OUR STATE and OUR NATION UNIT Georgia Studies 3 GEORGIA EVENTS EVENTS ELSEWHERE

Colonial 1732 1732 Georgia King George II signs George Washington charter establishing born in Virginia 1732 - 1776 colony of Georgia

CHAPTER 6 1733 The Founding of Georgia € Oglethorpe and first Georgia colonists arrive at Georgia is Created Yamacraw Bluff

Georgia as a Trustee Colony

Georgia Becomes a Royal Colony 1734 German Salzburgers arrive in Georgia

CHAPTER 7 Life of People in Colonial Georgia € 1736 Oglethorpe and new colonists Regional Differences Among build Fort Frederica on American Colonies St. Simons Island

The Ebenezer Community 1737 1737 Africans Come to America Construction of Fort Oglethorpe leaves England Georgia Society and Culture Augusta begins with 600 soldiers to defend Fort Frederica

1739 1739 Chief Tomochichi dies Britain declares war on Spain

1742 Oglethorpe’s forces defeat Spanish at Battle of Bloody Marsh

1743 Oglethorpe promoted to rank of general, returns to England

1750 In London, Trustees vote to allow slavery in Georgia

1751 Georgia’s first representative assembly meets in Savannah

1752 1752 Trustees give up charter; Britain adopts Gregorian Georgia becomes a calendar royal colony

1754 1754 Capt. John Reynolds arrives French and Indian War begins as Georgia’s first royal governor

1755 Georgia’s first slave code enacted

1761 James Wright becomes governor of Georgia

1763 1763 First newspaper,Georgia French and Indian War ends; Gazette,established Britain gives up claims west of in Georgia Mississippi River

1764 1764 Georgia’s southern New colonies of East and boundary defined West Florida created

1765 American colonies protest Stamp Act

1767 1767 Georgians begin choosing Colonists begin boycott of sides, becoming British goods Whigs or Tories

1773 1773 Creeks and Cherokees Boston Tea Party cede lands later called Wilkes County

1774 1774 Georgians split, send no Intolerable Acts; First delegates to Continental Continental Congress agrees Congress not to trade with Britain

1775 1775 Royal government in Georgia American Revolution begins loses power Chapter Outline

Chapter 6 Georgia Is Created Foreword Georgia’s Boundaries Georgia as a Trustee Colony The First Colonists Sail to Georgia Georgia’s First Settlement Growing Pains Building Forts Georgia Standards of Excellence Indian Relations Correlations € War With Spain The Colony Declines SS8H2 Georgia Becomes a Royal Colony SS8E2 The French and Indian War The Proclamation of 1763 The Colony Prospers

SS8H2

Analyze the colonial period of Georgia’s history.

a. Explain the importance of the Charter of 1732, including the reasons for settlement (philanthropy, economics, and defense).

b. Analyze the relationship between James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, and Mary Musgrove in establishing the city of Savannah at Yamacraw Bluff.

c. Evaluate the role of diverse groups (Jews, Salzburgers, Highland Scots, and Malcontents) in settling Georgia during the Trustee Period.

d. Explain the transition of Georgia into a royal colony with regard to land ownership, slavery, alcohol, and government.

e. Give examples of the kinds of goods and services produced and traded in colonial Georgia.

SS8E2

Evaluate the influence of Georgia-based businesses on the State’s economic growth and development.

c. Evaluate the economic impact of various industries in Georgia including agricultural, entertainment, manufacturing, service, and technology. UNIT 3 • COLONIAL GEORGIA

Transcript

AT FIRST GLANCE

This chapter describes Georgia’s founding as the 13th American colony by James Oglethorpe and the trustees. The major reasons for its founding are presented. The chapter traces the struggles of the trustee colony and its eventual decline. The beginning of self-government under rule as a royal colony is covered along with an analysis of the effect on Georgia of the French and Indian War and the resulting peace treaty.

The Founding of Georgia

James Edward Oglethorpe watches over visitors in Savannah’s Chippewa Square. This Georgia Is Created well-known sculpture was done by Daniel Chester French and placed in the square in 1910. Georgia as a Trustee Colony

Georgia Becomes a Royal Colony CHAPTER 6

In the year 1696, Eleanor and Theophilus Oglethorpe celebrated Christmas in England with their new baby son, James Edward Oglethorpe. The last of 10 children, James would prove to be the most famous of the Oglethorpes of Surrey County, England.

At age 25, James Oglethorpe was elected to Parliament1 , the national legislature of Great Britain*. There he learned about the many problems facing his country. The British were having hard times at home, especially in their cities and towns. There were not enough jobs, and many people were in debt. Those who couldn’t pay their debts were often thrown into prison. As a result, London’s jails were overcrowded with thousands of unfortunate debtors.

Convinced that something had to be done, Oglethorpe became a leader in Parliament for prison reform. As a result of his work with a jails committee, many debtors were released from prison. They joined other homeless, hungry people in London who could not find work.

Wanting to help even more, Oglethorpe met with John Percival, an influential member of Parliament who had served on the jails committee. Why not ask the king for a new colony in America and allow released debtors and other unfortunate poor to be sent there on charity? Percival agreed, so they asked King George II for a grant of land south of the Carolina frontier. In his honor, they proposed that it be called Georgia.

* Great Britain - In 1707, England and Scotland united to form Great Britain. The agreement allowed each country to keep its name and boundaries, but the national government would be called “British”—not “English.”

118 UNIT 3 • COLONIAL GEORGIA Vocabulary

1 Parliament - The national legislature of Great Britain. CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA Georgia is Created

On June 20, 1732, Georgia received its Although the charter did not refer to the official charter. This important legal threat of Spanish or French forces, its document, issued by the British backers clearly saw Georgia as a buffer government, specified the colony’s against that threat. boundaries, its form of government,the Though not stated in the charter, religion powers of its officials, and the rights of its was a fourth reason for Georgia’s creation. settlers. England saw the new American colony as According to its charter, Georgia had three a home for Protestants being persecuted purposes: in Europe.

1 Charity*: To help relieve poverty and European nations commonly had an unemployment in Britain. Georgia was official state religion. The Anglican Church, seen as a home for the “worthy poor”— a Protestant body, was the Church of particularly those crowding the streets England. For Spain and France, the official of London. church was Roman Catholic. Unfortunately, Catholics and Protestants had problems 2 Economics: To increase Britain’s trade getting along with each other, and Transcript and wealth. Georgia would fit neatly religious differences in Europe carried into the mercantile system, providing over to the New World. needed agricultural products while serving as a valuable market for British Georgia’s charter did not impose an official King George II issued Georgia’s goods. church for the colony, and persons coming charter in 1732. to Georgia would be free to worship as 3 Defense: To provide South Carolina they pleased. The charter’s guarantee of with a buffer against Indian attacks.

* Charity - The charter of 1732, establishing Georgia as a trustee colony, was founded largely on General Oglethorpe’s idealistic intention of bringing “many of our poor subjects” to Georgia “to extend our fatherly compassion even to the . . . most unfortunate of our people.” Initially, Georgia’s trustees adopted the Latin motto, “Non sibi sed aliis” or “Not for self, but for others.” The idea of helping those less fortunate was known at the time as “charity” or “relief.” Today we more commonly refer to these actions as “philanthropy” or “humanitarian giving.”

119 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

If Georgia included all the land assigned to it when chartered in freedom of religion, however, specifically the Savannah River. Thus, that river was 1732, the city of Los Angeles would excluded Catholics because of the threat selected as Georgia’s northern boundary. be our state’s largest city. Name the of Spanish (and Catholic) Florida to the The Altamaha River—the largest river on present-day states that would be south. Georgia’s coast—would be its southern part of Georgia. border. At the head of each river, a English concerns about Catholic Florida line would be drawn due west to were further heightened because Florida had a policy of giving freedom to any English slave who would convert to Catholicism. Some South Carolina slaves did escape, converted, and became Spanish subjects. Thus, white Carolina colonists were happy to see a new English colony to their south. Maybe this would stem the number of slaves escaping to Florida. Also, Georgia’s existence would make it more difficult for former slaves Los Angeles living in Florida to return and spark a slave rebellion. Georgia ’s Boundaries in 1732

GEORGIA’S BOUNDARIES

At the time of Georgia’s creation, South Carolina had no settlements south of

120 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS the Pacific Ocean. On paper, Georgia 1 Define: Parliament stretched across the entire continent of 2 Identify: John Percival, King North America. George II, Georgia’s Charter Spain and France protested Britain’s of 1732 attempt to colonize an area that they 3 What events led Oglethorpe also claimed. Britain, however, pointed to propose the creation of a out that Spain long ago had withdrawn new colony? its missionaries and soldiers from the region. For the time being, neither Spain 4 What four things did nor France was in a military position to Georgia’s charter specify? challenge the new colony of Georgia. ■ 5 Which religious group was specifically excluded from coming to the new colony of Georgia? Why?

