 In the late 1720s, James Oglethorpe began talk of a colony for the “working poor”.  Oglethorpe was a member of an influential family and always tried to find ways to help people.  After one of his friends died in jail, he became very angry because he did not think people who were in debt should have to go to jail.  Oglethorpe worked endlessly to get laws passed that both improved prison conditions and let thousands of prisoners go free.  However, these people needed a place to go! They still could not find work or pay their debts after being released.  Oglethorpe and a group of men worked on a plan to promise these people a fresh start in the New World to “unfortunate but worthy individuals”

 On June 7, 1732, King George II granted a charter (legal document that grants special rights and privileges) to Oglethorpe and his trustees (people who hold responsibility on behalf of others) to establish the colony of GA.  The Charter of 1732 was an important legal document that specified the colony’s boundaries, its form of government, the powers of its officials, and the rights of its settlers.  There were 3 purposes for founding Georgia: › 1. Charity: To help relieve poverty and unemployment in Britain › 2. Economics: The new colony could produce silk, cotton dyes, and wine, which were 3 items that Great Britain was importing from France, Russia and Spain. This would increase Britain’s trade and wealth. › 3. Defense: This new settlement in GA could defend the southern Carolinas from Spanish Florida. It could also provide protection from the French who were pushing east from the MS river. Could also provide SC with a buffer from Indian attacks.  Though not stated in the charter, Georgia would also offer religious freedom to Protestants who were being mistreated by the Catholic Church in England.

 A search began for settlers for the newest colony. Advertisements were given and people were interviewed for the voyage.  No debtors or prisoners were allowed to go, so the original proposal was forgotten.  The trustees put 4 regulations in place for the colonists: › 1. Put limits on land ownership and inheritance (land could only be passed down to a male heir) › 2. No slavery › 3. No rum or liquors › 4. No Catholics  Colonists had to agree to defend the colony, not to sell the land given, use seed and tools given to cultivate the lands, use part of their land to grow mulberry trees (so silkworms would eat the leaves and make cocoons for the production of silk), and agree to follow all regulations established by the trustees.  On November 17 th, 1732 the ship the Ann left England with colonists to start the voyage to settle Georgia.

 Before the Ann could set anchor, Oglethorpe had to make friends with the Yamacraw Indians through their chief, Tomochichi. He was able to do this through Mary Musgrove who served as their interpreter. With Mary’s help, they established a close friendship that lasted until the chief’s death.  On February 12, 1733, Chief Tomochichi allowed the passengers of the Ann to land safely and establish the 13 th English colony in the New World at the mouth of the Savannah River.

 Oglethorpe had no official title, but he was accepted as the leader of the colony. He made treaties and got grants of land, and formed a militia (citizen army).  He also worked closely to design the city of Savannah with a plan that came from his late friend Robert Castell. Savannah would be set up in 4 squares.  Today, the city of Savannah is still set up the same way!

 In 1734, a new group of settlers arrived called the Salzburgers, who were a group of German Protestants. They were carried to a place 25 miles outside of Savannah and started a town there called Ebenezer (which means “the Rock of Help”).  This land was marshy with poor soil for crops, so in 1736, they moved to Red Bluff on the Savannah River where they built another town called New Ebenezer.  More regulations put on the colonists, including a ban on slavery, caused discontentment. By 1750, slavery was allowed.  A war broke out between Great Britain and Spain. Oglethorpe’s forces, assisted by the Highland Scotts, won the Battle of Bloody Marsh in 1742, which helped secure the frontier boundaries against the future Spanish invasions. Georgia was now a safe haven on the southern frontier.

 England realized that it needed a “buffer” between its colonies and the Spanish settlements in Florida, and GA would become that buffer.  Fort King George was built at the mouth of the Altamaha River in Georgia and became the British “warning point” for invaders.  Although later abandoned, this fort established the English presence in GA.  Today, you can see what the fort was like by visiting the city of Darien where it was located.

 Although the original ideals for the colony were never fulfilled, the colony made progress and survived.  Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the trustees was the ability to enable the Georgia colony to survive the many hardships encountered during the first 20 years.  The survival set the stage for GA to become a successful and profitable royal colony.

 In 1752, Georgia becomes a royal colony under the direct control of the British government.  In 1754, John Reynolds became Georgia’s first royal governor. He was neither popular nor effective and was replaced after two years by Henry Ellis.  Ellis was committed to strengthening GA’s defenses, increasing its population, and improving its economy.  Ellis was not happy in GA and hated the heat, so after 3 years in office, he was replaced by James Wright.  Sir James Wright was GA’s third and final royal governor. He was genuinely concerned about the colonists and served the people well for almost 2 decades.

 The trustees intended that there be no slavery in GA and many groups, including the settlers at Darien and the Salzburgers, opposed slavery.  However, a group called the “ malcontents ” petitioned the trustees to allow slaves in GA. They argued that they could never raise enough products for export without help and they could not complete with the Carolinas who had slave labor.  The trustees rejected the petition, but slaves were bought in anyway. Finally, in 1750, the trustees gave in.  Eventually even those who opposed slavery had slaves. By 1773, the GA colony has about 15,000 slaves, almost as many people as the 18,000 colonists.

 Although tobacco was important in other southern colonies, rice and indigo (a pea-like plant that produces a deep blue dye for coloring cotton and wool) were the main crops grown in GA.  For the most part, Georgia settlers developed an agrarian culture, which was centered around farming.

Georgia under Trustees’ RuleGeorgia under Royal Rule Time Period (dates) 1733– –1776 Government All laws and regulations enacted by the trustees in England were subject to approval by the king. No colonial legislative body or real governor, except for Oglethorpe, as resident trustee, served as a type of governor. (p. 80) Georgia was under the direct control of the British government. A royal governor was appointed, and a legislative body for the colony was authorized. Adult, white, male landowners could vote and serve in that body. Parishes with some political functions were cre- ated. (pp. 90–91) Land Ownership Ownership was restricted to 50 acres (for garden and farm lots), plus a town lot for colonists who relied on charity. Colonists who paid their own way got 50 acres plus 50 more for each servant they brought, up to 500 acres. They were prohibited from selling land. If a colonist left, land returned to the trustees. Land could only be inherited by a male heir. (p. 86) Limits on land ownership were removed. Land was given away under the headright system, with the head of each family entitled to 100 acres, plus 50 acres for each additional family member, servant, or slave. Land could be inherited by females as well as males. (p. 92) Slavery Prohibited until 1750 (p. 89) Allowed (p. 89) CHANGES IN THE GEORGIA COLONY