USA > Georgia > The Revolutionary records of the State of Georgia, Volume II Pt 1 > Part 3
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Jenkin Davis
John Keebler
William Maxwell
Chesley Bostick
Holman Freeman
Richard Wylly
The following message was received from the honorable house of Assembly.
House of Assembly Feb' 19th 1778
RESOLVED, That his honor the Governor be requested to postpone (for. the present) issuing the Dedimus to qualify the magistrates of the Several Counties in this State
Extract from the Minutes
J& WOOD Jun' Clerk
ORDERED accordingly-
RESOLVED, That the remaining part of the late Capt Lees Company enlisted and designed for the Service of the united States now on duty at the Battery of the Trustees Gardens be turned over to Complete Capt. Youngs Company of Artillery in the Service of the Said States, and that this House will make proper provision for Lieutnt Johnson.
Extract from the Minutes
J& WOOD Jun' Clerk
ORDERED That Copies of the foregoing resolve be sent to
39
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Capt" Young and Lieu' Johnson, and that they be Severally required to carry the Same into immediate execution.
ALSO ORDERED, That a Copy of the Said Resolve and the above orders be delivered to General Howe and that it be recom- mended to him to place a Guard of the Continental Troops be- longing to this State to occupy the above mentioned Battery, such Guards to receive orders for the particular conduct in the Said Battery from the civil authority of this State.
It being represented to this Board that Nicholas Vinzant and some of his Brothers, also William Love, Jos Johnson, Jnº John- son, Geo Wilds, Chas Hall, In° Love, Jones Cook & Geo Webb, who are (as at is said) at present Rangers in the Florida Scout have left behind them in this State Several Stocks of Cattle in the_County of Effingham-
IT IS ORDERED That the Commanding Officer of the Militia in the Said County of Effingham be required without delay to draft and detach a party of men to take possession of and Secure the Said Cattle and that they be drove into Some interiour and more safe place, and that an inventory be taken of them and that they be put under the care of some trusty person or persons by the said Commanding Officer who will when thereunto required render a faithful account and deliver the Same over as Shall be hereafter directed by this Board or the Honorable house of Assembly.
ORDERED That the Treasurers pay to Chesley Bostick Es- quire thirty nine pounds fifteen Shillings for fifty three days attendance in Council.
Charles M'Kay who commands a party of men for the purpose , of guarding the Magazine at Ebenezer represented to the Board that out of twelve men which he had on duty four have left him and that the remainder refuse to Serve any longer as the sum allowed them for pay & Rations is not Sufficient to maintain them being only two Shillings and four pence half penny per day
1
40
THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
and says that if he was allowed at the rate of four pounds and ten Shillings for each man per month he believes he could raise his former compliment- That the Magazine is almost compleat- ed and thinks that it would be proper to have a Small Guard house erected near it, as it is a considerable distance from any house where the Guard can stay.
ORDERED That it be recommended to the honorable house of Assembly to make such augmentation to the pay of the Guard at Ebenezer as may be thought Sufficient, and also to direct that a house be erected for the accommodation of the Said Guard.
Tuesday 23ª February 1778
The Board met
present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly
William Maxwell
Charles Crawford
Samuel Miller
John Fulton John Keebler
Jenkin Davis
John Lindsay
Nathaniel poll:ill waited.on the Board and qualified as Clerk of the Superior Court for the County of Effingham.
Edward Davis also qualified as Register of probates for the - said County.
Colonel John Sandiford having signified his resignation of his Commission as Colonel of the Militia of Liberty County to his Honor
IT IS ORDERED That Lieu' Colonel John Elliott be required
41
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
to convene the Officers of the said County and to proceed to the clection of a Colonel in the room of the said Jolin Sandiford as soon as possible and should an Officer of the Militia of the said County be elected whereby any other vacancy will be occasioned, then to proceed at the Same time to all otlier elections that will be necessary so as to make the said corpse complete and to report the proceedings herein without delay.
The following was agreed to.
WHEREAS the frequent robberies and other enormities con- mitted in the Town of Savannah and the Environs thereof by persons in disguise who are suspected of being or acting in con- cert with the Florida Scout make it absolutely necessary to adopt Such measures in the police of the said places. And Whereas it appears to this Board that the most likely method of detecting the perpetrators of these crimes, will be by putting the Said town and Environs under the following regulations until otherwise ordered by this Board or the Legislative authority of this State.
