USA > Georgia > Colonial Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 22 pt 2 > Part 27
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
Use of negroes.
Election of Magis- trates, etc.
450
COLONIAL RECORDS
Copy of Mr. Stephens Letter to the Trustees.
After which, they say plainly by way of con- clusion, that this was the last time of asking; & unless it was comply'd with, they must seek their Bread elsewhere.
Reflections on the Secretary.
State of Colony mis- represented.
I was further informed that there were sev- eral severe reflections interspersed on the Sec- retary; who has all along led the Trustees in the Dark, never letting them know the true state of the Colony, nor the misery of the Inhabi- tants; but represented it so as to make it a place desirable by all people to live in: and making use of his Character with Reproach on many Occasions.
Mr. Jones vested with too much power.
Mr. Jones (on whom they bestow the Title of Store-keeper) being also a Magistrate, they say has it in his power by what Cash goes thro' his hands, to oblige all persons, whether Magis- trates or others, to comply with his Humour, or act according to his dictates; tho' against their own consciences; or otherwise some pretence is found to stop payment of their Salarys, where- fore it is insisted on, that for the future those two Offices may not be in one person.
Large part of lands barren.
'Tis confidently asserted in this Petition, that 9 parts in 10 of the Lands in this Province are Barren; which is left to his Excelce. to judge the Truth of, who has often traversed so great part of it : & Noble Jones in his Affidavit lately made, sets forth that the goodness of the Land of Georgia, is at least equal to, if not better than Carolina, tho M'. Duchee says he can sup-
CORRESPONDENCE
451
Copy of Mr. Stephens Letter to the Trustees.
port the Truth of what is alleged by his Own Affidavit.
Mr. Duchee moreover frequently in his Con- versation at different Times has Asserted, & particularly on that Saturday Night in Com- pany with betwixt 20 & 30 men more assembled; Declared that whatever the Trustees had done for any person in this Colony, could not be look- ed on as a favour, it being their Duty to do it: & as to himself in particular, tho' he had re- ceived sums of Money from the General or Trus- tees, he did not think himself any way obliged to them, it being the Nations Money, & they Obliged by their Duty to encourage Manufac- tures.
What opinion your honours shall be of in these things, would ill become me to judge. They boast of great Numbers with them (if de- fendit Numerus can have any weight) : we have no more than 25, but as to real Value, we think they were at, least ceteris paribus wth. our Neighbours; and being every one a Volunteer, upon Oath, & the Town Seal affiixed, it must be submitted, in what proportion they may be deemed to preponderate a greater Number, tho' double, of such as being under no Tye of an Oath, & divers of them prejudiced, were at lib- erty to give vent to their Passions as they pleased; without any Regard to Truth. To whom we must add many which they have been several days picking up; Ignorant people; not knowing what they put their hands to; but seduced by repeated perswasions, against their
Mr. Duchee's statement in regard to the Trus- tees' duty to the Colony.
Ignorant people pre- valled on to sign paper.
452
COLONIAL RECORDS
Copy of Mr. Stephens Letter to the Trustees.
K
own Will, to sign what was promised them would make them all happy: & divers others who withstood their Temptations [torn] while, they prevailed on by incessant Application, & much drink, to write their Names to they knew not what: which is evident in the Instances of some who have confessed it: Nevertheless there yet remains a party whom they can make no impression on; & who have plainly said that if they signed any of the Two Papers, it should be the first, but they were determined to sign neither : wherefore I would willingly retain the same Opinion of them, as I noted in my Journal of the 17th. Instant which being allowed; if we add them to those who agreed in the former paper, I conceive we are more than a Match for them.
As I have made it my care strictly to follow Truth, in whateve [sic] I have wrote relating to persons or things in the Colony (tho' I fear in many Instances have touch'd too gently upon what required a bolder representation of some peoples Behaviour) I am far from receding in any one Tittle; nor do I fear any ill Effects, from those evident tokens of ill will towards me, which are set forth in their complaint, without the least foundation of Truth; not doubting but I shall find your Honours Protection from the Rage of such Wicked, & unreasonable men; whose charge of Falshood against me, I defy them all to make good in any one Instance: Among other things named by me, which this Soil & Climate was productive of; I understand
Complaints without the least founda. tion of truth.
