Savannah, Georgia - History (part 2 of 16)

Among the powers granted to the trustees by the charter was that of appointing a common council. This council was composed of the Right Honorable Anthony, Earl of Shaftesbury; the Right Honorable John, Viscount Percival ; the Right Honorable John, Lord Viscount Tyrccnnel; the Right Honorable James, Lord Viscount Limerick; the Rig-lit Honorable George, Lord Carpenter; the Honorable Edward Digby, Esq.; James Oglethorpe, Esq., George Ileathcote, Esq., Thomas Tower, Esq.; Robert Moore, Esq., Robert Hueks, Esq., Roger Holland. Esq., William Sloper, Esq., Francis Eyler, Esq.. John Laroche, Esq., James Vernon, Esq., Stephen Hales, A. M., Richard Chandler, Esq.. Thomas Frederick, Esq., Henry L'Apostre, Esq., William Heathc-ote, Esq., John White, Esq., Robert Kendal, Esq., alderman, with Richard Bundy, D. D., with Benjamin Martyn, as secretary. The minutes of this body show that at a meeting held in the Palace Court, on the 26th of October, 1762, among other business attended to there was "Read a Lease and Release granting five thousand acres of land in Georgia in America to Thomas Christie, Joseph Hughes and William Calvert in trust," and on the 1st of November following "A Power to James Oglethorpe, Esq., to set out, limit and divide five thousand Acres of Land in Georgia in America was read, approv'd and order'd to pass the Seal. * ,* * Appointment to James Oglethorpe, Esq., to give Directions to

Thomas Christie, Joseph Hughes and William Calvert concerning the division of Land in Georgia in America was read, approved and ordered to pass the Seals." grant to these three persons named was a plan of Savannah which has been lost, but the deed is in the office of the secretary of state of Georgia. It. is of such great importance that it is deemed worthy of a place here, and is as follows :

"To all to whom these Presents shall come: We, Thomas Christie and William Calvert, send greeting. Whereas by Indentures of Lease and Release made between the Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America on the one part; and us the said Thomas Christie and William Calvert and Joseph Hughes, deceased, on the other part, bearing date the twenty-fifth day of October, Anno Domini One Thousand seven hundred thirty and two, under the common seal of the said Trustees, they the said Trustees did for the considerations therein mentioned Grant and convey unto us the said Thomas Christie and William Calvert and the said Joseph Hughes, deceased, and to the Survivors of us and our Assigns. Five Thousand Acres of Land lying and being in the Province of Georgia in America, being part and parcel of the Land which his Majesty graciously granted to the said Trustees by his Letters Patent bearing date the Ninth day of June Anno Domini One Thousand Seven Hundred thirty and two. to be set out in such parts of the said Province as should be thought convenient and proper by such Person as should be appointed by the Common Council for that purpose, under such limitations and in trust for such uses and purposes as are therein mentioned, as in and by the said Indentures, relation being to them had, may more fully appear; And AVhereas the said Common Council did by deed under the Common Seal of the said Trustees, bearing Date the Twenty Sixth day of October Anno Domini One Thousand seven hundred thirty and two authorize and appoint James Oglethorpe Escpure, of AVestbrook Place in the County of Surry, to set out and limit the said Five Thousand Acres in such part of the said Province as he should think most convenient: and Whereas the said James Oglethorpe hath set out and limited the said Five Thousand Acres in such a regular manner as is most convenient for the support of a Town and the Inhabitants thereof, and hath set out part of the said Five Thousand Acres for a Town called Savannah, with Lotts for Houses, and left a Common round the Town for convenience of Air; And, adjoining to the Commons, hath set out Garden Lotts of Five Acres each, and beyond such Garden Lotts hath set out Farms of Forty Four Acres, and One hundred forty and one Pole each, and hath drawn a Plan of the Town and Plot of the Garden Lots and Farms respectively, with proper Numbers. References, and Explanations for the more easy understanding thereof which Plan and Plot are hereunto annexed and set forth in Folio One and Folio Nine of this Look:

"Now Know Ye, that we, the Said Thomas Christie and AVilliam Calvert pursuant to the said Deed, and in performance of the said Trust, do Grant and Enfeoff unto John Goddard one House Lot in AA'ilmington Tvthing in Derby AVard, expressed in tin* said Plan by Number One, containing Sixty feet in front and Ninety feet in depth, and one Garden Lot containing Five Acres, expressed on the said Plot by Number Eleven, lying South East from the Center of the said Town, and one Farm ex- pressed in the said Plot by Number Five and Letter A in the said Ward and Tything, containing Forty Four Acres and One Hundred Forty and One Pole, making together Fifty Acres of Land: To Have and To Hold the said Fifty Acres of Land unto him the said John Goddard during the term of his natural life, and after his decease to the Heirs Male of his Body forever, Upon the Conditions and under the express Limitations hereinafter mentioned."

Garden lots, farms and town lots in which the location by wards and tithings was indicated were granted in the same instrument, on the same conditions to the following: Walter Fox, John Grady, James Carwall, Richard Cannon, Francis Cox, relict of William Cox, William Cox, Jr., George Sims, Joseph Fitzwalter, Mary Samms, relict of John Samms, Elizabeth Warren, relict of John Warren, William Warren, son of the said John Warren, Mary Overend, relict of Joshua Overend, Francis Mugridge, Robert Johnson, William Horn, John Penrose, Elizabeth Hughes, relict of Joseph Hughes, Mary Hodges, relict of Richard Hodges, Mary Hodges, Elizabeth Hodges, and Sarah Hodges - daughters of the said Richard Hodges - James Muir, Thomas Christie, Joseph Cooper, John West, James Wilson, Thomas Pratt, William Waterland, Elizabeth Bowling, relict of Timothy Bowling, Mary Bowling, daughter of the said Timothy Bowling, Elizabeth Millidge, relict of Thomas Millidge, Heirs Male of the said Thomas Millidge, William Little, Jane Parker, relict of Samuel Parker, Thomas Parker, son of the said Samuel Parker, Mary Magdalene Tibbeau, relict of Daniel Tibbeau, Heirs Male of the said Daniel Tibbeau, Hannah Close, relict of Henry Close, Ann Close, daughter of the said Henry Close, Joseph Stanley, Robert Clark, Peter Gordon, Thomas Causton, John Vanderplank, Thomas Young, Joseph Coles, Thomas Tebbitt, John Dearn, John Wright, Noble Jones, Ann Hows, relict of Robert Hows, John Clark, William Gough, William MacKay, Thomas Ellis, Edward Johnson, Isaac Nunez Henriquez, William Mears, Moses le Desma, Paul Cheeswright, Samuel Nunez Ribiero, John Musgrove, Noble Wimberly Jones, Daniel Ribiero, Charles Philip Rogers, Moses Nunez Ribiero, Robert Gilbert, Edward Jenkins, Senior, Jacob Lopez d'Olivera, William Savory, Edward Jenkins, Junior, Isaac de Val, David Cohen del Monte, Benjamin Shaftell, Bearsley Gough, Robert Hows, Abraham Nunez, Monte Santo, John Millidge, Jacob Yowel, Samuel Parker, Junior, Abraham Minis, Jacob Lopez de Crasto, and David de Pas. Specifying t ho particular portion of land conveyed to each of the persons named, the deed continues and ends as follows: "yielding and paying for such Town Lott, Garden Lott, and Farm, containing together Fifty Acres as aforesaid, to the said Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America, and to their Successors, yearly and every year, the Rent or Sum of two Shillings of lawful Money of Great Britain, the same to be paid to such person or persons and at such place in the said Town of Savannah in the said Province of Georgia as by the Common Council (for the time being) of the said Trustees shall be appointed. The first Payment to be made on the first Day of the Eleventh year to In' computed from the Day of the date of these Presents; provided always, and these Presents are upon these conditions that if it shall happen that the said yearly Rent, of Two Shill- ings or any part thereof be unpaid by the space of Twelve Kalendar Months next after the day of Payment, on which t lie same ought to be paid as aforesaid, And if the said several persons or their respective Heirs above mentioned shall not within the space of Eighteen Kalendar Months from the date hereof erect one House of Brick or framed, square timber work, on their respective Town Lotts, containing at the least Twenty four feet in length, upon Sixteen in breadth, and eight feet in height, and abide, settle and continue in the said Province for and during the full term of three years to be computed from the date hereof, and if the said several Persons and each of them respectively shall not, within the space of ten years, to be likewise computed from the date hereof, clear and cultivate Ten. Acres of the said Land hereinbefore to them respectively granted; And if the said several persons aforesaid shall not plant or cause to be planted, One Hundred plants of the White [Mulberry Tree which are to be delivered unto them respectively by the said Trustees, so soon as the same of sufficient part thereof be cleared, and sufficiently fence and preserve the same from the bite of Cattle and instead of such Trees as shall happen to die or be destroyed shall not set other Trees of the same sort. And if any or either of the said several persons above mentioned who shall by virtue of these Presents, or of the Grant and Enfeoffment hereby made or intended to be made, now or at any time or times hereafter become possessed of the said Fifty Acres of Land, or any part or parcel thereof respectively, at any time or times alien, transfer, or convey the- same or any part thereof for any term of years, or any estate or interest in the same, to any Person or Persons whatsoever without special leave and license of the said Common Council (for the time being) or of such Officer as the said Common Council shall from time to time authorize to Grant such license; And if the said Person or Persons or any other Person who shall by virtue of these Presents and the Grant in Tail Male hereby made from time to time become possessed of the said Fifty Acres of Land shall do or commit any Treason, Misprison of Treason, Insurrection. Rebellion, Counterfeiting the Money of Great Britain, or shall commit [Murder, Felony, Homicide, Killing, Burglary, Rape of women, unlawful Conspiracy or Confederacy, and shall be thereof lawfully convicted; and if any of the said Person or Persons hereinbefore mentioned or any other Person or Persons who shall by virtue of these Presents and of the Grant thereby made, from time to time become possessed of any of the said Fifty Acres of Land shall at any time hire, keep, lodge, board, or employ within the limits of the said Province of Georgia any person or persons being Black or Blacks, Negro or Negroes, or any other Person or Persons being a Slave or Slaves, on any account whatsoever without the special leave and license of the said Common Council (for the time being) of the said Trustees, that then and from thenceforth in any or either of the aforesaid cases it shall be lawful to and for the said Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America and their successors into and upon the said Fifty Acres of Land hereby granted of such person so offending and upon any and every part thereof in the name of the whole to re-enter and the same to have again, retain, repossess and enjoy as if this present grant had never been made; And all and every such Person or Persons so neglecting, or misbehaving him or themselves in any or either of the cases aforesaid, all other the oecupyers and possessors of the said Fifty Acres of Land (to such person so misbehaving as aforesaid belonging) or any part or parcel thereof, thereout and from thence utterly to expel, put out and amove; And also upon the Entry in any of the cases before mentioned of such Officer or Officers who shall by the said Common Council (for the time being) be for that purpose authorized and appointed, the Grant hereby made of the said Fifty Acres of Land unto such Person so misbehaving as aforesaid shall cease, determine, and become void.