First. That a town Major shall be appointed by this Board, whose duty shall be every Morning to fix upon a Countersign and to send the same inclosed in a Sealed paper to the Governor or other Commander in Chief for the time being-tlie General or other Commanding Officer in Town of the Continental Troops-the two persons appointed to sit as herein after men- tioned but not to give or send the same to any other person whatsoever unless it be Doctors of repute who are well known when they Shall apply for the same; And the said Town Major shall further do as is herein after mentioned.
Second. That all Strangers who come to Town from any other State shall immediately wait on the Governor or other Commander in Chief for the time being' and shall give an ac- count of themselves, and if they fail herein, or if any person is seen in, or-About the Town and environs and is not known
42
THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
as a reputable Inhabitant of the State, Any Constable shall take him before the Town Major who shall examine him and under circumstances either discharge him or report him to the Gov- ernor or other Commanding Officer in Chief, in Town for the: time being as a Suspicious person.
Third That twenty respectable inhabitants shall be warned by this Board, two of them shall met and sit by rotation in some convenient house in Town every night from nine O Clock until. day break for the purpose herein after mentioned
Fourth that after nine O Clock at night and until Day break every person whatsoever Passing the Streets shall be brought to, by the Several Centinels in Town and the environs and in case he cannot give the countersign-Shall be kept prisoner until the parole comes round, when he shall be carried by them (if not a Soldier) to the two inhabitants above mentioned appointed to. sit and shall under circumstances be by them either discharged or committed to the Guard until morning and then reported to. the Governor or other Commander in Chief in Town for the time being.
Fifth, That the Town Major shall keep a list of the twenty persons above mentioned and shall every morning inform the two whose turn it is to sit that night of the Countersign and any orders which may be issued by the Governor or Commander in Chief for the time being.
The Board appointed William Stephens Esq' Town Major who accepted of the said Office and the following twenty Inhabi- tants to Sit as aforesaid
Captain Wright
Edward Davies
Ja® Habersham
John McCluer
William OBryen Colonel Martin
Joseph Clay
Thomas Stone
Colonel Walton
John Wereat John Milledge
Major Wylly
43
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
George Houstoun William Jones Nehemiah Wade Jaª Jackson
Samuel Stirk Will™ MCIntosh Ja3 Whitefield Thomas Ross
Wednesday the 25: 1778
The Board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly
Chaª Kent
William Maxwell
John Fulton
David Lewis
John Keebler
Jenkin Davis
Charles Crawford
The following resolves were received the House of Assembly House of Assembly Feb' 10, 1778
RESOLVED, That his Honor the Governor be requested to direct the pay master of the two Battalions of Minute men to pay the Officers and men belonging thereto the amount of their pay agreeable to their several pay rolls and to take their re- spective receipts for the same provided the Original Tests are produced to the said pay Master to prove the time of their en- listments and of their being enlisted agreeable to the resolve for raising the said Battalions.
Extract from the Minutes
J. WOOD Jun' Clerk
The House of Assembly having discharged the Company of
44
THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
men raised for a Guard over the powder Magazine at Ebenezer It is Ordered That Colonel Jack be directed to station an Officer and twelve men out of Captain Moore's Company of Minute Men at that place- the Continental Troops having marched Southwardly.
ORDERED, That a Copy of the Resolve of the House of. As- sembly dated February 19th 1778 respecting the Powder Maga- zine at Ebenezer, and the Guard placed at the same be transmit- ted by the Secretary of this Board to Charles M' Kay, who is appointed Keeper of the said Magazine.
It being represented to this board that the arms of the minute men are in very bad order and that proper persons at or near their respective Stations may be got to repair the same It is Ordered that Colonel Jack and Colonel Stewart be directed to employ proper persons for their business and upon Certifi- cates from the said Colonel Jack and Col Stewart to such per- son this Board will procure them payment.
Upon application of the Secretary of this board It is ordered that the Secretary of the State do receive the fees allowed the former by Law from all persons entering Caveats.