CORRESPONDENCE
453
Copy of Mr. Stephens Letter to the Trustees.
'tis affirmed by them, that Pomegranates, Olives, &c were never known to grow here: the first of which I do solemnly declare, that I have seen grow with my own Eyes, planted for Orna- ment in the form of 2 Hedges by Mr. Hawkins at Frederica, which flourished Well; & the same plant has been seen by others in sev". parts of the Colony in good plenty : and as for Olives; to go no farther than the Trusts Garden here in Town, there were half a doz". decayed Stocks put into that common Earth a few years since, which were so withered, that 'twas not expected they could live; Nevertheless they put forth New Branches, & 5 of them yet remaining, are grown Plants of 5 or 6 foot high, very beauti- full but these peoples Eyes are so blinded that
they see not. In like manner they turn to ridi- cule every thing we offer in conversation con- cerning raising Hedges for fencing: which they would perswade people is impracticable : but if they would look less than a Mile out of Town, they might now see a edge of white thorn (the same as in England) planted two years since by Mr. Parker, round his 5 Acre Lot, wch. tho' neglected too much after planting, & never weeded, is grown very finely; & will be a good Fence. Abundance more of this kind of spight, scattered by them en passant, I might observe, from what I have heard (for I never saw it) but 'tis not possible here to follow them in the dark, what is now said, is only in support of what I had asserted to be the product of this Country : as most undoubtedly it is: but the encrease of
Hedges for fencing.
454ª
COLONIAL RECORDS
Copy of Mr. Stephens Letter to Mr. Harman Verelst.
all such Plants, must be by putting them in the Ground, and they that will not try, cannot ex- pect to gather the Fruits of em.
I am endeavouring so to time the sending this off hence, that it may attend the Grand Work, which is now finished (as I hear) and ready to make its way, first to Charles Town, where some of the Brethren who went out hence, may probably be found ready to sign implicitly what- ever comes before them of this kind, after which, 'tis to be transmitted to your Hon's. and I am also told that tis Cerberus-like, Triple tongued : one for the Trustees, one for the Par- liament, & one for his Majesty. Hoping this Dwarf will find admittance to your Honours at the Heels of the Giant.
I conclude
Your Honours &c.
(From B. P. R. O., B of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
COPPY OF MR. STEPHENS'S LETTER TO MR. HAR- MAN VERELST DATED 28TH. NOVEMBER 1740.
Some hun- dred houses burnt to the ground.
The Boat not going off, as I expected Yes- terday, with the enclosed; I have a lamentable story to add to it, which is just come to us here, of a great conflagration which happened a few days past at Charles Town, which burnt to the Ground some Hundreds of Houses of the best
455
CORRESPONDENCE.
Wm. Ewen to the Trustees.
part of the Town, chiefly of the Merch's. on the Bay, & principal Inhabitants; but the particu- lars are not yet come to my knowledge, nor who are the greatest Sufferers. The Boat is hasten- ing away, & I write in great hurry
S. Yrs.
&c.
(From B. P. R. O., B of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
LETTER FROM WM. EWEN TO THE HONBLE TRUSTEES FOR ESTABLISHING THE COLONY OF GEORGIA IN AMERICA AT THEIR OFFICE IN OLD PALACE COURT. WESTMINSTER DEC 4TH 1740 RECD MAY 22 1741
i Red Wax Seal
May it Please your Hon's.
I Take this opportunity to Acquaint your Hon's. that I have been a planter, for three years last past in Georgia; on the Island of Skidowa: and after that I had Spent, all my time; and all that I was worth; and had brought my self in Debt; I was obliged to leave my Settlement; and go to Savannah for Imployment.
