Georgia State University ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University History Dissertations Department of History Fall 12-18-2013 “My Zeal for the Real Happiness of Both Great Britain and the Colonies”: The Conflicting Imperial Career of Sir James Wright Robert G. Brooking Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/history_diss Recommended Citation Brooking, Robert G., "“My Zeal for the Real Happiness of Both Great Britain and the Colonies”: The Conflicting Imperial Career of Sir James Wright." Dissertation, Georgia State University, 2013. https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/history_diss/39 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Department of History at ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in History Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks @ Georgia State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. “MY ZEAL FOR THE REAL HAPPINESS OF BOTH GREAT BRITAIN AND THE COLO- NIES”: THE CONFLICTING IMPERIAL CAREER OF SIR JAMES WRIGHT by GREG BROOKING Under the Direction of Dr. Charles G. Steffen ABSTRACT This dissertation examines the life and conflicted career of Sir James Wright (1716- 1785), in an effort to better understand the complex struggle for power in both colonial Georgia and eighteenth-century British Empire. Specifically, this project will highlight the contest for autonomy between four groups: Britains and Georgians (core-periphery), lowcountry and back- country residents, whites and Natives, and Rebels and Loyalists. An English-born grandson of Chief Justice Sir Robert Wright, James Wright was raised in Charleston, South Carolina following his father’s appointment as that colony’s chief justice. Young James served South Carolina in a number of capacities, public and ecclesiastical, prior to his admittance to London’s Gray’s Inn in London. Most notably, he was selected as their attor- ney general and colonial agent prior to his appointment as governor of Georgia in 1761. Wright collected more than public offices in his endless quest for respect and social ad- vancement. He also possessed a voracious appetite for land and became colonial Georgia’s larg- est landowner, accumulating nearly 26,000 acres, worked by no less than 525 slaves. As gover- nor, he guided Georgia through a period of intense and steady economic and territorial growth. By the time of the American Revolution, Georgia had become fully integrated into the greater transatlantic mercantilist economy, resembling South Carolina and any number of Britain’s Car- ibbean colonies. Moreover, Governor Wright maintained royal authority in Georgia longer and more ef- fectively than any of his North American counterparts. Although several factors contributed to his success in delaying the seemingly inexorable revolutionary tide, his patience and keen politi- cal mind proved the deciding factor. He was the only of Britain’s thirteen colonies to enforce the Stamp Act of 1765 and managed to stay a step or two ahead of Georgia’s Sons of Liberty until the winter of 1775-1776. In short, Sir James Wright lived a transatlantic life, taking advantage of every imperial opportunity afforded him. He earned numerous important government positions and amassed an incredible fortune, totaling over £100,000 sterling. His long imperial career delicately balanced dual loyalties to Crown and colony and offers important and unique insights into a number of important historiographic fields. INDEX WORDS: Sir James Wright, Colonial Georgia, Colonial America, American Revolution, American South, Atlantic world, Imperialism, Loyalist studies, Transatlantic, Native America “MY ZEAL FOR THE REAL HAPPINESS OF BOTH GREAT BRITAIN AND THE COLO- NIES”: THE CONFLICTING IMPERIAL CAREER OF SIR JAMES WRIGHT by GREG BROOKING A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University 2013 Copyright by Robert Gregrory Brooking 2013 “MY ZEAL FOR THE REAL HAPPINESS OF BOTH GREAT BRITAIN AND THE COLO- NIES”: THE CONFLICTING IMPERIAL CAREER OF SIR JAMES WRIGHT by GREG BROOKING Committee Chair: Charles G. Steffen Committee: Wendy H. Venet Jeffery R. Young James Piecuch (Kennesaw State University) Electronic Version Approved: Office of Graduate Studies College of Arts and Sciences Georgia State University December 2013 iv DEDICATION To my wife, Leslie, whose uncompromising belief in me may have actually made a be- liever out of me and who taught me, in the words of e. e. cummings that “it takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” To my children, Alex, Gabrielle, and baby Michael, whose beautiful souls have kept many a late night at the word processor brilliantly lit with love. To my mom, who taught me to dream and then dream some more. To my dad, who first kindled my love of history across many a hallowed ground. To my brothers, Tracy, Kevin, and Brian, who set the bar unbelievably high. To my sister, Meredith, whose example of patient determination and fortitude continue to inspire. To my McCuens, Al, Nell, Lisa, and Janie, who have provided just enough barbecue and beaches to remind me of the importance of family. To my Armisteads, Mike, who taught me to live alive all day and that life is best enjoyed by letting go, digging deep, and being open to the possibilities within; and Jonathan, who taught me that Will Ferrell is the solution to many a problem. To Stacy for her patience and flexibility during this journey. And to all those I have neglected to acknowledge, but have enriched my life and aided me in this endeavor, especially Kevin Dockrell, Chester Pierce, and Tony Pierce. