USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > History of Savannah, Ga.; from its settlement to the close of the eighteenth century > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
1
GC
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02314 8452
HISTORY
OF
SAVANNAH, GA.
v.2
FROM ITS SETTLEMENT TO THE CLOSE OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BY
CHARLES C. JONES, JR., LL.D. ...
FROM THE CLOSE OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY BY ยท
O. F. VEDDER AND FRANK WELDON.
.
SYRACUSE, N. Y. D. MASON & CO., PUBLISHERS.
1 890.
328
HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
1724139
this distinguished Georgian; and a beautiful county in the upper portion of the State perpetuates a family name which, for a century and a half, has been here saluted with gratitude and honor.
With the close of the eighteenth century our connection with the preparation of this memorial volume ends. During the sixty-seven years which have intervened since that memorable evening when Ogle- thorpe, having posted his sentinels, sought the friendly shelter of the pines upon Yamacraw Bluff, scarcely an incident of moment appertain- ing to Georgia as a colony, in revolution, or as a State, can be men- tioned with which the history of Savannah is not either directly or re- motely associated. Here was the source from which the streams of pop- ulation flowed in all directions. Here was located the depot of supplies. Hither did all look for support, for protection, for the enforcement of law, and for the dissemination of all things needful. In this little metropoli- tan town and provincial capital dwelt the trustees' agents, the royal gov- ernors, and the early presidents of the youthful commonwealth. Here were regularly convened the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly, the Colonial Legislatures, the Revolutionary Conventions, and the delibera- tive bodies which gave to Georgia her primal constitutions and laws un- der a republican form of government. Here were the first treaties of amity and commerce solemnized with the Indians, and here were import- ant agreements consummated for the extinguishment of the title of the Aborigines to the granted lands. Here were measures inaugurated con- templating and compassing a separation of Georgia from the mother country and the erection of the province into the dignity of an independ- ent State. Here occurred the first passage at arms with the king's forces, and before the fortifications which environed the town was bloodiest bat - tle delivered.
Famous in arms, in politics, in religion, in commerce, and in the lib- eral professions are many who here dwelt, and devoted their best ener- gies to the development and salvation of Georgia. First on the roll of honor we salute the founder of the colony-renowned alike in the field, in the council chamber, and in legislative halls, -the embodiment of loy- alty and valor,-the model of manly grace and courtesy,-giving tone and character to his people and age. And near him stand the aged Col-
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RETROSPECTIVE.
onel William Stephens,-faithful to king and trust,-the eloquent White- field-the Brothers Wesley-the elder Habersham-the venerable Tomo- chi-chi,-the saintly Bolzius,-the self-sacrificing Zouberbuhler, and the gifted but unstable Zubly. Then pass in succession the royal governors, -the dictatorial Reynolds,-the gentle and learned Ellis, and the capa- ble Wright-loyal to Crown and province, attended by the members of their respective councils, generally the best representatives of the citizen- ship of Savannah. The scene shifts, and amid the storms of the Revo- lutionary period we behold the manly forms, hear the courageous voices, and admire the heroism of Noble Wimberley Jones, Archibald Bulloch, John Houstoun, Edward Telfair, the Brothers Habersham, Samuel El- bert, Lachlan McIntosh, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton, William Ewen, John Wereat, Jonathan Bryan, William Gibbons, Josep !! Clay, Richard Howley, Nathan Brownson, John Adam Treutlen, John Glen, John Milledge, James Jackson, James Screven, John Martin and their companions,-patriots all,-who have bequeathed memories of de- votion, of valor, and of self- sacrifice of which any people might be proud. In that struggle there were friends, such as Howe, Pinckney, Lincoln, D'Estaing, Dillon, Noailles, Jasper, Pulaski, Wayne, White, Huger, and others scarcely less distinguished, who contributed freely of their blood and services to the heroic memories of place and period.
The war ended, there ensued in the city of Oglethorpe an era of ex- panding prosperity, of increasing civilization, of refinement, of hospital- ity, of augmenting wealth, of religious and educational progress, of indi- vidual manhood and municipal integrity which, as the curtain descended upon the eighteenth century, gave ample promise of peace, stability, honor, confidence, reputation, and good fortune in the years to come.