"In Witness Whereof the said Thomas Christie, and-Williain Calvert have hereunto set their Hands and Seals this twenty-first day of December in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred Thirty and Three.

The following list of grantees is a part of the deed, and it is added to the same at the end of it. It is a valuable document inasmuch as it not only gives the names of all the grantees, but it also shows the location of the land granted to each individual.

After assigning the lots, and attending to the matters connected with that business, which occupied his attention until the time of the mid-day meal, Oglethorpe then entertained his people with a dinner supplied by himself which, from the accounts coming down to us, must have been all that a set of hungry people could wish for. The bill of fare included fresh beef, turkeys, venison, and seasonable vegetables, to which was added a quantity of English beer. The feast was followed by the formal establishment of a town court, or court of record, the grant for which was read and the officers appointed. The magistrates were Peter Gordon, 1st bailiff; Wni; Waterland, 2d bailiff; Thomas Causton, 3d bailiff; Thomas Christie, recorder; Joseph Fitzwalter, constable for Derby ward. The jury, which was the first empanelled in Georgia, consisted of Samuel Parker, foreman; Thomas Young, Joseph Cole, John Wright, John West, Timothy Bowling, John Milledge. Henry Close, Walter Fox, John Grady, James Carwell, and Richard Cannon.

Before closing this chapter, it is proper to state that the deed of July 7, 1733, contains allotments to many persons who were not in Georgia at that date, including the one hundred and thirty-two persons who left England on the 12th of September, in the Savannah. As they had been previously accepted by the trustees for the Georgia Colony, lots were granted to them in anticipation of their joining Oglethorpe in Savannah.

Oglethorpe And The Indians

Indian Status When the Colony Came - First Conference with Natives - Trustees' Greetings to the Lower Creeks - Declaration of Lower Creek Nation - Evidences of Mutual Regard - The Good Chief Tomo-Chi-Chi.

It is hardly necessary to remark that Oglethorpe did not immediately take possession of the land without coming to some understanding in that matter with the Indians, and without considering their claims and having a proper respect for their rights. Accordingly we find him saying, in his second letter to the trustees, dated February 10, 1733, on the first report of his arrival at Savannah: "A little Indian nation, the only one within fifty miles, is not only in amity, but desirous to be subjects to his Majesty, King*George, to have -lands given them among us. Their chief,* and his beloved man, who is the second in the nation, desire to he instructed in the Christian religion," Indeed, his just treatment of that race and his fair dealing with them so impressed them that there was never any friction except in the Mary Musgrove affair, which will in its place be fully explained. On this point, Dr. T. M. Harris, Oglethorpe's biographer, says: "Realizing how important it was to obtain the consent of the natural proprietors of the region to the settlement of his colony here, and how desirable to be on good terms with those in the vicinity, he sought for an interview with Tomo-ehi-chi, the Mico, or chief of a small tribe who resided at a place called Yamacraw, three miles up the river. "

The status of the Indian tribes in this part of the country at the advent of the Georgia Colony is described undcrstandingly by Francis Moore in bis "Voyage to Georgia." After mentioning the four eastern nations, the Choctaws, the Cherokees, the Chickasaws, and the Creeks, he says of the last named: "These are divided into several small towns and nations, one of which is commanded by Tomo-chi-ehi. * * * To

"The sovereignty was in the crown of Great Britain, ever since the discovery of them by Sir Walter Raleigh. All Carolina bounded by the river St. John was the Carolina granted to the proprietors in the English possession at the Treaty of 1G70. They also conceded several islands, reserving to themselves several portions of land on the main, as also the islands of St. Catherine, Sapola, and Assaba. They granted those of Tybee, Warsaw. Skidoway, Wilmington, St. Simons, and all those to the southward of it as far as St. John's river to the Colony. The Creek Indians were allies or rather subjects to the Crown of Great Britain, and did, with the assistance of the English in 1703, beat the Spaniards as far as St. Augustine, and besieged that place. But though the siege was raised, the Creek Indians still kept possession of all the lands on the north of St. John's river, but had made a treaty with General Nicholson (who commanded by commission for King George the First in those countries) that no private Englishman should possess the property of any land to the south or west of the river Savannah, without leave first had from the Indians.

"The first thing Mr. Oglethorpe did in his first voyage was to obtain the grant from the Indians; and upon a meeting of all the upper and lower Creeks, upon Tomo-chi-chi 's return from England, they confirmed the grant of all the islands (those reserved as above excepted) also of all the lands upon the continent as far as the tide flowed, and two hours' walk above it. "

The following account of the first conference between Oglethorpe and the Indians is taken from "A Brief Account of the Establishment of the Colony of Georgia under Gen. James Oglethorpe. February 1, 1733,'' (Tract No. 2, in Vol. 1. of American Tracts, edited by Peter Force) and is probably the most accurate on record: "Mr. Oglethorpe set out from Charlestown, S. C., on the 14th of May, 1732, and lay at Col. Bull's house, on Ashley river, where he dined the next clay: - and landed at Savannah, on the 18th, at ten in the morning; where he found that Mr. Whiggan (the interpreter), with the chief men of all the Lower Creek nation, were come down to treat of an alliance with the new Colony. - - The Lower Creeks are a nation of Indians, who formerly consisted of 10, but are now reduced to 8 tribes or towns; who have each their different government, but are allied together, and speak the same language. They claim from the Savannah river, as far as St. Augustine, and up to the Flint river, which falls into the Bay of Mexico: - all the Indians inhabiting this tract speak their language; Tomo-chi-chi. Mico, and the Indians of Yamacraw, are of their nation and language.

"The Indians being all seated, Oueekachumpa. a very tall old man, stood out, and with a graceful action, and a good voice, made a long speech ; which was interpreted by Mr. Wiggan and Mr. John Musgrove, and was to the following purpose. - He first claimed all the land to the westward of the Savannah, as belonging to the Creek Indians. Next, (he said) that though they were poor and ignorant. He who had given the English breath, had given them breath also. That He who had made both, had given more wisdom to the white men. That they were firmly persuaded, that the Great Power which dwelt in heaven, and ail around (and then he spread out his hands, and lengthened the sound of his words), and which hath given breath to all men, had sent the English thither for the instruction of them, their wives, and children. That therefore they gave them up freely, their right to all the land which they did not use themselves That this was not only his opinion, but the opinion of the 8 towns of the Creeks; each of whom having consulted together, had sent some of their Chief-men with skins, which is their wealth. He then stopped ; and the chief-men of each town, brought up a bundle of buckskins; and laid 8 bundles, from the 8 towns, at Mr. Oglethorpe's feet. He then said, those were the best thing they had; and therefore, they gave them with a good heart. He then thanked him for his kindness to Tomo-chi-chi, Mico, and his Indians, to whom he said he was related: and said, that though Tomo chi-chi was banished from his nation, that he was a good man, and had been a great warrior; and, it was for his wisdom and courage, that the banished men chose him king. Lastly, he said, that they had heard in the nation, that the Cherokees had killed some Englishmen; and that if he would command them, they would enter with their whole force into the Cherokee country, destroy their harvest, kill their people, and revenge the English. lie then sat down. Mr. Oglethorpe promised to acquaint the Trustees with their desire of being instructed; and informed them that there had been a report of the Cherokees having killed some Englishmen, but that it was groundless: - he thanked them, in the most cordial manner, for their affection; and told them, that he would acquaint the Trustees with it.

