Founding of Georgia
33a - defend the importance of James Oglethorpe, Charter of 1732, reasons for settlement (charity, economics, and defense), Tomochichi, Mary Musgrove, and the city of Savannah
Tomochichi |
Mary Musgrove |
Tomochichi was the chieftain of the Yamacraw Indians, which consisted of the Creek and the Yamasee Indians. He lived from 1644 - 1739. Tomochichi himself was a Creek Indian. His clan settled near Savannah River. He helped make peaceful terms with the new English Settlers, and ultimately make success for Georgia. Tomochichi became friends with James Oglethorpe and allowed his group to establish Savannah for the advantage of having trading and diplomatic connections. In the summer of 1739, when Oglethorpe returned to establish his connections with the lower order, Tomochichi was unable to be involved in this mutual treaty signing because he was fighting a serious illness while on the death bed. He died on October 5th, 1739, a few months after the treaty was signed. James Oglethorpe had visited to bolster his connection to the Lower Creeks. Many historians say that he was in the mid - nineties. People now applaud him for his contributions to the colony of Georgia.
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Mary Musgrove was born in 1700. Among the Creek Indians, Mary was known as Coosaponakeesa. Her father was the English Trader Edward Griffin and a Creek Indian mother. She married English Trader John Musgrove in 1717. She remarried in 1737 to Jacob Matthews. She was an interpreter for Tomochichi and Oglethorpe. She died sometime after 1763 on St. Catherines Island. She was instrumental in the founding of Savannah, and the Georgia colony.
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James OglethorpeJames Edward Oglethorpe was born on December 22, 1696, in the capital of England, London. He was the tenth and final son of his family. His parents were Theophilus and Eleanor Oglethorpe. He ran for Parliament in 1722, where his 2 older brothers and his father had originally sat. He held a seat in the House of Commons. King George II granted a charter in 1732. This allowed the creation of Georgia. Oglethorpe was supposed to govern the new colony. Oglethorpe and his crew boarded the Anne across the Atlantic. This journey took 2 months. When they arrived in Georgia, they found the Yamacraw Bluff. Oglethorpe became friends with Tomochichi. On February 12, 1733, militia and African American slaves cleared the Pine Forest, that would soon hold the city of Savannah. The Spanish invaded Georgia in July 1742. Thousands of Spanish troops landed on St. Simons Island. However, the English fought back in the Battle of Gully Hole Creek. Oglethorpe returned back at the end of the Battle of Bloody Marsh. He became a national hero in England. King George II promoted him to become the mighty English army. He met heiress Elizabeth Wright in London, and they married in September 1744, and lived at her inherited estate at Cranham Hall. James died on June 30, 1785, when he was 88.5 years old. He is buried underneath the chancel floor of the Parish Church of all saints. Oglethorpe County in Georgia is named after him.
Reasons for Settlement (Charity, Economics, Defense)Georgia was founded and ruled by Trustees. There was no governor or governing body within the colony itself. Georgia was the only North American colony where slavery, rum, lawyers, and Catholics had been banned. Georgia faced the Yazoo Land Fraud in the 1790s and entered the Gold Rush in the 1830s. Railroads connected Athens, Augusta, and Macon in the 1830s. Atlanta was originally names Terminus, and it was founded in 1837. It was located at the end of the railway system. It grew into a major Southern City. Georgia was an important home front during the Civil War (1861-65). However, Georgia saw several skirmishes. The Siege of Savannah in 1779 was the most serious military fight. Georgia was also involved in the Battle of Kettle Creek.
Charity: This was a place for the poor and unfortunate to live and prosper and get a second chance. Economics: Georgia would grow crops that would be shipped back to England for profit, leading to mercantilism. Defense: Georgia would act as a buffer colony to protect South Carolina from Spain, who were in La Florida, underneath the colony of Georgia. |
Charter of 1732King George II of Great Britain granted a royal charter to the Colony of Georgia on June 9th, 1732, hence the name: "Charter of 1732". The colonists were entitled to all of the rights that the regular Englishmen possessed. The Charter of 1732 made a corporate body called a Trust. It also provided for an infinite number of Trustees who would govern the colony of Georgia from England. During the time that the Trust was there, 71 men served as Trustees. The Charter forbid the Trustees from holding land or office in Georgia, and they were not paid. They were humanitarian and their motto was Non sibi sed aliis ("Not for self, but for others"). The 1732 Charter also had 15 members serve in a Common Council. The charter did not allow Trustees to own land, hold political office, or get money for their work. Catholics (Papists), Blacks, liquor dealers, and lawyers were not allowed. King George II made all of the final decisions. The charter was 6000 words long.
City of SavannahSavannah was built on the Yamacraw Bluff, which Tomochichi granted to Oglethorpe as a gift. The construction of Savannah was built according to the architectures of Oglethorpe's friend, Robert Castell. Savannah was divided into 4 squares, with Oglethorpe residing in a camp in the middle. Each of these squares were then divided into several different blocks, called tythings. The city of Savannah today, is very much similar to the construction of the original city of Savannah.
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