121 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA Georgia as a Trustee Colony

For the first two decades, the new colony Georgia’s charter prohibited several This fanciful view of life in Georgia of Georgia was unlike any other American activities. Trustees could not receive a appeared in a 1733 pamphlet colony. Clearly, it was not a joint-stock salary, own land in the colony, or hold published by the trustees to colony like Virginia. Nor was it a royal public office in Georgia. They accepted encourage support for the colony. colony like South Carolina. In some ways this trust and adopted an official motto, How does the artist show Georgia it was like a proprietary colony—but no “Not for ourselves but others.” as a model society? What evidence one owned Georgia. Rather, Georgia was is there that the artist had never Georgia was to be a great social England’s only colony in America to be been to coastal Georgia? experiment. The trustees wanted to avoid governed by trustees. It was a trustee the conditions that led to poverty and colony. other problems in England. They Georgia’s Charter of 1732 named believed Georgia could become a James Oglethorpe and 20 other British model society. The key would be (1) gentlemen interested in charity as strict rules on land and work, and (2) trustees1 . They would be responsible for carefully selected colonists. managing Georgia for the next 21 years. The first task facing the trustees was The word “trustee” refers to someone to raise money to send colonists to placed in an official position of trust to act Georgia and to pay for the food and on behalf of someone else. Trustees are tools they would need once there. not supposed to benefit personally from Throughout the summer and fall of decisions they make. Instead, they should 1732, sermons, pamphlets, speeches, act in the best interests of those for whom and newspapers carried appeals for they are responsible. To ensure that the contributions. Soon enough money trustees would not act out of self-interest,

122 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

had been donated to send Georgia’s first came in. In return, the colonists shipload of colonists. had to clear lands, raise crops, build houses and public Deciding who would go was the trustees’ structures, and follow the next problem. Newspaper announcements trustees’ rules. about the chance to go to Georgia brought many applications. From these, the trustees had to decide which to send “on charity.” They looked for hardworking THE FIRST people who were down on their luck and COLONISTS SAIL who had the skills to make the colony a TO GEORGIA success. In late November Eventually, 35 families were selected. Not 1732, James a single debtor released from prison was Oglethorpe and 114 among them. Instead, the list included settlers sailed from farmers, carpenters, tailors, bakers, England on the ship Anne. merchants, and those with other skills and Fifty-seven days later, the Anne trades. sailed into Charles Town harbor where Oglethorpe conferred with South Families going on charity received more Carolina officials about the new colony. Georgia Trustees’ Seal, 1733-1752 than free passage to Georgia. Once there, The Carolinians promised to support they would receive land on which to live Georgia in any way possible. and work. They would be given weapons, tools for building and farming, seed, and The next day, the colonists sailed food to support them until the first harvest southward to Port Royal, Carolina’s

123 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

In addition to allowing Georgia colonists to settle on Yamacraw southernmost outpost. Musgrove translated lands, Chief Tomochichi became While Georgia’s settlers during the talks between a close friend and ally of James recovered from their Oglethorpe and Tomochichi. Oglethorpe. voyage, Oglethorpe and Why would the Yamacraw some Carolina rangers leader even consider giving sailed south to explore the up his people’s land to the Savannah River, Georgia’s English? By this time, his northern boundary. small tribe had come to depend on English goods, About 18 miles upriver from for which they traded the ocean, Oglethorpe deerskins and furs. Too found a large flat area much hunting in the past, ideal for a settlement. however, left few game Just upstream was a small animals in the area. Not village of Yamacraws, being farmers, the natives a branch of the Creek Indians. Nearby, Transcript had little use for the land at Yamacraw John Musgrove, a Carolina trader, and Bluff. Tomochichi concluded that a nearby his wife Mary operated a trading post. English settlement might improve life Mary’s father was a white trader and her for his poor village. He announced his mother was a Creek. The Musgroves told decision: the English were welcome. Archaeologists discovered a wealth Oglethorpe the area he wanted to settle of artifacts when excavating the site was known as Yamacraw Bluff. Permission Oglethorpe returned to Port Royal with of Mary Musgrove’s trading post to settle there would have to come from the exciting news. Quickly the colonists near Savannah. Among them were Tomochichi, chief of the Yamacraws. prepared for the final leg of their long a pottery dish, wine bottles, and journey. On February 12, 1733—a day The chief spoke little English, so John kaolin pipes. we now celebrate as Georgia Day—the

124 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

colonists arrived at Yamacraw Bluff. Most The town of Savannah was laid out using people consider this to be the date of a special plan designed in London. Open Georgia’s founding2 (or creation), even spaces called “squares” were one of its though the colony was legally created in 1732, the year Georgia’s charter was Savannah, 1734. issued. One year after Savannah’s founding, Oglethorpe’s town plan was taking GEORGIA’S FIRST SETTLEMENT shape. On the left, note the house lots, Living in tents, the colonists began open square, and building Georgia’s first settlement, named three completed Savannah for the nearby river. They public buildings. started by clearing the pine forest atop Yamacraw Bluff.

Using only hand tools, they cut down trees and sawed them into lumber for houses main features. Each public square was to and buildings. Tree stumps and roots be a kind of neighborhood center. Facing had to be removed from the ground. The each square were four special lots set work was hard, and even with everyone aside for public buildings. Around each pitching in, Oglethorpe needed to hire square were 40 house lots, each 60 by 90 some black sawyers from Charles Town feet, organized into 4 groups of 10. to help out. After the trees were removed, Noble Jones surveyed the area that would Just as Savannah was beginning to take become Savannah. shape, a crisis occurred. The colonists, 125 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS who got their drinking water from the river, minute of the day tending to the affairs of started coming down with dysentery and the colonists. A visitor from South Carolina 1 Define: trustees, founding other diseases. In April, their only doctor observed: died. During the next 10 months, death 2 Identify: Yamacraw Bluff, He is extremely well beloved by all came to one out of every four colonists. John and Mary Musgrove, his people; the general title they give Tomochichi, Georgia Day, him is Father. If any of them is sick, he Fortunately, the problem improved once a Noble Jones, public squares town well was dug. Soon, with the arrival immediately visits them, and takes a great of new colonists, Savannah began to deal of care of them. If any difference 3 How did the trustees intend recover. Among the first was a group of arises, he is the person that decides it. to make Georgia a model 40 Jews who had been displaced from . . . He keeps a strict discipline; I never society? Portugal and Spain. Among their number saw one swear, all the time I was there. 4 Why did Tomochichi allow was a doctor, who performed valuable He does not allow them rum, but in lieu the English to settle on services to the colony. Other immigrants [instead] gives them English beer. It is Yamacraw Bluff? included Italian silk producers, Lutheran surprising to see how cheerfully the Salzburgers, Germans, Swiss, and other men go to work, considering they have nationalities. These were in addition to the not been bred to it. There are no idlers English who came on charity or paid their there; even the boys and girls do their own way. parts. [From a letter in the South Carolina Gazette, Charles Town, March 22, 1733.] ■ By the end of its first 12 months, Savannah had more than 50 houses, as well as several public buildings. Oglethorpe, however, continued to live in his tent, GROWING PAINS insisting that all colonists be housed first. Life was hard, and some colonists began Georgia’s founder spent nearly every to grumble. In summer, Savannah was

126 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

TRUSTEES’ REGULATIONS not the paradise they had expected. But the trustees refused to issue new land 1 There were frequent and sometimes very grants in these cases. Also, colonists were Limits on land ownership and heavy rains. Also, they were not used to prohibited from selling or leasing their inheritance the insects, humidity, and heat of coastal land. If a colonist left Georgia, his land Georgia. went back to the trustees. 2 Georgia colonists complained the most, The most unpopular land policy, however, No slaves however, about three of the trustees’ concerned inheritance. The trustees regulations: (1) restrictions on land wanted to make sure that each land grant ownership and inheritance, (2) a ban on had an adult male trained to protect it, 3 slavery, and (3) prohibitions on rum and with firearms if necessary. Therefore, the No rum or other liquors other hard liquors. trustees provided that land could only be passed on to a male heir. If a man died The trustees wanted to prevent the 4 without a son to take his place, the land development of a rich upper class. No Catholics was to be returned to the trustees and Therefore, land ownership was limited. distributed to another family. Each male adult who came on charity received a town lot for a house plus 50 Another policy opposed by many colonists acres of land (45 acres in the country and was the trustees’ ban on slavery. Some 5 at the edge of town). Colonists who paid trustees, including Oglethorpe, were their own way got 50 acres, plus 50 acres against the practice. But others argued for each servant they brought, up to500 that slavery was allowed in every other acres. American colony, and it was unfair not to allow slaves in Georgia. In some cases, the land was poorly drained and not suited for growing crops. The trustees’ third unpopular policy was a