The first year: I planted a Spot of land; of about 16 acres which had been clear'd and plant-
A planter on the Island of Skidowa.
456
COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Ewen to the Trustees.
A very poor crop.
ed by John Latter and Andrew Barber; but had left it for some time. I Imployed 4 Dutch Servants on the Said land; who did me no other Service : but attend the Corn; Peese; Rice; and Pottatoes. I had a very bad crop this year; being 9: bushels corn, and 1/2 bushel of peese; no rice, nor pottatoes; I afterwards cleared about 5 acres of my own Land: and planted it with corn, peese and pottatoes; I found that I was not able to mentain my Servt. by planting so I wrote a letter to General Oglethorpe; de- sireing I might have the liberty of returning my servants again to the Store. General Ogle- thorpe: sent orders to M'. Thomas Jones; to take my servants and discharge my Acct. of them. Accordinly I delivered them to Mr. Jones : and they are now in your Hon"s. Service ; but Mr. Jones has not yet; credited; nor dis- charged; my Acct. of them : tho I have often ask him. This year, General Oglethorpe : had prom- ised Incouragement to the planters: and the Stores should take their crops; at a certain price; and have a bounty of 25. ~ bushel; for corn; & peese; and 18. {} bushel, for pottatoes. I raised 90 bushels of corn; but had no peese, nor pottatoes. I had my crop measured, in preasents (sic) of three persons: as was order'd: and a Certificate under their hands: for the Same. It was now very low with me; I waited on Mr. Jones: and desired him to bye . part of my erop: which he consented to, but never did. I offer'd Mr. Jones my certificate : for the bounty money, and desired; he would
Encourage- ment prom- ised by Genl. Ogle- thorpe to planters.
457
CORRESPONDENCE
Wm. Ewen to the Trustees.
pay it me. I told him I was in want: and it would be a great help to me; but he made an excuse; and Seem'd to be angry. I came to town Several times; being 20 miles by water, from my plantation; and ask Mr. Jones, to pay me the bounty money, but he was always full of Excuse's; and with an angry countenance : would tel me: he had no time; and was in haste with doeing other buissenes, the last time I wait- ed on him ; he told me I Should have come Soon- er; for now he had paid all the money he had : for that purpose. (tho I was one of the first that had brought a certificate to him) few men but my self he has paid all their bounty money or part. (but it is to those that he likes best,) I have had very bad luck; with my cattle; for my calves dyed; and many of my hogs; run away : which keept me poore; for I could gett none to Sell; and many times none for my own use. which had Mr. Jones : have paid me the bounty money, it would have been the greatis help to me; and I Should have been able to (sic) con- tinued: on my Settlement: till it had pleased God; I Should have had better Success. M. Whitfield arrived about this time; and I whent and offered him my boards and Shingles. which I had for building my house. and he bought them of me. this money furnished me with Shoes to my feet; and Other things which I much want- ed &c all the Inhabetants of this place was gon; excepting Mr. Mouse: and my self, and now he was reduced so low, that he had Scarce cloaths to cover him, he haveing a large family very
Had bad luck with cattle.
Sold Mr. Whitfield boards and shingles off of own house to get clothing.
458
COLONIAL RECORDS
Wm. Ewen to the Trustees.
soone after this: he left his settlement: with all his Improvements; and whent with his family to live at Savannah. I need not amuse your Hon's. with the many Curiossites; (sic) that may be raised here (with care, and pains) as well as in Europe. but those are things that will not Satisfye a man. when he is hungry; nor cloath him; when he is Naked; for many times : I have had: no other provisions to eat but Hom- ony and Salt; tho I have used my utmost en- deavours.