ORDERED, That the Commissary General be directed to make Enquiry whether the Scout Boat which before the revolution was in the Service of this State (then province) can be got up- And if so that he employ proper persons for the business, and also the repairs of the said Boat at the public Charge
45
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
Friday 27th February 1778
The Board met
Present
His honor the President
John Lindsay
John Keebler
David Lewis
Jenkin Davis.
Samuel Miller
ORDERED That the Treasurers pay to Charles Crawford Esquire, Thirty pounds ten Shillings being the ballance due for his attendance as a Councillor
ORDERED, That the Treasurers pay to the following persons the Several Sums of Money Viz' John Lindsay fifty Seven pounds, Samuel Miller forty one pounds, Jenkin Davis forty three pounds David Lewis fifty Seven pounds and John Keebler fifty four pounds for their attendance in Council
March 4th 1778-
The Board met
present
His honor the President
John Fulton Holman Freeman Jenkin Davis
Samuel Miller
John Lindsay
ORDERED, That the Treasurers pay to David Alexander the
46
THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
Sum of Sixteen pounds for riding express from Colonel MeMur- phy to this Honor the Governor
ORDERED, That the Treasurers pay to Holman Freeman Sixty four pounds for Sixty four days attendance in Council.
Thursday 5th March 1778
The Board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly
John Fulton
Jenkin Davis Samuel Miller
John Lindsay
ORDERED, That Captain Jenkin Davis detach a Sergeant and twelve Men out of his Company of Militia to Guard the Maga- zine at Ebenezer until they Shall be relieved by Captain Moore's Company Of Minute men who are ordered thither-
ORDERED That Colonel John Elliott of Liberty County de- tach a party of Militia consisting of twenty five Men to inter- cept a parcel of Cattle which are said to be somewhere on the Alatamaha driving off by the Florida Scout And that Thomas Gray act as pilot Provided if a sufficient number of Volunteers can be immediately raised to go upon this business then there will be no occasion to make such Draft.
A talk was sent up to the Indians under Cover to Colonel MeMurphy-(See the Copy of the Same.)
ORDERED, That the Treasurers pay to Thomas Gray fifty pounds for his activity in pursuing the Florida Scout and that
47
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
a Captains Commission be made out to him with the pay thereof agreeable to the resolve of Assembly dated February 28th 1778 .--
ORDERED That the Treasurers pay to Job pray Esq' three hundred and Eighty Six pounds Eleven Shillings and four pence being a Sum due him as found by the Commissioners of Trade pursuant to a reference from Assembly, for outfits &c of the State Sloop Revenge (See the orders and other Vouchers with the Treasurers)
Monday 9th March 1778.
The Board met
present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly John Fulton
John Lindsay Charles Kent
ORDERED That copies of the resolves of the Assembly dated Sunday March 1" 1778 for disbanding the Minute Battalions and two Troops of Horse upon the State Establishment for raising five independent Companies out of the same under Major Commandant Jeremiah Wilder, for auditing the accounts of the Commissaries of the minute Battalions for obliging Officers of the five independent Companies to take the oath of abjuration- be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of this Board to Colonels Jack and Stewart and Colonel Coleman also the Com- missaries- Major Wilder and all others concerned and that they be Severally required to govern themselves agreeable to the Same
ORDERED That A Copy of the resolve of Assembly dated
48
THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
Sunday March 1" 1778 requesting the Commanding Officer of the Continental Troops in this State to issue orders to Colonel Marbury to repair with his Battalion of Light horse to the de- fence of the frontiers of the State be immediately transmitted to Major General Howe and that it be recommended to give orders accordingly- finished
ORDERED That a copy of the resolve of the Assembly dated Sunday last requiring the Commanding Officer of the Conti- nental Troops in this State to transmit to the Governor regular accounts of the expenditure of all Sum or Sums of Money advanced by this State for the Support of the said Troops ac- cording to the regulation of Congress, be also transmitted to Major General Howe. finished
ORDERED That the resolves of Assembly dated Sunday March Ist 1778 requiring all persons within this State of the age of Sixteen or upward to take the Oath of affirmation of ab- juration who have not already done so before some one of five Magistrates within the County to which such persons belong be forthwith published in the Gazette of this State and that the Magistrates be as follows.
For the County of Chatham William O Bryen, John Jenkins, Henry Cuyler, James Maxwell Henry Bourquine Esq's
For the County of Liberty, Parmenas Way John Graves, John Mitchell Samuel Salters and John Jones Esquires.
