USA > Georgia > A standard history of Georgia and Georgians > Part 14
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Within the next few weeks the settlement's population was inereased by small aecessions from Charleston; but in May, 1733, a vessel, the James, dropped anchor at Savannah with a list of seventeen passengers, all of whom had been approved by the trustees and transported at the expense of the corporation. On board there were some Italians from Piedmont who had come to instruct the colonists in breeding silk-worms and in other important phases of an industry from which large revenues were expected. Captain Yoakley, the vessel's commanding officer, was awarded a special prize offered by the trustees to the first English ves- sel to discharge its eargo at Yamacraw Bluff .*
On July 7. 1733, Oglethorpe ealled the settlers together for the pur- pose of acquainting them with the town's design, to promulgate the names given to streets, squares, wards and tithings, and to distribute town lots, gardens and farms. As was enstomary, whenever Oglethorpe assembled the colonists together on any important occasion, the busi- ness of the day was preceded by an invocation of the divine blessing. From an authoritative account, we quote the following description of how the city was laid off and how the lands allotted to settlers were in each instance divided into three portions, a town lot, a garden in the immediate vicinage, and a farm in the remoter environs: +
"Four wards, each containing four tithings, were marked and named, viz .: Percival Ward, so named in honor of John, Lord Pereival, the first Earl of Egmont, and president of the Trustees for establishing the colony of Georgia in America ; Heathcote Ward, so named in honor of
* Gentleman's Magazine for 1733, p. 384.
+ "History of Georgia, " Charles C. Jones, Jr., Vol. I, pp. 149-150.
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
George Heatheote, M. P., an alderman of London and one of the most active and influential members of the board of trustees; Derby Ward, so ealled in compliment to the Earl of Derby, who was one of the most generous patrons of the colonization; and Decker Ward, so named in honor of Sir Matthew Deeker, whose benefactions to the charitable design had been conspicnous. The tithings embraced in Percival Ward were ealled, respectively, Moore, Hneks, Holland, and Sloper, in honor of Robert Moore, Robert Hueks, Roger Holland, and William Sloper, members of Parliament all, and influential trustees. Heathcote Ward was composed of Eyles, Laroche, Vernon, and Belitha tithings, so named to perpetuate the pleasant memories of Sir Francis Eyles, Bart., one of the commissioners of the navy and a member of Parliament, John La- roche, also a member of Parliament, James Vernon, Esqr., and William Belitha. all members of the trust. The four tithings constituting Derby Ward were Wilmington, Jekyll, Tyreonnel, and Frederick. These were named in compliment to the Earl of Wilmington, Sir Joseph Jekyll. Master of the Rolls, who, with his lady, had contributed six hundred pounds in furtherance of the laudable design of the trustees, Lord John Tyreonnel, and Thomas Frederick, M. P., both members of the board of trustees. The tithings into which Decker Ward was divided were named Digby, Carpenter, Tower and Heatheote, in honor of Edward Digby, George, Lord Carpenter, Thomas Tower, M. P., and George Heatheote, M. P., trustees all.
"Johnson Square was so named in compliment to his exeelleney, Rob- ert Johnson, governor of South Carolina, who cordially welcomed Ogle- thorpe and his companions upon their advent, and contributed gener- ously to the comfort and advancement of the Colony.
"The streets then laid out were Abercorn, Drayton, Bull, and Whita- ker, running north and south, and the Bay, Bryan, and St. Julian streets, interseeting them at right angles. In naming these also Oglethorpe sought, in an enduring manner, to express the gratitude of the Colony and its founder. Thus, the principal street bore the name of Colonel William Bull, who accompanied Oglethorpe when he selected Yamacraw Bluff as a suitable site for Savannah, and on various oeeasions ren- dered the plantation serviees disinterested and valuable. The liberality of Mr. Joseph Bryan, of Mr. St. Julian, of Mrs. Ann Drayton, of Mr. Whitaker of South Carolina, and of the Earl of Abercorn was in this manner publicly acknowledged.