127 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

prohibition on rum and other types of hard While in England, Oglethorpe and the liquor. Colonists could drink English beer other trustees asked Parliament for and wine, but not other alcoholic drinks. government funding of their colony. No Many colonists, however, ignored the ban. longer was there talk about charity for Frederica the needy. Now, Georgia’s importance Oglethorpe faced a tough problem. When as a military buffer against the French he enforced the trustees’ regulations, the and Spanish and their Indian allies was colonists complained. But if he relaxed the stressed. Parliament agreed to provide rules, the trustees objected. Eventually, funds to build forts along Georgia’s trustee policies on land and slaves were southern border. repealed. To build Georgia’s first fort, the trustees sent 150 Scottish Highlanders to Georgia’s St. Simons southern boundary. At Darien, just north of BUILDING FORTS the mouth of the Altamaha River, they built In the summer of 1734, James Oglethorpe a small fort and settlement. returned to England to brief the In December 1735, Oglethorpe and 257 trustees on Georgia’s status. With him new Georgia colonists sailed from England was Tomochichi, the chief’s nephew with instructions to build a second fort. Tooanahowi, and a delegation of Creeks. Their destination was St. Simons Island, St. Simons Island. This colorized, Their strange appearance created quite a just south of the Altamaha’s mouth. 1741 map shows the location of Fort stir in London. The Creeks pledged their Arriving in February, Oglethorpe laid out Frederica and Fort St. Simons. Why friendship to the trustees, and they met the town and fort of Frederica, which in do you think Oglethorpe chose the king and queen before returning to time grew to house Britain’s largest military those two locations? Georgia. base in America.

128 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS

While work was under way on Frederica, South Carolina–were cheating the Indians. Oglethorpe and Tomochichi sailed to the 1 Define: Fort Frederica The trustees had another concern— south. During this trip, additional sites were traders were supplying rum to the Indians. 2 What summertime conditions selected for British forts as far south as the They directed Oglethorpe to regulate the caused problems for the St. Johns River. Indian trade. Any person wanting to trade new colonists in Georgia? Naturally, the Spanish were upset at British with Georgia’s natives would have to get 3 Why did the trustees put forts being built on land they still claimed. a license, pay a fee, and agree to follow restrictions on the number of Later that year, Oglethorpe and the certain rules. So that Indians would be acres of land a colonist could Spanish governor of Florida, Francisco del treated fairly, an official exchange rate for own? Moral Sánchez, worked out a temporary animal skins and other trade items was treaty. But how long could they keep the established. 4 After Oglethorpe’s trip to peace? ■ England in 1734, how did Much of the Indian trade took place in the purpose of the colony Georgia’s backcountry3 (or upcountry4 )— change? the unsettled area far inland from the INDIAN RELATIONS coast. To better control this trade, Oglethorpe in 1736 ordered that Fort Oglethorpe brought instructions from the Augusta be built on the Savannah River. British government on another matter: keeping the friendship of Georgia’s Native Americans. Georgia needed Indian trade, and if war broke out with the Spanish, WAR WITH SPAIN it would be critical to have them as As relations between Britain and Spain allies. But this friendship was threatened grew worse, Georgians feared a possible because colonial traders—many from Spanish invasion. In November 1736,

129 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

Reenactors at Fort Frederica on St. Simons Island Oglethorpe left Georgia to return to immediately began recruiting soldiers England. There he appealed to Parliament and by spring of 1738 was ready to sail to for money to fund the colony for another Georgia. Most of the soldiers were sent to year. He warned high officials that a Fort Frederica. Spanish invasion was likely. Without British In 1739, Britain declared war on Spain—a soldiers to defend Georgia, the colony war that surely would spill over to would fall. America. Rather than wait to be invaded, By the fall of 1737, it seemed that Oglethorpe took action. He prepared to Oglethorpe was right. Rumors in London invade Florida and destroy the Spanish told of a large military force being sent fortress at St. Augustine. to Cuba by Spain. In Europe, relations In the spring of 1740, Oglethorpe led an between Britain and Spain were getting invasion force south into Florida. Just worse. It was now time to act. north of St. Augustine they came upon In October, King George II gave two Spanish forts. The English captured Oglethorpe the rank of colonel in the the first one, Fort Diego, in what would British army. The king authorized him prove to be their only victory. The second to raise a regiment of 600 soldiers for was Fort Mose, home of the Black Georgia. At the same time, Oglethorpe Militia—a unit of Carolina slaves who had was placed in charge of all British forces escaped to freedom in Spanish Florida. in Georgia and South Carolina. He Outnumbered by the invasion force, Fort

130 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

Mose’s defenders had fallen back to the On July 7, an important event in Georgia main fort in St. Augustine. Oglethorpe history took place. Advancing from the Transcript marched on to St. Augustine to begin south, a Spanish force approached a siege of the fortress. Part of his force within a mile of Fort Frederica. A patrol of made Fort Mose their quarters during Oglethorpe’s rangers opened fire from the the siege. In a dawn attack, 300 Spanish woods, catching the enemy by surprise. soldiers, including members of the Black The Spanish turned back, and the rangers Militia, crept out of the main fort at St. rushed to Frederica to warn Oglethorpe. Augustine and struck the British soldiers in Oglethorpe hastily assembled a small Fort Mose. When the smoke cleared, 68 of force of soldiers and led them in hot Oglethorpe’s men were dead and another pursuit of the Spanish. 34 taken prisoner—the worst loss of the Several miles to the south, at the edge entire campaign. Discouraged by this of a marsh, the dirt road narrowed to a loss and the inability to take the main fort, footpath. Here, Oglethorpe positioned his Oglethorpe ordered his troops back to The grounds on which The Battle troops behind bushes and trees to defend St. Simons Island. of Bloody Marsh were fought stand the trail and then rode back to check on as a historical site on Georgia’s St. Two years passed. Then, late in June Frederica. Simons Island. 1742, a fleet carrying several thousand Meanwhile, the Spanish reappeared at Spanish soldiers appeared on the ocean’s the marsh. Oglethorpe’s hidden troops horizon. Georgia’s defenders were badly opened fire. A brief but fierce battle outnumbered and pulled back to Fort followed. From a distance, Oglethorpe Frederica. It appeared that the island could hear the gunfire. Though riding would fall. desperately, by the time he arrived the Battle of Bloody Marsh was over.

131 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS

Several days later, the Spanish were turned back again, this time in an 1 Define: backcountry, THE COLONY DECLINES attempt to capture Fort Frederica by sea. upcountry Discouraged, the invasion force withdrew After Oglethorpe left, the future of Georgia 2 Identify: Fort Mose,Battle to the safety of St. Augustine. Georgia had looked bleak. Many colonists gave up of Bloody Marsh, Elizabeth been saved. In recognition of the victory, and returned to England, or went to other Wright King George promoted Oglethorpe to the colonies. The colony wasn’t producing rank of general. much, so its export business was poor. 3 Why did the trustees want The trustees’ officers in Savannah worked Oglethorpe to regulate the In 1743, General Oglethorpe returned to hard to keep things going, but crop failures Indian trade? England. As it turned out, he never again and discontent among the colonists made set foot on Georgia soil. After being paid it difficult. by Parliament for most of the personal funds he had spent on the colony, the Gradually, the trustees relaxed their general, now almost 48 years old, met restrictions on land ownership and Elizabeth Wright. Shortly thereafter, inheritance. Finally, in 1750, they dropped they married. Oglethorpe continued as their prohibition on slavery. That same a member of Parliament for another year, the trustees allowed the colonists decade, but his activities on the to elect delegates to advise them on board of trustees declined. He watched colonial affairs. In 1751, Georgia’s first with sadness as the remaining trustees representative assembly met in Savannah. abandoned the principles which had In 1752, the trustees transferred control of made Georgia unique. the colony to the British government. After two decades, the great experiment was over. Henceforth, Georgia would become more like the other American colonies. ■

132 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA Vocabulary

1 Trustees - The 21 individuals named by King George II in 1732 to govern the new colony of Georgia. They were to act on behalf of others without personally benefiting.

2 Founding - The creation and initial settlement of a colony or territory.

3 Backcountry - The unsettled area of Georgia’s frontier far inland from the coast; also called “upcountry.”

4 Upcountry - The unsettled area of Georgia’s frontier far inland from the coast; also called “backcountry.” CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA Georgia Becomes a Royal Colony In 1752, Georgia became a royal colony GEORGIA’S ROYAL GOVERNORS under the direct control of the British government. The colonists were delighted, although two years would pass before the changeover was completed.

