USA > Georgia > Chatham County > Savannah > History of Savannah, Ga.; from its settlement to the close of the eighteenth century > Part 20
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GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
literary men, but no effort had ever been made for its establishment. The splendid autographical collection of I. K. Tefft, esq., together with the many valuable documents in his possession pertaining to the colonial and revolutionary history of Georgia, suggested the importance of such a society and it was immediately determined by Mr. Tefft and Mr. Will- iam B. Stevens to proceed without delay to its formation. This measure was first decided on toward the close of April, 1839, and at the sug- gestion of Mr. Tefft, the latter endeavored to prepare the way and awaken attention to the subject by two articles on this topic, which appeared in the Savannah Georgian of May following. These individuals were now joined by a third, Richard D. Arnold, M.D."
On May 24, 1839, a meeting was held at the Savannah Society room in pursuance of a call signed by I. K. Tefft, R. D. Arnold and W. B. Stevens. At an adjourned meeting held on June 4, following, the society was fully organized by the adoption of a constitution and by-laws, and the election of the following officers : President, Hon. John McPherson Berrien ; vice-presidents, Hon. James W. Wayne, Hon. W. B. Bulloch ; corresponding secretary, I. K. Tefft; recording secretary, William Bacon Stevens; treasurer, George W. Hunter; librarian, Henry Kirk Preston ; curators, William Thorne Williams, Charles S. Henry, John C. Nicolls William Law, Richard D. Arnold, Robert M. Charlton, Mathew Hall McAllister.
At the session of the Georgia Legislature of 1839 the society was duly incorporated, and it was made the custodian of the copies of the manuscript in the State paper office at London, relating to the history of Georgia which has been transcribed by the Rev. C. W. Howard as agent of the State.
In the act of incorporation the following names appear as the origi- nal incorporators of the society: J. M. Berrien, James M. Wayne, M. H. McAllister, I. K. Tefft, Wm. B. Stevens, Geo. W. Hunter, H. K. Pres- ton, Wm. T. Williams, C. S. Henry, J. C. Nicoll, Wm. Law, R. M. Charlton, R. D. Arnold, A. A. Smets, J. W. Anderson, Wm. B. Bulloch, J. H. Burroughs, J. Balfour, Wm. H. Bulloch, T. B. Bartow, James Barn- ard, Morgan Brown, G. B. Cumming, Solomon Cohen, Joseph Cum- ming, D. C. Campbell, J. H. Couper, W. A. Caruthers, W. H. Cuyler, Edward Coppee, Wmn. Crabtree, jr., Arichibald Clarke, Wm. Duncan,
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HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
Wm. C. Daniell, Geo. M. Dudley, J. De La Motta, jr., J. S. Fay, S. H. Fay, W. B. Fleming, J. F. Griffin, Robert Habersham, W. Neyle Haber- sham, J. C. Habersham, E. J. Harden, S. L. W. Harris, Geo. Jones, J. W. Jackson, P. M. Kollock, G J. Kollock, Ralph King, T. B. King, Wm. McWhir, J. B. Mallard, John Millen, W. H. Miller, J. S. Morel, M. Myers, J. F. O'Neill, E. Neufville, E. A. Nisbit, A. Porter, Thos. Paine, Willard Preston, Edward Padelford, Thos. Purse, R. W. Pooler, Wm. Robertson, L. O. Reynolds, J. Bond Read, R. H. Randolph, F. M. Robertson, George Schley, James Smith, Wm. H. Stiles, B. E. Stiles, J. L. Shaffer, Chas. Stephens, Wm. P. White, John E. Ward, George White.
The Georgia Historical Society and the Savannah Library Society continued to occupy the same room on the northwest corner of Bay lane and Whitaker street, but maintained separate organization, until in June, 1847, when a union was effected, by which the Georgia Historical be- came the possessor of the books-some 2,500-and other property of the Savannah Library Society.