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330
HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
CHAPTER XXV.
MUNICIPAL HISTORY.
Visit of Aaron Burr-Severe Storm in 1804 -- First City Seal-War of 1812-Plans for Defending the City-Rejoicing over Naval Victories-Reception to President Mon- roe-Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1820-Tour of General Lafayette -- His Reception in Savannah-Building of Fort Pulaski -Death of ex-President Jackson-Mexican War -- Death of Colonel McIntosh -- Visit of ex-President Polk -- Death of President Taylor -Reception to ex-President Fillmore -- Yellow Fever Epidemic-Destructive Gale in September, 1854.
T' HE history of Savannah from the time its site was selected as the home of the English colonists in 1733 to the close of the preced- ing century with all its wealth of stirring events, its trials, triumphs, and progress has been unfolded in the preceding chapters. It possesses peculiar interest to the student of history as the colonial starting point of a State that has given dignity and fame to American civiliza- tion, and new elements of truth and power to augment the wealth of the world's history. Through many changes has been recorded the march of the community from the first rude and crude settlement to the hamlet, the village, the town, the city. In the simple and homely phases of life which have been depicted there is a pathos and a glamour of tenderness, but under all circumstances illumined by the loftiest patriotism and the most exalted manhood which makes the earliest past of Savannah a proud heritage worthy to be studied for inspiration even by a generation to whom electricity is the supreme agency.
The first eleven years of Savannah's history as an incorporated city has been traced in preceding pages. It was a period of quiet city life, made memorable by the visit of the first president of the United States and the destructive fire of November, 1796. At the beginning of the present century the city contained probably 6,500 inhabitants, as the cen- sus taken two years previous gave the city a population of 6,226, of which only 237 were negroes. The financial losses the city had experi- enced in 1796 by the fire had well nigh been recovered when the present
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VISIT OF AARON BURR.
century began, and from this time forward although no great advance was made either in wealth or population, the people for several years en- joyed a period of reasonable prosperity ; the city had emerged from the effects of the Revolutionary struggle and was beginning to assume com- mercial importance.
At a meeting of the city council held on July 13, 1801, the yearly salaries of the city officials were fixed as follows: Recorder, usual fees ; treasurer, $400 and fees ; clerk of council, $350 and usual fees; clerk of the mayor's court, usual fees; marshal, $350 and usual fees; sheriff, clerk of market, and surveyor, usual fees; messenger, $150 and usual fees.
Vice-President Aaron Burr visited the city on the 20th of May, 1802, coming from Augusta. He was received on his way to the city by mili- tary and civil officials and companies of volunteer soldiers. Charles Har- ris, Edward Harden, and Richard Dennis welcomed him on behalf of the corporation, and B. Bullock, James Houstoun, and George W. Troup on behalf of the citizens of Savannah. On the Monday following his arrival a festival was given in his honor, which, said the Columbian Museum and Advertiser, was never equaled on any former occasion for brilliancy of en- tertainment, the number and respectability of the company, and the har- mony which prevailed. Two medals were presented to the corporation by the vice-president, one descriptive of the arms of the United States on one side, and on the other the bust of President Jefferson. The other medal commemorated the capture of General Burgoyne by General Gates on one side, and on the other the bust of the capturing general. The vice-president remained three or four days, and during his stay his head- quarters were on South Broad street, between Whitaker and Barnard streets, the home of his neice Mrs. Montmollin. It has been said the purpose of his visit was of a private nature and related to the settlement of an unfortunate family quarrel.