For the County of Effingham, John A Treutlen Will" Holzen- dorf Jacob Waltour Abram Ravot and Daniel Bunnell Esquires.
For the County of Burke, John Thomas, Edward Telfair, Daniel McMurphey, John Jones and Blessingham Harvey.
For the County of Wilkes William Don Charles Jordan Ar- thur Fort Richard Aycock and Daniel Burrell
For the County of Richmond John Walton Dionysius Wright
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
49' Charles Crawford Samuel Alexander and James Bowie: finishd
ORDERED In pursuance of a resolve of the house of Assembly dated March 1º 1778 That Luke Mann be appointed Commissary to purchase and issue provisions to the five independent Compa- nies under the command of Major Wilder
ORDERED That the Treasurers advance two hundred pounds to Major Wilder to enable him to raise and equip his five com- panies of men taking his receipt promising to be accountable for the expenditure of the same
ORDERED That Col Farrel deliver to Major Wilder for the Use of his five Companies two large Kettles or pots lately pur- chased by the said Colonel Farrel at public charge for the Minute Battalions and that all the Officers of those Battalions deliver over to the Said Major Wilder any Articles or Utensils which they may have in their possession respectively belonging to the public and which will answer for the said five independent Con- panies.
ORDERED That the Commissary General of this State do pro- vide Camp Kettles sufficient to Serve two hundred and fifty. men, also one hundred Stand of Arms if the same can be had- That he have the said Kettles and arms in readiness but not to be delivered out but by order of the Governor- Also That the Treasurers advance him Such Sum of money as will be necessary for this purpose taking his receipt for the Same.
ORDERED That Major Wilders Commission be immediately delivered to him and that he do endeavor to have enlisted Men who are provided with Arms, but if they Should not all be so, that he make report as soon as possible to the Governor of what arms and other necessaries are really wanting for his Com- panies, that he issue in orders that the Captains under shall take rank as they shall fill their Companies and repair to such place within the State as the Major shall appoint; And that the Ar1-vol 2
..
50
THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
said Several Captains do as soon as possible recommend two fit persons for. Lieutenants under them respectively to the Governor And it is further Ordered that Major Wilder do as soon as possible after they are raised march four . Companies of his Men Southerly as far as the Ala- . tamaha River and there wait the orders of the Governor leaving one Company in the Ceded Lands at Such Stations as he shall judge most fit.
RESOLVED That in future any person being a friend to the cause of America who will raise a Company of fifteen men or upwards as Volunteers to go along with him and who will bind themselves to do so under their Hands and produce such paper to the Governor shall be entitled to a roving Commission into and against the provinces of East & West Florida and all plun- der they shall take upon Condemnation agreeable to Law shall belong to themselves in such proportions as they shall agree upon.
And if any Number of persons are disposed to go and Seat themselves upon the valuable Land between S' Marys and St John's River in East Florida and will keep constant possession of the same for the Space of three months this Board are per- suaded (and will strongly recommend) that the next house of Assembly will allow to each of them a Grant of five hundred · acres of such Land as a bounty provided such persons have acted as friends to the cause of America.
ORDERED, That the Commissary General in Savannah and the Commissioners of Trade in Sunbury be directed to dispose of what public salt they have in their Hands respectively to the Inhabitants of this State at the rate of a peck a head to each one in Family for the Sum of twenty Shillings per bushel the Said Commissary General first laying by and reserving for pub- lic use five hundred bushels of the Same Provided never- theless and it is an instruction to the said Commissary and Commissioners that they deliver no Salt to any persons whatso-
51
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
ever unless he shall make oath before a Magistrate that he hath rot within one year last past received any public Salt upon the head right which he then applies for.
ORDERED That the Commissary General do deliver to Col A. E. Wells as a Commissioner in behalf of the Inhabitants of Effingham County thirty bushels of Salt at the price above mentioned- Col Wells engaging to deliver the Same out agree- able to the above mentioned regulation
A proclamation for the encouragement of Trade be sent to different foreign ports was agreed to (See a Copy of the same)
A proclamation to prevent the practice of running the Indian Lands was also agreed to-See Copy of the Same.