In June, 1849, the society took possession of quarters on Bryan street in a building erected for its use by private donation and the liber- ality of the city council. In this building, which still stands, the upper story was devoted to library purposes while the lower floor was occupied by the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank until the close of 1865.
The present home of the Georgia Historical Society is located on the corner of Whitaker and Gaston streets, fronting on Forsyth park. It is known as Hodgson Hall. This fine building was erected by Mrs. Mar- garet Telfair Hodgson (nee Telfair) as a memorial to her husband, Mr. William B. Hodgson, who was an active member of the society during his life in Savannah. The building 94x41 feet was begun in 1873, but Mrs. Hodgson dying without making formal provision for its construc- tion, her elder sister, Miss Mary Telfair, took up the work and being Mrs. Hodgson's residuary legatee, made a deed in trust of the lot and building thereon, the residuary estate being charged with the expense of completing the structure. Miss Telfair died in 1874, but the work was carried on agreeably to the legal term of the deed and in September, 1875, the library of the society occupied Hodgson Hall. The formal dedication took place on the thirty-seventh anniversary of the society,
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February 14, 1876, upon which occasion was unveiled the full length portrait of Mr. Hodgson which was painted by Mr. Carl L. Brandt.
The society has some 16,000 volumes and has published several his- torical works of value relating to Georgia and the city of Savannah.
The following is a list of the officers of the Georgia Historical Society, from its organization, June 4, 1839.
Presidents .- Hon. John M. Berrien, June 4, 1839, to February 12, 1841, and February 13, 1854, to January 1, 1856; Hon. James M. Wayne, February 12, 1841, to February 13, 1854, and February 12, 1856, to February 17, 1862; Hon. Charles S. Henry, February 17, 1862, to August 19, 1864; Right Rev. Stephen Elliott, D.D., Septem- ber 12, 1864, to December 21, 1866; John Stoddard, esq., February 12, 1867, to February 12, 1868 ; Hon. Edward J. Harden, February 12, 1868, to April 19, 1873 ; George W. J. DeRenne, esq., June 2, 1873, to March 2, 1874; Hon. Henry R. Jackson, elected March 2, 1874.
First Vice-Presidents -Hon. James M. Wayne, June 4, 1839, to February 12, 1841 ; Matthew H. McAllister, esq., February 12, 1841, to February 12, 1851; Hon. Charles S. Henry, February 12, 1851, to Feb- ruary 17, 1862; Right Rev. Stephen Elliott, D.D., February 17, 1862, to September 12, 1864; John Stoddard, esq., September 12, 1864, to February 12, 1867 ; Hon. Solomon Cohen, February 12, 1867, to Feb- ruary 12, 1868; William M. Charters, M.D., February 12, 1868, to Jan- uary 6, 1883 ; General G. Moxley Sorrel, February 12, 1883, to Feb- ruary 12, 1889; Colonel John Screven elected February 12, 1889.
Second Vice-Presidents .- William B. Bulloch, esq., June 4, 1839, to February 12, 1841; Hon. William Law, February 12, 1841, to February 12, 1853; Right Rev. Stephen Elliott, D.D., February 12, 1853, to Feb- ruary 17, 1862 ; John Stoddard, esq., February 17, 1862, to September 12, 1864; Hon. Solomon Cohen, September 12, 1864, to February 12, 1867; Hon. Edward J. Harden, February 12, 1867, to February 12, 1868; General Alexander R. Lawton, February 12, 1868, to February .14, 1870; Juriah Harriss, M.D., February 14, 1870, to November 7, 1876; General G. Moxley Sorrell, February 12, 1877, to February 12, 1883 ; General Alexander R. Lawton, February 12, 1883, to February 12, 1888 ; Colonel John Screven, February 12, 1888, to February 12, 1889; Colonel C. H. Olmstead, elected February 12, 1889.
