Biographical Memorials of James Oglethorpe
James Oglethorpe, founder of the Colony of Georgia in North America,—a distinguished philanthropist, general, and statesman,—was the son of Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe, of Godalming, in the County of Surrey, Great Britain, by Eleanor, his wife, daughter of Richard Wall, Esq. of Rogane, in Ireland.
Indians occupied the region that is now the state of Georgia long before white men ever set foot on it. The main tribes were the Cherokee and Creek.
Spanish soldier Hernando DE SOTO was the first to explore the Georgia region. He landed in Florida in 1539 and marched across Georgia approximately a year later. DE SOTO is believed to have crossed the Ocmulgee River near present-day Macon, and the Savannah River where now stands Augusta. He eventually went west to the Mississippi River, where he died.
Claiming to have explored the area earlier, England also asserted their hold of the Georgia region. And when the French founded Mobile in 1702, they threw their hat into the ring as well. The first to succeed in colonizing Georgia was James Edward OGLETHORPE, of London, in 1733.
James OGLETHORPE was born in 1696 in, as stated, London. He was educated at Eton College and Oxford University, served in the army, and was elected to Parliament in 1722.
With the help of Lord John PERCIVAL, OGLETHORPE organized a group of 21 men to establish a new colony in America. His plan was one for relief of the poor, unemployed, and persecuted Protestants. Though OGLETHORPE was responsible for prison reform and the release of thousands of imprisoned debtors in 1728-1729, the idea that he sent those debtors to Georgia is unfounded. By 1732, OGLETHORPE was consumed with colonial defense.
In addition to defense, some were hopeful the new colony of Georgia would produce silk and wine, so it would be unnecessary for the Empire to import these goods from foreign countries.
On 9 June 1732 a charter was granted by King George II, establishing the Colony of Georgia in America. This included the region between the Savannah and Altamaha rivers and westward from the heads of these rivers to the Pacific Ocean.
A committee of trustees headed by OGLETHORPE held public hearings to receive applications from prospective colonists. Hundreds applied, but only 1 out of 6 could be accommodated. The selections were made with great care. About 35 families were given the honor to settle Georgia, 114 people in all.
Each settler of the new land was to receive free passage, land, tools, and supplies to help get him started.
On 17 November 1732, the ship "Ann" began the task of carrying OGLETHORPE and the first colonists to Georgia. It reached Charleston, South Carolina harbor 13 January 1733.
Accompanied by Colonel William BULL of South Carolina, OGLETHORPE set out in search of a site for the new settlement. He selected a bluff overlooking the Savannah River. A tribe of Creek Indians, known as Yamacraws, lived nearby. A half-breed woman, Mary MUSGROVE, served as an interpreter to help establish friendly relations with the tribe.
OGLETHORPE returned to South Carolina and transported the settlers to "Yamacraw Bluff." They arrived 12 February 1733, now known as Georgia Day. The colonists lived in tents while they cleared the land for crops and built defenses.
Year after year, the Trustees sent over more colonists. Altogether, 2,122 settlers were sent to Georgia. About half were foreign Protestants, mainly Germans.
It is interesting to note: settlers were brought to Georgia before there was a plan of government. The colony existed in utter confusion with the only laws passed being the forbidding of slavery, the licensing of trade with Indians, and the prohibition of liquor.
When England and Spain went to war in 1739, OGLETHORPE's hard work building Georgia's defenses were put to the test. They were a success. He was unsuccessfull, however, when he (acting on orders from the king) attempted to capture Florida.
Eventually, the war scene shifted to other battlefields, and OGLETHORPE's main objective was accomplished. He sailed for England 23 July 1743 and never returned to Georgia.
Georgia didn't prosper as quickly as anticipated. Many colonists returned to England or moved to South Carolina.