In 1754, Captain John Reynolds sailed from England to become Georgia’s first royal governor. As the king’s representative as well as the chief executive officer of the colony, Reynolds had the most important office in Georgia’s new government. Like the other royal colonies, Georgia would have its own legislature. An appointed upper house would advise the governor. An elected lower house—the Commons House of Assembly—would give Georgia colonists their first chance at self-government. It was a limited voice, CAPTAIN JOHN REYNOLDS however. Only white males owning at least (1754-1757) 50 acres of land could vote in Assembly elections. To serve in that body, a member Georgia’s Seal as a royal colony, had to own at least 500 acres. Laws 1754-1782 enacted by the Assembly could be vetoed

No image available

HENRY ELLIS (1757-1760)

SIR JAMES WRIGHT (1760-1776, 1779-1782)

133 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

by the royal governor or by the king back to help the poor. The parishes served in London. Still, colonists had more of a other purposes as well, including certain voice than was ever possible under the political functions. In a way, these were trustees. Governor Reynolds also created Georgia’s first counties. the colony’s first court system. It was Ellis was an improvement over called the Court of Conscious and was Reynolds, but he was not presided over by a local justice of the happy serving as Georgia’s peace. This early court heard and settled governor. He couldn’t stand disputes among colonists. Any dispute the summer heat, so after only that could not be settled in the Court of three years in office, he was Conscious went before the Governor’s granted permission to return Council to be decided. to England. Reynolds proved to be neither popular Georgia’s third—and final— nor effective and was replaced after two royal governor proved to be years. His replacement, Henry Ellis, was its ablest. Sir James Wright committed to strengthening Georgia’s was genuinely concerned defenses, increasing its population, and about the colonists and improving its economy. served the people well for In 1758, the royal Assembly declared the almost two decades. Anglican Church (the Church of England) the official church of Georgia. Lawmakers Most of the battles of the French divided the colony into eight religious and Indian War took place in the districts known as parishes1 . In each THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR north. parish, residents voted for churchwardens In 1754, the same year that Governor and paid taxes to support the church and Reynolds arrived in Georgia, Great Britain

134 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

and France went to war over their world price of defeat for Spain was the loss of empires. The war began in North America. Florida. Because many Indians fought on the side One provision of the Treaty of Paris of France, American colonists, who fought affected Georgia. Until then, Britain with the British, called it the French and claimed that several of its colonies Indian War2 . On the frontier, the fighting extended all the way to the Pacific Ocean. was savage, with scalpings and other In the new peace treaty, however, Britain cruelties. Fortunately for Georgia, most of gave up all claims west of the Mississippi the fighting took place far to the north. River. Thus, in 1763, the Mississippi Soon the war had spread to Europe, and became Georgia’s western boundary. eventually even to India. Throughout most of the fighting, Spain stayed out of the conflict. However, late in the war, Spain joined France as an ally, but much too late THE PROCLAMATION OF 1763 to affect the outcome. In so doing, Spain With the end of the war, Great Britain made a costly mistake. found itself with a huge empire in North In 1762, France and Spain asked for peace. America. What should it do with its new In the Treaty of Paris of 1763, Britain possessions —create new colonies? Now demanded that the two countries give up that the war was over, there was also the great portions of their claims to land in matter of Indian uprisings over whites King George III was responsible North America. France gave up its claims settling on their lands. Also, defending the for changing Georgia’s boundaries to Canada and all territory east of the American colonies had been expensive to through the Treaty of Paris ending Mississippi River, except New Orleans. The the British taxpayers. How could a greater the French and Indian War and the share of these costs be shifted to the Proclamation of 1763.

135 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

GEORGIA (1764)

MISSISSIPPI ALABAMA GEORGIA The next year, Georgia’s boundaries In 1764, a royal commission set were changed to include all land north of East and West Florida as Georgia’s West Florida and East Florida. As you can southern boundary. What other see on the map, Alabama and Mississippi present-day states were part of were once part of Georgia. Georgia in 1764?

WEST FLORIDA E A S T

F L O

R I D

A THE COLONY PROSPERS

American The end of the French and Indian War colonists themselves? became a time of growth in Georgia. That fall, King George III issued The Spanish and French were no the Proclamation of 17633 . In longer a threat to the colony. After this document, Britain announced it the war, the Creeks ceded more than 2 was creating four new North American million acres of land to Georgia. Quickly, colonies—Quebec (in Canada), Grenada Georgia began surveying its new territory. (in the Caribbean), East Florida, and West The land could have been offered for sale, Florida. Georgia’s southern boundary but Georgia decided it would be easier was extended to the St. Marys River. The to attract new colonists by giving the land Proclamation of 1763 reserved all lands away. A plan known as the headright west of the Appalachian Mountains for the system4 was adopted. Under it, the head Indians. of each family was given a “right” to 100

136 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS acres, plus 50 acres for each additional 50,000 colonists, about half of them from family member, indentured servant, or Africa. At the same time, new lands were 1 Define: parish, French and slave. The only costs to the family were opened for settlement. The colony was Indian War, Proclamation of small surveying and recording fees. gaining a new life. ■ 1763, headright system

New settlers began to rush to Georgia 2 Identify: John Reynolds, for the free land. Some came from Henry Ellis, James Wright Europe, but many migrated from other 3 What were the qualifications colonies. The Appalachian Mountains for voting in Assembly formed a natural barrier preventing elections? for serving as a eastern farmers from migrating due west. member? Anyway, Britain had reserved the land west of the Appalachians for the Indians. 4 Under the terms of the Thus, geography and government policy Treaty of Paris of 1763, what encouraged colonists in search of new territory did France give to land to go southward into Georgia. Britain? What did Spain give to Britain? By boat, horseback, wagon, or foot, thousands of new settlers came to Georgia after the French and Indian War. Some brought slaves with them, and in a few years almost half of Georgia’s inhabitants were black. By 1766, Georgia had 10,000 white settlers and 8,000 black. In another 10 years, there were

137 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA Vocabulary

1 Parish - A district set up by the Church of England in the colony of Georgia.

2 French and Indian War - The American name for the war between France and Great Britain (1754–1763), used because many Indians fought on the side of France.

3 Proclamation of 1763 - Document issued by King George III in which Britain created four new American colonies, extended Georgia’s southern boundary, and reserved the land west of the Appalachian Mountains for the Indians.

4 Headright system - A plan for distributing Indian land ceded to Georgia whereby the head of each family had a right to 100 acres, plus additional land for family members. CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

Tomochichi and his nephew, Tooanahowi GEORGIANS IN HISTORY

Tomochichi

He had no formal education, no bodyguards or chauffeurs, and no special training. Yet a Native American tribal chief, Tomochichi, easily Transcript qualifies as Georgia’s first ambassador. Without his diplomatic skills and influence, the settling of the state by Europeans would have been much more difficult and dangerous.

Born around 1650, Tomochichi commanded a Yamacraw tribe that had been banished to the Georgia coast by the lower Creeks. They relocated in what is today Savannah, along Musgrove Creek Canal. In this Yamacraw village in 1733, James Oglethorpe met Tomochichi—dignified and physically impressive, standing six feet tall.

The elderly Tomochichi allowed Oglethorpe to settle on Yamacraw Bluff, and the two became close friends. The next year, Tomochichi helped assemble representatives of major Creek tribes. He convinced them to sign a treaty giving English colonists the land between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers, as far upstream as the tide flowed. The treaty also set trade agreements between the two sides and restored Tomochichi’s position as a respected leader among the Creeks.

138 CHAPTER 6 • THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIA

Oglethorpe repaid these efforts by taking Tomochichi, some of his relatives, and other chiefs to England in 1734. There Oglethorpe asked for further support for the struggling Georgia colony. So impressed was King George with Tomochichi’s bearing and eloquence that he gave the visitors money and showered them with gifts.

With conflict between the colonists and the Spanish becoming more likely, Tomochichi helped set up a meeting between Oglethorpe and major Native American chiefs. His goal was to obtain a collective promise of neutrality. They reached this agreement in the lower Creek capital of Coweta Town, a site near what is today Columbus. When fighting did erupt a few years later, Tomochichi’s heir and nephew, Tooanahowi, served with Oglethorpe in the Battle of Bloody Marsh in 1742. In memory of Tomo-Chi-Chi In 1739, Tomochichi died in Yamacraw Village at an advanced The mico of the Yamacraws age (some say just shy of his 90th birthday). When Oglethorpe The companion of James Oglethorpe learned of the chief’s death, he rushed from Augusta to And the friend and ally of the Savannah, arranging for a full military funeral. In keeping Colony of Georgia with Creek tradition, Tomochichi was buried with some of his This stone has been here placed By the Georgia Society possessions, including a silver snuffbox from England, and in of the Colonial Dames of America 1896 his grave site was marked with a stone mound. 1739—1899

139 CHAPTER 6 QUIZ

Text Version Chapter Outline

Chapter 7 Regional Differences Among American Colonies New England Colonies Foreword Middle Atlantic Colonies Southern Colonies Life in Georgia The Ebenezer Community

Georgia Standards of Excellence Africans Come to America Correlations € Africans Accompany Spanish Explorers Slavery in the American Colonies SS8H2 Slavery in Georgia Georgia Society and Culture Life in Savannah Life in the Backcountry Education Religion

SS8H2

Analyze the colonial period of Georgia’s history.

c. Evaluate the role of diverse groups (Jews, Salzburgers, Highland Scots, and Malcontents) in settling Georgia during the Trustee Period. UNIT 3 • COLONIAL GEORGIA

AT FIRST GLANCE

This chapter describes the regional differences among New England, Middle Atlantic, and Southern colonies, explaining why and how they developed as they did. The focus then shifts to the story of people who came to the Georgia colony and then to colonial lifestyles in Georgia before the American Revolution. Sections within the chapter focus on two groups who came to Georgia—Austrian Salzburgers and African slaves. Primary sources supplement the text, allowing individuals to tell some of their own story.