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HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
Corresponding Secretaries .- Israel K. Tefft, esq., June 4, 1839, to December 12, 1853, and February 13, 1854, to June 30, 1862; Alexan- der A. Smets, esq., December 12, 1853, to February 13, 1854; Colonel Charles C. Jones, jr., July 14, 1862, to February. 12, 1866; Richard D. Arnold, M.D., February 12, 1866, to February 14, 1870; William Gray- son Mann, esq., February 14, 1870, to July 4, 1881; William W. Paine, February 13, 1882, to August 5, 1882; Captain Robert Falligant, elected February 12, 1883.
Recording Secretaries .- Right Rev. William Bacon Stevens, D.D., June 4, 1839, to February 12, 1842 ; Henry K. Preston, esq., February 12, 1842, to February 12, 1844; Richard D. Arnold, M.D., February 12, 1844, to February 13, 1854 ; Rev. J. P. Tustin, February 13, 1854, to February 12, 1855 ; William S. Basinger, esq., February 12, 1855, to February 12, 1856; R. C. Mackall, M.D., February 12, 1856, to No- vember 10, 1856; Easton Yonge, M.D., November 10, 1856, to Febru- ary 15, 1880; Samuel B. Adams, esq., May 3, 1880, to February 12, 1884; William N. Holt, esq., February 12, 1884, until his death; Chas. N. West, March 1887, to February 12, 1889; Beirine Gordon, esq., elected February 12, 1889.
Treasurers .- George Wallace Hunter, esq , June 4, 1839, to Febru- ary 12, 1841 ; Hon. Solomon Cohen, February 12, 1841, to February 12, 1844; Hon. Edward J. Harden, February 12, 1844, to February 13, 1854; William S. Basinger, esq., February 13, 1854, to February 12, 1855 ; Alexander A. Smets, esq., February 12, 1855, to May 9, 1862 ; William S. Bogart, esq., elected July 14, 1862.
Librarians .- Henry K. Preston, esq., June 4, 1839, to February 12, 1842, and February 12, 1844, to February 12, 1847; Right Rev. Will- iam Bacon Stevens, D.D., February 12, 1842, to February 13, 1843 ; Alexander A. Smets, esq., February 13, 1843, to February 12, 1844 ; Robert H. Griffin, esq., February 12, 1847, to February 12, 1848; Rich- ard D. Arnold, M.D., February 12, 1848, to February 12, 1849; Chas. E. Tefft, esq., February 12, 1850, to February 12, 1851 ; Louis Knorr, M.D., March 12, 1851, to February 12, 1853; John B. Mallard, esq., Feb- ruary 12, 1853, to February 13, 1854; Rev. William Epping, February 13, 1854, to February 12, 1857; James F. Cann, esq., February 12, 1857, to February 12, 1868 ; John S. F. Lancaster, esq., February 12, 1868, to July 5, 1869; William Harden, esq., elected July 5, 1869.
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533
THE TELFAIR ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.
Savannah has two other library associations, the Catholic Library Association and the Youths' Historical Society. The former was or- ganized in 1877 and has a library of 1,000 volumes and a membership of 125. The officers are: P. F. Gleason, president ; W. P. Dowling, vice-president; J. J. Gleason, financial secretary ; J. F. Harty, recording secretary ; J. P. Doolan, secretary. The library hall is located on the southeast corner of Drayton and McDonough.
The Youths' Historical Society was organized in 1874 and has a li- brary of about 1,500 volumes. The officers are : M. S. Herman, presi- dent; H. H. Hayms, treasurer ; A. E. Dryfus, librarian.
The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences is comparatively a new factor in the artistic and scientific life of Savannah, and owes its existence to the public spirit and liberality of Miss Mary Telfair, who died in 1874. At her death she left it in trust to the Georgia Historical Society, the family homestead, with her books, pictures, and statuary, for a perpet- ual art and science academy. The will was contested and several years were passed in litigation over the matter, but its validity was finally es- tablished, and on the 3d of May, 1886, the home of the Telfair family in Savannah was dedicated and opened as the Telfair Academy of Arts and Science. It is located on Telfair place formerly known as St. James square. It is a handsome building, with ample room and finely adapted to the purposes intended. Although in comparative infancy, it has been enriched with many fine paintings and products of the sculptor's art. It is under the control and management of a special committee of the Georgia Historical Library, and since it was opened Carl L. Brandt, an- artist of decided ability, has been its director. Mainly through Mr. Brandt's efforts it may truthfully be said the academy has made more than a fair beginning towards making Savannah one of the art centers of the country.