From nine o'clock in the morning until ten at night on the 8th of September, 1804, Savannah was visited by a storm which raged with destructive fury, causing widespread ruin and devastation. The inhabi- tants dared not venture out of their dwellings, but in many cases they were forced to flee to avoid being crushed in the ruins of their own houses. Hutchinson plantation and the rice plantations around the city
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HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
were inundated, causing over one hundred negroes to be drowned. Trees in every part of the city were blown down, and also several houses. The wharves were all torn up and many of the storehouses erected at the foot of the bluff were either totally destroyed or so much damaged as to render valueless everything within them. Eighteen vessels in the har- bor were thrown upon the wharves and several were totally destroyed. Several persons were injured by the falling houses or chimneys and three died of the injuries received. The exchange, the filature, jail and court- house on the bluff, with twenty-six business houses under the bluff were injured and their stock of goods swept away. The steeple of the Pres- byterian Church, on the southwest corner of Whitaker and President streets, fell in a southwesterly direction, crushing in a house and cutting off a portion of a bed on which lay a sick man, but fortunately he was not injured. Strange to say the bell in the steeple was found unbroken and afterwards hung in the steeple of the Independent Presbyterian Church, where it remained until 1824, when a larger bell was presented to the congregation.
The first seal used by the city of Savannah was presented by Alder- man Samuel Stirke, and it is unfortunate that no trace or imprint of it can be found. It was probably used for several years, as we find no record of a new one being provided until January 14, 1805, when a res- olution was adopted by the council instructing the clerk to "procure a screw-press for the city seal the expense of which will be defrayed by the council." Little use seems to have been made of the seal, however, as no impress of it has been found.
Little of historic note occurred in Savannah in the opening years of the present century. The city made little progress in population or wealth, and the quiet town life of the people was barren of matters of great importance, with the exception of the movement to advance the educational interest of the city, and this feature of Savannah's history is fully treated in another portion of this volume.
The period of the War of 1812 was one of turmoil and excitement in the history of Savannah. The city's proximity to the sea made it liable to assault at any hour, and although it was not attacked, the people were kept constantly on the alert. The events which culminated in hos- tilities between the United States and England were clearly understood
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WAR OF 1812.
and closely watched, and when human agency seemed unavailing to avert the coming conflict a notice appeared in the Savannah Republican of January 28, 1812, asking the people on Thursday next to meet in the Roman Catholic Church "to beseech the Father of Mercies to avert from this nation the calamities which threaten it." From this time forward meetings were often held by the citizens to discuss the means for pro- tecting the city. The military companies of the city were in fine condi- tion, and composed of the best young men of Savannah, who were some- what anxious to engage in practical warfare. Interest in the approach- ing struggle was intensified by the arrival in the city of Major-General Thomas Pinckney of the Southern Division of the army. He arrived on Monday June 22, 1812, accompanied by Colonel Morris, his aid-de-camp. He was greeted by the Chatham Artillery and the Rangers who repaired to his lodgings and fired a salute of welcome. On the day following his arrival, the general, in company with several other gentlemen, took a view of the city boundaries for the purpose of advising the best means for de- fending the city. According to his suggestions the committee of super- intendence of fortifications, appointed by the city council, composed of Aldermen Proctor, Charlton, and Duke, determined upon a plan of forti- fication for Fort Wayne and called the citizens to send laborers to prose- cute the work.
In the summer of 1812 war was declared, and on the twenty-fifth of June the news was brought to Savannah. General Pinckney immedi- ately thereafter left the city and work was soon after begun upon plans he suggested for the fortification of Savannah, the committee of superin- tendence, composed of Aldermen J. B. Reed, G. V. Proctor, and T. U. P. Charlton, causing the following advertisement to appear in the city paper: " Whereas, Major General Thomas Pinckney has determined to cause to be built immediately on the Scite of Fort Wayne such works as are deemed advisable, and will adopt such other measures recommendatory of its enlargement, as in his judgment may seem proper, And whereas the Major-General has recommended to the City Council, to direct their attention to the erection of such works on the south common agreeably to a plan pointed out and explained as of great importance to the pro- tection of the City.
" Resolved that the Committee of Council appointed for the purpose
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HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
of superintending the works intended to be erected in this city by the corporation and the citizens of Savannah, Thereby adopt the General's recommendation and now call upon the citizens to contribute their aid and furnish the laborers subscribed by them, to commence the works to be erected on the south common, which will be under the direction of Captain McRae as engineer." .
In carrying out the plan suggested by General Pinckney a line of de- fenses was thrown up extending from the marsh on the east, at the foot of Broughton street, to the west side of Lafayette square, thence diverg- ing to Liberty street lane, thence crossing Bull street to Spring Hill, thence along the high ground east of Ogeechee Canal and terminating at the foot of Fahm street. The line was very irregular and unusually full of salients and re-entering angles.
