Chatham County GaArchives History .....Chronological History - Up to 1770 1900 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 24, 2004, 6:24 pm CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF SAVANNAH, From Its Settlement by Oglethorpe down to December 31, 1899, Together with a Complete Record of the City and County, and SAVANNAH'S ROLL OF HONOR, A Roster of the Soldiers who have in three wars Gone Forth at their Country's Call, from this City. A. E. SHOLES, Compiler. SAVANNAH, GA.: THE MORNING NEWS PRINT. 1900. Entered according to Act of Congress in the. year 1900 in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF SAVANNAH. 1584.—The first suggestion which, history gives of the presence of a white man upon the site of Savannah, is found in the tradition that in this year, 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh landed here, and held conference with an Indian chief at a point near or upon what is now known as Gas Works Hill. This spot also marks the burial place of the chief, who chose it in memory of his compact with the "great white man with a red beard." 1670.—American Treaty entered into between England and Spain, the latter power occupying St. Augustine, but no precise line being defined between Carolina and Florida. Hence a small military post was established at south end of Cumberland Island. 1717—Sir Robert Mountgomery secured from the Palatinate and Lords Proprietor of the Province of Carolina, a grant and release of all lands between the Altamaha and Savannah rivers. This territory was to be named the "Margravate of Azilia," Sir Robert's attempt to colonize the lands failed, and in 1720, they reverted back to the Lords' Proprietor of Carolina. 1720.—King George I. ordered General Nicholson, then Governor of South Carolina, to erect a fort at some suitable point, to hold possession of the Altamaha from either Spanish or French invasion, and Fort King George was erected near the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers. 1732.—Charter granted June 9th by King George II. to John, Lord Viscount Percival, James Oglethorpe, and their associates, to the lands lying between the Altamaha and Savannah Rivers, and they were incorporated as the "Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America," with Lord Percival as president of the corporation. November 17th, the Anne, galley of 200 tons burden, sailed from Graveseud, with 130 persons, representing thirty-live families on board, including Hon. James Oglethorpe and Rev. Henry Herbert, a clergyman of the Church of England, who went as chaplain. 1733.—On January 13th, the Anne dropped anchor outside Charleston Bar. Two young children had died on the voyage. Oglethorpe entertained by citizens of Charleston. January 14th, the Anne sailed for Port Royal, and on the 19th, reached Beaufort, where the colonists landed, and were made comfortable at "'new barracks" of the Royal Artillery. Oglethorpe, accompanied by Colonel William Bull, proceeded to the Savannah River, ascended to Yamacraw Bluff, landed and marked site for town, which, from river, he named Savannah. Oglethorpe held interview with Tomo-chichi, chief of the Yamacraw Indians, and through Mary Musgrove, wife of a Carolina trader, as interpreter, secured from Indians pledges of amity. January 30th, colonists left Beaufort in sloop of seventy tons and five periaguas, and on February 1st, "the whole people landed, and got their tents up," in the afternoon. February 9th, the first house was begun, and February 12th, Oglethorpe writes, "two clapboard houses are built, and three sawed houses framed." In March, a few additional colonists arrived via Charleston, and in May, seventeen persons arrived on the James, Captain Yoakley, he receiving the prize offered by trustees to "first ship which should sail up the Savannah, and unload at the town." July 7th, about one hundred and fifty settlers had arrived, and the people assembled at Ogletborpe's tent to name wards, squares and streets. Later, lots were assigned, "a bounteous repast partaken of," after which a Court of Record was established. July llth, a party of forty Israelites arrived, but all save three families, those of Abraham Minis. Benjamin Sheftall and Abraham DeLyon, shortly removed to Charleston. Minis seems to have opened a store at once, being mentioned as a storekeeper in reports of that year, While Dr. Nunez of this party, received first mention as a physician. In September and October, £10,000 having been applied by Government, to "encourage the settlement," two more vessels, with 341 persons, "principally persecuted Protestants from Saltzburgh, in Germany," were sent. 1734.