USA > Georgia > The history of Georgia, Volume I > Part 24
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 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Arrived again in Tybee Roads, Mr. Oglethorpe assembled the colonists and stated to them that he found it impossible to pre- vail upon the captains of the Symond and the London Merchant to go to St. Simon's Island with their ships, passengers, and car- goes. He also acquainted them with the difficulties and hard- ships which must be endured in making the passage thither in open boats, and offered to suffer them, if they so desired, to set- tle at Savannah and upon the adjacent territory. Two hours' time was granted them for consideration, and for consultation with their families. At the expiration of this period the free- holders came together again and, in a manly way, assured him that they were resolved not to leave one another, but to carry out the original intention of building the new town of Frederica. They further declared themselves ready to undertake the inland passage. With this brave conclusion Mr. Oglethorpe was highly gratified.
Much incensed at the reprehensible behavior of the captains of the transports, and inconvenienced by the demurrage conse- quent upon their timidity, he was also indignant at the delay thus caused in the consummation of his plans, annoyed at the additional charges for transfer of passengers and cargo, and so- licitous for the health of the colonists who would be exposed in open boats, at an inclement season, during the passage from Ty- bee Roads to Jekyll Sound.
It was not until the 2d of March that the fleet of periaguas
229
FREDERICA.
and boats, with the families of the colonists on board, set out from the mouth of the Savannah River. Spare oars had been rigged for each boat. With their assistance, the men of the colony rowing with a will, the voyage to Frederica was accom- plished in five days. Mr. Oglethorpe accompanied them in his scout-boat, keeping the fleet together, and taking the hindermost craft in tow. As an incentive to unity of movement, he placed all the strong beer on board a fast boat. The rest labored dili- gently to keep up ; for, if they were not all at the place of ren- dezvons each night, the tardy crew lost its ration. Frederica was reached on the 8th, and there was general joy among the col- onists.
So diligently did they labor in building the town and its forti- fications that by the 23d of the month a battery of cannon, com- manding the river, had been mounted, and the fort was almost finished. Its ditches had been dug, although not to the required depth or width, and a rampart raised and covered with sod. A storehouse, having a front of sixty feet, and intended to be thiree stories in height, was completed as to its cellar and first story. The necessary streets were all laid out. "The Main Street that went from the Front into the Country was 25 yards wide. Each Free-holder had 60 Foot in Front by 90 Foot in Depth, upon the high Street, for their House and Garden ; but those which fronted the River had but 30 Foot in Front, by 60 Foot in Depth. Each Family had a Bower of Palmetto Leaves, finished upon the back Street in their own Lands : The Side towards the front Street was set ont for their Houses : These Palmetto Bow- ers were very convenient Shelters, being tight in the hardest Rains ; they were about 20 Foot long and 14 Foot wide, and, in regular Rows, looked very pretty, the Palmetto Leaves lying smooth and handsome, and of a good Colour. The whole ap- peared something like a Camp; for the Bowers looked liked Tents, only being larger and covered with Palmetto Leaves in- stead of Canvas. There were 3 large Tents, two belonging to Mr. Oglethorpe, and one to Mr. Horton, pitched upon the Parade near the River."
Such is the description of the town in its infancy as furnished by Mr. Moore, whose " Voyage to Georgia " is one of the most interesting and valuable tracts we have descriptive of the coloni- zation.
That there might be no confusion in their constructive labors, Mr. Oglethorpe divided the colonists into working parties. To
230
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
some was assigned the duty of cutting forks, poles, and laths for building the bowers. Others set them up. Others still gathered palmetto leaves, while "a fourth gang," under the superintend- ence of a Jew workman, bred in Brazil and skilled in the matter, thatched the roofs " nimbly and in a neat manner."
Men accustomed to the agriculture of the region instructed the colonists in hoeing and preparing the soil. Potatoes, Indian corn, flax, hemp-seed, barley, turnips, lucern-grass, pumpkins, and water-melons were planted. The labor was common and enured to the benefit of the entire community. As it was rather too late in the season to till the ground fully and get in such a crop as would promise a yield sufficient to subsist the settlement for the coming year, many of the men were put upon pay and set to work upon the fortifications and the public buildings.