"Tomo-chi-chi, Mico, then came in with the Indians of Yamacraw, to Mr. Oglethorpe; and bowing very low, he said, - I was a banished man. - I came here poor and helpless, to look for good land near the tombs of my Ancestors; and the Trustees sent people here. I feared you would drive us away, for we were weak and wanted corn; but you confirmed our land to us. gave us food, and instructed our children : - we have already thanked you, in the strongest words we could find ; but words are no return for such favors ; for good words may be spoke by the deceit- ful, as well as by the upright heart. The Chief men of our nation are here to thank you for us, and before them I declare your goodness, and that, here I design to die; for we all love your people so well, that with them we will live and die. We don't know good from evil, but desire to be instructed and guided by you; that we may do well with, and be numbered amongst the children of the Trustees.

"He sat down: - and Yahou-Lakee, Mico of Coweeta, stood up and said, - We are come 25 days' journey, to see you. I have often desired to go to Charlestown; but would not go down, because I thought 1 might die in the way: but, when I heard you were come, and that you were good men, 1 knew you were sent by Him who lives in heaven, to teach us Indians wisdom. I therefore came down, that i might hear good things: - for I knew, that if I died in the way, I should die in doing good ; and what was said, would he carried back to the nation, and our Children would reap the benefit of it. 1 rejoice that 1 have lived to see this day; and to see our friends, that have been long gone from amongst us. Our nation was once strong, and had 10 towns; but, we are now weak, and have but 8 towns. You have but comforted the banished ; and have gathered them that were scattered, like little birds before the Eagle. We desire therefore to be reconciled to our brethren, who are h£re amongst you; and we give leave to Tomo-ehi-ehi, Stimoiehe, and Illispelle, to call the kindred that love them, out of each of the Creek towns, that they may come together and make one town. We must pray you to recall the Yamasees; that they may be buried in peace amongst their ancestors, and that they may see their graves before they die; and then our nation shall be restored again to its 10 towns. After which he spoke concerning the abatement of the prices of goods; and agreed upon articles of a Treaty, which were ordered to be engrossed.

"On the 21st their Treaty was signed: a laced coat, a laced hat, and a shirt, was given to each of the Indian Chiefs; and to each of the Warriors, a gun, a mantle of Duffils; and, to all their attendants, coarse cloth for clothing. There was also given, a barrel of Gunpowder, 4 kegs of Bullets, a piece of broad-cdoth. a piece of Irish linen, a cask of Tobacco-pipes, 8 belts and Cutlasses with gilt handles. Tape and inkle of all colors, and 8 kegs of Rum. for to be carried home to their Towns, 1 lb. of powder, 1 lb. of bullets, and as much provisions for each man, as they pleased to take for their journey home.

"The peace concluded, - the care of the People, and of carrying on the works, being recommended to Mr. Janies St. Julian, and Mr. Scott. Mr. Oglethorpe left the Savannah on Monday, the 21st. dined at Mr. Bulloch's at Willtown, on the 22nd, and arrived here, early in the morning on Wednesday the 23rd."

Desiring that his action in making the treaty with the Indians be ratified by the trustees of the colony, Oglethorpe forwarded the document to that body which confirmed the same at a meeting of the common council October 18, 1733, that action being formally recorded in these words :

"Whereas, The great king. George the Second, king of Great Britain, did by his letters patent under the great seal of Great Britain, bearing date the 9th day of June, in the 5th year of his reign, constitute and

, "And Whereas, The said Trustees have received from their beloved Mr. James Oglethorpe, of West Brook Place, in the county of Surry, Esquire, one of the eomon council of the said Trustees, a copy of certain articles of friendship and commerce between the said Trustees and the said chief men. which is in the words following (that is to say), Articles of friendship and commerce between the Trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia in America, and the chief , men of the nation of the Lower Creeks.

"First. The Trustees bearing in their hearts great love and friendship to you the said head-men of the Lower Creek nation, do engage to let their people carry up into your towns all kinds of goods fitting to trade in the said towns, at the rates and prices settled and agreed upon before you the said head-men, and annexed to this treaty of trade and friendship.

"Secondly. The Trustees do by these articles promise to see restitution done to any of the people of your towns by the people they shall send among you ; proof being made to the beloved man they shall at any time send among you, that they who have either committed murder, robbery, or have beat or wounded any of your people, or any wise injured them in their crops, by their horses, or in any other ways whatever; and upon such proof the said people shall be tried and punished according to the English law.

"Thirdly. The Trustees when they find the hearts of you the said head-men and your people are not good to the people they shall send among you. or that you or your people do not mind this paper, they will withdraw the English trade from the town so offending. And that you and your people may have this chain of friendship in your minds and fixed to your hearts, they have made fast their seal to this treaty.

"Fourthly. Vre, the head-men of the Coweta and Cuseta towns, in behalf of all the Lower Creek nation, being firmly persuaded that He who lives in Heaven and is the occasion of all good things, has moved the hearts of the Trustees to send their beloved men among us. for the good of our wives and children, and to instruct us and them in what is straight, do therefore declare that we are glad that their people are come here; and though this land belongs to us (the Lower Creeks), yet we, that we may be instructed by them, do consent and agree that they shall make use of and possess all those lands which our nation hath not occasion to use; and we make over unto them, their successors and assigns, all such lands and territories as we shall have no occasion to use ; provided always, that they, upon settling every new town, shall set out for the use of ourselves and the people of our nation such lands as shall be agreed upon between their beloved men and the head-men of our nation, and that those lands shall remain to us forever.

among us, shall not be robbed or molested in their trade in our nation; and that if it shall so happen any of our people should be mad, and either kill, wound, beat or rob any of the English traders or their people, then we the said head-men of the towns aforesaid do engage to have justice done to the English, and for that purpose to deliver up any of our people who shall be guilty of the crimes aforesaid to be tried by the English laws, or by the laws of our nation, as the beloved man of the Trustees shall think fit. And we further promise not to suffer any of the people of our said towns to come within the limits of the English settlements without leave from the English beloved man. and that we will not molest any of the English traders passing to or from any- nation in friendship with the English.

"Sixthly. We, the head-men, for ourselves and people do promise to apprehend and secure any negro or other slave which shall run away from any of the English settlements to our nation, and to carry them either to this town, or Savannah, or Palachuckola garrison, and there to deliver him up to the commander of such garrison, and to be paid by him four blankets or two guns, or the value thereof in other goods; provided such runaway negro, or other slave, shall be taken by us or any of our people on the farther side of Oconee river; and in case such negro or runaway slave shall be taken on the hither side of the said river, and delivered to the commanders aforesaid, then we understand the pay to be one gun, or the value thereof; and in case we or our people should kill any such slave for resistance or running away from us in apprehending him, then we are to be paid one blanket for his head, by any trader, for carrying such slave's head unto him.

"Lastly. We promise with stout hearts, and love to our brothers the English, to give no encouragement to any other white people, but themselves, to settle amongst us, and that we will not have any correspondence with the Spaniards or French ; and to show that we both for the good of ourselves, our wives and children do firmly promise to keep the talk in our hearts as long as the sun shall shine or the waters run in the rivers, we have each of us set the marks of our families."

Savannah And Sodtii Georgia

"And. Whereas, The said Trustees are greatly desirous to maintain and preserve an inviolable peace, friendship and commerce between the said head-men of the Lower nations of Creeks, and the people the said Trustees have sent and shall send to inhabit and settle in the province of Georgia aforesaid, to endure to the world's end:

"Now know ye that we the said Trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia in America do by these presents ratify and confirm the said articles of friendship and commerce between the Trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia in America, and the chief men of the Lower Creeks, and all and every of the articles and agreements therein contained, and also the rates and prices of goods above mentioned, settled and agreed upon before the said head-men, and annexed to the said treaty of trade and friendship.

"In witness whereof the Common Council of the said Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America have to these presents made fast the common seal of the corporation of the said Trustees, the eighteenth day of October, in the seventh year of the reign of our sovereign lord George the Second, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc., and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty-three.

