Colonial Georgia SS8H2 The student will analyze the colonial period of Georgia’s history. a. Explain the importance of James Oglethorpe, the Charter of 1732, a trustee colony, reasons for settlement (charity, economics, and defense), Tomochichi, Mary Musgrove, and the city of Savannah. b. Evaluate the Trustee Period of Georgia’s colonial history, emphasizing the role of the Salzburgers, Highland Scots, Malcontents, and the Spanish threat from Florida. c. Explain the development of Georgia as a royal colony with regard to land ownership, slavery, government, and the impact of the royal governors. SS8H2

Conditions in England Agricultural problems. Overcrowded cities. People were homeless and without work. Debtors went to prison where conditions were horrible.

James Oglethorpe Served on Prison Discipline Committee in Parliament in England. Strong advocate for creating a colony for debtors. He and trustees (a man of wealth who holds property for the benefit of someone else) requested a charter for “all land between the Altamaha and Savannah Rivers and from the headwaters of these rivers to the south seas.”

Charter outlined three purposes for the new colony: 1. charitable – relief for debtors and “worthy poor.” 2. economic – a self-supporting colony that would provide cheap natural resources for Britain. 3. defensive – a protective barrier between Florida and the settlement at Charles Town.

Charter signed by King George on June 9, 1732; to encourage colonists; The trustees offered each man free passage, 50 acres of land, and support for his family for up to a year until he could start making his own way. A colonist who paid his own way would receive 500 acres of land that would be tax free for ten years.

Georgia Did not begin as a colony of debtors but a colony for worthy poor; people of good character. If the colony was not just for the debtors, who else do you think may have been a part of the original colonist?

Rules for the new colony Trustees could not own land. They could not make a profit. Trustees gave all colonists same amount of land so that distinct social classes would not develop. No rum or other hard liquors; drinking would interfere with working. Slavery was banned; white settlers would become lazy. Only male heirs could inherit land; a widow could continue to live on the land but could never own it.

Settling in Georgia Colonists settled along a site beside the Savannah River called Yamacraw Bluff; this became the town of Savannah. Site gave excellent view of surrounding area, including a nearby Yamacraw Indian village and trading post run by John and Mary Musgrove.

John and Mary Musgrove Husband and wife had a trading monopoly; other whites not allowed to settle in that area. Served as translator between Native Americans and colonists. Indians and merchants of Charles Town traded with the Musgroves. John introduced Oglethorpe to Tomochichi, chief of the Yamacraw Indians. Urged colonists to make a treaty with Tomochichi in order to settle at Yamacraw Bluff. John translated between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi and Tomochichi allowed colonists to settle there.

Peace Treaty Oglethorpe met with a group of Creek chiefs to establish peace and friendship. They signed the Treaty of Savannah – treaty signed by the Creeks giving land to the colonists to settle in Georgia

Review Questions What were the conditions like in England? What happened to the debtors in England? What is a trustee? What were the three purposes for the new colony? Explain each purpose. What were the colonists offered who could not afford to pay for their passage? What were the colonists offered who could afford to pay for their passage? What were the five rules for the new colony? Why were all colonists given the same amount of land?

10. Where did the colonists settle? 11. What is this area now called? 12. Who was the couple that owned the trading post? 13. What did the Musgrove’s serve as? 14. Who did John Musgrove introduce Oglethorpe to? 15. What was the Treaty of Savannah?