This last year I Planted again; and when my Corn was in ear; the Cattle broak the fence in the night, and distroyed all I had growing on the ground, and what few hogs I had; run away so that this was a bad year to me, for I had not one grain of any kind of my land. I had only a boy with me on the Island, and he was lent me for a little time. I had now: almost broak my Constituion; with hard working; and hard Live- ing and could not see any prospect; of any re- turns of my Labour; now I was Obliged to leave my settlement. (tho, much against my In- clination.) and Skidoway : without Inhabetants. I am with all due respect.
Obliged to leave set. tlement.
Your Hon™s. Most obediant; Humble. Servt. To Command William Ewen.
Savannah 4th. December. 1740.
-
459
CORRESPONDENCE
Mr. Thos. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
MR. THOMAS JONES TO MR. HARMAN VERELST RECD 28 SEPTEMBER 1741
Frederica Decem'. 10th. 1740.
S'.
Col: Stephens hath, I doubt not, acquainted you wth. the strong Efforts of the expiring fac- tion at Savannah, towards distressing this poor Colony. Their Attempts supported only by impotent malice & Falshood: Time, wch : usually brings things to the light, we hoped would over throw- But before we cod. reason- ably expect to hear that this Cloud was dissi- pated, another is risen in the South portending greater danger-We have had only the Skirts of the Storm hitherto and hope it will blow over. Surprize & Grief prevent my explaining- To relieve my thoughts allow me to relate an old Story wch: I read when at School, of one Circe, wch: by her Withcrafts transformed men into I have always esteemed that Account to be only a Practical Fiction & Fabulous and much doubted the power of Witchcrafts, In wch : opinion I have been more confirmed, Since a late Act published by our Legislature- But- The General having writ to me to come to Fred- erica in order to examine & State their Store Accompts &c. I arrived here the 14th. last Month, where I have remain'd ever since unemployd, Mr .. Hawkins soon after my Arrival, demanded
Efforts of the expir- ing faction at Savannah to keep the Colony in distress.
Narration of an old story.
Mr. Hawkins demands payment of half year's salary.
460
COLONIAL RECORDS
Mr. Thos. Jones to Mr. Harman Verelst.
of me the payment of a half yrs: Salary, and other Sums of money due to him from the Trus- tees to the amo': of £100, or thereabouts- I replyed that I came on purpose to Settle Acco's : wth : his Excelly :, who, I believed wod: ordr. pay- ment to be made to all persons who had any monies due to them; He told me That the Gen- eral had told him, that I had the money in my hands, web. I had hitherto detain'd but he wod: make me pay him- I waited on his Excell' : & acquainted him That Mr. Moore having, by his Excellys: appointm' undertaken to discharge, the Estimated Expences of the Southern part of the Colony, And had reced of Col: Stephens four hundred pounds for that purpose- That. I had advanced about seven hundred pounds of the Trusts: money by his Excell's: orders, for the discharge of sundry necessary expences, not providª: for by the Estimate, as particularly ; for Provisions bot: & sent to Frederica £314. for the Garrison at fort Augusta £307. To Anthony Willy's Acco': for the Year 1740 £112. - &c .- That if his Excell' : did not think proper to allow those paymts: towards defraying the Estimate, I desired he wod: direct me what I was to do, And how to Accot: for those Sums to the Trus- tees- I had the Accot: & Vouchers wth : me but his Exc': wod: not then look at them- M. Hawkins daily harassed me and among other demands insisted to have the Sum of £75. al- low": { the Estimate for the Care of the Sick Viz': Food &c.
Sundry necessary expences.
The Anxiety of mind, that I am at present
461
CORRESPONDENCE
John Fallowfield and John Pye to the Trustees.
in, will not permit me to proceed in relateing matters (wch. I wish may be buried in Oblivion) you will soon know them from others-
Yos. &c-
T. J. [Thomas Jones.]
The Letter (of wch. the above is A Copy) I had writ, intending to have Sent it to you but on Second tho'ts declined ye Sending it- About a Months past John Pye (who had access to ye Books & papers in ye Compting house), found this Letter wth. other memorandms. I had taken when at Frederica-and conveyd them away & has since sent Copies of ys Letter abroad-
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
LETTER FROM JOHN FALLOWFIELD AND JOHN PYE TO THE TRUSTEES RELATING TO THE REMON- STRANCES 24 DECR. 1740.