Oglethorpe held in high esteem the tribe of Indians inhabiting the territory in which his new settlement was situated, and his good opinion of them, formed from his very first interview with Tomo-chi-chi, was sustained by the continued good feeling and fellowship of those people who were wholly influenced by that good chief who was no ordinary man. Annexed to an interesting pamphlet by an unknown author entitled "A New Voyage to Georgia," is printed "A Curious Account of the Indians, by an Honorable Person," published in 1735. It is now generally understood that this curious account was written by Oglethorpe, and it is here reproduced as further evidence of his proper regard for that race and his Christian spirit in dealing with them: "There seems to be a door opened to our colony, towards the conversion of the Indians. I have had many conversations with their chief men, the whole tenor of which shows that there is nothing wanting to their conversion, but one, who understands their language well, to explain to them the mysteries of religion; for as to the moral part ot Christianity they understand it and assent to it. They abhor adultery, and do not approve of a plurality of. wives. Theft is a thing not known among the Creek nations, though frequent, and even honorable, amongst the Uehees. Harder they look at as a most abominable crime, but do not esteem the killing of an enemy, or one that has injured them, murder. The passion of revenge, which they call honor, and drunkenness, which they learn from our traders, seem to be the two greatest obstacles to their being truly Christians. But upon both these points they hear reason, and with respect to drinking rum, 1 have weaned those near me a good deal from it. As for revenge, they say, as they have no executive power of justice amongst them, they are forced to kill the man who has injured them, in order to prevent others from doing the like; but they do not think that any injury, except adultery or murder, deserves revenge. They hold that if .a man commits adultery, the injured husband is obliged to have revenge, by cutting off the ears of the adulterer, which if he is too sturdy and strong to submit to, then the injured husband kills him the first opportunity he has to do it with safety. In cases of murder, the next in blood is obliged to kill the murderer, or else he is looked on as infamous in the nation where he lives; and the weakness of the executive power is such, that there is no other way of punishment but by the revenge of blood, as the Scripture calls it. For there is no coercive power in any of their nations. Their kings can do no more than to persuade. All the power they have is no more than to call their old men and captains together, and to propound to them the measures they think proper. After they have done speaking, all the others have liberty to give their opinions also; and they reason together with great temper and modesty, till they have brought each other into some unanimous resolution ; then they call in the young men, and recommend to them the putting in execution the resolution, with their strongest and most lively eloquence. And, indeed, they seem to me. both in action and expression, to be thorough masters of true eloquence. In speaking to the young men, they generally address to the passions: in speaking to their old men they apply to reason only. Tomo-chi-chi, in his first set speech to me, among other things, said, here is a little present; and then gave me a buffalo's skin, painted on the inside with the head and feathers of an eagle. He desired me to accept it, because the eagle signified speed and the buffalo strength. That the English were as swift as the bird, and as strong as the beast ; since, like the first, they flew from the utmost parts of the earth over the vast seas, and, like the second, nothing could withstand them. That the feathers of the eagle were soft, and signified love; the buffalo's skin warm, and signified protection; therefore he hoped that we would love and protect their little families. One of the Indians of the Cherokee nation being come down to the governor, told him that he need fear nothing, but might speak freely. He answered smartly, I always speak freely; what should 1 fear? T am now among my friends, and I never feared even among my enemies. Another instance of their short manner of speaking was. when I ordered one of the Carolina boat-men. who was drunk, and beaten an Indian, to be tied to a gun, till he was sober, in order to be whipped: Tomo Chichi came to me. to beg me to pardon him, which I refused to do, unless the Indian, who had been beaten should also desire the pardon for him. Tomo Chichi desired him to do so. but he insisted upon satisfaction; upon which Tomo Chichi said. () Fonsekn (for that was his name), this Englishman being drunk has beat you; if he is whipped for so doing, the Englishman will expect, that if an Indian should insult them when drunk, the Indian should be whipped for it. When you are drunk you are quarrelsome, and you know you love to be drunk, but you do not love, to be whipped. Fonseka was convinced, and begged me to pardon the man: which, as soon as I granted, Tomo Chichi and Fonseka ran and untied him. which I perceived was done to show that he owed his safety to their intercession."

The novelist. James Fennimore Cooper, in his introduction to "The Last of the Mohicans," says of the Indian: "Few men exhibit greater diversity, or, if we may so express it, greater antithesis of character, than the native warrior of North America. In war, he is daring, boastful, cunning, ruthless, self-denying, and self-devoted : in peace, just, generous, hospitable, revengeful, superstitious, modest, and commonly chaste. These are qualities, it is true, which do not distinguish all alike; but they are so far the predominating traits of these remarkable people as to be characteristic." What he says appears to be the opinion of all who have studied the character of the Indian, and his opinion is true in respect to the usual experience of the early colonists of this country with that race, except as regards Georgia. In Tomo-chi-chi Oglethorpe found a friend from first to last in all his intercourse with him and those whom he governed, and the former was in peace, which was the only condition prevailing during the stay of the latter on American soil, nothing but just, generous, hospitable and modest; while, if anything happened to cause the slightest friction between the two races, in the nearest approach to a warlike attitude the red man's conduct was marked with a spirit of forgiveness and meekness to the whites under the leadership of Oglethorpe who was regarded, properly, as an exceptionally good, generous, and forbearing white chief. No wonder, then, that so much respect was paid to the old warrior in his death and in the conduct of his funeral! No wonder that the good women of this age have honored his memory by erecting in a prominent spot in this city a monument to that noble specimen of a so-called heathen tribe to point out to posterity that he was truly without a shadow of doubt "the companion of Oglethorpe and a friend and ally of the Colony of Georgia."

Before proceeding to give an account of Tomo-chi-chi 's visit to England, we will quote from several letters of Oglethorpe to the Trustees showing his high regard for the friendly Indians, his manner of treating them, and their fair dealing with the colonists in return for their good will. In a letter dated February 13, 1735-6, he said "I will write a particular letter about the Indian Affairs which the Carolina people have in vain strove to put into confusion. Tomo-Chawchi has maintained the Trustees Interest among the Creeks till my arrival. And the French having insulted tin* Choctaws have made them jealous." Again, in the 16th of March following. "The Indian King Totno-Chaehi and his Nephew Toonahowhi and the Beloved Man Umpech.ee who were in England with me have joined us with a party of Indians and declared that they will live and die by us. They agreed that we shall possess the Island of St. Simons, hut reserve that of St. Catharine for themselves. The War Capt. Hillispilli was sent before my arrival by Tomo Chaclii up to ye lower Creek Nation to keep up our interest with them and have brought down a large body of men. but 1 have denied Tomo-Chaehi yet. He may bring no more than two hundred, that being sufficient for any service we can have for them," and later on in the same letter, "Tomo- Chachi and I at his desire go out tomorrow to hunt ye Buff aloe as far as the utmost extent of his dominions towards Augustine. We shall then know how far ye lands possess by ye English Confederate Indians extend. Tomo-Chaehi is willing that we should settle upon any place within his lands provided the lower Creek Nations agree to it." Soon after, on the 28th of the same month, he wrote "The Indians and the Highlanders have behaved with great courage, fidelity and affection and the English that came with me are not far behind with them." Lastly, we close these few quotations, taken from many to the same effect, with one from Frederica, dated May 18, 1730: "The Uchees * * * sent up their King and twenty Warriors with a message of thanks to me. * * * They told me that my having done them justice before they asked it made them love me and not believe the stories that were told them against me and that therefore instead of beginning a war with the English they were come down to help me against the Spanish and that if I wanted them they would bring down four score more of their Warriors who would stay with me a whole year. You see how God baffles the attempts of wicked men." After seeing the first colonists comfortably fixed in their homes, and being satisfied that he could safely leave them for a time, Oglethorpe made preparations to return to England in 1734. He greatly desired to take with him his friend Tomo-Chaehi whom he persuaded to make the voyage. Accordingly the General, accompanied by Tomo-Chaehi and Scenawki his wife, Toonahowhi his nephew and adopted son, together with the war chief Hillispilli, four other chiefs of the Creek nation named Apakowtski, Stimalchi, Sintouchi and Ilimguithi, and a chief from the Palachoeolas (Umphiehi by name), with an interpreter, set out from Savannah for Charleston on the 3d of March. Arriving in Charlestown without accident, they remained there until the 7th of May when they embarked in the man-of-war Aldborough for England where they landed in June.

It was planned that a presentation to the king of these people should be held in Kensington Palace, and on the 1st of August, they were escorted to that place by Sir Clement Cotterell in three of the royal carriages each of which was drawn by six horses. Arriving at the palace the king's body-guard met them and they were presented to the king by the lord chamberlain, the Duke of Grafton. Of this ceremony the Gentleman's Magazine gave this description:

"Thursday, August 1. 1734. - Tomo-Chaehi. the king, Scenawki his wife, with Tooanahowhi their son. Hillispilli the war captain, and the other Cherokee Indians brought over by Mr. Oglethorpe from Georgia, were introduced to his Majesty at Kensington, who received them seated on his throne; when Temo-eha-ehi, niicho, or king, made the following speech, at the same time presenting several eagle's feathers which are trophies of their country:

" 'This day I see the majesty of your face, the greatness of your house, and the number of your people. I am come for the good of the whole nation called the Creeks, to renew the peace which was long ago had with the English. I am come over in my old days, although I cannot live to see any advantage to myself. I am come for the good of the children of all the nations of the Upper and of the Lower Creeks, that they may be instructed in the knowledge of the English-.

" 'These are the feathers of the eagle which is the swiftest of birds, and who Hieth all round our nations. These feathers are a sign of peace in our land, and have been carried from town to town there; and we have brought them over to leave with you, 0 great king! as a sign of everlasting peace.

''To which his Majesty graciously answered, 'I am glad of this opportunity of assuring you of my regard for the people from whom you come, and am extremely well pleased with the assurances you have brought me from them, and accept very gratefully this present as an indication of their good disposition to me and my people. I shall always be ready to cultivate a good correspondence between them and my own subjects, and shall be glad of any occasion to show you a mark of my particular friendship and esteem.'