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In a moment of deep gratitude for his transatlantic and multiethnic patrons, friends, and inspirations, the gifted colonial American naturalist William Bartram noted that “on the recollec- tion of so many and great favours and blessings, I now, with a high sense of gratitude, presume to offer up my sincere thanks.” My academic debts are wondrously immense and beyond my meager abilities to adequately repay. No efforts will be spared, however, in both expressing my heartfelt thanks to those who have graciously given of themselves. My thank you to them is the earnest promise to pay their kindness forward. My dissertation advisor Dr. Charles Steffen nourished this dissertation with a gentle pa- tience that is rare in academia. Along with the other members of my committee, Dr. Steffen of- fered sage advice and keen insight into both my topic and the historians craft. Dr. Jim Piecuch’s unequaled understanding of the complexities of colonial and revolutionary America in the South have bolstered virtually every page of this dissertation. Dr. Jeff Young also saw the value and unique academic opportunities inherent with my project. His spirit and uncanny ability to reduce complex concepts have made me a better historian. Drs. Wendy Venet and Ian Fletcher have taught me the academic and personal value of examining history through the lens of those less represented. I have been blessed with an incredibly brilliant committee and, more importantly, I have been blessed with an incredibly thoughtful and generous committee. I must also gratefully acknowledge a number of brilliant historians who have taken an in- terest in my project. Without question, my greatest academic debt is owed to the venerable Mary Bondurant Warren. Mary has kindly offered shelter and a hot breakfast during my many trips to the University of Georgia’s Hargrett Library and, more importantly, availed me of her unrivaled vi knowledge of colonial and revolutionary Georgia. Moreover, Mary has transcribed thousands of eighteenth-century documents. Although she has published many of them, she afforded me un- fettered access to those transcriptions awaiting publication. Anyone who has read James Wright’s handwriting can appreciate the yeoman’s work involved in such a laborious task. Like a bloodhound, Ken Thomas has tracked much of James Wright’s genealogy and spent many af- ternoon’s patiently walking me through the complex maze of eighteenth-century genealogy. Another genealogist, Sandra Boling, has expertly deciphered Sir James Wright’s will without the use of the Rosetta Stone. Charles Baxley has taught me the value of fellowship. His unflagging support and passion for both history and my success is truly humbling. Dr. Carol Berkin inter- rupted a family vacation to both offer invaluable insight about my work and encourage my daughter to cultivate her artistic spirit. Dr. Greg Urwin advocated on my behalf numerous times and to great affect. He also made the long journey to the David Library to personally treat me to a fine lunch. Dr. Robert Calhoon’s enthusiasm first instilled me the belief that I belong. Profes- sor Robert S. (Bob) Davis supported my research with by answering incessant questions and providing valuable insight about the Georgia frontier. Dr. Stan Deaton at the Georgia Historical Society and Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell at the Center for the Study of Georgia History were early and constant supporters of my research. Alain St. Pierre from Emory University’s Woodruff Library went far beyond the call of duty in helping me navigate the library’s immense collections. I have also been fortunate to have an incredibly supportive cohort at Georgia State Uni- versity: Cliff Stratton, Casey Cater, Lauren Moran, Mark Fleszar, Shane Tomashot, Matt Hutchinson, and Juan Pablo Valenzuela. In their own way, each has made graduate school not only bearable, but pesonally fulfilling. I would be remiss, though, if I failed to individually thank Dr. Mark Fleszar for his enduring friendship, guidance, and inspiration. vii Finally, I must thank a group whose friendship helped to restore my faith in the academic community. Chris Pearl, a recently minted Ph.D., taught me to laugh at bats and that it’s okay for grown men to like GhostBusters, Alexander Hamilton and curly fries.