—March 12th, the Purysburgh, with seventy-eight Saltzburghers, arrived, and were established by Oglethorpe, at a place twenty-four miles from Savannah, which they called Ebenezer. Ninety-one houses had now been constructed in Savannah, beside a Court House, a house for strangers, a public mill or oven, a public store, parsonage-house and guardhouse. A crane for hauling goods up the bluff had been erected, a fort and palisades to guard from attack by land, and a battery for protection by water established. A map drawn by Peter Gordon, at this time, definitely marks all places of note, so that they can readily be pointed out now. Directly in front of 14 Bay, West, stood the four pines, under which tents were pitched by the colonists on their first night in Georgia. Stairs leading from the top of the bluff to the river were just east of the trees, 10 Bay, West, now covering the site, Mr. Oglethorpe's tent, where he resided during the whole time of his stay, or from February, 1733, to April, 1734, was under the trees. The Crane and Bell, the first used to hoist goods up the bluff, and the second to call the colonists together, were located just west of the trees on the bluff, 24 Bay, West, now covering the site. The Court House and Tabernacle was on the northeast corner of Bull Street, and Bay Lane, on the ground, now covered by the rear portion of the Custom House. The Public Mill was on Bryan Street, occupying about the center of the site, now covered by the Southern Express Company Building. The location of the House for Strangers, is now occupied by the People's Saving and Loan Company, 22-24 Congress Street, West. The Public Oven was on the northeast corner of Congress and Whitaker Streets, where Leo Frank's store, now stands. The Draw-well was in the center of Bull Street, at the present intersection of Congress Lane. The lot for the church is now occupied by Christ Church. No church building was erected upon the site until several years after it had been set apart for the purpose. The Public Store stood where Hull & Lathrop's Bank now stands, at 22 Bull Street. The Fort was located on the line of President Street, just east of Drayton. The Parsonage was on lot in rear of church lot, and just east of Drayton Street. The Palisades started on the Bluff at what is now 110 Bay Street, East, and ran due south to midway between Bay Lane and Bryan Street. The Guard House and the Battery stood about where the present Cotton Exchange stands. On April 7th, Oglethorpe returned to England, taking with him Tomo-chichi, his wife, Scenawki, his nephew and adopted son, Toonahowi, and six other chiefs. Thomas Causton as chief bailiff and public storekeeper, was left in charge of the colony. The following first known mention of cotton in Georgia is from manuscript in Public Record office, London: "My Lords and gentlemen, I have already sowed and planted cottonseed, about 200, orangeseed, about 3,000. Savannah, Ga., Jan. 15, 1734-35. Elisha Dobree." 1735.—People of England contributed £31,416, 7s., 7d. sterling, to "purposes of colonization in Georgia," and eighty-one persons, principally Saltzburghers, were added, at Trustees' expense, to the colony, joining their countrymen at Ebenezer. November 30th, St. Andrews' Day, celebrated by the Scotch Club. 1736.—February 4th, Oglethorpe returned from England, accompanied by Revs. John and Charles Wesley, and Sunday following their arrival, Rev. John Wesley(later founder of Methodism), preached his first sermon in America, upon lot fronting present St. James' Square, opposite Trinity Church, his text being the Epistle for the day, 1st Corinthians, Chapter 13, and his theme, "Christian Charity." Wesley established first Sunday School in the world in Christ Church Parish. His first book of hymns was written here in 1730, and published in Charleston, in 1737. Mr. Francis Moore, a visitor to the colony in this year, reports about 150 houses in the town, some two or three stories high, with "several people of good substance in the town." "No slavery is allowed, nor negroes; all brandies and distilled liquors are prohibited, under severe penalties; no lawyers are allowed to plead, nor no attorneys to take money, but every man pleads his own cause." Oglethorpe returned to England, November 29th. Robert and John Williams reported this year as having a store. 1737.—Rev. George Whitfield arrived in May, accompanied by Mr. James Habersham. Trustees granted him a tract of land near Savannah for the purpose of establishing an asylum for poor children. November 1st, William Stephens arrives and assumes position of Secretary for the Trustees. December llth, first military funeral, when John Vanderplank was buried from his residence at northeast corner Bull and State Streets, escorted by forty men under arms, who fired three volleys over the grave. 1738.