"Tomo-cha-chi afterwards made the following speech to her Majesty: 'I am glad to see this day, and to have the opportunity of seeing the mother of this great people. As our people are joined with your Majesty's, we do humbly hope to find you the common mother and protectress of us and all our children.'

"And her Majesty returned a most gracious answer. The warcaptain and other attendants of Tomo-cha-chi were very importunate to appear at court in the manner they go in their own country - which is only with a proper covering round their waist, the rest of their body being naked, - but were dissuaded from it by Mr. Oglethorpe. But their faces were variously painted after their country manner, some half black, others triangular, and others with bearded arrows instead of whiskers.

One of the Indians was at this time sick with the small pox and could not attend the reception. He died on the 3d of August, and his death had a very depressing effect on his companions.

Concerning his burial Dr. T. M. Harris* says: "He was interred after the manner of their country, in St. John's burial ground, Westminister. The corpse, sewed up in two blankets, with a deal board under and another over, and tied down with a cord, was carried to the grave on a bier. There were present only Tomo-cha-chi, three of the chiefs, the upper church warden, and the grave-digger. When the body was laid in the earth, the clothes of the deceased were thrown in; after this, a quantity of glass beads and some pieces of silver; the custom of these Indians being to bury such effects of the deceased with him. As all methods made to console them were disregarded, Oglethorpe took them out to his estate, that in the country retirement they might have a better opportunity to bewail the dead according to their custom, and that the change might serve to abate their sorrow." Altogether they spent four months in England, sight-seeing and receiving attention everywhere they went, returning to America in the transport ship Prince of Wales, commanded by Captain George Dunbar, and arriving at Savannah December 27th, 1734. Oglethorpe remained in England until October, 1735, when he made his second voyage to Georgia.

The .Jewish Element

Attitude Toward Hebrew Colonists - Thrifty. Industrious and Honest People - Record by Jewish Descendant - Jewish Congregations and Synagogues - Hebrew Burial Grounds - Early Vineylvrd of a Portuguese Jew - Both Progressive and Patriotic.

While the people were engaged in active operations in the way of building their homes and making themselves comfortable and settling down to business, nothing of special interest occurred until the arrival of the second party of colonists on the 14th of May in the ship "James," commanded by Captain Yoakley. Seventeen persons comprised this party, among whom were some Italian experts in the keeping of silkworms and the manufacture of silk. It was thought in the beginning that this would become a paying industry in the colony, and special efforts were made for its development. The seal of Georgia had as its device on one face silk-worms at work, with the motto Non Sibi Sed Aliis, a suggestion of one source of profitable labor as well as the proposed conduct of those interested in the development of the new settlement.

The arrival of this addition to the settlers was recorded in the Gentleman's Magazine in a communication from Savannah dated May 20, 1733, as follows: "The James, Captain Yoakley, 110 tons and 6 guns arrived here on the 14th, with passengers and stores. The ship rode in two fathoms and a half water close to the town at low water mark. The Captain received the Price appointed by the Trustees for the first ship that should unload at this town, there is a safe riding for much larger vessels. ' '

We have seen how the town was laid out in a very imposing manner on the 7th of July, 1733. This important epoch was closely followed by an incident which caused much trouble and brought forth some bitter words from the trustees in their official capacity and from individuals who became discontented and, as a consequence, denounced the whole work so far accomplished in Georgia. This was the arrival of a vessel from England with forty Hebrew colonists. The action of the trustees in this matter, when thoroughly explained, seems incomprehensible. The charter, as has been noted, prohibited Catholics from settling in the province, but nothing was said in that instrument which could be construed as being unfavorable to the Jews. In fact, as early as September 21, 1732, the minutes of the trustees show that "commissions were desired by. Thomas Frederick, Esq., Mr. Anthony Da Costa, Mr.

Francis Salvador, Jr., and Mr. Alvaro Lopez Suasso, to take subscriptions and collect money for the purposes of the charter," and it was "ordered accordingly;" and on the same date it was stated that "sealed commissions for taking subscriptions and collecting money for the purposes of the charter [were] granted to Thomas Frederick, Esq., Mr. Francis Salvador, Jr., Mr. Anthony Da Costa, and Mr. Alvaro Lopez Suasso." Those men were Jews, and the trustees knew it. .They were willing to accept their services in collecting funds for the development of the scheme to assist poor but honest men and women in making homes for themselves, but, as will appear, they did not want any of their race to receive the benefit of the money so collected. They virtually said to them "We are willing to have you take part in the charitable work to which we have pledged our own support and influence, so far as you choose to relieve tis of the unpleasant duty of soliciting subscriptions to carry on that work, but you must not expect any of your race to partake of the benefits flowing from your successful efforts." They did not use those words, but they willingly accepted their offer, coupled with the mental reservation which that language implies. That such was the case there can be no doubt, as the action of their body on the 31st of January following, does not admit of any other construction.

The minutes of that date contain the following language: "Ordered, That the secretary do wait on Mr. Alvaro Lopez Suasso, Mr. Francis Salvador, Jr., and Mr. Anthony Da Costa with the following message in writing: Whereas commissions were granted to the said Mr. Alvaro Lopez Suasso, Mr. Francis Salvador, Jr., and Mr. Anthony Da Costa to collect such monies as should be contributed for establishing the colony of Georgia in America, and to transmit the same to the trustees, by them to be applied to the purposes in the charter mentioned; And the trustees being informed that certain expectations have from thence been raised, contrary to their intentions, which may be of ill consequence to their said designs, Therefore, to obviate any difficulties that may attend the same, they desire the said Mr. Alvaro Lopez Suasso, Mr. Francis Salvador, Jr., and Mr. Anthony Da Costa will re-deliver to Mr. Martyn, their secretary, the said commissions."

It was doubtless about this time that the trustees began to be criticized for their action in granting the commissions.* Indeed, one of their own number in a communication to his fellow members, at a later date, had this to say: "But I beg leave to say something of the Jews, who, to the number of between forty and fifty, have procured themselves to be already settled there contrary to the will, and without the consent of the trustees, and there are more of their nation now going over to them. I humbly conceive these shocking matters require your most serious attention for unless you speedily take some vigorous resolution to suppress effectually the two great evils aforesaid (the first was what lie conceived to be an error in the matter of land grants) Georgia will soon become a Jewish colony, for that all the Christians there will, for the reasons aforesaid, fall off and desert it, as leaves from a tree in autumn, until there will not be a valuable Christian remaining except some few carpenters, sawyers, smiths, etc., whom the Jews will find most necessary and useful, and encourage them to remain to be employed in their buildings and otherwise, and that all Christian benefactions for that colony will soon cease. Therefore, for these considerations, I beg leave to recommend the speedy entering into proper measures for preventing as well the ruin of the Colony of Georgia as the reproach and scandal of the trustees." The letter from which the foregoing extract is taken is embodied in "A brief Account of the Causes that have Retarded the Progress of the Colony of Georgia in America," printed in London in 1743, and was evidently written by Thomas Stephens, son of William Stephens. Secretary of the Colony, and Sir Richard Everhard, son of the Sir Richard Everhard who was a governor of North Carolina. The letter, so quoted, was written by Thomas Coram.

On the 7th of February, 1732-3, ''the secretary acquainted the Board that he had waited ou ilr. Alvaro Lopez Suasso, Mr. Anthony Da Costa, and Mr. Francis Salvador, Jr., for the commissions granted to them, and had left a copy of the Minutes of January the 31st with Mr. Da Costa." No notice having been taken by the three persons named of that communication, the trustees, on the 2nd of December, 1733, took this peremptory action: "Ordered. That the Secretary do wait on [Messrs. Alvaro Lopez §uasso, Francis Salvador. Jr., and Anthony Da Costa with the following message in writing: Whereas a message dated January 31, 1732-3, was sent for the Redelivery of their commissions with which they did not think proper to comply, and which on their said Refusal were vacated by the trustees: And whereas the trustees are informed that by monies raised by virtue of their commissions (which monies ought to have been transmitted to the trustees) certain Jews have been sent to Georgia contrary to the intentions of the trustees, and which may be of ill consequence to the Colony; the Trustees do hereby require the said [Messrs. Alvaro Lopez Suasso. Francis Salvador, Jr., and Anthony Da Costa immediately to redeliver to Mr. Martyn. their Secretary, the said Commissions, and to render an Account in Writing to the Trustees of what monies have been raised by virtue thereof; and if they refuse to comply with this Demand, that then the Trustees will think themselves oblig'd not only to advertise the World of the Demand and Refusal of their Commissions and Account, and of the Misapplication before mentioned, in order to prevent any further impositions on his Majesty's subjects under Pretence of Authority granted by those Vacated Commissions, but likewise to recover those Commissions, and demand an Account of tin* monies collected in such manner as their Council shall advise."

In response to this, at a meeting held January 19. 1733-4, the secretary acquainted the board that, pursuant to their order of January 5th instant, he had waited on Messrs. Alvaro Lopez Suasso, Francis Salvador, Jr., and Anthony Da Costa, and left with them the message of the trustees in writing, and that he had received the commissions

The excitement caused by the coming of those people ended by their being 'permitted to stay, although no definite action towards that end was taken. They had come without apparent reason to believe that in doing so they had no authority, and it would have been heartless on the part of Oglethorpe to refuse a landing under the circumstances.