Life of the

The ruins of Wormsloe near Savannah are a popular state historic site. By the 1750s, People in Noble Jones had built a sizable rice plantation at Wormsloe. Colonial Georgia

Regional Differences Among CHAPTER 7 American Colonies The Ebenezer Community

Africans Come to America

Georgia Society and Culture

Georgia had much in common with the other American colonies. The great majority of colonists had immigrated from England, which meant they shared a common language and culture. All colonies were expected to provide England with raw goods (such as food, tobacco, lumber, naval stores, and deer hides) and in turn purchase finished products made in the mother country. Yet, long before the founding of Georgia, it was clear that even though they were similar in some ways, the American colonies had many differences.

141 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

COLONIAL REGIONS Regional Differences AROUND 1750 Among American Colonies By the late 1600s, England’s American New Englanders also made their living colonies were developing along three as skilled blacksmiths, coopers (barrel regional patterns—New England, Middle makers), silversmiths, and furniture New Atlantic, and southern. Each region had makers. England distinct economic, social, and political Because farms were small characteristics. and church life important, colonists tended to settle close to one another. NEW ENGLAND COLONIES Mostly, people settled in Middle small towns, but there Atlantic In the New England colonies of New were several major Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode port cities, including Island, and Connecticut, agriculture was Boston (the largest), limited by the cold climate, short growing Providence, and season, and rocky, hilly land. Farms were Newport. New small and crops were grown primarily England for family use, and there was very little demand for slaves to work the fields. AREAS OF SETTLEMENT However, slaves were sometimes used as household servants, laborers, and Southern In 1700 skilled and semiskilled workers. Natural harbors along the coast promoted a In 1750 growing fishing industry and sea trade, both of which led in turn to shipbuilding.

142 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

became the most urbanized of the colonial and fertile soil allowed farmers to raise a regions. Most New England colonies variety of crops—such as wheat, oats, and had been founded for religious reasons, corn. Enough food was grown to permit primarily by Puritans and Separatists. selling surplus crops. Some colonists Because the ability to read the Bible was became interested in slave labor to work important, all but one of the New England the land for profit. colonies had school laws in place by 1671. While agriculture was the main economic New Englanders were almost exclusively activity in the Middle Atlantic colonies, of English background. the presence of rich iron ore deposits and other minerals led to the development of mining and mineral processing. Abundant MIDDLE ATLANTIC COLONIES forest land also provided a source of timber for shipbuilding and the production The Middle Atlantic colonies of New of barrels and large covered wagons York, New Jersey, Delaware, and known as Conestoga wagons. As a Pennsylvania were the most result of the diverse natural resources, diverse in terms of people, a combination of rural farm areas, small The Conestoga wagon is a religion, and economy. A towns, and cities developed. Philadelphia heavy, covered wagon that was temperate climate and New York were the largest cities not used extensively during the provided a longer only in the Middle Atlantic colonies but in late eighteenth century and the growing season all of the American colonies. Except for nineteenth century in the United than in New Pennsylvania and Delaware, which were States and Canada. England. Gently founded by Quakers, the predominant rolling land denomination was Church of England.

143 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

There were no requirements for public different was the plantation. Aplantation 1 schooling in the Middle Atlantic colonies, is a large-scale farm operation that and formal education was left to private requires many workers doing the same tutors or church schools. Colonists in task at the same time. Although some this region were primarily of English crops may be grown in order to feed background, though there were many workers and animals, plantations exist whose heritage was Dutch, German, and only where they can produce a cash crop Scots-Irish. for which there is high and continuing demand. In Virginia and Maryland, that crop was tobacco. In South Carolina and Georgia, the crops were rice and indigo (a SOUTHERN pea-like plant that produces a deep blue COLONIES dye for coloring cotton and wool).

The warm climate, Geography and climate were responsible rich soil, and for the different types of plantations. Transcript vast areas of the Virginia and Maryland colonists lived Coastal Plain in the inland from the ocean, where the fertile southern colonies and dry soil was ideal for growing tobacco. of Virginia, Maryland, In South Carolina and Georgia, however, Rice in Colonial Georgia North Carolina, South most colonists lived near the coast, a Carolina, and Georgia led to region of hot and humid weather, frequent an agricultural economy. As in rainfall, and poor soil. Conditions were the Middle Atlantic colonies, there perfect for rice plantations. By building low were numerous small farms—but dirt walls with floodgates along the banks the thing that made southern colonies of tidal rivers, rice fields could be flooded

144 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

when the tide came in. Rice thrives in in the southern colonies were primarily of water. On nearby dry land, many rice English, African, and Scots-Irish heritage. planters also grew indigo. Georgia Olive Farms Transcript Plantation agriculture depended on cheap labor, and workers had to toil long hours in LIFE IN GEORGIA the summer heat. Plantation owners found it to their advantage to purchase slaves for European immigrants arriving in Georgia this work. found a place they could not have imagined. It was unlike anything they knew Because the economy was so tied back home. Here was a wilderness to agriculture, few towns and cities made unpleasant by summer developed in the southern colonies. heat and fierce biting insects. The Charleston was the only major southern settlers found strange plants and city during the entire colonial era. even stranger animals—such as the Maryland was established as a home alligator, cougar, opossum, buffalo, for Catholics who were persecuted pelican, raccoon, and rattlesnake. in England. The official religion in the remaining southern colonies was Church For many settlers, their European of England. There were few schools backgrounds did not serve them and no educational requirements in the well in the new land. Thousands southern colonies. Children of the well-to- died, and many others gave up and do were either taught at home by tutors left for other colonies or returned to or sent to private schools. Most children, Europe. Others, however, learned to however, received little or no education. adapt and survive, and sometimes In terms of national background, people even to prosper in Georgia.

145 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS

For the most part, Georgia settlers of England), Jews, Lutherans, Moravians, developed an agrarian culture—one Baptists, and Presbyterians. These 1 Define: plantation centered around farming. Communities newcomers brought differing beliefs and 2 Why did the New England were usually small and far apart. For most values, which they adapted to Georgia’s colonies emphasize people, life was simple: survival was the environment. ■ education and schools? aim and hard work the rule. Gradually,the clothes they wore, the foods they ate, the 3 Which region had the largest methods used to farm, and the materials two cities in the colonies? used to build changed from what they Name them and the colony had known in Europe. By the end of in which each was located. the colonial period, life in Georgia 4 What crops were commonly would be quite different from that in grown on plantations in the 1733 when the first English settlers Southern colonies? arrived. 5 What are some of the things As Georgia society grew, it came the first Georgia colonists to include people from many had to adapt to? countries. Within several years of its founding, the colony was home to immigrants from many lands. People came to Georgia from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland, and France. Many religions were represented, including Anglicans (Church

146 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA Vocabulary

1 Plantation - Large-scale farm operation (usually for cotton, tobacco, rice, or sugar cane) in which many workers perform the same simple tasks at the same time. CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA The Ebenezer Community

In 1734, a group of German-speaking asked Oglethorpe for a better location. A settlers arrived in Savannah. They were spot known as Red Bluff, where Ebenezer known as Salzburgers because they Creek met the Savannah River, became came from Salzburg (a city in present- New Ebenezer. At Old Ebenezer nothing day Austria). Back home, these Lutheran remained but a cow pen. Protestants had been persecuted because of their religious beliefs. So they fled to Jerusalem Church at the site of England, where the trustees raised funds Transcript New Ebenezer is the oldest colonial to send them on to Georgia. Here the public building in Georgia. Salzburgers received land and provisions. They became Georgia residents with the same rights and responsibilities as British colonists.