—April 20th, Robert Williams sailed to West Indies upon trading account. May 6th, first detachment of Oglethorpe's Regiment arrived under Lieutenant Colonel Cochran. June 7th, the Common Council removed Thomas Causton from office as first bailiff, and he was succeeded by Henry Parker. September 19th, Oglethorpe arrived from England, with balance of regiment for protection of colony, landing at Frederica. October 10th, Oglethorpe arrived in Savannah, and welcomed with bonfires and public rejoicings. October 18th, Causton dismissed as public storekeeper by Oglethorpe, and Thomas Jones appointed. October 19th, first fire mentioned, destroying houses of Giles Becu, a French baker, and Peter Baillou, a French hatter. December 7th, one Prevost is mentioned as "keeping store," also the firm of "Solomon & Minis." December 9th, appeal, signed by nearly all the freeholders of Savannah, asking admission of slaves into colony, presented to General Oglethorpe. December 28th, a Mr. Phelps receives mention as a "Scotch merchant." 1739.—March 31st, "Mr. William Kellaway, being granted a lot on river front, has set up a large storehouse; Mr. Brownfield keeps a large warehouse, also Mr. Wroodruff, a haberdasher." April llth, Oglethorpe orders a wharf to be built by Mr. Duchet, "the potter." May 29th, "Captain Davis, a wealthy ship owner," has lot on river front, adjoining Kellaway. June 20th, Trustees addressed letter to the "Magistrates of the town of Savannah," refusing to permit the introduction of slaves into the colony. July llth, "stores are being built by Calvert, Montagut and Pury." August 21st, new treaty entered into between General Oglethorpe and the chiefs of the Indian nations for a more friendly alliance. October 3d, announcement received of war between England and Spain. William Stephens' journal states that on this date Tomochichi was buried, though all historians, basing statement upon a letter from Savannah, October 10th, 1739, and published shortly after in the "Gentleman's Magazine," say that on October 5th, Tomoehichi died, aged "about 97," and in accord with his request, his remains were brought to the town, met by "Oglethorpe, the magistrates and people," and borne to Percival (now Wright) Square, where it was lowered into the earth, while three volleys of musketry were fired by the militia. December 21st, Captain Davis is running a privateer against Spain. 1740.—February 29th, negro slave, former property of Rev. Mr. Dyson, chaplain of the regiment, sold at auction for 23£, 5s. March 25th, Whitfield "laid with his own hands, the first brick for the Orphan House at Bethesda." March 26th, Stephens writes to the trustees that he "purposes experiment with cotton," from the West Indies, "where it grows perennial." April 28th, two companies of South Carolina Regiment in the expedition against Spanish at St. Augustine, raised in Georgia, thirty men enlisting from Savannah. June llth, erection of church begun to-day. June 26th, first horse race in Georgia, "from gate of Public Garden, on present East Broad Street, to middle of Johnson Square, Dr. Tailfer and others bettors." 1741.—March 30th, game of cricket played, and next day, rifle match, and raffle for horse at £12. In April, William Stephens appointed president of the County of Savannah. April 2d, second fire, destroying block from Bull to Drayton, and from Duke (now Congress) Street, south to lane. June 9th, second sale of slave in colony for 8£, 10s. In July, Oglethorpe with 652 men, defeated Spaniards with 5,090 men on St. Simons’ Island. Porcelain clay discovered in or near Savannah by Mr. Duchet, and china cups made. Trustees gave him £50, to "encourage him in his enterprise." 1743.—July 23d, Oglethorpe took final departure for England, leaving town in better condition than ever before, there being 353 houses here, exclusive of public buildings, William Stephens appointed Deputy General of the colony. 1744.—First commercial house established by James Habersham and Charles Harris. Stood near water in rear of what is now 2 Bay, East. Further efforts made to carry out original idea concerning colony, and a filature, or silk house built and necessary articles for preparing cocoons, and winding silk directed to be furnished. 1747.—Slavery in colony practically recognized, Negroes had first been hired from owners in South Carolina, then purchases were made from African traders. Some seizures were made, but magistrates were favorable to introduction of slaves, and decisions were suspended. Finally, the Trustees ordered convention of prominent inhabitants of colony, and twenty-three representatives met in Savannah, passed sundry resolutions practically legalizing the traffic, ordering that "the owners of slaves shall educate the young, and use every means to religiously impress the minds of the aged, and that all acts of inhumanity shall be punished by the civil authority." 1749.