They were thrifty, industrious and honest people, with everything connected with their advent greatly in their favor, with the single exception that their qualifications as colonists had not been passed upon by the trustees and the fund collected for their transportation and support had not passed through their hands. The trouble soon ended, and they participated in the allottment of lands equally with the colonists. Among them were the families of Isaac Nunez ITenriquez, Moses le Desma, Samuel Nunez Ribiero, Daniel Ribiero, Moses Nunez Ribiero, Jacob Lopez d'Olivero, Benjamin Sheftall, Abraham Nunez. Monte Santo, Abraham Minis, and others. Some of them did not remain in Georgia, but went over into South Carolina. Descendants of some of those who remained in Savannah are now numbered with her best citizens. Oglethorpe made special mention to the trustees of the good work of Dr. Nunis and they requested him to offer pay to that humane physician for the medical services rendered by him. At a later date the valuable aid rendered by one of that race in the matter of the cultivation of the grape vine is thus acknowledged by the secretary of the colony. Mr. Benjamin Martyn : "One, Abraham de Lyon. Portuguese Jew. in the year 1736, by encouragement from the Trustees, planted about a score [of vines], which he had received from Portugal, where he had been bred among the vineyards; in the next year, bv his skill in pruning and dressing them, they bore plentifully a beautiful large grape, as big as a man's thumb, almost transparent, and in great bunches. A shoot, in one year, grew from the root of a bearing vine as big as a walking cane, and ran over ' a few poles placed to receive it. at least twelve or fourteen feet; and he has now a very promising vineyard.* "

The names of some of the first Jewish settlers who remained in Savannah are found in the list of persons to whom lands were alloted already given on a preceding page; but, as that list differs in some respects from the one given by a descendant of one of those families to the Rev. George White and printed by the latter in his Statistics of Georgia in 1849, the whole account of tins matter is here quoted as perhaps the most accurate that can lie found. Mr. White says, on pages 101 and 1012 of his book : "The compiler of this work is indebted to the kindness of Hon. Mordecai Sheftall, Sr., for the following particulars in relation to the history of the Jews in this state. Upon their authenticity every reliance can be placed, as they were derived from manuscripts prepared by the grandfather of Mr. Sheftall. On the 11th day of July, 1733, the following persons belonging to the Hebrew nation arrived in Savannah : - Dr. Nunis and his mother, Mrs. Nunis; Daniel, Moses and Sipra Nunis, and Shem Noah their servant; Mr. Henriques and wife, and Shem, their servant ; Mr. and Mrs. Bornal; David Olivera; Jacob Olivera and wife and three children. David, Isaac, and Leah; Aaron Depivea ; Benjamin, Gideon, Jacob Costa; David Depass and his wife; Yene Real, Molena, David Moranda ; Jacob Moranda: David Cohen, wife and four children, Isaac, Abigail, Hannah, and Grace; Abraham Minis and wife, with their two daughters, Leah and Esther; Simeon Minis; Jacob Yowall; Benjamin Sheftall and wife ; and Abraham De Lyon.

"The above-named persons sailed from London in the second ship which left that port for Savannah, and arrived four days after the wards and tithings were named. They brought with them the Safer Tora and the Hechal, which are still used in the Synagogue of Savannah. Many of the first settlers lived to an advanced age. A. Minis lived 63 years, Benjamin Sheftall 73 years, Daniel Nunis 85 years, Moses Nunis 82 years. The descendants of only three of the first settlers are now living in Savannah, viz.: Sheftall 's. Minis's and De Lyon's. Shortly after their arrival, they erected a house in Market Square for the purpose of divine worship. The synagogue was called 'K. K. Mickva Israel.' Here for many years they continued to observe the forms of their religion until 1740 or 1741, when the congregation was dissolved on account of the many removals to Charleston. In the year 1774, it was determined that new efforts should be made to resuscitate their congregation; and accordingly Mr. Mordecai Sheftall, a gentleman strongly attached to his religion, fitted up, at his own expense, a room in his house for the accommodation of the people, and worship was regularly observed until the American Revolution, when again the congregation was temporarily dissolved.

"In 1786 the Jews met, and resolved to re-establish their congregation K. K. Mickva Israel. A house was hired in St. James square [now Telfair Place] and t he heads of the congregation chosen. For many years service was performed regularly on the Sabbath and holy days, but a combination of causes again produced a suspension of public worship.

"For a long period there was no place for religious worship; but in 1820 a neat synagogue was consecrated, and which was accidentally destroyed by fire in 1829. After tins event Dr. Moses Sheftall. who was then President of the congregation, was very active in devising plans by which money could be raised to build another synagogue. Sub- scriptions were liberally made, not only by the Jews, but by Christians of every denomination; and in a short time another synagogue of brick was erected, and afterwards consecrated."

At the time the above account was written there was but the one synagogue in the city, and it was situated on the north-east corner of Liberty and Whitaker streets. The building erected in 1820 was a frame structure and was, as stated, destroyed by tire in 1829. It was in 1838 that the brick building spoken of was erected, and in it the people worshiped until 1878, when the present synagogue on Monterey Square was built, the corner-stone having been laid in 1876. In 1860, in the month of September, another Jewish congregation was organized, called The Congregation B'nai B'rith -Jacob , and it was incorporated in 1861, holding services in Armory hall. The corner-stone of a synagogue was laid by that band in 1867, on the north-east corner of State and Montgomery streets; but the temple erected at that time was so small and the congregation has increased to such an extent that it was found necessary to rebuild on a larger plan, and the present commodious and comfortable house of worship, amply sufficient in space to accommodate them for many years, was erected in the year 1909.

The families comprising the early Hebrew settlers did not make use of the colonial burying ground for the interment of their dead, but established a cemetery of their own at a point then far outside of the limits of the town. The space set aside for that purpose was very small. Indeed there were two such places of interment, nearly adjoining each other, still existing; though the walls of the smaller one are nearly gone, one of which is said to have been for the exclusive use of the Sheftall family, and the other, somewhat larger, for more general use. Both were enclosed within substantial brick walls, and if is probable that within them burials were made at least as early as in the public, or colonial, cemetery, now known as Colonial Park, and at one time recognized as the Christ Church Parish Burying Ground. The oldest graves in these two Jewish places of sepulture are not marked by inscriptions; though what served as gravestones are still standing and have the appearance of being hard mortar or tabby which could not be cut into by engraving tools.

The lot, thus divided and enclosed in two sections, was doubtless a portion of the land parcelled out to the Hebrew settlers when they arrived here, as it is thus mentioned in the pamphlet of the malcontents Tailfer, Anderson, and Douglas: "Upon the west side of Savannah lie the township lots of the Jews, now 1 1741 J deserted (they having all gone to other colonies, except three or four) as arc all others on that quarter, excepting one or two."

In September, 1762, a deed from the town was made to Mordecai Sheftall of garden lo* 22 west, containing tive acres of land, and Mordecai Sheftall conveyed to Philip Minis et al., trustees of the Jewish cemetery, in August, 1773. one acre and a half of the same tract, but this land was entirely used, as already stated, for burial purposes long before.

These two old burial spots of the Jews are interesting places, and it seems a pity that they are now not so well cared for as they were formerly. They are located just where Stewart and Wilson streets meet. In one of them lies the body of Mr. Philip Minis who was probably the second child born in Savannah. He died on Friday, the 6th of March, 1789, and was buried, as stated, in the Georgia Gazette of Thursday, the 12th of the same month, "in the Jews' burialplace on Sunday morning, attended by a large number of respectable citizens, who, by their solemn attention, envinced how sensibly they felt the loss the community had sustained in so valuable a member." This statement is also made in the account of his death recorded in the same paper: "He was the lirst white male born in this state," and his age is there given as 55 years. It is elsewhere recorded that at the time of the landing of the first colonists Mr. Hume gave a silver bowl and spoon for the first child born in Georgia, which being born of Mrs. Close, were given accordingly. From these two statements it is fair to conclude that the Close infant was a girl. The Hebrew place of sepulture was in the midst of the important scene of action in the siege of Savannah in the month of October, 1779, when the combined American and French 'troops endeavored to retake the city from the British. In his orders, issued on the Sth. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, in command of the- land forces, after instructing his officers to endeavor to enter the redoubt on the left of the Spring Hill on the following day, commanded that "In case of repulse, after having taken the Spring Hill redoubt, the troops will retreat and rally in the rear of the redoubt. If it cannot be effected in that way, it must be attempted by the same route at which they entered. The second place of rallying, or the first, - if the redoubt should not be carried, will be at the Jews' burying ground, where tfie reserve will be placed. If these two halts should not be effectual, they will retire towards camp." As the Spring Hill redoubt was not taken, that part of the instruction as to the Jews' burying ground was obeyed.

