USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 22 pt 2 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 32 | Part 33
Wife of schoolmaster Ortman for- biden the rites of the Holy Table.
The school- master a great bur- then to the Colony.
School- master Ort- man not al- lowed to teach English.
very humble Servant
John Martin Bolzius
184
COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens Esq. to the Trustees.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
WM. STEPHENS ESQR. TO THE TRUST, 25 JULY 1739. RECP 5 OCTOBER 1739.
Savannah 25 July. 1739.
Honourable Gentlemen
Your Commands which I received from M. Verelst of 2 Apr, were so expressive, and full, in many particulars; that they demanded my utmost attention in frequent personal, & all pos- sible Regard to be shewn in observing them: how far it has lain in my power to act conform- able to those Orders, it behoves me now to un- fold, as far as my knowledge will inform me. I cannot but take notice that the Directions at this time recd. by me appear to be a continua- tion, and (in a great measure) Enforcement of those formerly sent to M'. Parker & me, relating to the Issues of Stores; with divers Enlarge- ments of such Rules as we were to act by. I hope on this occasion I may ask leave to refer to my former letters & Journals which I wrote in October last; wherein I laid before you the measures wch the General saw proper to be taken in such an exigence; when Mr. Jones recd. from him such Rules, as I must presume were requisite, that important occasion; wch. I was unacquainted with: wherefore M. Parker and I thought it became us not to appear too of- ficious, in medling with what we could not un- derstand; & for that reason might probably
Relating to the issues of stores.
CORRESPONDENCE
185
Wm. Stephens Esq. to the Trustees.
err, from the Purposes the General had formed to reduce matters into good order again, in time coming. Mr. Jones then had full posses- sion of all; & from thence forth appeard not to stand in need of any assistance; excepting . only in cases of some few necessitous craving people, whose Importunity would sometimes in- duce him to advise with us, how far their cir- cumstances (ich he was a Stranger to) entitled yn to Relief. The stores grew scanty apace, by reason of so many large demands of divers creditors; & in some few months became quite exhausted; from which time we have been put to hard shifts, how to feed your own Servants, who are pretty numerous; by killing now and then 2 or 3 Steers at a time; weh. has been deliv- ered out fresh; & then all such as had any pretence of Claim, have also been urgent for a little to help 'em; having no other Market to go to, & very few any money to buy, if there was: which has frequently been attended wth. such hardships as cannot but be expected : nev- ertheless, the people in general, being inured by degrees to bear 'em, have with patience truly commendable, rubbd on, in confidence of seeing a better face of affairs hereafter: whilst they of another disposition, always most clamorous, tho' far less worth regarding, have sought for better Fare in another Province; where I am mistaken if they find they can support them- selves better, unless they take more pains to live by their labour, than they used here.
From what I have now wrote, as well as for-
Large de- mands on the stores.
186
COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens Esq. to the Trustees.
Storekeeper well fortifyd in his post.
merly hinted, you'll please to observe, y' very little of what is done at the Stores, has fallen within my Cognizance, or M'. Parkers: which I humbly hope will not be imputed to us as a neglect of Duty for what is past; or a studyed endeavour to avoid wt your Honours seem to expect from us at present: for (to speak my mind freely) your Storekeeper appears so well fortifyd in his Post, that I presume he would not readily admit of any Diminution of his au- thority: which nevertheless shall not deter me from putting him in mind of making up his Ac- . counts monthly in the manner you are pleased to direct: & in like manner signify your pleas- ure to the Storekeeper at Frederica.
In my last of the 22 June to Mr. Verelst, I gave a full narration of what was done in rela- tion to those Bills, which you were pleased to direct us to take a joynt charge of upon our selves, & to account for wt Services, & to whom, they were issued : but as it was thought needless since; I can assure my self, no Blame will rest upon such as never declined it.
I promise my self yt due care will be taken, in executing the Commission given in charge to the persons therein named, pursuant to the In- structions therewith sent; which could not well be enterd upon immediately, till the General leaving us gave a vacancy of more time: but now we shall no longer delay it (as Mr. Jones tells me) ; intending first to begin with the cer- tificates, & principally with what relates to M. Jennys: and our proceedings therein you shall
CORRESPONDENCE
187
Wm. Stephens Esq. to the Trustees.
from time to time be as fully informed in, as I am capable of. I shall make it my care, in conjunction with the first & second Bayliff of Savannah, to appoint a proper Overseer of the Trusts Servants, under such Qualifications as directed, assoon as we can come at them: but there is no Step yet taken by Mr. Bradley to deliver up those under his Charge; nor any thing else of the Trusts Goods or effects in his hands; notwithstanding his being absolutely discharged from Your Service, as you are pleased to inform me : it must be acknowledged indeed y' he has been lately very likely to die ill. in a dangerous Sickness; wherefore we expect, on his going abroad again, yt he will comply in what is required; or other measures must un- doubtedly be taken. Assoon as those Servants can possibly be brought under that Regulation now designed, I shall transmit such a List as you expect, of the whole Number, in such Class- List of es as may shew what they are employed about; ployed. -together with the times of Service to which they are severally respectively engaged: when I shall likewise endeavour to learn, for your Information, what will be the expence, fully to maintain each by the week in Victuals & Cloths ; for the purpose thereby intended.