"In the middle of Johnson Square a large sun-dial was erected for the convenience of the inhabitants. It perished long ago, and the spot where it stood is now dignified by a shaft dedicated to the memory of General Nathaniel Greene, which testified to the ages the enduring gratitude cherished for him who, in the primal struggle for independence, next to Washington engaged the affections and exeited the admiration of the Georgia patriots."
Until this time Oglethorpe had embodied in his own person not only the executive but also the judicial power of the province. However, warned by the increasing burden of responsibility, he now determined to delegate some of his duties to others. Accordingly, during the after- noon of this eventful day, he established a town court for the determina- tion of causes both civil and criminal. George Symes. Richard Hodges
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
and Francis Scott were appointed bailiffs. These were the highest magis- terial officers which Georgia knew for several years. Noble Jones was made recorder. Richard Cannon and Joseph Coles were designated to serve as constables; while Francis Magridge and Thomas Young were named as tithing men. Commissions had been issued to these men on November 8, 1732, a week in advance of the first embarkation; but Oglethorpe had waited to establish his settlement before imposing upon these officers the duties encumbent upon them. Conservators to keep the peace were chosen by the trustees at the same time as follows: Peter Gordon, William Waterland, Thomas Causton, Thomas Christie, George Symes, Richard Hodges, Francis Scott and Noble Jones.
To be keeper of the public stores, Thomas Causton was selected.
The first jury drawn and empaneled in the colony of Georgia was constituted at this time as follows: Samuel Parker, Thomas Young, Joseph Coles, John Wright, John West, Timothy Bowling, John Mil- ledge, Henry Close, Walter Fox, John Grady, James Carwell, and Rich- ard Cannon.
On July 11, 1733, a vessel bearing forty Hebrew colonists arrived at Savannah. It was a galvanizing foree which came at this time to invigo- rate the province with new life, but there was something irregular in the method by which these emigrants were transported. They came direct from England and at the expense of the trustees but not with the approval of the corporation. Three Jews had been commissioned by the trustees to solieit contributions in aid of Oglethorpe's seheme. These were : Alvarro Lopez Sausso, Francis Salvador, Jr., and Anthony Da Costa. Starting a canvass they had secured benefactions to a large amount, but instead of paying these funds to the trustees they began at once to collect Hebrew colonists; and, without permission from the trustees, chartered a vessel on which forty Jews were transported to Savannah, using for this purpose the moneys collected by them, chiefly, no doubt, from Jewish contributors.
Oglethorpe, having received no advice from London relative to these emigrants, was naturally perplexed. But since the charter of Georgia guaranteed religious freedom to all except Papists he thought that in giving the Hebrew colonists a welcome he was aeting clearly within the discretion which the charter of Georgia gave him and was at the same time exemplifying its philanthropic spirit. As the founder of the province he well knew for what ends it was called into existence ; but he did not know, of course, that on January 31, 1733, the corporation in London had instructed its secretary, Mr. Martyn, to demand from the Jews above mentioned a surrender of the commissions held by them ; and that in consequence of a refusal to make this surrender an embar- rassing situation had resulted. Oglethorpe's action in receiving the Jews was not approved. On the contrary, a committee was appointed to prepare a statement for publication and to assure the publie that Georgia was not "a Jew's colony." Oglethorpe was urged to use his best endeavors to prevent the Hebrew colonists from acquiring a per- manent foothold in the province. Letters from the trustees informed him that the sending over of these people had alienated some of the best friends of the trust and had turned aside many intended bene- factors.
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
But Oglethorpe refused to take any step which was prejudieal to these colonists. The irregularity of the expedition was admitted. There was ample ground on which to justify the action of the trustees, so far as it concerned a revoking of commissions ; but Oglethorpe was undoubt- edly right in according the Jews a home in Savannah. IIis firmness in this matter created a temporary breach which the founder hoped to heal on his return to England; but he was fully prepared to take the consequences.