Mr. Hugh Mackay, about this time, arrived in Frederica, and reported that, with the assistance of Messrs. Augustine and Tolme and the guides furnished by Tomo-chi-chi, he had sur- veyed and located a road, practicable for horses, between Savan- nah and Darien. This information was very gratifying to the colonists on St. Simon's Island, assuring them that their situa- tion was not so isolated as they at first supposed.
Frederica was located in the midst of an Indian field 1 con- taining between thirty and forty acres of cleared land. The grass yielded an excellent turf which was freely used in sodding the parapet of the fort. The bluff upon which it stood rose about ten feet above high-water mark, was dry and sandy, and exhibited a level expanse of about a mile into the interior of the island. The position of the fort was such that it fully com- was general and of long duration. Prom- inent bluffs are to this day marked by their refuse heaps, composed chiefly of the shells of oysters, couchs, and clams, and the bones of the animals, reptiles, birds, and fishes upon which they sub- sisted, intermingled with sherds of pot- tery, broken articles, and relics of vari- ous sorts. Many localities are hoary with ancient shell-mounds, while sepulchral tumuli of earth are not infrequent. Be- sides the primitive population perma- neutly domiciled on these islands, at cer- tain seasons of the year large numbers of Indians from the main here congregated and spent much time in hunting and fish- ing.
1 The aborigines cleared considerable spaces on the Sea Islands along the Geor- gia coast, planting them with maize, pumpkins, gourds, beans, melons, etc. These indications of early agriculture were not infrequent in varions portions of Georgia, The richest localities were selected by the aborigines for cultiva- tion ; their principal towns and maize- fields being generally found in rich val- leys where a generous soil yieldled, with least labor, the most remunerative har- vest. The trees were killed by girdling them by means of stone axes. So old were these Indian fields that in them no traces appeared of the roots and stumps even of the most durable trees. The oc- cupancy of these islands by the red race
231
ATTRACTIONS OF FREDERICA.
manded the reaches in the river both above and below. With their situation the colonists were delighted. The harbor was land-locked,1 having a depth of twenty-two feet of water at the bar, and capable of affording safe anchorage to a large number of ships of considerable burden. Surrounded by beautiful forests of live-oaks, water-oaks, laurel, bay, cedar, sweet-gum, sassafras, and pines, festooned with luxuriant vines, [among which those bearing the Fox-grape and the Muscadine were peculiarly pleas- ing to the colonists,] and abounding in deer, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels, wild-turkeys, turtle-doves, redbirds, mocking birds, and rice birds,2 with wide extended marshes frequented by wild geese, ducks, herons, curlews, cranes, plovers, and marsh-hens, - the adjacent waters teeming with fishes, crabs, shrimps, and oysters, and the island fanned by southeast breezes prevailing with the regularity of the trade winds, - the strangers were charmed with their new home. Within their fort were enclosed and preserved several of those grand old live-oaks which for centuries had crowned the bluff, and whose shade was refreshing beyond any shelter the hand of man could devise. The town sprang into be- ing as a military post. It was ordered and grew day by day under the immediate supervision of Oglethorpe. The soil of the island was fertile, and its health unquestioned. Lieutenant George Dunbar, on the 20th of January, 1739, made oath before Franeis Moore, recorder of the town of Frederica, that since his arrival with the first detachment of Colonel Oglethorpe's regiment the preceding June, all the carpenters and many of the soldiers had been continuously occupied in building clap-board huts, carrying lumber and bricks, unloading vessels, [often working up to their necks in water,] in clearing the parade, burning wood and rub- bish, making lime, and in other out-door exercises, - the hours of labor being from daylight until eleven or twelve M. and from two or three o'clock in the afternoon until dark. Despite these exposures, continues the affiant, " All the time the men kept so healthy that often no man in the camp ailed in the least, and none died except one man who came sick on board and never worked at all ; nor did I hear that any of the men ever made the heat a pretence for not working." 3
Beyond question Frederica was the healthiest of all the early settlements in Georgia, and St. Simon's Island has always enjoyed
1 An Impartial Enquiry into the State
2 Buffalo and quail were found on the and Utility of the Province of Georgia, main.
pp. 40, 41. London. 1741.
