Georgia History Colonial Records 1774-1775 ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Transcribed by E. Robertson, Transcribed by E. Robertson from The Georgia Historical Quarterly, Volume XXXV, September, 1951, Number 3. Excerpts from : “The Proceedings and Minutes of the Governor and Council of Georgia, October. 4, 1774, through November 7, 1775 and September 6, 1779 through September 20, 1780, Part V Edited by Lilla M. Hawes..Pages 196 thru 221. (Only Pages 204-205, 210-211-212-213 transcribed) 204 COLLECTIONS OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ......that James McKay, James Butler, Walter Brown, Roger Kelsall, Simon Munro, Benjamin Baker, and Thomas Goldsmith, shall be Commissioners for the Road from the other Side of Ogechee Ferry to Midway, Newport, and Sunbury; and that Robert Bai11ie, Roderick McIntosh, Charles McDonald, Wi11lam Ross, and James Downie, shall be Commissioners for St. Andrew's Parish; and that Thomas. Gibbons, Benjamin Farley, Joseph Fox and John Fox, shall be Commissioners for the Newington Road; and that Lachlan McGi11livray, John Murray, Basil Cowper, Nathaniel Hall, and Samuel Douglass, shall be Commissioners for the North west Road as far as Christ Church Parish extends; and that the Revd. Mr. Christopher Frederick Treibner, Thomas Flyming, Nathaniel Polhi11, Jacob Behler, and John Goldwire shall be Commissioners for the said Road In the Parish of St. Matthew; and that Matthew Lyle, David Russell, Samuel Montgomery, David Woods, George Sloane, and Robert Irvine, shall be Commissioners of the Roads in St. George's parish; and that James Grierson, Joseph Maddock, Jonathan Sall, James Seymour, and William Goodgion, shall be Commissioners for the Roads in St. Paul's Parish. All which was unanimously approved of by the Board, and It was Ordered. That the said several Persons be, and they are hereby nominated and appointed Commissioners of the said several Roads; and It Is strongly recommended to them that they forthwith give notice to all Parties concerned, that they work upon the several Roads at and for such Time and Times as the said Commissioners shall judge necessary and proper. And It was further Ordered, That this appointment be published In the Gazette. (Note: Probably referring to The Royal Georgia Gazette). At a Council held at His Excellency's house In Savannah, on Tuesday, the 11th Day of July 1780. Present, His Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, the Governor. The Honorable John Graham, Esq. the Lieut. Govr. The Honorable John Hume, and Martin Jollie, Esqrs. Mr. James Grierson, attended the Board with Sir Patrick Houstoun and Mr. Andrew McLean, and the following Declarations made by the last two were taken and ordered to be entered. Sir Patrick Houstoun, Baronet, being desired to explain his Conduct during the late Rebellion in this Province, declared as follows: That he parted with His Excellency sometime. In January 1776, and went Immediately to the River Saint Mary, In Search of a Vessel Page 205 In Order to load the Same with Rice, and proceed to England therein; that having found a Vessel, he proceeded with that Intention to his Plantation on the River Alatamaha; but at that Time the Prohibitory Act of Parliament being passed, and received in this Pro-! vince, the Vessel was seized by Capt. Grant, Commander of the King's Armed Schooner Saint John; that every Endeavor to recover . the Same being ineffectual, he remained unmolested during that Year in the Southern Parts of the Province, when a dropsical Complaint occasioned him to follow the Advice of changing the Climate; in pursuance of which, he was sometime in making Journeys in different Parts as far as Philadelphia, Albany and Boston, merely on that Account; that he returned to this Province in November 1777, and in December 1777, or January 1778, having made a Purchase on the Carolina Side near Augusta, he retired there, leading a private Life; and that he had never borne Arms or accepted any Office Civil or Military under the Rebellion; but on the Invasion of the French, he received peremptory Orders to go down with the Army to the Siege of Savannah, as a Militia Man, but carried no Arms, except Pistols, which he generally rode with. All which, was corroborated by Mr. James Grierson and Mr. Andrew McLean, who I further declared that the Rebels always regarded Sir Patrick Houstoun as a Tory, and that they had been severely questioned and treated for going to dine with him. Mr. Andrew McLean, being desired to explain his Conduct during the late Rebellion in this Province, declared as follows: That he neither carried Arms, or gave, or received Orders, from the Rebells; that he had been always considered by the Rebells as a Person inimical to their Party; that however General McIntosh on the Invasion of the French sent for him, and acquainted him with the Force Savannah would be invested by, and observed that his Intention in sending for him was merely to save him, as his Principles were regarded in an unfavorable Light by the Party, that now the