Going back to the vessel which brought the Hebrew colonists to Georgia, its roster included: Benjamin Sheftall, accompanied by his wife, Perla Sheftall; Doctor Nunis, with his mother, Mrs. Nunis; two other bearers of this name, Daniel and Moses; Shem Noah, a family servant; Isaac Nunis Henneriques, with his wife, Mrs. Henneriques, also a son Shem ; Raphael Bornal and Mrs. Bornal, his wife; David Olivera; Jacob Olivera; Mrs. Olivera, the latter's wife, two sons, Isaac and David, and a daughter, Leah; Aaron Depevia; Benjamin Gideon ; Jacob Costa; David Lopez, with Mrs. Lopez, his wife; Mr. Veneral; Mr. Molena; David Cohen and Mrs. Cohen, his wife, three daughters, Abigail, Grace and Hannah, also a son, Isaac; Abraham Minis and Mrs. Minis, his wife, with two daughters, Leah and Esther; Simon Minis; Jacob Yowell; and Abraham DeLyon. These colonists were in the main Portugese and Spanish Jews, though a few were descendants of English refugees from Holland. Doetor Nunis, whose knowledge of medicine proved to be of great value to the settlers, came from Portugal. The . Sheftalls were of Bavarian stock, but came from England. Some have claimed that the first native Georgian was a Jew-Philip Minis, who was born on the bluffs of Savannah, not long after the vessel dipped anchor.
These Hebrew emigrants constituted an important asset. But dis- couraged in part by the attitude of the trustees and in part by the adverse conditions which, at a later day, prevailed in the province, some migrated to Charleston and some to Philadelphia; but others continued to reside in Savannah, where descendants of the original Jewish settlers are still to be found.
While the allotment of land to the colonists took place in Savannah on July 7, 1733, it was not until several months thereafter that deeds were executed formally conveying these traets and parcels. On the eve of the first embarkation it will be remembered a body of land eon- taining 5,000 aeres had been conveyed in trust to three colonists for subsequent distribution. One of these grantees, Joseph Hughes, had died in the meantime; but the other two, Thomas Christie and William Calvert, finally executed a deed. The original instrument making this transfer is still preserved in the office of the secretary of state and is a document to which the greatest value attaches. But a new shipload of emigrants having arrived in the province, these were likewise in- eluded in the distribution made under the old deed. The vessel in question was the Savannah, which left England on September 12, 1733, bearing 132 passengers. It was not every colonist to whom land was granted. As a rule only those who were able to bear arms were thus favored. But there were some exceptions. In the following table will be found the names of all who were granted land at this time. The Vol. I-6
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
original deed to which these names are attached is still preserved in the state department. It is to be regretted that the plan of the town which accompanied this instrument has been irretrievably lost.
DERBY WARD
Gardens.
Farms.
Wilmington Tything-
No.
A
John Goddard
33 E.
5
Walter Fox
12 E.
4
John Grady
53 E.
8
James Carwall
61 E.
6
Richard Cannon
62 E.
5
Frances, Reliet of Dr. William Cox
52 E.
7
George Sims
41 E.
10
Joseph Fitzwater
37 E.
9
Reliet of John Samms
7 E.
3
Elizabeth, Reliet of John Warren.
64 E.
2
Jekyll Tything-
B
Mary, Relict of Joshua Overend
51 E.
9
Francis Mugridge
37 E.
2
Robert Johnson
42 E.
6
William Horn
59 E.
5
John Penrose
30 E.
1
Joseph Hughes
26 E.
4
Mary, Relict of Richard Hodges.
36 E.
10
James Muir
48 E.
7
Thomas Christie
3 E.
8
Joseph Cooper
27 E.
3
Tyrconnel Tything-
C
John West
13 E.
3
James Wilson
63 E.
8
Thomas Pratt
57 E.
5
William Waterland
27 E.
4
Timothy Bowling
4 E.
2
Elizabeth, Relict of Thomas Milledge.
66 E.
6
Elizabeth, Reliet of William Little
60 E.
7
Samuel Parker, Senr.