Forsyth Park, the principle pleasure ground in Savannah, is one of the most beautiful parks in the United States, and one of which the citizens are especially proud. It was laid out by the city council, in 1851, and was named in honor of John Forsyth, at that time minister to Spain, but who had previously served the Commonwealth of Georgia in the Con- gress of the United States, and as governor. The park contains about twenty acres which are laid off in serpentine walks and grass-plots, inter-
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HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
spersed with clumps of flowers, fanciful mounds and structures of ivy and other luxuriant runners and climbers. The forest of stately pines con- trasting charmingly with the variety of trees of smaller growth and na- tive scrubs, is perhaps the most pleasing feature of the park. A neat iron fence incloses the grounds. The main gates, fronting on Bull street, are capped with unexploded shells, memorials of the civil war, and open upon the broad walk, guarded at the entrance by sphinxes, which leads to the artistic fountain that graces the center of the park. This fountain is said by some to have been modeled after the design that took the prize at the first international exhibition at London in 1844, while others claim it to be a copy of the fountain in the Place de la Concorde, Paris. The basin of the fountain bears the broad, verdant leaves of water lilies upon its bosom, the whole encircled by a parterre of exquisite flower bearers, within an abundant well-kept hedge of enonymus, sustained by a solid iron railing.
The main plan of the park was designed by William Bischoff, a dis- tinguished landscape gardener in his native country, Bavaria. John B. v Hogg somewhat altered and modified the original plans, and to the skill and taste of both of these gentlemen the city is indebted tor the pleasing effect the park presents, its greatest charm being its modesty, simplicity, and the unique conservation of the native forest pine.
South of Forsyth Park is the "extension" or parade ground of the volunteer soldiery of Savannah, containing about thirty acres which are yet unadorned except by a few trees and the Confederate monument. The boundaries of Forsyth Park and extension are Gaston street on the north, Drayton on the east, New Houston on the south, and Whitaker on the west.
The country around Savannah is beautiful in its peculiarities of land- scape, composed of forest, swamp, highland and lowland, all richly dressed in luxuriant green of many shades, lighted here and there with the va- ried brilliant colors of leaves and flowers. It is in the main a flat country, but its majestic oaks, magnolias, towering pines, and an underwood of un- surpassed variety and beauty of foliage, furnish pictures of exquisite soft- ness and hue. Savannah is therefore fortunate in her suburban relations. Bonaventure, Beaulieu, Daufuskie Island, White Bluff, Bethesda, Thun- derbolt, Isle of Hope, Jasper Spring, Battery Park, and Tybee Island, all
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SUBURBAN RESORTS.
of easy access from the city, present many attractions to the tourist, in- dependent of their historical associations.
Beaulieu, a charming spot on the Vernon River, only a few miles from Savannah, was originally a plantation of five hundred acres, granted to William Stevens, president of the colonial council, and confirmed by Gen- eral Oglethorpe. He gave it the present name on account of the fancied resemblance of the place to Beaulie, a manor of His Grace, the Duke of Montgomery. By some the name was spelled Biewly; how it was . changed to Beaulieu is not ascertained. Upon Steven's settlement of the place, the few residents were constantly annoyed by predatory at- tacks from the Indians and Spaniards, and were compelled to fortify their huts in order to retain possession. The place was, during the Revolu- tionary War, occupied by a small force of British troops. On Sunday, the 12th of September, 1779, Colonel Thomas Pinckney, with a com- mand of 1,200 men sent from the fleet of Count D'Estaing in long boats, landed at Beaulieu, the British troops to the number of thirty re- tiring upon their approach. It is stated, owing to the men under Pinck- ney being exposed in the boats, that had this little handful of " red coats" made any resistance, a landing could not have been effected without very serious loss, and possibly the patriot forces might not have been en- abled to accomplish their object at all. Several skirmishes between the opposing forces subsequently took place at and around Beaulieu.