What I have now wrote, I am sensible will appear, rather an account of what I have not done, with the reasons why, than what I have; which I hope will be ye Subject of my next: wherefore I must wish, that my Journal here- with sent, may supply the room of what I have
An overseer of the Trusts servants.
Mr. Bradley
servants em-
188
COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens Esqr. to Mr. Harman Verelst.
else to offer. But I must not omit to ac- knowledge, with all due gratitude, the Bounty you were so good to allot me of £50 to be paid me in consideration of those misfortunes yt. had befallen me, as specifyd in M'. Verelsts letter of the 2ª of Apr; and which by order from the Gen- eral M. Francis Moor paid me soon after the General left us; He staying here yet, by the Generals appointment, to execute such orders as I presume he was charged with; but what they were, or how long his abode is to continue with us, I know not. I remain
Honourable Gentlemen
Your most obedient humble Servant Will: Stephens.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.) WM. STEPHENS ESQR. TO MR. HARMAN VERELST ACCOMPTANT TO THE HONOURABLE THE TRUS- TEES FOR ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OF GEORGIA AT THEIR OFFICE NEAR THE HOUSE OF LORDS. REOD 5 OCTOBER 1739. WESTMINSTER.
Red Wax Seal
Savannah 26 July 1739
ST.
I have just made an end of my letter to the honourable Board yesterday in the Evening,
CORRESPONDENCE
199
Wm. Stephens Esqr. to Mr. Harman Verelst.
when by a Boat belonging to this place that re- turnd from Charles Town, I recd. a Pacquet sent me by the Attorney General, which he had on the arrival of the Prince Gally, Capt. Bowles; wherein I found letters for the General, & many others, weh. I took due care of; delivering such as belonged to his Excellence, to his Secretary Mr. Moor; & those to other people would like- wise be given them safely: among others, I can never forget two yt. you was so kind to write of 24 Apr & 10 May, signifying to be the kind and generous regard the honble. Trustees were so good unanimously to shew to me and my future supports, when it came under their Deliberation: which (you'll believe) was mat- ter of great comfort to me: & your kind man- ner of acquainting me with it, plainly discoverd such a friendly Good Will of the Writer, yt it added very much to the pleasure. I can only desire that they'll continue the same kind Opin- ion of me, & be perswaded firmly of my utmost endeavours to render my future Service, as far as possible, adequate to their Favour. The Pub- lick have reason sufficient also, to be sensible of the Benefit intended them, by a farther addi- tion in the Act now framing, of liberty to all such as have no Issue living of their own, to appoint any other Person their Successor, un- der those Restrictions named: which surely must put an end to all future pretence of un- easiness about their Tenure: and as for Negroes, I always thought it an impudent at- tempt to subvert the original constitution of
Pacquet from the At. torney Gen- eral.
Gratitude to Trustees for favors shown
Hopes for a continuance of good will.
Liberty to appoint suc- cessors by those having no issue.
Negroes and the original Constitution of the Colony.
97
190
COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Stephens Esqr. to Mr. Harman Verelst.
the Colony, in all such as nothing less would please : but there are few left now, hardy enough to dwell upon that any longer; & I think under those marks of Indulgence so evidently shewn, we shall at last grow wiser, and quickly betake our selves to such Industry and labour, as most undoubtedly ought to be the View of all such as come to live here.
Received commission with in- structions.
Hopes for an understand- ing between Mr. Jones and himself.
By the same Packet I also recd. Coppy of the Commission sent in your former, together with Coppy of the Instructions sent with it: also Coppy of your letter of the 2ª. of Apr: whereto you have now added (under date of 27 Apr.) Coppy of an account betwixt Messrs. Montaigut & Causton; wherein sundry particulars are re- fer'd to, weh. ought to be well examined: and as we are now entering on that work, it may be expected due regard will be had to it. From hence I flatter my self, a good understanding may be again renewd, betwixt Mr. Jones & me; and yt. laying aside all Evil Surmises, he will no longer estrange himself, in the manner he lately did; but that this conjunction in matters of such enquiry as is appointed us, will produce a coalition in Sentiments, & an open Freedome in conversation; which will best lead us into a right discernment of w. Justice is due to the Trust: for my part, I shall make all proper ad- vancements towd. it, & will not allow my self to think too hardly of Him, who possibly of late may be better advised: but really (betwixt you and I) he is the roughest Blade I ever had to do with in my whole life.