Prospect of being presently in Possession of Savannah was so certain, he (the General) wished he would think properly of his Situation, and come down with the Army to Savannah, and he should be at Liberty to act or not as he (McLean) might think fit; This proposal offered merely to serve him in the embarrassed Circumstances, he was then in, induced him to come down with the Rebell Army, but with a firm Resolution to take no active Part in Favor of Rebellion, but to use all his Endeavors to assist the Inhabitants of Savannah, In Case that Place had been taken, which every appearance made then too probable. Page 210 COLLECTIONS OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY' ..... gentlemen, in the 2d Regiment of Foot Militia commanded by Colonel Griereon. Alexander McLean, Captain, James Stewart, Lieut. and James Wetherby, Ensign, in the 1st Company, or the Augusta District. George Downs, Captain, Edward Ashton, Lieut. and Isaac Skinner Ensign, in the 2d Company or the District above Reas Creek. Theophilus Daes, Captain [blank] McNear, Lieut, in the 3d Company or the District of Eugee Creek. Lewis Gardner, Captain, Rheese Howard Lieut. in the 4th Company or the District above Eugee Creek. Isaac Perry, Captain, in the 5th Company or District of the Kiokas. James Bishop, Captain, Samue. Hart, Lieut. in the 6th Company or District of Wrightsborough Township, from the Town upwards. George Phillips, Captain, David Dawson, Lieut. in the 7th Company or District of Spirit Creek. Jacob Watson, Captain, James Coates, Lieut. in the 8th Company or the District of Wrightsborough Township from the Town downwards towards Augusta. George Nichols, Captain, John Lang, Lieut. in the 9th Company or District of Wrightsborough Township, about Williams Creek. At a Council held at His Excellency's House in Savannah on Monday the 21st Day of August 1780. Present. His Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, the Governor, The Honorable John Graham, Esq. the Lieut. Governor. The. Honorable Anthony Stokes, Lewis Johnston, Josiah Tattnall John Hume, and Martin Jollie, Esqrs. Read a petition from several of the Inhabitants in Saint Philips Parish, representing the Inconveniency they are under in attending Militia Duty, at a very great Distance from their respective Residences; and praying that Luke Mizzel may be appointed Captain of the Militia for their District. . Ordered, that the clerk write to Lt. ColI. Lyle, to inquire into the Merits of the PeMtion, and into the Character of the said Mizzel and how far he is proper for the Service. Read an Account of ColI. Ph1l1p Moore against the PubUc for Necessaries suppUed at his Expence for the Use of the Militia during the. Siege of the Town. Ordered that the Clerk write to Col Moore, to acquaint him that the Account is allowed, excepting the article of the Sails used for COLLECTIONS OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETV 211 Tents; which being no more than was generally done from the, different Vessels, and without any Charge being brought for the Same, a partial allowance cannot be made on that Accot. to him, for a Service so gene,rally gone into. Read a petition from John Stacey praying to be admitted to take the Oath of allegiance to His Majesty, and receive Protection. Also read a Letter from the, Revd. Mr. Zubly in that Behalf. Ordered that a Letter be sent to the Revd. Mr. Zubly to acquaint said Stacey, that on his complying with the Forms of the Disqualifying Act, before a Magistrate having the State Oaths prescribe,d, he may on calling at the Clerk of the Council's Office, see the Form of the Petition where Indulgence from these, Disqualifications is desired. At a Council held at His Excellency's house, in Savannah, on Monday the 28th Day of August 1780. Present. His Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, the Gove,rnor. The Honorable John Graham, Esq. Lieut. Governor. The Honorable Anthony Stokes, Lewis Johnston, Josiah Tattnall, and Martin Jollie, Esqrs. His Excellency laid before the Board a Letter from the Commis-. sloners of Pilotage, on the Allowance to the Pilot for a Boat, and desired their opinion on the Subject. . On which the Board was of opinion that the application with Respect to the Pilots not be.ing answerable for the £ 150 in Case of the Boat, being taken or lost, while on actual Service, must be made to the General Assembly, and does not lye with the Governor and Council to determine upon. His Excellency then desired the opinion of the Board on a Letter from Mr. Mossman, in Behalf of Mr. James Houstoun's coming into this Province. Which being read, the Board was of opinion, the Governor ought not to interfere, in that Matter. Ordered, that the clerk write to the several Magistrates having Rolls of the State Oaths, and strongly enjoin them peremptorily to carry the Disqualifying Law into Execution, agre,eably to the Tenor thereof, which allows of no Discretionary Powers, but in the Governor and Council, to whom all applications for Relief in that Respect must be made. Read a Letter from Daniel