May it Please Your Hon™s.
As no doubt you will Observe our Names Sub- scribed to the remonstrance of the Inhabitants of this Colony So it may Surprize your Hon". as we are both Magistrates Appointed by Your Selves that we had not the Seal of this town- ship affixd to our paper. We therefore think it
462
COLONIAL RECORDS
John Fallowfield and John Pye to the Trustees.
Mr. Henry Parker and Mr. Thos. Jones in possession of the seal.
incumbant upon us to acquaint your Honors. with the reasons why we coud not- The first reason was M. Henry Parker the first Bailife & Mr. Tho3. Jones the third Bailife has got & keeps Possession of the Seal & has the Same Secured in Your Hon's. late Store house, now the Store of the forest. Mr. Jones So that no one can get at it without his leave.
The seal demanded.
The Second reason was had we demanded the Seal in a peremptory manner as we humbly think we might have done by the Authority your Hon". has been pleased to Invest us with the Violent & furious temper of the third Bailife M. Jones would probably have ocasion'd Some dis- turbance whereby Mischeif probably might have Ensued. We therefore Seriously Considered of the affair and having the Welfare of the Town & the Queit of the people greatly at heart re- solved not to contest our Authority with theirs in a Publick manner dreading the fatal conse- quences Imagining likewise that as we had truth on our Side we Should be beleived tho we had not the Seal to confirm it. However that noth- ing might be wanting in us to get the use of the Seal in a peaceable way Andrew Duchee Con- stable who Your Hon's. know is next in power to the Magestrates went in the Name of himself and the People to Coll. William Stephens who we lookd upon to be the proper Person to make Application to in that Affair Your Orders Being derected to him. And desired that the people might have the Seal Affixd to their Greivances
463
CORRESPONDENCE
John Martin Bolzius to Harman Verelst.
which they woud draw up themselves they not Imagining his paper Set furth any of theirs-
Coll: Stephens then told Mr. Duchee that the people Should not have the Seal to affix to any of their Papers & Unless they Signd what he had wrote all their doing woud be of no Signifi- cation. Upon which we desisted from making any further Demands. Not doubting but Your Hon™s. will approve of the peaceable Mild & Calm deportment throughout this whole affair Shown by us.
Your Hon's. most Obedient humble Sertts.
John Fallowfield John Pye.
Savannah in Georgia December Ye. 24th. 1740.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.) JOHN MARTIN BOLZIUS TO HARMAN VERELST EsQ.
Ebenezer in Georgia Dec. 29th: 1740.
Dear Sir,
I received your favour of the 11th. of June last, & am very glad to find, the Honble Trustees are continually inclined to promote Ebenezer's Happiness in the best manner, they are inabled to by the Providence of God, which encourages
Happy state of affairs in Ebenezer.
00
464
COLONIAL RECORDS
John Martin Bolzius to Harman Verelst.
Death of Peter Hen- rick's wife.
us mightily to rejoyce in the Lord, & put up to him our hearty Wishes & Prayers for their being rewarded manyfold here & hereafter by all manner of Blessings. Especially my Duty obliges me to return them most humble Thanks, that they have been pleased to approve of Gen- eral Oglethorpe's Benefaction, by which 2 years agone some dutch Families, mentioned in your Letter, are delivered under my Care, for being imploy'd at our Place like servants, for when they have pay'd Cap. Thomson £82 : 16 : 8. I take Liberty to acquaint you, that Peter Hen- rick's Wife died at Savannah immediately after Cap. Thomson's Arrival, before this family was engaged to us. Likewise there is mentioned a . Woman Kunigunda Knowart, aged 54, who is quite unknown to me. His Excellency Gen1. Oglethorpe has ordered an old Widdow as a Charity to our Orphan-House, whose name is Catharina Custobader, & is not mentioned in your Letter. The Shoemaker Adde with his Wife & Child is ordered by the General from the first time to repay his Passage to the Store at Savannah, & has delivered already to Mr. Jones several Pair of Shoes on Account of his Pas- sage. Three Girls of the said dutch Servants are married to very good Husbands of my Con- gregation, & the rest being young grown up under temporal & spiritual Instruction for being prepared for adventageous Marriages at our Place.