CORRESPONDENCE
191
Wm. Stephens Esqr. to Mr. Harman Verelst.
I would choose to defer writing any thing concerning the 500 Acre Grant, whether it be of that which Watson had, or of that other at the mouth of Vernon River, till the General re- turns, with whom I ought to confer: but I am · sensible of the kind Intention of the honourable Trust therein; wch. I desire thankfully to ac- knowledge.
My Son being the Bearer of this, I think I may therefore shorten my letter, without ramb- ling into affairs not immediately necessary to be spoke to: wt ever you'll please to ask him, that he is capable of informing you in, I know he'll not make better or worse of than he thinks : wherein he may possibly be too blunt & un- guarded; but it proceeds from an open heart without disguise. I should be sorry to part with him, did I not hope a few months will bring us together again; and yt he'll then return easy in his thoughts relating to his future continu- ance here; as well as restored to bodily ease and Strength, wch has been somewhat impaired a while since. 'Tis indeed the Season of the Year wherein he can best be spared from attending the works of the Field; & tho' it puts me to some inconvenience to want him in another capacity; I hope I shall make shift to get that supplyd, as carefully & warily as possible; so yt there be no defect in that part of the Service. I remain
His son, the bearer of this letter.
Anxious about his son's health.
Sr. Your very humble Servant
Will: Stephens.
192
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
MR. THOS. JONES TO THE ACCO. TANT MR. HARMAN VERELST RECP 5 OCTOBRI739
Savannah Augt. 3, 1739. ST.
goods sent by Capt. Harramond.
Capt Fennell arriving here in his way from the Havanna for England, & intending to Sail hence this Evening, have only time to acqt you, That on ye 22ª. July a Pettiager from Charles Town bro't here the Goods sent ? Capt. Harra- mond (as ) Invoyce & Bill of Ladeing dated in London 31 March. 1739.) They were ordered by Col". Stephens to be taken into the Store, (enclosed have sent the Depositions of ye people that viewed them). I was then at Frederica- The Occasion of my going thither I have more fully set forth by a Letter which shall send you first oportunity by the way of Charles Town, but understanding that Mr. Tho Stephens de- signs to go by this Ship for England, having had many Instances, of late, to convince me That Col". Stephens and his Son have little re- gard to Truth in what they Say or write, Since Mr. Causton has had their Confidence. I shall give this brief Accot. of the Rise of this close Intimacy that has Subsisted for three Months past between them, Mr. Causton M. Parker, Mercer, Minas & some others of less note ---
Mr. Tho: Stephens was Col". Cochran's Fac- tor or Agent to dispose of his Wines &c. at
CORRESPONDENCE
193
Mr. Thos. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
Savannah, And is his Attorney to act for him in his Absence - The Wines were kept in the Cellar under the Trustees house where Mr. Bradley has lived Since October last, The Cellar was fitted up by Mr. Causton's Order for that purpose in June, and those Wines which M'. Causton had bought of ye Col". for the Trustees use remained there under Mr. Stephens's care, he having the Keys of ye Cellar-
Mr. Stephens had often shewn great Uneasi- ness, when I have (at his Fathers house) talked about ye Inconvencies that would attend the Em- ploying of Negroe Servants in this Colony, (which he was very desirous of) and was much offended at my officiousness, (as he call'd it, in other Company) in enquiring into ye Affair of killing the Trustees Cattle, and with a great deal of Warmth, asked me why I did not Swear away their Lives, or words to that effect, And ever after when I went to his Father's he would imediately go out of the house, with a Seeming Resentment; The Colon". (when I took Notice of it) used to Say. He could not help his obstinate Temper, which was great Grief to him.
In April last after Col". Cochran went for England and that Mr. Stephens had sold all his Wines; I desired him (his Father present) to give me theKeys of the Cellar that I might take care of the Trustees Wine; which he refused to do Saying, he would give the Keys to Mr. Brad- ley-I told him that if he had any doubt, who the Keys belonged to I would send for Mr. Brad-
Mr. Tho. Stephens. Col. Coch- ran's factor or agent.
Mr. Stephens shows re- sentment.
Keys to the Trustees wine cellar, cause a dis- pute.