Crawford proposing to undertake the Brickwork of the Public Buildings in Savannah. Ordered, that Mr. Crawford be advised to come to Savannah, as 212 COLLECTIONS OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ........his proposals cannot so well be understood, unless he be present, and that he may depend on meeting with Encouragement, at the same Time that he inquires whether any Person of his Acquaintance will undertake the Carpenter's Work; and that he brings such Person with him. , Also Ordered, That the Direction and Inspection of such Public Works, b_ under the Honorable Lewis Johnston, Josiah Tattnall and Martin Jollie, Esquires; and that such Engagements as it may be necessary to make or enter Into with the Workmen be made and done by them or any two of them. , His Excellency observed to the Board that He had frequent Complaints of Masters of Vessels carrying off Negroes In their Vessels, which had been very much practiced of late, and which seemed to be a growing Evil: H_ therefore desired their opinion and proposed that the Attorney General be desired to examine the Laws relative to this Matter, that he draw up a Notification of the Penalties in such Cases; and that the same be published in the Gazette, that no Person may plead Ignorance thereof. All which the' Board unanimously approved of. ' Ordered,4 that Commissions be made out for the following Persons as Officers in the 4th Regiment of Foot Militia, commanded by Lieut. Coll. Matthew Lyle. William Corker, Capt. John Johnston, Lieut. and Edward Corker, Ensign, in the 1st Company, or the District from'WaJker'g Mili Creek, up Briar Creek to the Line in St. George's Parish. John Morrison, Capt. John'Ervine, Lieut. and James Archer, Ens. in the 2d Company or District from Livingston's Fording to the Head of Buckhead and in a direct Line from that to Richard Burney's on Lambert Big Creek. . Edward Pilcher, Capt. Benjamin Brantly, Lieut. and Edward Caswell, Ens. in the 3d Company or the District on the north Side of Briar Creek from Reas Road and upwards. . Danie. Howel, Capt. Jerry Atkison, Lieut. and Jonathan Wood' Ens. in the 4th Company or the District from the Lower Part of thei Parish of St. George, up Ogeechee to the Mouth at Bark Camp, and from thence to the old Indian Road on Buckhead. William Read, Capt. Robert Woolfington, Lieut, and Thomas McCroon, Ens. in the 5th Company or the District from Sandy Run up the New Road to Rocky Creek to the head thereof, and to Wal1t. er's Mill Creek. ' James Lambert, Capt. Jacob Thompson, Lieut. and Peter Oglevie, Note: 4. This paragraph and those following to the end of this session are crossed out in tbe manuscript. COLLECTIONS OF THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Page 213 Ens. in the 6th Company or the District on the Southside of Briar Creek from the Beaver Dams to Sandy Run. John Wilson Capt. John Montgomery Lieut. and David Cavenah, Ens. in the 7th Company or the District from the Mouth at Bark Camp to Livingston's Fording on Buckhead, with a direct Line to the Head of Black Jack Branch. John Fleming, Capt. John Brown, Lieut. and John Martin, Ens. In the 8th Company or the District from Lambert's Big Creek to the Fork of Rocky Comfort. Henry Ferguson, Capt. in the 9th Company or the District in the Fork between Savannah River and Bryar Creek. At a Council held at His Excellency's House in Savannah on Fri day the 8th Day of September, 1780. Present. His Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, the Governor. The Honorable Anthony Stokes, Lewis Johnston, John Hume, and Martin Jollie, Esqrs. His Excellency acquainted the Board that He had received a Letter from Coll. Grierson at Augusta, by which it appears that none of the Magistrates assigned to keep the Peace in the Parish of St. Paul and District of Augusta, had qualified but the Revd. James Seymour, Clerk, and William Goodgion. And that he recommends the following Persons for Officers to serve in the Militia in his Regiment, viz. in the 4th Company Robert Story, as Captain, and Benjamin Upton as Ensign, in the 5th Company David Crook as Captain, James Waters, as Lieut. and John Coombs as Ens.; in the 6th Company William Phelps as Capt. & Randal Ramsay Junr. as Lieut.;' in the 9th Company Joseph Wilder as Capt. Richard Beaufield as Lieut.; And William Goodgion to be Lieut. Colonel and Andrew Moore, the Major. On Consideration of which, the Board advised that Colonel Grierson be desired to recommend such other Persons for the Magistracy as are willing to act: And that Commissions be made out for the several Persons recommended as Militia Officers, except Andrew Moore, who being in the disqualifying Act, that must be postponed for further Consideration. His Excellency then laid before the Board a List which He had received from Lt Coll. Lyle of Persons recommended by him and the Magistrates of St. George's Parish, as proper for Militia Officers in that Parish, with the several Districts thought most convient for the Different Companies in the said Regiment and parish. Which…………………………………………………………..