Their settlement, about 25 miles upriver (northwest) from Savannah, was named Ebenezer. Oglethorpe laid out Ebenezer and sent workers from Savannah to help the Salzburgers clear the land and put up temporary shelters. Ebenezer grew quickly to almost 200 people, but things did not go well for the settlers. Their location was too far from the river to use it for commerce. The land was swampy and the soil poor. In 1736, the Salzburgers

147 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS

Disease and hardship school and orphanage with their labor. No followed the Salzburgers. So hard liquor, dancing, gambling, or other 1 Why did the Salzburgers many adults had died by 1737 frivolous activities were allowed. The come to Georgia? that an orphanage had to be minister watched over the people. Those 2 Why were the Salzburgers built for their children. misbehaving were punished according to unhappy with their location church rules. Ebenezer was at Old Ebenezer? a religious After a difficult start, the Salzburgers community. began to prosper. They produced and sold The minister, lumber, rice, beef, and pork. Eventually, John Martin Ebenezer led all Georgia communities in Boltzius, producing silk and grew the first cotton in was the Georgia. leader, For many years, the Salzburgers’ German and each language and close-knit society kept settler had them separate from other Georgians. As to follow they began speaking English and became strict church involved in the life of the colony, they regulations. became more like other Georgians. One Residents Salzburger, a schoolteacher named John worked according Adam Treutlen, became the first person to to a set plan that bear the title “governor” of Georgia. ■ required them to support the Johann Martin Boltzius, pastor in church and its Ebenezer, Georgia, 1734-1765

148 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

PRIMARY SOURCE Johann Martin Boltzius

Johann Martin Boltzius was the Salzburgers’ pastor, community leader, teacher, and spokesman from their arrival in 1734 until his death in 1765. During those years, Pastor Boltzius kept a daily diary of happenings at Ebenezer. He sent detailed reports on the community back to the Lutheran Church in Germany and wrote many letters to the trustees. Excerpts from his writings appear below.

May 28, 1735 (Ebenezer)—Mr. Causton (government storekeeper in Savannah) has sent several bushels of rice for planting. He desires that the Salzburgers should clear some swampy and wet places and try this seed.

The people intend to be obedient and start with this tomorrow.

November 22, 1735—The rice which has been planted by the Salzburgers in communal labor as an experiment did not do very well because there was no rain for too long a period. But we see that planting it does not require much more labor than is required for other fruits of the land. It is said that the hardest labor is required in threshing the rice to separate it from its hulls. Only Negro slaves are used to perform this labor in Carolina.

149 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

February 17, 1736—I wish that Mr. Oglethorpe were here to The boat returned to Savannah today to buy a few more kegs of see our garden, which has again been nearly half under water flour, and we intend to contribute money from the poor box to since the recent rainy weather. Then he would be able to those who cannot afford it. comprehend what was recently told him. July 30, 1737—Paul Lemmenhofer was very fatigued for a long We still hope that the Salzburgers will enjoy the rights and time and could find no rest day or night. Although his condition liberties of Englishmen as free colonists. It appears to me and seemed improved this morning, he died suddenly and against to others that the Salzburgers are a thorn in the eyes of the all expectations. Englishmen, who would like to assign them land that no one Of the congregation who have been with us from the beginning, else wants. 31 adults and 24 children have died; among the living are 89 February 27, 1736—At the end of the sermon, I had to apply the adults and 43 children. discipline of the church, in the presence of the congregation, August 9, 1737—Our poor people are about to lose most of against Ruprecht Zittrauer who had offended the congregation their fowl and other small livestock. They cannot give them last Wednesday by getting drunk once again. much feed at home and therefore let both chickens and hogs April 17, 1736 (New Ebenezer)—Most of the people are already run free so they may find food in the swamps and bushes. There living here now. Only a few women and children will stay at Old they are preyed upon by bears, crocodiles and a certain type of Ebenezer to watch out for the seeds planted there and wait on large wild cat. the sick. Everyone seems pleased with living here, and the air August 14, 1737—While most in our community suffer from seems healthier than there. weakness caused by the fever, this does not prevent them from July 27, 1737—The heat is so great that we can hold school only listening to the Lord’s word. They attend the sermon; and, when in the morning with the few children who are still well. the fever strikes them, they simply leave, which is otherwise rare in our meetings. July 28, 1737—A man told me that his corn was so badly blighted [ruined] by the worms that he had little hope of a good March 16, 1738—Some Indians have come to our place again harvest, if God were not to prevent further damage. He was with their wives and children and are bringing pieces of meat for quite composed, however, and trusted in the Lord. rice. One of them brought an entire deer for the orphanage.

150 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

INTERPRETING THE SOURCE

1 Describe the role of Pastor Boltzius in the Ebenezer community.

2 What evidence in the diary shows that the Salzburgers watched after one another? Give specific examples.

In 2009, the descendants of the original Salzburgers placed a statue of Rev. Boltzius on the grounds of New Ebenezer to mark the 275th anniversary of their arrival in Georgia.

151 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA Africans Come to America

Transcript

A view of the Charles Town, South Carolina, harbor painted by Thomas Leitch

The first African to come to the Americas is labor. Making slaves of enemies captured believed to be Juan Canaries (pronounced in battle—and often of their women and kah-NAHR-eez), a free black crew member children—was a common practice around on Columbus’s first voyage to the New the world. World in 1492. If Canaries indeed sailed Being a slave meant you lost your freedom with Columbus, it should come as no and were forced to work for someone who surprise. We now know that Africans owned you—your “master.” Slavery was probably participated in most Spanish not the same thing in all societies. In some explorations and military expeditions to places, slaves were freed after several America. years and became regular citizens. In Actually, slavery had existed around other societies, however, slavery could last the world for thousands of years. The a lifetime. pyramids in Egypt were built using slave 152 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

Many of the African slaves in Spain were household servants for their masters. AFRICANS ACCOMPANY Others worked in Spanish port cities as SPANISH EXPLORERS laborers, artisans, or skilled workers in a variety of trades—including shipbuilding. The first Africans known to visit the North Some slaves worked as crew members American mainland were among Lucas aboard sailing vessels based at these Vázquez de Ayllón’s 600 colonists who ports. landed on Georgia’s coast in 1526. Most were slaves, but some may have been By law and tradition, slaves living in free Africans. There is no record of how Spain were entitled to more rights and many came with Ayllón. Likely, some protections than slaves in most other were laborers brought to clear the land countries. Many were able to purchase and build the settlement. Others may their freedom, so it is not surprising that have been skilled workers, artisans, and the crews of Spanish ships included one personal servants—all of whom would be or more free Africans. Also, many of the needed in the new colony. adventurers in Spanish expeditions to the New World brought their personal Shortly after arriving, Ayllón died. Facing starvation during the winter ahead, one servants with them. As a result, Africans— Artist’s idea of Fort Mose based group of colonists tried to seize the ships both free and slave—were frequently on archaeological and historical and return home. The mutiny was put aboard Spanish ships and took part inland research. expeditions. down, but the surviving colonists soon decided to abandon the settlement. In the meantime, however, the African slaves staged a revolt of their own, escaping

153 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

to live with the Guale Indians. Thus, the a man named Bernaldo who stayed with first slave rebellion in American history the expedition the entire four years. took place in the Ayllón settlement along Spain’s first permanent settlement in North Georgia’s coast. America was St. Augustine, established on The next time Africans came to Georgia the northern coast of Florida in 1565. As was in 1540 as part of de Soto’s many as 50 African slaves accompanied exploration of the Southeast. Many of the the first colonists. Upon arriving, they Spaniards in the 600-member expedition cut down trees, sawed the trunks into brought their personal slaves. Some of the lumber, cleared the land for planting, built slaves escaped to live with the Indians. ships, and helped construct a fort, church, Johan Biscayan and a man named Gomez and other structures. Some Africans were two such Africans. Another African were trained as soldiers to help staff known as Robles was disabled and left Spain’s chain of military garrisons from behind at the Indian town of Coosa in St. Augustine northward along the coast present-day Gordon County. Free Africans of Georgia and beyond. After 1685 and also were part of de Soto’s party, including Spain’s withdrawal from Georgia, Spanish

154 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

officials in Florida openly encouraged slaves in England’s Carolina colony to SLAVERY IN THE AMERICAN COLONIES escape. They offered freedom and land to all who converted to Catholicism. The introduction of Africans to the English colonies in America occurred in Virginia. Many slaves risked their lives In 1619, a Dutch ship captain escaping to Florida. stopped at Jamestown in Once there, some need of provisions. eventually On board were 20 formed a West Africans, Spanish whom he offered military unit to exchange for known as the goods he the Black needed. Because Militia. In the Africans had 1738, Florida’s been Christianized, governor, English law at the Manuel de time did not allow them Montiano, granted to be sold as slaves. Instead the Black Militia land north they became servants. But Virginia Georgia’s agricultural economy was of St. Augustine, where members of the plantation owners wanted more than dependent on not only a favorable unit built and garrisoned Fort Mose. Thus, servants. They wanted slaves to work climate and fertile soil but also Florida began a tradition of serving as a long, hard hours in the tobacco fields. physical labor. sanctuary for escaped slaves. How did slavery become legal in America? In 1640, a Virginia judge sentenced an