194
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
Afraid Mr. Bradley would dis- pose of the wine as his own.
ley & that he might deliver them to me in his presence: His Father advised him to do so, but he would not comply, only saying That I might take the Wines out of the Cellar If I pleased, but should not have the Keys-(M. Camuse wanted to have part of the Cellar to preserve the Silk worms in, which has been Since fitted up for that purpose)-I several times after desired Col". Stephens to persuade his Son to a Complyance wth. my request but he told me, That he could not prevail with him. The Colon". agreed with me in Opinion, That if the Keys were delivered to Bradley, he would soon dispose of the Wines, as his own-
I found it necessary to write to his Excellency about the Affair Col". Stephens was not then at home; I entertaind that Opinion of the Col"'s. Integrity & his good Intentions for the Trus- tees Interests, That I had transacted nothing, nor had writ to the Gen". about any affair, or Sent any Letter to the Honble. the Trustees, or your Self, but had first comunicated the Same to him, least I should be mistaken in any Accot. I gave of matters.
I reced. the General's Letter, A copy whereof I have (with his Excellency's Leave) sent here- with, on ye 15th. May And also a Letter direct- ed to Col". Stephens, & another to M'. Parker, who were then out of Town, On ye 19th. they returned, at which time I gave them their Let- ters. When I delivered Col". Stephens his Let- ter, I desird he would not read his Letter untill I had read unto him a Copy of what I had writ
High opinion intertalned of Col. Stephens.
CORRESPONDENCE
195
Mr. Thos. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
to the General, which should have Shown him before I had Sent it, had he been then in Town I read the Copy of my Letter. He Said he was sorry that I had been obliged to tell the General, but I know his Son's Stubborn temper On Mon- day ye 21st. Col". Stephens desired me to attend the Magistrates at Penrose's-When I came M. Parker told me that he had receivd a Letter from the General whereby he understood that I had complaned of some persons refusing to give me possession of the Trustees Wines in their Cel- lar, & asked who those persons were, I answer- ed M. Thomas Stephens has the Keys and the Wines are in his Custody, but he hath hitherto refused to deliver me the Keys; M. Parker asked me By what Authority do you demand them-You told the General that you were re- fused by persons And now you only mention One, M'. Tho Stephens, whereby it plainly ap- pears, You told a Falsehood I replyd, That what I writ to the General was the Same that I now declared, and would appeal to Col" Stephens who had Seen a Copy of what I had writ-The Col". said (to my great Surprize) that I had never shewn him any such thing, nor did he know what I had writ, Whereupon his Son held his fist doubled at my face. and Said that he chargd me with writing a parcell of Lyes and Falsehoods to the General-
I was treated by Mr. Parker & M. Christie like a Criminal and with reproachfull Language -but at length they advised M. Stephens to deliver me the Keys
Read him copy of let- ter sent tu General Oglethorpe
Accused of a falsehood by Mr. Parker.
Lyes and falshoods to the General.
196
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
Establish. ment for al- lowances of provisions not ob- tained.
I could not obtain from Mr. Causton any Establishmt for allowances of Provisions &c made by the Trustees to Magistrates & others, therefore had desired Col" Stephens, Mr. Par- ker & M. Christy to inform me what their Annual Allowances, were, which they did, but produced no Letters or Order for the Same from their Hon's. (The Trustees)
Colonel Stephens wanted too much.
Col". Stephens gave me in Writing An Accot. of ye Species of Provisions wch. he was to receive Yearly for himself & two others, And also for ten Servants, which in the whole amounted to the Value of fifty Six pounds, And Said, the Trustees were to pay him yearly fifty pounds in Mony -- In all 106€ @ annum, And that his Year comenced from Novem". the first last past -He hath but five Servants, but expects the Allowance of provisions made by the Trustees for ten-He had often complained to me (which Complaint, I was told, he made to others at ye publiek Houses) of his hard Usage, & that ye Trustees kept him bare of Mony. I therefore advanced him about four pounds of my own Mony before I had any Cash from the General on Accot of ye Trustees and paid him before his first half year was expired Twenty five pounds in Mony, And he had in Issues out of the Store for himself & Son, about Sixty five pounds In all 90€. before I had writ to the Gen- eral, for his Instructions --
Claims made by Messrs. Parker and Christie.
Mr. Parker, Said That ye Trustees had prom- ised to allow him Provisions & Clothing for Seven heads (German Servants,) And that he
L
CORRESPONDENCE
197
Mr. Thos. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
had two Servants, that are Orphans, In all Nine at five pounds @ annum each, which with ten pounds " y". for himself as Magistrate made £55 € annum.