49 E.
9
Daniel Tibbeau
39 E.
1
Henry Close
6 E. 10
Frederick Tything-
D
Joseph Stanley
34 E.
6
Robert Clark
9 E.
3
Peter Gordon
10 E.
7
Thomas Causton
8 E.
10
John Vanderplank
5 E.
9
Thomas Young
38 E.
4
Joseph Coles
65 E.
3
Thomas Tibbit
51 E.
8
John Dearn
24 E.
2
John Wright
1 E.
5
.
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
DECKER'S WARD
Gardens.
Farms.
Digby Tything-
No
E
John Clark
34 E.
5
William Gough
36 W.
2
William Mackay
97 W.
Thomas Ellis
35 E.
9
Edward Johnson
36 E.
1
Isaac Nunez Henriquez
33 W.
7
William Mears
23 E.
6
Moses Le Desma
41 W.
10
Carpenter Tything-
F
Noble Jones
29 E.
6
Paul Cheeswright
40 E.
5
Samuel Nunez Ribiero
63 W.
3
John Musgrove
45 E.
9
Noble Wimberly Jones
25 E.
8
Daniel Ribiero
43 W.
2
Charles Philip Rogers
47 E.
10
Moses Nunez Ribiero
64 W.
4
Robert Gilbert
2 E.
1
Tower Tything-
G
Edward Jenkins, Senr
40 W.
2
Jacob Lopez d'Olivero
30 W.
7
William Savory
33 W.
3
Edward Jenkins, Junr.
68 W.
9
Isaae de Val
70 W.
Heathcote Tything-
H
David Cohen del Monte
61 W.
30
Benjamin Shaftell
72 W.
6
Bearsley Gough
Robert Hows
23 E.
5
Hows
44 E.
Abraham Nunez
Monte Santo
344 W.
Peter Tondee
PERCIVAL WARD
More Tything-
No.
I
James Willoughby
Robert More
Robert Potter
Robert Hanks
Thomas Egerton
John Desborough
Lewis Bowen
John Kelly
John Lawrence
Thomas Chenter
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
Gardens. Farms.
Hueks Tything-
K
John Milledge
45 E.
10
Jacob Yowel
65 W.
1
Samuel Parker, Junr
32 W.
7
Abraham Minis
51 W.
6
James Turner
9
Thomas Atwell
2
Hugh Frazier
5
John Graham
3
Samuel Marcer
4
William Bornjohn
8
Ilolland Tything-
L
Sloper Tything-
M
Henry Parker
7
Thomas Gapen
Francis Delgrass
Jeremiah Papot
Peter Baillou
James Papot
HEATHCOTE WARD
Eyles Tything-
No. N
LaRoche Tything ---
Jacob Lopez de Crasto. 42 W.
0
David de Pas.
27 W.
Vernon Tything-
P
Belitha Tything-
Q
TOMO-CHI-CHI'S FRIENDSHIP FOR GEORGIA .- The situation of this feeble colony was, in the very nature of things, extremely precarious. Located in the depths of a primeval forest, the tangled brakes and solemn shadows of which proclaimed loneliness and isolation; the vast Atlantic rolling its waters between it and the mother country; the Carolina settlements at best few in numbers and contending in a stern life-struggle for their own existence; Spaniards in Florida jealous of this dispnted domain, and ready at any moment to frustrate by stealthy approaches and with force of arms all efforts of the English to extend their plantations along the southern coast; and, above all, Indian tribes in the occupancy of the country attached to their grand old woods and gently flowing streams, watchful of the graves of their ancestors, imposed upon by Spanish lies, disquieted by French emissaries, cheated by Carolina traders, and naturally inclined to resist all encroach- ments by the whites upon their hunting grounds, it did indeed appear that the preservation and development of this colony were well-nigh impossible. But its planting and perpetuation had been confided to the guardian care of one who was, perhaps, beyond all others, most capable of conducting the enterprise.