As a matter of interest concerning the industry of the Jews as well as to show what efforts were made to develop the natural resources of the colony and to determine what the soil might be made to produce, the following account of Mr. T)e Lyon's vineyard is quoted from Col. William Stephens, secretary to the trustees in his Journal of Proceedings in Georgia, Vol. 1, page 48: "Tuesday, December 6, 1737 - After dinner, walked out to see what Improvement of Vines were made by one Mr. Lyon, a Portuguese Jew. which 1 had heard some talk of; and indeed nothing had given me so much Pleasure since my arrival as what I found here; thoyigh it was yet (if I may say it properly), only a Miniature, for he had cultivated only for two or three Years past about half a score of them which lie received from Portugal for an Experiment; and by his Skill and Management in pruning, etc., they all bore this Year very plentifully a most beautiful, large Grape as big as a Man's Thumb, almost pellucid, and Bunches exceeding big; all which was attested by Persons of unquestionable Credit (whom I iiad it from), but the Season now would allow, me only to see the Vines they were gathered from, which were so flourishing and strong that 1 saw one Shoot, of this last year only, which he allowed to grow from the Root of a bearing Vine, as big as my Walking-Cane, and run over a few Poles laid to receive it, at least twelve or fourteen Foot, as near as I could judge. From these he has raised more than a Hundred, which he has planted all in his little Garden behind his House at about Four Foot distance each, in the Manner and Form of a Vineyard. They have taken Root and are about one Foot and a half high; the next Year he says he does not doubt raising a Thousand more, and the Year following at least five Thousand. I could not believe (considering the high Situation of the Town upon a Pine Barren, and the little Appearance of such Productions in these little Spots of Ground annexed to the House) but that he had found some proper Manitre wherewith to improve the sandy Soil : but he assured me it was nothing but the natural Soil, without any other Art than his Planting and Pruning which he seemed to set some Value on from his Experience in being bred among the Vineyards in Portugal; and, to convince the World that he intends to pursue it, from the Encouragement of the Soil proving so proper for it, he has at this Time hired four Men to clear and prepare as much Land as they possibly can upon his forty-five Acre Lot, intending to convert every Foot of the whole that is fit for it into a Vineyard; though he complains of his present Inability to be at such an Expence as to employ Servants for Hire. From hence I could not but reflect on the small Progress that has been made hitherto in propagating Vines in the publick Garden where, the Soil being the same, it must be owing to the Unskilfulness or Negligence of those who had undertaken that Charge."

Among the most progressive citizens Savannah has had during all the periods of her history, the Jews have always taken a prominent stand. No class of people has done more for her advancement and none has done better work in advancing the city's interests and to promote her increase in all that is implied in the word "progress" than that people. It is well to remember that among the many who from first to last deserted the cause of American independence during the struggle which lasted from 1776 to 1783, and whose names are mentioned in the several acts passed by the Georgia legislature in reference to the person and property of those misguided ones who. fearing the coercion of the colonies by England, abandoned the cause which they deemed hopeless, there cannot be found a single Israelite; while it is equally true that many of that race valiantly fought for independence and contributed liberally of their means to the support of that cause. It is true also that in the war between the states, from 1S61 to 1865, many of that race did their full duty in standing by the seceding states until all hope of success was finally abandoned. Of the commendable conduct of many of them in time of action, particular mention will be made in situ; but, as proof of the patriotism of this people, we note just here that, when General 'Washington visited Savannah in May, 1791, a special address was made to him by the Congregation Mickva Israel.

Chapter Vi Salzburg And Silk

The attention of the trustees was called, at a very early date after receiving the charter, to the needs of foreign Protestants seeking a home where they could be free to worship God after the manner of their ancestors and as conscience led them. Thus, at a meeting held July 27, 1732, the minutes show that they "drew up a Proposal for transporting a number of the Salzburg Exiles, and desired Hr. Vernon to lay the same before the Gentlemen now concerned in collecting benefactions for their Relief. Next month, August 3d, Mr. Vernon reported that he had followed the instructions given him, and that matter met with the approval of the persons before whom he had laid it. Still later in the month, August 31st, - "Jacob Winekler, Theobald Kupper, Ludwig Koel, Henric Croneberger, George Menglesdorff, Andereas Winekler and Nicolas Rizer, German Swiss, being labourers and vine dressers, attended, and received from Lord Carpenter, Mr. Vernon and Mr. Oglethorpe three guineas towards furnishing them with working tools; they, with their familys being the first Germans that are to establish the town of Purisburgh." Again, on the 12th of October of the same year, the minutes record that "Mr. Vernon and Dr. Bundy acquainted the Trustees that the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge were desirous that the persecuted Salzburghers should have an asylum provided for them in Georgia."

Willing though they were to provide at an early period homes in Georgia for those good people, the trustees were forced to put them off for a while because the funds collected for the support of the colony were well-nigh exhausted. As soon, however, as the means were provided for the purpose the good intention was brought to a delightful realization which added not only a substantial increase to the population of the colony but gave an impulse to the upbuilding of the design of its founders which could hardly have been looked for elsewhere. It is not positively stated how the trustees became possessed of an interest in eer- tain lands in the Island of St. Christopher, but we do have the record that by an act of parliament the money paid for said lands was put at the disposal of the trustees to be by them applied "towards defraying the charges of the carrying over and settling foreign and other Protestants in said colony." Through this means the band of Salzlmrghers came to Georgia, and settled, in March, 17:14, in that portion of the colony now known as Effingham county, al a place they named Ebenezer. Descendants of these people now live in the city of Savannah, and most of them are among the truly good and exemplary citizens. The leaders of them were Baron Philip George Frederick Von Reck, the Rev. John Martin Bolzius and Israel Christian Gronau. In his diary, the first named of these wrote an account of their arrival in Georgia, from which we make the following extracts:

"March 7 - At nine there came from Charlestown a pilot on board our ship. We immediately cast anchor, and at ten the captain, the Reverend divines and I, went into the pilot's boat. At one in the afternoon, we came to Charlestown, where 1 immediately waited on his excellency, Robert Johnson. Esq., and Mr. Oglethorpe. They were glad to hear that the Salzburgers were come within six leagues, all safe and in good health, without the loss of any one person. Mr. Oglethorpe showed me a plan of Georgia, and gave me liberty to choose a settlement for the Salzburgers, either near the sea or further in the continent. I accordingly accepted his favour and chose a place 21 miles from the town of Savannah, and 30 miles from the sea, where there are rivers, little hills, clear brooks, cool springs, a fertile soil, and a plenty of grass. Mr. Oglethorpe sent on board our ship, by the Pilot's Sloop, a large quantity of fresh beef, two butts of Wine, two tun of Spring Water, Cabbage, Turnips, Radishes, Fruit, etc., as a present from the Trustees, to refresh the Salzburgers.

"March 9 - We beg'd of God that he would permit us to go to our Georgia. We went away this morning at ten, and got on board our ship at two in the afternoon.

"March 10 - God blessed us this day with the sight of our country, our wished-for Georgia, which we saw at ten in the morning, and brought us unto the Savannah River, and caused us to remember the vows we had made unto Him, if he did, through His infinite Goodness, bring us hither. We were today very much edified with the 32d chapter of Genesis, and the 2Gth of Leviticus. At noon we cast anchor, because of the Tide; at night, during the Evening Prayers, we entered the river of Savannah.

"March 12 - The magistrates of the town sent on board our ship an experienced Pilot, and we were carried up to the town of Savannah by eleven in the Forenoon. They returned our salute of five guns, with three, and all the Magistrates, the citizens and the Indians, wore come to the river sides. The two Divines, Mr. Dunbar, some others and myself, went ashore in a boat. We were received with all possible demonstrations of Joy, Friendship, and civility. The Indians reached their hands to me, as a testimony of their joy also for our arrival. The Salzburgers came on shore after us, and we immediately pitched a tent for them in the Square of the Town.

"March 13 - I went to see the Indians, and their King, Toino-Chachi. I caused some raisins, of which they are very fond, to be distributed amongst them.

"March 14 - Mr. Oglethorpe had given orders for three horses to be ready for my service, to take a view of the country, and to ride to the place where the Salzburgers were to. settle.!' i went this morning at nine of the clock, with a Constable and a Guidej but after we had gone a mile or two, we entered some thick -woods, divided by deep brooks of water, and though we could with great difficulty pass over some, yet there were others we could not pass; wherefore we returned back to the town.

"Mr. Oglethorpe, and Mr. Jenys, Speaker of the Assembly of Carolina, arrived at Savannah from Charlestown; the first having, out of love to our Salzburgers, put off his Journey to England, being resolved to see them settled before he went. Having informed him that the floods had made it impossible for me to pass the woods by land, he said lie would go himself, to show me the country and see what place I would choose. The speaker desired to accompany him, and 1 did myself the honour to make one of the company. He sent to the Indian King to desire two Indians to hunt for him in the Journey; who not only granted them, but his chief War Captain, Tuskeneoi, out of civility to Mr. Oglethorpe, came along with them to accompany us. We went on board a ten-oared boat to the place where a house was building by Mr. Musgrove, sis miles up the Savannah river.

"March 16 - -Having slept well in a tent, which we pitched under the shade of a tree by tiie river side.' last night, I accompanied Mr. Oglethorpe on horseback, and the speaker and others went by water. If you ask how a country that is covered with wood, and cut with rivers and morasses, is passable, I must acquaint you that since the colony was settled, the ways were marked by barking off the trees, to show where the roads should go, and where the rivers were passable. After passing through a morass covered with canes, we came to an unfordable river, through which the Indians swam the horses, and we crossed over upon a great tree, cut down for that purpose. The tree was cut down so as to lie across the river and serve for a bridge. And after riding some leagues in the woods, we passed another river. Night overtaking us. we were obliged to take up our quarters upon a little hill, round a fire with the Indians, who brought us a wild turkey for our supper.