The place is delightfully located, and is now the site of a number of beautiful residences. It is about seven miles from the ocean, and is in every respect a most charming location. The surroundings of the place are picturesque, and elicit admiration of all visitors.
Tybee Island has become the most popular and valuable resort near the city. It is an ocean-washed island at the entrance of the Savannah harbor. The recently completed Savannah and Tybee Railroad, by means of which the island is easily reached, has had a powerful effect in popularizing the place. It is one of the chains of islands extending along the sea- coast from Charleston, South Carolina to Fernandina, Flor- ida, and on its lovely beach, four miles long, the waves of the Atlantic roll up in gentle surf inviting to safe and delightful bathing. Near the light-house on the north end of the island, is the Martello Tower, a not- able object of interest to tourists. It is supposed to have been built by
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the Spaniards who visited the island before Oglethorpe's time. Tybee Island is noted in American history as the scene of the first capture of a British vessel by an American commissioned man-of-war at the com- mencement of the Revolutionary struggle, while it was an important point during the late civil war. In the last few years many improve- ments have been made to meet the wants of the thousands who visit the island in summer, and there are now to be found comfortable hotels on the front beach, in immediate sight of the ocean. Several residences and cottages in addition give the place the appearance of a first-class sea-side village.
Thunderbolt another popular resort with the citizens of Savannah, is situated on the branch of the Warsaw River, about four miles from the city. It is reached by the coast-line railroad of which it is the terminus, or by the shell road. It is a small village, with nothing particularly striking about the place other than its invigorating sea breeze, fine oaks, delight- ful shade, and excellent fish and oysters. It is the main source of the supply of fish and oysters for the Savannah market. According to local tradition, the place received its name from the fall of a thunderbolt and the gushing forth of a spring from the spot where the bolt struck. The spring is pointed out with faith and pride by the old inhabitants.
Isle of Hope is a pleasant seacoast village on the Skidaway River, six and a half miles from Savannah, and is reached by railroad. Its early settlement dates back to 1737. Henry Parker, John Fullafield and Noble Jones were the first settlers and proprietors, the last of whom had a fine residence at the south end known as " Wormsloe," of which the ruins can yet be seen. The island is in the shape of a horseshoe and from any prominent position on its bluff, overlooking the river, a good view of the surrounding country may be had. The waters in the imme- diate vicinity abound in fish, crabs and oysters, and it is considered one of the most healthful resorts on the coast.
Jasper Springs is located on the Augusta road, about two miles from the city and is noted as being the scene of the bold exploits of Sergeants Jasper and Newton, previous to the siege of Savannah. Sergeant Jas- per, after his gallantry at Fort Moultrie, was granted a roving commission by Colonel Moultrie, commanding the Second South Carolina Regiment, with the privilege of reforming his own command. The scouts of Jas-
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per's were of great assistance to the American army, frequently obtained valuable information, which could not be procured in any other way. At one time Jasper came into Savannah, and remained here several days, during which time he collected valuable information concerning the num- ber and position of the British forces, and furnished it to General Lin- coln. On one occasion Jasper met, near Ebenezer, a lady named Mrs. Jones, who was in great distress about her husband. He had taken the oath of allegiance to the British Government; afterwards joined the American army, and was captured by the British, who determined to hang him, with others who were to be carried to Savannah, in fact were then on the way to the city for that purpose. Jasper's sympathies were aroused, and he promised to rescue Jones if it were possible. He con- sulted Sergeant Newton, who was with him, but no definite plan was ar- ranged, though they decided to follow the guard, and take advantage of what opportunity offered for accomplishing their purposes. Early the next morning, after the interview between Jasper and Mrs. Jones, a guard of British soldiers, comprising a sergeant, a corporal and eight men, left Ebenezer for Savannah, with the prisoners in irons. The wives and chil- dren of two or three of the prisoners followed. Jasper and Newton kept on the trail of the party, and upon coming near the Spring, got ahead of them and hid in the bushes, presuming, as the sequel proved correctly, that the guard would halt to get water, and a chance to rescue the pris- oners would be presented. Upon reaching a point in the road opposite the Spring, which was pleasantly located in the grove, the guard halted and stacked arms, two men being left with them in charge of the pris- oners. The rest of the guard, not apprehending the slightest danger, went to the Spring. Jasper and Newton were not slow to appreciate the situation, and creeping up to the sentinels shot them down, secured the stack of muskets and called on the guard, (who returned hastily from the Spring upon hearing the fire) to surrender. The Britishers perceiving that they were completely at the mercy of the two determined men con- cluded discretion was the better part of valor and surrendered. The irons were knocked off the prisoners and placed upon the soldiers who were conducted to the American camp at Purysburg. The Spring is visited every year by hundreds of strangers for its historical interest. The water is pure and cool.