The Savannah volunteer companies, Chatham Artillery, Savannah Volunteer Guards, Republican Blues, and Georgia Hussars, and other companies which organized for the war were constantly on duty. The Savannah Guards, Republican Blues and other Savannah volunteer com- panies comprising the first regiment of Georgia militia, under the com- mand of Lieutenant-Colonel James Johnson, were mustered into the ser- vice of the United States for local defense. The enemy not approaching Savannah, however, this service continued only one month. Early in the war half of the Savannah Guards and Republican Blues were sent on an expedition against St. Augustine, Fla., but before arrangements for the assault were made Florida was purchased by the United States.
Every victory of the American arms in Northern waters was hailed with joy in Savannah. The victories of Captain Isaac Hull in the cap- ture of the British frigate Guerriere, of Captain John James Jones in the capture of the sloop-of-war Frolic, and of Commodore Decatur in the capture of the British frigate Macedonian, in the latter part of the year 1812, caused the city council to designate the Ist of January, 1813, as a day to be set apart for the citizens of Savannah to give "expression of their gratitude to the Supreme Being for the aforesaid signal victories and the high sense they entertain of the gallant conduct of the said naval commanders, their officers and crews, and also for the general joy which these naval victories have produced upon our citizens."
A meeting of the citizens of Savannah was held in the Exchange on
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WAR OF 1812.
June 2, 1813, for the purpose of raising funds to be appropriated to the defense of the city. Hon. William Stephens was made chairman of the meeting, and James M. Wayne, secretary. Four thousand dollars was the amount deemed necessary to effectually defend the city from the at- tack of the enemy. John Bolton, James Johnston, John Cumming, James Bilbo, Frederick Herb and John Eppinger, jr., were appointed a com- mittee to co-operate with a committee of the city council to raise this sum.
A "committee of vigilance" was appointed by the council on July 20, 1813, to consist of an alderman and two or more respectable citizens from the different wards of the city, to carry into effect the act of the As- sembly against idle or disorderly persons having no visible estate or law- ful employment in the city or who may hereafter come here."
The British brig of war, Epervier, carrying eighteen guns was brought into the Savannah River by the United States sloop-of-war, Pea- cock, Lewis Warrington, commander, in May, 1814. When captured the Epervior had on board $110,000, which was confiscated and distributed according to law. In commemoration of the event the council passed the following resolution :
"Whereas, another victory has added to the glory, the lustre, and re- nown of the American Navy, the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Sa- vannah are anxious on this, as they have been on other occasions of sim- ilar triumphs to pay the tribute of respect to unparalleled skill and valor of the heroes of the ocean. Be it therefore unanimously resolved, that the mayor and aldermen of the city of Savannah do feel sincere gratitude and respect for the distinguished conduct and noble services of Captain Warrington, the gallant officers and crew in the late victory over the British sloop of war Epervior."
The victory of Captain Porter, commander of the Essex, over the British frigate Phobe and the sloop-of-war Cherub, was another occasion in commemoration of which, on the 22d of July, 1814, the city council gave expression to the following preamble and resolutions:
"Whereas, another great and brilliant exploit has bestowed on the skill, courage, Self Devotion and Patriotism of the hero Porter, his officers and crew, a splendour and glory never before acquired under similar cir- cumstances and given a reputation to the American Navy which neither
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HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
vaunts nor misrepresentations of the enemy can prevent carrying fear and terror to his thousand ships, and whereas this glorious achievement united to the noble efforts of the illustrious Porter, his officers and crew, to promote the fame and the interest of their Country in their long, per- ilous and unexampled cruise demand not only heartfelt gratitude of every citizen of the Republic, but particularly of every public body and de- partment of the Country. Be it therefore unanimously resolved by the mayor and aldermen of the city of Savannah that for and in behalf of themselves, and their Fellow Citizens of Savannah, they beg leave most respectfully to tender to Captain David Porter, late of the Essex Frigate, his officers and crew this high opinion of his skill, Perseverance and Pa- triotism evinced throughout the long and perilous cruise of the Essex, as well as the sincere profound and unaffected gratitude with which they have been inspired by the great glorious and unexampled skill and her- oism displayed by Captain Porter, the brave officers and gallant Seamen in the unequal contest of the Essex with the British Frigate Phoebe and the Sloop of War Cherub."