155 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

Ship’s Hold

Ship’s Deck indentured African servant to life paying their way enslavement as punishment for to the colonies. running away. Then, a 1662 law Their indenture (or provided that an African baby contract) required

born in Virginia had the status— Men four to seven years free or slave—of its mother. of work, after Finally, in 1705, a Virginia law which the servant designated slaves as real property became a free that could be inherited as part of person with all the an owner’s estate. rights of the other colonists. Ship’s Hull Importing African slaves to work on tobacco plantations quickly But indentured Boys became common in Virginia. But servants didn’t England’s other colonies needed always satisfy workers, too. There was far more their masters, work to be done—clearing the particularly in the land, farming, lumbering, and fields. They refused building—than workers to do it. to do certain kinds of hard To meet the need for cheap Women work. Moreover, labor, some landowners used they often ran indentured servants1 . These SLAVE SHIP away before their were immigrants—usually poor, Slave ships were designed to squeeze indenture was white, and young—who agreed as many Africans aboard as possible. worked off. to work as servants for anyone Confinement, heat, and lack of sanitation killed thousands before they reached America. 156 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

England Many landowners preferred using African tobacco, rice, indigo, fish, timber, American slaves to work their plantations because tar (and other naval stores), Colonies they worked harder and did not have animal skins, and other raw to be replaced every few years. Also, materials for shipment to landowners felt slaves were less likely England. The plan also called to run away since they could be easily for English ships taking some Africa West recognized by the color of their skin. African slaves directly to Indies the American colonies. Only As the demand for slaves increased, a small percentage of newly traders in both England and America enslaved Africans came in this took advantage of the situation. In 1672, manner. England chartered the Royal African Company to supply slaves from Africa to Before long, shipowners and sea her colonies in North America and the captains in the American colonies got West Indies. The plan called for using involved. American slave traders were MAJOR TRADE ROUTES English traders to ship English goods to shipping New England rum to Africa, Involving American Colonies Africa to exchange for slaves. The new where it was exchanged for slaves to be cargo of slaves was then shipped to the sold in the American colonies. Far more Triangular Trade Caribbean. There, the slaves were sold to common, however, was a system known sugarcane plantation owners in exchange as the triangular trade2 . New England New England to Africa for sugar and molasses. The new cargo rum was shipped directly to Africa, where Royal American Company was then shipped back to England or it was sold for payment in newly captured taken to the American colonies. Money slaves, who were taken to the West Indies from the sale of sugar and molasses in and sold to sugarcane planters. Money America would be used to purchase from the sale of slaves was used to

157 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

purchase a cargo of sugar and molasses (1,500,000). More than 9 out of 10 African that was taken and sold to New England slaves were destined to work the sugar distilleries to be used in making plantations or mines of South America, more rum. the Caribbean,or Mexico.

Most newly captured By 1800, as many as 20 African slaves did Transcript million slaves captured not end up in along the western the American coast of Africa had colonies. During been shipped to the 1700s, just the Americas. under 400,000 Most came from Africans were what today are shipped to the countries the American of Senegal, The colonies. That’s Gambia, Sierra a large number, Leone, Ghana, Togo, but only a small Benin,Nigeria, and portion (6 percent) Angola. of the total slave traffic. The most frequent destinations were Brazil (3,600,000), British colonies in the SLAVERY IN GEORGIA West Indies (1,700,000), French colonies The trustees had intended that there be in the Atlantic (1,600,000), and Mexico no slavery in Georgia, and Oglethorpe

158 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

vigorously opposed any attempts to bring The Salzburgers, too, spoke out against in slaves. However, in December 1738, a slavery. The idea that white workers group of Savannah colonists known as couldn’t raise rice was ridiculous. They “Malcontents” petitioned the trustees to themselves had already done so. allow slaves in Georgia. They argued that The trustees rejected the Savannah they could never raise enough products petition, but slaves were brought in for export without help. How could they anyway. Some planters “rented” slaves compete with the Carolinians who had from their Carolina owners or sneaked slave labor? Besides, the Georgia climate them in to work in their fields. The slavery was too hot for white farm workers. Rice, faction grew. Finally, in 1750,the trustees they said, could be raised only by black gave in. workers. Once slavery was permitted, many Other Georgians objected to slavery. In more Africans were brought from January 1739, Scottish settlers at Darien South Carolina, other colonies, and the asked the trustees to keep their ban on West Indies. In 1752 alone, more than slavery. They argued that having slaves 1,000 slaves were brought to Georgia. would take away the white settlers’ will to Eventually, many opponents of slavery work hard. Moreover, said the Scots, accepted it. Even the Salzburgers at It is shocking to human nature,that Ebenezer had slaves. By 1773, the colony any race of mankind . . .should be had about 15,000 black slaves, almost as sentenced to perpetual slavery; . . . many people as the 18,000 whites. freedom to them must be as dear as to us.

159 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS

• If a slave struck a white person, the 1 Define: indentured servant, slave would suffer after trial and triangular trade, slave code SLAVE CODES conviction any punishment the justice The growing number of slaves in the thought fit, not extending to life or limb. 2 Why was it possible to find colony resulted in laws known as slave For the second offense, the punishment both free and enslaved codes3 to govern their behavior and was death; Africans aboard Spanish expedition ships going to the regulate their treatment. Slave codes were • Any person employing a slave on the New World? passed by the colonial assembly in 1755 Lord’s Day (Sunday), except in work and 1770. Provisions from the 1770 code of absolute necessity, must forfeit 10 3 How did Florida become a reveal something of the legal position of shillings; haven for escaped slaves? Georgia’s slave population. The 1770 Slave Code provided that • Anyone teaching a slave to write or 4 How was being a slave read would forfeit a sum of 20 pounds. different from being an • The offspring of slaves were to remain indentured servant? How In some instances the code offered absolute slaves and to be the personal was it similar? property of their owners; slaves some protection. The overall intent, however, was to make sure slaves were 5 In which countries or areas • Slaves could not travel outside the kept in their place. ■ of the Western Hemisphere town or plantation limits without a were most African slaves ticket signed by a responsible person. destined to work during the If slaves were found without a ticket or 1700s? not in the company of a white person, punishment was a whipping on the bare back not exceeding 20 lashes;

160 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA Vocabulary

1 Indentured servant - A person agreeing to work for a master for a set period of time without wages in return for passage to the American colonies from Europe.

2 Triangular trade - Trade route used by American colonial merchants that involved Africa, the West Indies, and the colonies in trading rum, slaves, sugar, and molasses.

3 Slave codes - Laws that governed the ownership, treatment, and behavior of slaves. CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

PRIMARY SOURCE Olaudah Equiano

What was it like to be brought to America as a slave? As slaves were seldom allowed to learn to read and write, there are very few firsthand accounts by slaves. One that does exist, however, is by Olaudah Equiano.

Olaudah Equiano was born in 1745 in the Kingdom of Benin in West Africa. At age 11, he was captured, sold to slave traders, and taken to the West Indies. From there he was taken to America.

Equiano was renamed Gustavus Vassa by his master. Unlike most slaves, Equiano learned to read and write and was eventually given his freedom. Later, he moved to England where he was active in antislavery efforts.

The following account is taken from Equiano’s autobiography, published in 1791.

The first thing I saw when I got to the coast was the sea and a slave ship waiting for its cargo. These filled me with much astonishment and terror.

When I was carried on board, I looked around and saw a large furnace boiling and many black people chained together. I no longer doubted my fate.

161 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

I was soon put down under the decks. There with the terrible prevented by the ship’s crew. Two of the wretches were stench and crying, I became so sick and low that I was not able drowned, but they got the other and flogged him unmercifully to eat. I wished for death to relieve me. Soon two white men for attempting to prefer death to slavery. offered me food. When I refused to eat, one of them held me by Finally, we came in sight of land. . . . Many merchants and the hands. My feet were tied and I was severely whipped. . . . planters came on board. They put us into separate groups and In a little time, I found some people from my own nation among examined us with great attention. We thought we would be those who were chained. I asked them what was to be done eaten by these ugly men. . . . with us. They told me that we were to be taken to the white Soon we were taken to the land where we were led immediately people’s country to work for them. . . . to the merchant’s yard. There we were penned up together like The closeness of the hold, the heat of the climate, so crowded sheep without regard to sex or age. was it that each person scarcely had room to turn . . . it almost In a few days, we were sold. On a signal, the buyers rush into suffocated us. This brought on sickness and many died. I the yard where the slaves are kept. They choose those they became so low I was put on deck. like best. The noise and clamor which accompany this, and the One day two of my country men who were chained together eagerness in the faces of the buyers, serve to increase the fear jumped into the sea. They preferred death to a life of such of the terrified slaves. In this manner, relatives and friends are misery. Then another followed their example. I believe that separated, most of them never to see each other again. . . . many more would have done the same if they had not been

162 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

INTERPRETING THE SOURCE

1 Why are there so few existing primary sources written by slaves?

2 Why do you think Equiano’s master renamed him?

3 What did Equiano write that tells you that not all the Africans on the ship were from the same place?

4 How did the Africans resist slavery while they were on the ship?

163 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA America’s social system was similar to that of Europe. However, in America, it was easier to move up the ladder in Georgia Society and Culture some cases.