—First ship sent to England, by Harris & Habersham, laden with deerskins, lumber, cattle, hogs, poultry, etc., to value of $10,000. Seven other ships sailed during the year. Determined effort made by Rev. Thomas Bosomworth, husband of Mary Musgrove, to secure control of all lands occupied by whites, and on July 20th, with large body of Indians, they approached the town. Much excitement prevailed. Militia, under Captain Noble Jones, met them and compelled them to ground their arms, after which they entered the town. Two days were occupied in discussion, and not until Bosomworth and Mary were gotten apart from the Indians, and confined, could any arrangement be made. Finally, the Indians were persuaded to leave town without bloodshed. 1750.—Charter changed by Trustees, all restrictions respecting titles to land done away with, and a colonial assembly of sixteen members authorized. April 23d, St. George's Society organized, afterwards, in 1786, incorporated as Union Society. July 7th, first church in Savannah dedicated. Exports for year, $8,897. 1751.—First General Assembly of Georgia met January 15th, representatives from Savannah District being Francis Harris, who was chosen Speaker, John Milledge, William Francis and William Russell. Colonel William Stephens resigned as President of Council in May, and was succeeded by Henry Parker. First general muster occurred June 13th, with 220 horse and foot in line. A colonial record says, "they behaved well, and made a pretty appearance." 1752.—On June 23d, the Trustees resigned their charter, and the colony became a royal province. Henry Parker died in this year, and Patrick Graham became President of Council. 1753.—Exports for the year, $74,785. 1754.—August 6th, Captain John Reynolds appointed Governor of Province of Georgia, William Clifton, Attorney General, James Habersham, Secretary. October 29th, Governor Reynolds landed in Savannah, and on following day, dissolved former Board of Council, and announced formation of Royal Council. In December, Courts established; first, a General Court, to be held quarterly; second, a. Court of Chancery, to sit after each General Court; third, a Court of Oyer and Terminer, to sit twice a year. A Court of Admiralty was also established for maritime affairs. 1755.—January 7th, first Legislature of Georgia assembled; David Douglass chosen Speaker. 1756.—Complaints against the administration of Governor Reynolds, caused an order on August 3d, that he should "come to England to answer for his conduct," and Henry Ellis was appointed Lieutenant Governor. 1757.—On February 16th, Governor Ellis reached Savannah, and landed amid "welcoming shouts from the assembled multitude,” a prominent feature of the occasion being the parade of thirty school boys, organized as a military company. October 25th, a conference was held between the Governor and Council, and the head men of the Upper and Lower Creeks, representing twenty-one Indian towns, resulting in the establishment of renewed friendly relations. 1758.—March 17th, colony divided into parishes, and "Town and District of Savannah, etc," constituted the parish of Christ Church, and Reverend Bartholomew Zouberbuhler, "present minister of Savannah," confirmed as rector of Christ Church. May 17, Ellis appointed Gover-in-Chief of colony. 1759.—In November, Governor Ellis, owing to feeble health, solicited recall. In this year a fire engine was purchased, and 15 townsmen formed company to keep engine "in good repair and attend upon any accident of fire." 1760.—May 13th, James Wright, commissioned Lieutenant Governor. Upon his arrival in Savannah in October, Governor Ellis severed official connection with Colony, October 13th, and sailed for England November 2d. First wharf erected this year, supposably between Bull and Whitaker Streets. Exportation of rice, 3,400 pounds, and entire commerce for year conducted by forty-two vessels. 1761.—In February, news of the death on October 25th, 1760, of King George II., reached Savannah, and on February 9th, funeral honors were paid his memory. February 10th, George III. proclaimed King, with much civil and military pomp. 1762.—January 28th., announcement of Mr. Wright's appointment, as Captain General and Commander-in-Chief, arrived, and was made the occasion of a general holiday, closing with a ball at the Governor's house, present site of Tel-fair Academy. 1763.—First printing press in Georgia arrived, and on April 7th, appeared first issue of the "Georgia Gazette." Exports for year, $193,395. 1764.—Post Office established in Savannah, with Robert Bolton as Postmaster. James Habersham shipped eight bags of cotton to England, the first ever shipped from America. Custom House officials seized it at Liverpool, on the allegation that so much cotton could not have been grown in the American Colonies. 1765.