The aldermen elected on September 14, 1814, were John B. Norris, Isaac Fell, T. U. P. Charlton, J. B. Read, R. Mackay, George Jones, J. Hersman, H. McIntosh, E. Harden, Alexander S. Roe, M. McAllister, Th. Bourke, William B. Bullock. A committee of vigilance was selected composed of Aldermen Roe, Charlton, and Morris who were charged to "guard against the introduction of suspicious characters into the city, and to have weekly returns from all taverns, lodging and boarding-house keepers of the numbers of names and business of such persons, and to act towards them as the law and ordinances direct, and they are required to aid in ascertaining the earliest information of the approach of the en- emy by land or water and are empowered to appoint a secretary to re- cord proceedings. Resolved, that the sum of five hundred dollars be and is hereby appropriated and put at the disposal of the committee for the public good." This committee, however, was discharged in December following, as the arrival of Brigadier-General Floyd with a large military force near the city persuaded the council the city was amply protected against the attack of the enemy. This feeling of security soon after gave place to fresh alarm, and in January, 1815, the council requested Com- modore Hugh G. Campbell, then in command of the flotilla stationed off
337
RETURN OF PEACE.
Savannah to sink vessels at any point he deemed expedient to obstruct the river. The victory of General Jackson at New Orleans in February following, made such action unnecessary, and the president's proclama- tion of peace on February 28th dispelled all fears, and was the cause of rejoicing among the people.
Saturday the fourth of March, 1815, was designated by the council as "a day for innocent amusement and recreation, in consequence of the ratification of the Treaty of Peace, with Great Britain, founded on a Basis of perfect reciprocity and honorable to this Nation resolved that the board having heretofore devoted all the means and energies in the prosecution of just war, now hails the return of Peace and Amity and Commerce which it is hoped will follow this gratifying event, and declare itself equally de- voted to the Maintenance of Peace and Friendship with the subjects of Great Britain. Always having had in view the sacred and patriotic duty of considering in the scope of its authority, all persons 'enemies in war, in peace friends.'"
The return of peace was most grateful to the people of Savannah who for three years had been in a state of anxiety and suspense which had prostrated all avenues of prosperity. Mementoes of the War of 1812 are still to be found in Savannah, in the naming of its squares and streets, several bearing the names of naval heroes or victorious battles, as Chip- pewa and Orleans squares, Hull, McDonough and Perry streets.
James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, visited Savan- nah on May 8, 1819, and was received with that hospitality for which the city has always been noted. He remained while in the city at the home of William Scarborough on West Broad street. A public ball was given in his honor in a building erected for the occasion in Johnson square. He remained for five days, and on the last day of his visit he enjoyed a novel excursion to Tybee on the steamboat City of Savannah, the first steamship ever built in the United States. On the same day a public dinner was given in his honor in a booth built for the occasion. The features of this important event were thus described in a Savannah jour- nal: "The booth was ornamented with wreaths and branches of laurels. At the head of the table was an arch composed of laurels beautifully decorated with roses, so disposed as to form the name of James Monroe. The company having dined, the following toasts were announced from
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HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
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the chair accompanied with appropriate music from the stand. During the giving of toasts, the Dallas fired salutes, her commander having obligingly tendered his services for the occasion. On the president re- tiring from the table a grand national salute was opened which made the welkin ring. The regular toasts were :
" I. Our country. In her infancy she is mighty in the first class of nations, what will be the meridian of her life?
"2. The Federal Union. May the head be accursed that shall in- sidiously plot its dissolution, the arm withered that shall aim a blow at its existence.
" 3. The Constitution of the United States, framed by the wisdom of sages, may our statesmen and our posterity regard it as the national ark of political safety never to be abandoned.
"4. The military, naval, legislative and diplomatic worthies of the Revolution. It is our duty and delight to honor them and to tell their deeds with filial piety.
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