In his efforts to conciliate the native population he derived incalculable benefit from the friendship and kindly intervention of Tomo-chi-chi. This chief, whose memory is so honorably associated with the early history of Georgia, and whose many acts of kindness and fidelity to the whites demand and must ever receive the most grateful acknowledgment, although at this time far advanced in years, was a man of commanding presence, grave demeanor, marked character, established influence, of a philosophical turn of mind, and in the full possession of all his faculties. For some cause, the precise nature of which has never been fully explained, he had, with a number of his countrymen, suffered banishment at the hands of his people, the Lower Creeks. Whatever the real reason may have been
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
for this action on the part of the Creeks toward Tomo-chi-chi, it does not scem, that it was the result of any special ill-will, or that the expatriation was a punish- ment either for specific crime or general misconduct. The probability is that he went into voluntary exile for a season, or that he may have been temporarily expelled the limits of the nation, on account of some political disagreements. Queeka- shumpa, the great chief of the O'Conas, claimed kinship with him and saluted him as a good man and a distinguished warrior.
Removing from his former abode, after some wanderings he finally, and not very long before the arrival of the Colony of Georgia, formed a settlement at or very near the present site of the City of Savannah, where he gathered about him the tribe of Yamaeraws, consisting mainly of disaffected parties from the Lower Creeks, and, to some extent, of Yemassee Indians, by whom he was chosen mico or chief. Prior to his removal to Yamacraw Bluff he tarried for a season with the Palla- Chucolas. But little can be gathered of his life previous to his acquaintance with Oglethorpe. Ninety-one years had been, amid the forest shades, devoted to the pursuits of war and the chase, and there is scarcely a tradition which wrests from oblivion the deeds and thoughts of this aged chieftain during that long and voice- less period.
During the visit which he subsequently made to London, in company with Ogle- thorpe, his portrait was painted by Verelst, and hung for many years in the Georgia rooms. This likeness, which represents him in a standing posture with his left hand resting upon the shoulder of his nephew and adopted son, Toonahowi, who holds an eagle in his arms, was subsequently engraved by Faber and also by Kleinsmidt. That Tomo-chi-chi was noble in his connections we are fully advised, and there is that about the countenance of this venerable mico, as it has thus been handed down to us, which savors of intellect, dignity, manliness and kingly bearing.
It will readily be perceived how important it was to the interests of the colony that the good-will of this chief should be secured at the earliest moment, and his consent obtained for the peaceable occupation of the soil by the whites. On the occasion of his first interview with Tomo-chi-chi, as we have already seen, Mr. Ogle- thorpe was fortunate in securing the services of Mary Musgrove * as an interpreter. Perceiving that she possessed considerable influence with the Creeks, he retained her in this capacity, allowing her an annual compensation of £100. The meeting between the governor of the colony and the aged mico beneath the grand live-oaks and towering pines, the sheltering arms of which formed a noble canopy, was frank, cordial and satisfactory. His personal friendship and the good-will of the Yama- craws were firmly pledged, and permission was granted for the permanent occupation of the site selected by Oglethorpe for the Town of Savannah.
Although amicable relations had thus been established with the nearest Indians, it was necessary, in order to promote the security of the colony, that consent to its foundation here should be ratified by other and more powerful nations.
Learning from Tomo-chi-chi the names and the abodes of the most influential chiefs dwelling within the territory ceded by the charter, Mr. Oglethorpe enlisted the good offices of the mico in extending to them an earnest invitation to meet him at Savannah at some early convenient day. The value of these interviews with and the generous intervention of Tomo-chi-chi cannot easily be overestimated in considering their influence upon the well-being and prospects of this lonely colony struggling for its primal existence. Hlad this chief, turning a deaf ear to the advances of Mr. Oglethorpe, refused his friendship, denied his request, and, inclin- ing his authority to hostile account, instigated a determined and combined opposition on the part not only of the Yamacraws, but also of the Uchees and the Lower Creeks, the perpetuation of this English settlement would have been either most seriously imperiled or abruptly terminated amid smoke and carnage. When, there- fore, we recur to the memories of this period, and as often as the leading events in the early history of the Colony of Georgia are narrated, so often should the favors experienced at the hands of this Indian chief be gratefully acknowledged. If Oglethorpe's proudest claim to the honor and the respect of succeeding genera- tions rests upon the fact that he was the founder of the Colony of Georgia, let it
* Iler Indian name was Coosaponakesec.
