From Trustee Georgia to Royal Georgia Georgia Studies Notes

Georgia’s Beginnings Georgia began as a Trustee Colony with its original charter in 1732. The Trustee Period lasted from 1733 to 1752. Plans for City of Savannah

Trustee Leaders James Oglethorpe 21 trustees King (George II) is ultimate authority James Oglethorpe

Governance King had ultimate authority Trustees made regulations which had to be obeyed by colonists King George II

Georgia’s Colonial Boundaries All lands between the Altamaha and Savannah Rivers west to the Pacific Ocean Boundaries in original charter

Land Ownership/Distribution Original colonists were given 50 acres of land Colonists who could afford to pay their way to Georgia were given 500 acres Mulberry Tree

Slavery Slavery was not allowed by the Charter of 1732 Charter of 1732

Religion The original settlers were all Protestants Within a short period of time, Georgia also had Jewish settlers Christ Church in Savannah John Wesley

The Colonists Aside from original settlers who came on the Ann, many new settlers arrived during the Trustee Period: Salzburgers Moravians Highland Scots Malcontents

Salzburgers Originated in Salzburg, Germany Came to Georgia because they were expelled from Catholic Germany for being Protestant Settled in Ebenezer Relocated to New Ebenezer because of issue with the original land Opposed to slavery New Ebenezer

Highland Scots Came to Georgia from Scotland Settled in Darien, Georgia Rebuilt Fort King George Opposed to slavery Fort King George

Malcontents Mainly composed of Scottish settlers near Savannah Arrived in Georgia by paying their own way, so they did not feel the same loyalty to James Oglethorpe Objected to three trustee rules: Limits on land ownership Law against slavery Law against rum Felt these laws limited their ability earn money Cover of official protest

The Spanish Threat from Florida In 1739, war broke out between England and Spain This gave Oglethorpe a good reason to invade Florida which was controlled by Spain 2000 men (mainly Native Americans and settlers from GA & SC) fought to take over Spanish forts in Florida War of Jenkin’s Ear

Spanish Threat continued Not much progress was made until July 1742 in the Battle of Bloody Marsh In this battle Highland Scots assisted Oglethorpe’s forces. This surprise attack caught the Spanish forces off guard and was the beginning of a safe southern frontier for the British. Battle of Bloody Marsh

Spanish Threat continued The Spanish eventually left the area for good after a note was sent to a British deserter warning of an impending attack by arriving ships. The arriving ships were actually trading ships, but the Spanish thought they would be outnumbered and gave up.

Royal Georgia Georgia’s Royal Period lasted from 1752 - 1783

Leaders John Reynolds – first royal governor (ineffective) Henry Ellis – second royal governor (established foundation for government) James Wright – third royal governor (efficient and popular) James Wright

Governance King appointed governor & council There was a bi-cameral legislature set up to represent the original parishes in GA Parish is a church and government Parishes

Boundaries After the French & Indian War, the southern boundary was set to the St. Mary’s River & the western boundary was set at the Mississippi River

Land Ownership Determined right to vote To vote, settlers had to own 50 acres Determined right to hold office To be in office, settlers had to own 500 acres

Slavery Allowed because the colonists were frustrated by the success of their neighbors to the north who were becoming prosperous under slavery Slave ship

Religion Puritans arrived Puritan family

The Colonists New settlers from South Carolina and the West Indies (who also brought slaves) New settlers arrived after boundaries were expanded after the French & Indian War Some were considered undesirable (crackers) Georgia “crackers”