—March 23d, an act for granting and applying stamp duties and other duties," more familiarly known as the Stamp Act, received the assent of the King. The utmost opposition was aroused in all the Colonies, and nowhere more than in Savannah, where James Habersham wrote, "how must every inhabitant shudder at thought of the act taking place, which, according to my present apprehension, must inevitably ruin them." October 26th, anniversary of accession of King George III. to the throne, celebrated by general muster, and in evening, the Sons of Liberty, recently organized, paraded effigies of "obnoxious persons," and then burned them. December 5th, the "Speedwell" arrived with the stamps which were transferred to Fort Halifax. 1766.—January 2d, the Governor was informed that Fort Halifax was to be attacked, over 200 "Liberty Boys" having assembled, and threatened to break open the fort, and destroy the stamp papers. Forty men were detailed for several days, to guard the papers, and later, they were removed, under protection of Captains Milledge and Powell, with fifty-four rangers, to Fort George on Cockspur Island. February 3d. doubting the security of the stamp papers, even at Fort George, the Governor had them conveyed on board the man-of-war Speedwell, which had brought them from England. February 22d, Stamp Act repealed. July 16th, General Assembly convened, and united with the Council in forwarding a grateful address to the King, "for the repeal of the late Act of the British Parliament, commonly called the American Stamp Act." November 19th, Governor Wright, addressing the Earl of Shelburne, tells a pleasing story of advancement and prosperity. He writes, "On Governor Ellis' departure from hence, November 2d, 1760, from the returns of the militia officers, and the best information I could get, the whole number of white people throughout the Province amounted only to 6,000, and I had afterward reason to think there were not so many; of which number there was about sixty men belonging to His Majesty's Independent Companies, two troops of rangers, consisting of five officers and seventy private men, and the foot militia amounted to 1,025; and now, by a very careful inquiry from every part of the Province, the white people amount to 9,900, or say 10,000, of which 1,800 are effective militia." "When I came, the return made me of negroes amounted to 3,578, but which I soon found greatly exceeded the real number then in the Province, and now, My Lord, we have at least 7,800." "In 1760, they reported as appears by the Custom House books, only 3,400 pounds of rice, and in 1765, though a short crop, 10,235 pounds. In 1761, we loaded only forty-two sail of sea vessels, and the last year we loaded 153, and on an average of much greater burden." 1767.—Although the Stamp Act had been repealed, the "Quartering Act" for quartering troops on the Americans, was still in force, and when on January 16th, Captain Philips, commanding the Royal Americans, made requisition for barrack necessaries for his troops, the assembly promptly refused to comply. In punishment, General Gage withdrew all troops from the Province. 1768.—Much discontent prevailed on account of "taxation without representation," encouraged by letters received from Northern Colonies, notably Massachusetts and Virginia. Besolutions being passed by the General Assembly, in December, ordering that the "Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and the Speaker of the House of Burgesses in Virginia," be advised "that this House approves of the measures by them pursued, to obtain redress for our common grievances, etc." Governor Wright, on December 24th, dissolved the Assembly. 1769.—September 16th, a meeting of the merchants and traders of Savannah, was held at the house of Alexander Creighton, at which it was resolved, "that any person or persons whatsoever, importing any of the articles subject to parliamentary duties, after having it in their power to prevent it, ought not only to be treated with contempt, but also as enemies of their country." September 10th, a larger meeting was held, with Hon. Jonathan Bryan, of the Governor's Council, in the chair, where resolutions of non-importation, were unanimously passed. For his participation in this meeting, Mr. Bryan was, by order of the King, removed from the Council. Additional Comments: From: CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF SAVANNAH, From Its Settlement by Oglethorpe down to December 31, 1899, Together with a Complete Record of the City and County, and SAVANNAH'S ROLL OF HONOR, A Roster of the Soldiers who have in three wars Gone Forth at their Country's Call, from this City. A. E. SHOLES, Compiler. SAVANNAH, GA.: THE MORNING NEWS PRINT. 1900. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/chatham/history/other/gms401chronolo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 24.7 Kb