Mr. Christie Said That the Trustees had sent him two Servants whose Indentures he has Sold) which they promised to allow Provisions & Cloathing to, And ten pounds for himself as Magistrate
I sent his Excellency (the General) an Accot. of their Demands and what they had receiv'd in Issues out of the Store Since Octobr. ye. 20th. last-Mr. Parker had then recd. about £45. M. Christie £25 What either of them Stood indebt- ed by any former accot. to the Trustees. I could not come at any Certain knowledge of. You'll observe the directions given me in the 2ª & 8th Paragraph of the General's Letter, wch. last I comunicated to Col" Stephens Mr. Parker & . M. Christie, and has been the Occasion of many extraordinary Undertakings & Contrivances, most of which have issued to their reproach & Shame hitherto.
I hope The General, when he returns from the Indian nation will acquaint the honble. Trus- tees wth. the Conduct of those Gentlemen whom I have before mentioned as well as Some others -I am in daily Expectation, that their honors will send over Some person to take Care of their
Account of these de- mands sent to General Oglethorpe.
Incapable of taking care of the Trus- tees' effects.
198
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Christie to the Trustees.
Effects here, we *. I am incapable of doing-The Boat is going off & cannot add, but that I am Sr. yor. humble Serv. Thos Jones. To M'. Herman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
MR. THOS. CHRISTIE TO THE TRUSTEES FOR ESTAB- LISHING THE COLLONY OF GEORGIA AT THEIR OFFICE IN OLD PALACE YARD. 3 AUGUST 1739, RECD 5 OCTOBER 1739. WESTMINSTER.
Savannah in Georgia
Augst the 3ª. 1739.
My Lords & Gentlemen .-
My Long Silence together wth. this happy Opportunity of Writing by the Ship St: Francis calls upon me to say Something Altho' I assure yo'. Hon': my life has been a whole Scene of Action since I came into this Collony Insomuch that I have not time to procure my Self the necessaries of life much more write- Indeed the Generall Promises to send me to you with. some dispatches of Consequence on his Re- turne from ye: Indian Nation-when I shall have the hon': to bring wth: me a Copy of the Court Proceedings of Savannah-to that time; together wth: the reason for not being able to
Gen. Ogle- thorpe on visit to the Indian Nation.
a
CORRESPONDENCE
199
Mr. Thos. Christie to the Trustees.
send 'em sooner Gent™: M : William Stephens has promisª: to send you by his Son who goes by this Ship a particular Accot : of a Barbarous Murder Committª: here in a small Sloop lying before this Town upon the body of One Hugh Watson formerly a good Servant to One M. Thomas Bayly of this Place. Notwithstand Gent™. You'l Excuse me if I give you some little relation of it .-
The Body of this Man was discovered float- ing almost by the Vessels side ye: 5th: day of July Inst: when Imediately it was taken up by the Coron's: Ord': & a Jury of Inquest sate thereon-Altho it was remarkt y: some person on Shoar told The Mast: & Sailors of the sd. Vessel of the sª: Bodys so float &: by them to take him or Stop it but they Answd: they woª. breakfast first .--
The deceasd: was reportd. to have fell over board Endeav: to go on Shoar & slipt between the Vessel & the boat that lay along side ye Ves- sel & was unfortunately drown'd- And this was ye Constant plea of the Master of the sd: Sloop called ye Unity Capt. Hen'. Brixe & Hen'. Cozens & John Levit Mariners.
The Mate John Midlehurst who appeared by all ye. rest of ye. Evidence & their own Con- fession to be a Sleep ye time ye Murder was Committed-was Evidence for ye King & most Ingeniously discoverª. (as Appª. to Us) all he knew) both before & after he was said to be asleep .-
Accot. of a barbarous murder com. mitted.
-
Fictitious report of how the de- ceased came to his death.
200
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Christie to the Trustees.
Jury of in- quest imme- diately sum- moned.
Beef fork used to mur- der Hugh Watson.
The Murder was Committed. a Tuesday night abot: Eleven or twelve at night being the 3d. of July. & ye. Body was found floats the 5th : Inst. abot. Two in the afternoon when a Jury of Inquest was Imediately Summonsª: All ye: Surgeons in Town sent for & the Body duly In- spected ye: Wounds probed & ye: Witness examd: they Imediately Searcht ye: Vessel & found a Beef fork wth. wch. the Body Appeared to have been wounded- The Wounds were in all Nine Four in his Side at equal distances One in ye Bend of ye arm but missed ye Chief Artery Severall Bruises on his head & his back fresh Whipt- wth. Nine Lashes done by a Rope or Cane in a severe manner-Two in the right hand two in ye Arm & One in ye palm of the hand .-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.