During the early years, life in Georgia had brought change to Savannah society. been fairly simple. The model society the In 1733, colonists had to work with Plantation Owners, trustees planned allowed for few social their own hands just to survive. Forty Merchants differences. All settlers were expected years later, many had the help of hired to be hardworking “common folk.” Each laborers, indentured servants, or slaves. Lawyers, Doctors, family would have the same amount of Savannah residents could also turn to Clergymen land and the same kind of life. many kinds of specialists for the things they needed. There were shoemakers, Owners of Small Forty years later, however, it was quite tailors, cabinetmakers, coopers, Farms, Artisans different. By 1773, Georgia was a colony of blacksmiths, gunsmiths, masons, 33,000 people, about half of them black saddlers, wheelwrights, sailmakers, slaves. With many slaves working on great mechanics, and even artists. The city Laborers rice plantations, some planters became also had millers, bakers, and butchers. very wealthy. For example, Sir James As the colony’s capital, Savannah had Wright, Georgia’s royal governor, owned 11 the services of trained professionals, plantations with about 26,000 acres and Indentured such as lawyers, doctors, clergymen, Servants 525 slaves. As some colonists began to and teachers. prosper, social classes developed. So, by 1773, Savannah had several distinct groups. The structure of its society may be likened to a ladder. Africans LIFE IN SAVANNAH Depending on their ability and ambition, By 1773, Savannah had become a busy men might move up (or down) the seaport of the British Empire. Prosperity ladder. There was little opportunity for a

164 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

woman to be independent. Her position in celebration of the king’s birthday. society was tied to her husband’s. Blacks, Dances, picnics, and other however, except for a few freedmen, were social events were highlights of locked into the lowest position as slaves. Savannah social life.

The small group of wealthy rice planters Some of Savannah’s men and shipping merchants at the top of belonged to social clubs and the ladder provided most of the colony’s fraternities. Clubs sometimes leaders. Other men who owned property had political or civic interests in had a smaller voice in the colony’s addition to social ones. affairs. They included the professionals; Savannah had several taverns owners of small farms and businesses; or public houses. Drinking and artisans1 (people skilled in a craft, such as gambling were popular, but woodworkers, tailors, or silversmiths);and these places served another mechanics. purpose in colonial Georgia. Laborers, indentured servants, and slaves They provided a place for had no such voice. For the lower ranks, life people to meet and exchange in Savannah varied little from one day to the news of the day. the next. It was mostly work. Those who could read obtained Those higher up the ladder, though, books from booksellers and had time for social activities. Public libraries. In 1763, they could also celebrations and military ceremonies, as buy Savannah’s first newspaper, well as weddings and funerals, were big the Georgia Gazette. events. The biggest event was the annual Georgia Gazette

SHOE MAKER SPINNER BLACKSMITH

165 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

who lived on the coast. Backcountry settlers had to rely on their own skills to LIFE IN THE BACKCOUNTRY get by. There were few rules, and people Even though Savannah was the heart of didn’t like government to interfere in their the colony, by the 1760s Georgia’s real lives. growth was in the frontier area known as the backcountry. Augusta was the one area in the colony to grow steadily. Like Savannah, it was a planned town located on the river. Once again, Noble Jones was called on for survey work to divide the area into town lots. Augusta began in 1736 as a station used by Indian traders on their way into Creek and Cherokee country. Later, as settlers moved into Georgia from Virginia and the Carolinas, Augusta became the gateway to the backcountry. It was the unofficial capital of Georgia’s Backcountry Settlers Transcript frontier.

In contrast to life in Savannah, living on the frontier was rowdy, rugged, and simple. The self-reliance necessary to live on The new settlers were primarily small- the frontier created a Georgian with an scale farmers. They arrived in carts outlook different from that of Georgians or wagons, using the trading paths

166 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

The First African Baptist Church in Savannah is one of the oldest black congregations in America. Andrew Bryan was its first pastor. The and Indian trails that crisscrossed the Dances, shooting matches, and horse church grew out of a congregation backcountry. A family’s belongings might races were some of the few recreational begun in 1777 by George Liele, a include simple tools, guns, a spinning events on the frontier. But settlers often freed slave. wheel, and kitchen items such as churns, used their work gatherings—such as corn iron pots, and dippers. The settlers cut shuckings, barn raisings, and quilting down trees and cleared the land. Men bees—as social events. and boys spent their days tending the crops, building or repairing farm buildings, or hunting for food. Women tended the garden, cared for the children, prepared EDUCATION meals, and sewed the family’s clothes. Neither the trustees nor the royal government established a school system in Georgia. As in other American colonies, children were taught mainly by their parents. A boy learned a trade or how to farm from his father. A girl learned from her mother how to manage a household. Sometimes boys who were orphans or from poor families would be “bound out” to a skilled mechanic or artisan to learn a trade. Girls might be bound out to a family to learn household Large rice plantations developed skills. along the Georgia coast. The Butler Plantation near Darien produced 1 Transcript million pounds of rice annually by 1844.

167 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

George Whitefield was a preacher who helped spread the Great From time to time, schools were set up in welcome to settle. After the American Awakening in Britain, and especially Savannah, but only one, Bethesda Orphan Revolution, Catholics were allowed to in the American colonies House, lasted very long. Schoolmasters settle in Georgia. They built their first were often clergymen, and religion was church in Wilkes County in taught along with reading, writing, and 1796. The first Jewish families arithmetic. The larger plantations often arrived in Savannah in 1733. One had tutors for the planters’ children. Most Jewish immigrant, Dr. Samuel children in colonial Georgia, however, Nunes, was noted for treating never went to school. the illnesses and diseases the first colonists faced. Abraham De Lyon, an experienced winemaker, brought skills the RELIGION trustees hoped to use in the Georgia’s trustees had been concerned colony. Also among the Jewish about the religious life of the settlers. settlers were many young Hundreds of Bibles, prayer books, and men who joined Oglethorpe’s other religious works were sent with the regiment to defend the colony. first group of colonists. The trustees also The new colony also attracted sent clergymen to the colony. Anglican clergymen. Two of In Great Britain, the Anglican Church them, John and Charles Wesley, raised money for the new colony. Most of came in 1736 to minister to the the settlers who came with Oglethorpe colonists and to convert the were Anglicans. However, other religious Indians to Christianity. Charles groups (except Roman Catholics) were also served as Oglethorpe’s

168 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA

LOCATING the M A I N IDEAS secretary. His brother, John, conducted the colonial assembly passed an act religious instruction for children every making the Church of England the colony’s 1 Define: artisan Sunday—one of the earliest known official church. All Georgians were taxed 2 Identify: Noble Jones, “Sunday Schools.” John later became to support the church but remained free to Samuel Nunes, Abraham known as the founder of Methodism. worship as they chose. De Lyon, John and George Whitefield, another Anglican By the end of the colonial period, several Charles Wesley, George clergyman to come to the colony, different religious groups had churches Whitefield, Phillis Wheatley established Bethesda Orphan House. in Savannah. Elsewhere in the colony, 3 Why did different social Whitefield traveled throughout the religion’s place in everyday life varied classes develop in colonies and made several trips to greatly. In Ebenezer, the church was Savannah? Why were England preaching the “great awakening” the center of the community life. In the social classes less likely of religion. At the time of his death in 1770, backcountry, except for Augusta, which to develop on Georgia’s Whitefield was one of the best-known had an Anglican church, religion barely frontier? colonial clergymen. Phillis Wheatley, a existed. That would change with the arrival 17-year-old slave and poet in Boston, of Baptist and Methodist missionaries 4 Why were taverns useful honored him with “An Elegiac Poem, on about the time of the Revolutionary War. ■ for keeping up with the the Death of that Celebrated Divine . . . news in colonial Georgia? George Whitefield.” Her poem received 5 In what ways could widespread acclaim. children get an education When Georgia became a royal colony, in colonial Georgia? interest in religion continued. The royal governor was required to see that the Sabbath was properly observed. In 1758,

169 CHAPTER 7 • LIFE OF THE PEOPLE IN COLONIAL GEORGIA Vocabulary

1 Artisan - A person skilled in a craft, such as woodwork or metalwork. CHAPTER 7 QUIZ

Text Version