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
not be forgotten by those who accord him every praise for his valor, judgment, skill, endurance, and benevolence that in the hour of supreme doubt and danger the right arm of this son of the forest and his active friendship were among the surest guaranties of the safety and the very existence of that colony. The endur- ing and universal gratitude of the present may well elaim illustrious expression from the lips of the poet, the brush of the painter, and the chisel of the sculptor. Chas. C. Jones, " History of Georgia," Vol. I.
CHAPTER X
OGLETHORPE'S TREATY WITH TOMO-CHI-CHI NEEDS TO BE CONFIRMED BY THE CREEK NATION-THE AGED MICO ARRANGES A MEETING TO BE HELD IN SAVANNAH-WHAT TOOK PLACE AT THIS CONFERENCE WITH THE INDIANS-CONCESSIONS MADE TO THE ENGLISH-FRIENDLY RELATIONS STRENGTHENED-SCHEDULE OF PRICES FOR ARTICLES SOLD TO THE INDIANS-FORT ARGYLE IS LOCATED-HIGHGATE AND HAMP- STEAD-THUNDERBOLT IS FORTIFIED-SKIDOWAY NARROWS-JOSEPH- TOWN-ABERCORN-IRENE-TYBEE LIGHTHOUSE IS STARTED-BETH- ANY-GOSHEN.
Oglethorpe's interview with Tomo-chi-chi, on the eve of Savannah's establishment, was in no sense of the word a treaty with the Creek nation of Indians. It only secured the friendship of a small detached tribe known as the Yamacraws whose aged chief, though a man of powerful influence throughout the whole Georgia forest, was nevertheless unable to bind his nation by any compact into which he himself might enter with the whites. But Oglethorpe found Tomo-chi-chi's friendly offices of priceless value to the infant colony of Georgia.# Not only did he obtain from this aged Indian both the names and the abodes of all the principal Creek chiefs, but Tomo-chi-chi became himself an intermedi- ary, through whom an earnest invitation was extended to these chiefs to meet Oglethorpe in Savannah at some convenient time in the early summer. What the fate of Georgia might have been without the timely help of this noble Indian we cannot tell-we shudder to contemplate.
Due to Tomo-chi-chi's influence, the Creek kings and warriors were not only willing to attend a meeting in Savannah but were ready to regard its objects with favor. The time set for the interview was May 14, 1733. It was necessary for Oglethorpe to make a visit to Charleston in the meantime but he hastened back to attend this important conven- tion of red men. We find a full account of what took place at this con- ference in an old volume, from which we quote the following extraets : t "On the 14th of May, Mr. Oglethorpe set out from Charlestown on his return to Savannah, which is the name of the town now begun to be built in Georgia. That night he lay at Col. Bull's house on Ashley River, where he dined the next day. The Rev. Mr. Guy, rector of the parish of St. John's waited upon him there, and acquainted him that his parishioners had raised a very handsome contribution for the assist- ance of the colony of Georgia. Mr. Oglethorpe went from thence to Capt. Bull's, where he lay on the 15th. On the 16th, in the morning,
* See article in small type at the close of the preceding chapter.
t "Political State of Great Britain, " Vol. 46.
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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
he embarqued at Daho, and rested at Mr. Cochran's island. On the 17th he dined at Lieut. Watts' at Beaufort, and landed at Savannah on the 18th, at ten in the morning, where he found that Mr. Wiggan, the interpreter, with the chief men of all the Lower Creek nation, had come down to treat of an alliance with the new colony.
"The Lower Creeks are a nation of Indians who formerly consisted of ten, but now are reduced to eight, tribes or towns, who have each their different government, but are allied together and speak the same language. They elaim from the Savannah River as far as St. Augustin, 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.
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