Catharina Custobader.
Marriage of three Dutch girls.
Corn mill finished.
Our Corn-Mill, which I mentioned in my last Letter to you is now by God's Assistance
CORRESPONDENCE
465
John Martin Bolzius to Harman. Verelst.
finished, & we use already the Fruits of the very great Labour, which the Saltzburgers unanimously underwent. If the Freshes in Sav- anah River are ordinary, not too high or too low, they are able to grind at least 10 Bush. Indian Corn in one Day & Night, & if they had an other Pair of Mill Stones, they would grind a great Deal more, since the Mill is built in such manner, that 2 pair of Stones can work at once. For want of time & money they could not built a Stamping Mill for making the Rice merchant- able, but we will have it without much Difficulty, when there is some Money to pay the Workmen. As we doubt not the Mill be of a good Use to many people in the Colony, so I am in Hopes, the Honble Trustees will bountifully inable me to pay the Carpenters & other people, that assisted them in this very weighty & dangerous Undertaking, who give me Credit till I am inabled by Benefactors to pay them. The Charges of the whole Building amount to 89€ Sterl. They have done the Work at very reason- able. Wages, & being in several Wants, they would be mightily encouraged, if the Honble. Trustees would be pleased to resolve the Payi- ment thereof. His Excellency Gen1. Oglethorpe has given me for that purpose 12€ Sterl. as a Benefaction besides a pair of very good Mill Stones. A Saltzburger, Kogler by name, has been the chief - Builder of the Mill being a very ingenious, uninterested & industrious Man. he has done to our Inhabitants many good services from the first time of our Settlement, & is not yet rewarded for it, whom I beg leave to recom- mend to the Trustees's Favour & Generosity.
Unable to build stamp- ing mill on account of lack of funds.
Kogler, the chief builder of the mill, recom- mended to the Trustees.
466
COLONIAL RECORDS
John Martin Bolzius to Harman Verelst.
Since the Saltzburgers were imploy'd in this & other necessary Buildings at their respective Plantations, newly inhabited, they have this year not so much Land cleared & planted, & consequently not brought in so large a Crop as last year. They had planted 154 Acres, & the Produce thereof was 2423 Bush. Corn. 261 Peas, 553 Rice, 385 Potatoes. A good many Acres are left unplanted about the Town for being Pastur- ages. Last Spring 10 people were persuaded to list for the Siege of Augustin, went away at planting season, & returned home in the Fall, consequently had no Crop at all When Col. Stephens 2 Months ago asked of me the Quan- tity of our people's Produce in the Fields, I sup- posed, that the Crop of this year would prove, if not more plenty, vet at least equal to that of the late year, having had a very fine Prospect in the Fields, but after all is measured, I find a lesser Quantity but sufficient for the people's subsis- tance & to spare. Heartily commending you & the Honble. Trustees to the divine Conduct & Blessing, & me, my Fellowlabourer, & our Flock to their & your constant Favour, I subscribe myself
Worthy Sir / your most obedient very humble Servant, John Martin Bolzius.
Doctor Thielo presents his most humble Respects to the Honble. Trustees & in- treats their Goodness for allowing him some Provisions for his subsistance.
To Harman Verelst Esq".
467
CORRESPONDENCE
Wm. Stephens to Mr. Harman Verelst.
(From B. P. R. O., B. of T., Georgia, Vol. 21.)
LETTER FROM WM. STEPHENS ESQR TO MR. HAR- MAN VERELST. RECD. S APRIL 1741
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.