined on multiple occasions, many Malcontent leaders moved from the Georgia colony. However, through written pamphlets demanding change, the Malcontents eventually made their voices known in Georgia and Great Britain. In response to these vocal and written demands, by 1750, the Trustees had passed a law that allowed slavery. The Trustee period would end by 1751, one year before the end of the Charter of 1732 was designed to end.