"March 17 - We continued our journey, and set out by break of day, and at nine arrived at the place where the Salzburgers were afterward settled. From hence 1 returned to the town of Savannah, through Abercorn, a village newly settled by order of the trustees, upon the Savannah river, near where Ebenezer falls' into it."

The Reverend Mr. Bolzius described their arrival in his journal in these words: "Savannah. Tuesday. March 13 - At the place of our landing almost all the inhabitants of the town of Savannah were gathered together; they fired off some Cannons and cried, liuzzah! which was answered by our sailors and other English people in our ship, in the same manner. A good dinner was prepared for us. We, the commissary, and Mr. Zwefier, the physician, were lodged in the house of the Reverend Mr. Quincy, the English minister here.

"March 14 - Last night we prayed on shore for the first time in the English chapel, made of hoards, and used for divine worship till a church can be built ; the use of which is allowed us during our stay here. The inhabitants join with us. and show much devotion. The Jews, likewise, of which there are twelve families here, come to church, and seemed to be very devout.

"March 15 - This day, Mr. Oglethorpe arrived here, and received our Salzburgers and us in a friendly manner, and we dined with him. He being very solicitous that these poor Indians should be brought to the knowledge of God. has desired us to learn their language, and we, with the blessing of God. will joyfully undertake the task. Tuesday, March 26 - It is a great pleasure to us that Mr. Oglethorpe approved of our calling the river, and the place where our houses are to be built, Ebenezer."

From the knowledge previously obtained of the climate of the country just south of the colony of South Carolina, which was to become the Colony. of Georgia, it was considered, as already noted, most favorable to the breeding of silk worms and the making of silk. In this work it was thought that women and children, as well as old persons, would be useful, as not a great deal of care and little labor were required in the feeding of the worms. Oglethorpe himself considered it of great importance in the advancement of the colony. Pursuant to this generally accepted belief, coupled with the recently invented machinery by Mr. John Lombe for increased facility in the winding and reeling processes, the trustees early took steps to provide for the fostering of this industry. The fact that they held this opinion brought to them applications from persons skilled in that business for passage to Georgia. At their meeting on the 14th of February, 1732-3 - "Mr. Nicolas Amatis attended the board, and acquainted them that he and Signor Giocomo Ottone, a man of experience in making the silk machines, Jacques Camuse and his wife (both winders of silk) and Camuse 's three boys of the following ages - thirteen, four and three, were lately arrived in England, and ready to enter into agreement with the trustees to go and settle in Georgia." Mr. Amatis was one of the emigrants embarking in the Ann galley, November 16, 1732, and reaching Savannah February 1, 1733.

The production of raw silk in Georgia was apparently prosperous for a while, and the business was carried on for many years with fluctuating degrees of success so that on the whole, it did not approach the importance for which its promoters prayed and earnestly desired. Dr. T. M. Harris, in an appendix to his "Biographical Memorials of James Oglethorpe," pages 391-413. gives an exhaustive account of this matter, prepared by V. B. Stevens, in which he says: "In

June, 1734, General Oglethorpe carried eight pounds of raw silk, the first produced in Georgia, to England, which was followed by a small trunk full of the same article, on the 2d of April, 1735, and after being made into orgazine, by t ho engine of Sir Thomas Lombe, at Derby, who said that it "proved exceedingly good through all the oper- ations,' was sent up to London on the 13th of August, 1735, when the trustees, together with Sir Thomas Lombe, waited on her majesty, Queen Caroline, and exhibited to her the elegant specimin of Georgia silk. The queen selected a portion of the parcel to be wove into a pattern, and being again waited on by these gentlemen and Mr. Booth, the silk weaver, on the 21st of September, she expressed 'a great satisfaction for the beauty and fineness of the silk, the richness of the pattern, and at seeing so early product from that colony,' and to express her pleasure at such a favourable result, a complete court-dress was made from it, and on his majesty's next birthday she appeared at the levee in a full robe of Georgia silk."

Mr. Samuel Augspourger carried to England, in 1739, some of the silk which he obtained from the trustees' store-keeper, Mr. Jones, and it was classed by judges as "equal to any Italian silk, and worth full twenty shillings per pound." During some years a considerable quantity was produced, while at other times the production was, for various reasons, much reduced. In 1746 the president of the Salzburgers wrote to Mr. Martyn, secretary of the trustees: "The fundamental cause of its stagnation is the unaccountable backwardness of some of our dames and damsels to employ themselves in attending to the worms during the time of feeding;" at one time the falling off was attributed to the fact that "so few were disposed to this culture" to which it was added that "one reason for this reluctance is ascribed to the circumstance that, by ordinary labor, about two shillings may be obtained per day, whereas scarcely a shilling could be earned in the same time by the silk concern." One season "nearly half of the silk worms died at Savannah, owing as was then supposed, either to poisoned dew or warm weather," and in 1748 "small trees were destroyed, and some of the larger ones injured, by the late frost." In 1766 the small amount of silk made was said to be on account of "the badness of the seed, and consequent inferiority of the worms. ' '

On the 4th of March, 1751, Mr. James Habersham and Mr. Pickering Robinson, commissioners to promote more effectually the culture of silk, began the erection of a filature in the city of Savannah, and work progressed on it so rapidly that on the Sth of May reeling began. This building stood on the lot bounded by Abercorn, St. Julian, Lincoln and Bryan streets, and was used for the purposes for which it was built until 1774, in which year, on the 19th of January, Sir James Wright, governor of the province of Georgia, sent a message to the common house of assembly in which he said: "The filature buildings seem to be going to decay and ruin; may it not, therefore, be expedient to consider what other service or use they may be put to?" and the assembly answered, "We shall not fail to consider how it may be expedient to apply the Filature to some public use." From that time it was used as a public hall, in which balls were given, and as a place for political gatherings and meetings of all sorts, including those for religious purposes. Finally, it was used as a dwelling-place, when, as such, it was destroyed by fire during the afternoon of March 25, 1839. Numerous advertisements

The business of silk-making in Georgia, though started with the general expectation that it would be the chief industry in the province, failed to reach the point which might have placed it on a paying basis, and it is not at all to be concluded that, if it had been given an absolutely fair trial under the most favorable conditions, it would never have become remunerative. From its inception until it was finally abandoned it was, at all points, hampered by unfortunate circumstances which had a tendency to retard the work and to discourage those who had the matter most at heart. Much was expected, in the very beginning, from the man Camuse, who seemed to know the business thoroughly and from whom so much was expected in the development of the business; but he proved to be quarrelsome, and could not be depended on, and the disappointment at that point was great. Again, persons who at first took hold with the very highest zeal, soon became despondent, and left off all desire to continue the work. Thus we are told that "though Oglethorpe gave Air*. Bolzius trees, silk worms, and a book of instructions, yet he confesses that he felt no interest in the business, nor inclination to pursue it. ' ' *

Chapter Vii

Feeding and Housing of First Colonists - Father Oglethorpe - Gordon's First Town Plat - Pioneer Points of Interest - Names of First Streets - The Trustees' Garden.

Returning now to the colonists and their first efforts in making themselves secure and free to enjoy home-life in their new abiding-place, let us look upon them as they employ themselves daily under their respected leader. Pursuing the course he had from the very first mapped out, Oglethorpe treated his people more as members of his own family than as subordinates, advising and admonishing them as a father would advise and warn his children. He told them, among other things, ''It is my hope that through your good example the settlement of Georgia may prove a blessing, and not a curse, to the native inhabitants." He set them to work felling trees, putting up a crane for hauling up the bluff the material brought in the Ann, unloading that vessel, and hewing the stuff to be used in stockading the town. The people not only assisted in the building of edifices to be used for public purposes, but they erected homes for themselves into which they moved, discarding the tents, as soon as the houses could be made habitable. Besides this they labored in the building of the fort which was to occupy a place at the extreme eastern end of the settlement, on the bluff. So busy were they from the first moment of t heir landing that Oglethorpe in his letter to the trustees, announcing their safe arrival, said: "I am so taken up in looking after a hundred necessary things, that I write now short, but shall give you a more particular account hereafter."

Of course, the people had to be fed. and it is a pleasure to observe that, in addition to the help rendered by the good people of South Carolina in the way of contributing negro laborers and personally assisting Oglcthorpt- in every possible way. donations of food were liberally made by them, Mr. Whitaker and some friends alone, at one time, as we are told, adding to the store one hundred head of cattle, and the people of Edisto sixteen sheep.

On the 12th of March, 17T5. a little more than a month after landing, General Oglethorpe wrote to the trustees: "Our people still live in tents, there being only two clap-board houses built and three small houses framed. Our crane, our battery, cannon and magazine are finished. This is all that we have been able to do by reason of the smallness of our number, of which many have been sick and others unused to labor; though I thank God they are now pretty well, and we have not lost one since our arrival here."