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HISTORY OF SAVANNAH.
Battery Park was opened in the summer of 1880, and is a resort established by private enterprise. It is at the terminus of a street rail- way line within the suburb known as Brownville. The grounds occupy a portion of the breastwork for a battery thrown up during the late civil war for the defense of Savannah. Within this park picnics and social parties meet during the summer. Attached to the grounds is a good rifle range with the conveniences for target shooting.
Daufuskie Island, a somewhat historic place, is another point of in- terest on the coast and is a favorite spot for excursion parties. The island is some six miles in length and has ever been noted for the abundance of fish, oysters, crabs, etc., to be obtained in the waters surrounding it. Daufuskie is the Indian name and it is presumed from the number of mounds, tomahawks and arrowheads that have been discovered that it was a favorite resort of the red men. One portion of the island is known as " Bloody Point" for which name, tradition thus accounts: The mas- sacre of Bloody Point was previous to the Revolutionary War. The islands of Port Royal and St. Helena were pretty thickly settled with white population when Hilton Head, Daufuskie, Pinckney, and the other neighboring islands were held in possession by a few isolated Indians, or were altogether uninhabited ; they formed a kind of neutral ground between the white and red men. The Indians from Georgia were in the habit of making frequent inroads upon the white settlements, killing the inhabitants, and carrying off whatever plunder they could gather, to their remoter homes in the further south-they formed large war parties, and would proceed as far north as Hilton Head, where they would skulk about until a fair chance offered, when they would cross Broad River, and ravage the neighboring settlements-hence the name Skulk Creek, (and not Skull as is now written.)
The Indians were in the habit of returning to Skulk Creek after these invasions, and would elude pursuit among its numerous nooks and wind- ings. Upon one of these occasions, after having committed a number of murders, and having loaded their canoes with whatever plunder they could collect, and having secured a quantity of "fire water," it is pre- sumed from the sequel, they passed through Skulk Creek on their return south without stopping at their old haunts, and never halted until they reached Daufuskie, where they thought they would be beyond the reach of the whites.
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CEMETERIES.
A very strong and determined party of whites went in pursuit of them. On reaching Hilton Head, they learned from a few Indians, of a friendly tribe, that their enemies had not halted, but had proceeded on south. Having induced these friendly Indians to join them as guides, they continued their pursuit further south; when they had gone as far as Daufuskie, they discovered from the smoke of their camp, that the Indians had halted at the southeast point of the island, and had put all their boats a short distance up what now is known as New River, to avoid the surf which breaks at that point: and when the whites landed at the northeastern portion of the island, the red devils, at the extreme south- east point, were enjoying themselves in an unwonted round of convivialty and feasting. Having effected a safe landing, the whites moved cau- tiously and stealthily around the island, until they got between the In- dians and their boats, thus effectually cutting off the retreat of the sav- ages. The first intimation the Indians had of the presence of the aven- gers, was a shower of bullets; they were shot down, bayonetted, sabered and were finally driven into the sea.
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