ORDERED That a Continental Commission as Major of the fourth Battalion be filled up and delivered to John Skey Eus- tace agreeable to his appointment by the House of Assembly .--
Monday March 9th 1778
The Board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly John Fulton Charles Kent
John Lindsay
ORDERED That a Commission as Linguist to the Indians be made out and delivered to Moses Nunes he having formerly had one for a year which is expired- and that the Salerry to him be left to the house of Assembly.
52
THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
-
1
Tuesday March Ioth 1778
The Board met
Present
His honor the Governor
Richard Wylly John Fulton
Charles Kent John Lindsay
ORDERED That a list of the Magistrates for the different Counties within this State be published in the Gazette and that Commissions do issue directed to two Magistrates who have already qualified in the Several Counties (except Chatham) in order to qualify the other Magistrates in the Said Counties.
And that the several Magistrates in the County of Chatham who have not yet qualified do forthwith attend the Governor in Council in order to qualify.
. Friday March 13, 1778
The Board met
Present
. His Honor the Governor
John Fulton. John Lindsay.
Jenkin 'Davis Charles Kent
In pursuance of an Act of the honorable the Continental Congress It is Ordered That all Constables and other the Well affected Inhabitants of this State do in future appreliend and Secure all persons being Strangers in the Same whose Character and business are not well known and approved of or
53
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
who shall not have a pass from the Governor or other sufficient Voucher from the State from which Such persons come and that any two Magistrates of the County where such persons shall be apprehended do upon examination either discharge or send them under proper Guard to the Governor as Circumstances may require- there being great reason to Suspect that the Emis- saries of our Enemies have frequently passed thro' the State or some of them in disguise Provided Nevertheless that if such Strangers shall be apprehended in the Town of Sa- vannah or the Environs thereof that then they be carried in the first instance before the town Major agreeable to the regulations of Council of the twenty fourth of last month.
RESOLVED, That John Martin Esquire be appointed Town Major in the room of William Stephens Esquire who is gone upon the Circuit and that the said town Major instead of giving out the Countersign as directed by the Regulation of Council of the twenty fourth of last Month do each day receive the Same from the Governor or other Commander in Chief for the time being in Savannah- It is futher ordered that Joseph Wood Junior be appointed to sit for the purposes mentioned in the said Regulation in the room of the said John Martin, And that in Case any of the twenty persons named in the said regulations shall decline or by any means not attend to sit as thereby re- quired that the said town Major Shall appoint other well known Inhabitants in their room.
WHEREAS great inconveniences have arisen to the Gallies from ·the large number of persons requisite to form a Board called the Navy Board for the purpose of passing accounts and other- wise providing for the Said Gallies. And Whereas it appears from the representation of the Commodore that such delays have happened in that department owing to the Said Cause, that the Service is greatly distressed, and at this particular juncture the same may be attended with the Most alarming events to the Safety and well being of this State the Men being dissatisfied for want of pay, some of them having deserted and other Cir-
·
54
THE REVOLUTIONARY RECORDS
cumstances taken place which call for immediate remedy. It is Therefore Ordered under the particular situation of things that in future and until the next house of Assembly shall meet and shall make farther order to the Contraty that any two or more members of the Said Board called the Navy board shall proceed to Act and in all things be competent to the business of the said Board. this order not to prevent any or the whole of the Members of the said Board from attending & acting if they shall so chuse.
WHEREAS it hath been represented to this Board that some in- conveniences have arisen from the Officers of different States re- cruiting generally together in this State It is Therefore- Ordered, that in future no Officer whatsoever who is not in the Service of or Stationed in this State be permitted to re- cruit or enlist men within the same without leave for that pur- pose first had and obtained from the Governor or other Com- mander in Chief of this State for the time being.
. . WHEREAS it appears to this Board by two Letters fromi Colo- nel Elliott of the eighth and eleventh instant that Several of the men belonging to his regiment have refused to march agreeable to their draft in pursuance of an order of the fifth instant from this Board It is Therefore Ordered that Colonel Elliott be required to proceed against all and every such Person and persons who have or hath refused as aforesaid in manner as directed by the several resolves and regulations of this State for the better government of the Militia, And that he make a new Draft and continue drafting and fining such as refuse until he shall get a Sufficient number to March upon the business mentioned in the said order of the fifth Instant.
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