8 State of the Province of Georgia at.
232
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
an enviable reputation for salubrity. Until marred by the deso- lations of the late war, this island was a favorite summer resort, and the homes of its planters were the abodes of beauty, com- fort, and refinement. A mean temperature of about fifty degrees in winter and not above eighty-two degrees in summer ; gardens adorned with choice flowers, and orchards enriched with plums, peaches, nectarines, figs, melons, pomegranates, dates, oranges, and limes; forests rendered majestic by the live-oak, the pine, and the magnolia grandiflora, and redolent with the perfumes of the bay, the cedar, and the myrtle; the air fresh and buoyant with the southeast breezes and vocal with the notes of song- birds ; the adjacent sea, sound, and inlets replete with fishes ; the shell roads and broad beach affording every facility for driving and riding ; the woods and fields abounding with game, and the culture and generous hospitality of the inhabitants, impressed all visitors with the delights of this favored spot. Sir Charles Lyell, among others, alludes with marked satisfaction to the pleasures he there experienced.
Among the reptiles which not only attracted the notice of, but to a considerable degree, upon first acquaintance, disquieted, the early colonists, the alligators were the most noted. Listen to this description furnished by an eye-witness 1 in 1736: "They are terrible to look at, stretching open an horrible large Mouth, big enough to swallow a Man, with Rows of dreadful large sharp Teeth, and Feet like Draggons armed with great Claws, and a long Tail which they throw about with great Strength, and which seems their best Weapon, for their Claws are feebly set on, and the Stiffness of their Necks hinders them from turning nimbly to bite." In order that the public mind might be dis- abused of the terror which pervaded it with respect to these reptiles, Mr. Oglethorpe, having wounded and caught one, had it brought to Savannah, and "made the boys bait it with sticks and finally pelt and beat it to death." The rattlesnakes, too, were objects of special dread.
Leaving his people occupied with the labors assigned to them at Frederica, Mr. Oglethorpe set out on the 18th of March 2 for the frontiers, " to see where his Majesty's Dominions and the tested upon Outh, etc., p. 25. London. Province of Georgia, pp. 61, 63, 64. Lon- 1742. Compare Affidavits of Lient. Ray- don. 1741. mond Demare, Hugh Mackay, and John 1 Francis Moore, Voyage to Georgia, etc., p. 57. London. 1744. Cuthbert, to same effect. An Impartial Enquiry into the State and Utility of the
2 Moore says April. See A Voyage to Georgia, p. 63. London. 1744.
233
RECONNOISSANCE OF SOUTHERN FRONTIER.
Spaniards joyn." 1 He was accompanied by " Toma-Chi-Chi, Mico, and a Body of Indians, who tho' but few, being not forty, were all chosen Warriors and good Hunters." They were con- veyed in two scout-boats, and the next day were joined by the periagua, commanded by Captain Hugh Mackay, with thirty Highlanders, ten men of the Independent Company, and in- trenching tools and provisions on board. Upon the northwestern point of Cumberland Island,2 washed by the bay on the one side and on the other by the channel running to the southward, Ogle- thorpe marked out a fort, called it St. Andrew, and left Captain Mackay with his command to build it, and some Indians to hunt and shoot for them while thus employed.
Proceeding on his voyage, Mr. Oglethorpe named the next large island to the south Amelia,3 -" it being a beautiful Island. and the Sea-shore cover'd with Myrtle, Peach-Trees, Orange- Trees, and Vines in the wild Woods." Tomo-chi-chi conducted him to the mouth of the St. John's, pointed out the advanced post occupied by the Spanish guard, and indicated the dividing line. It was with difficulty that the old chief and his followers could be restrained from making a night attack on the Spaniards, upon whom they thirsted to take revenge "for the killing of some Indians" during the mico's absence in England. Stopping at Fort St. Andrew on his way back, Oglethorpe was surprised to find the work in such a state of "forwardness, - the Ditch being dug, and the Parapet raised with Wood and Earth on the Land-side, and the small Wood clear'd fifty yards round the Fort." This seemed the more extraordinary, adds Francis Moore, because Mr. Mackay had no engineer, or any assistance other than the directions which Mr. Oglethorpe gave. The ground consisting of loose sand, it was a difficult matter to con- struct the parapets: "therefore they used the same Method to support it as Cæsar mentions in the Wars of Gaul, laying Trees and Earth alternately, the Trees preventing the Sand from fall- ing, and the Sand the Wood from Fire."
1 Oglethorpe's letter to the lieutenant governor of South Carolina. Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, vol. iii. p. 28. Savannah. 1873.
2 This island was named Wisso by the Indians, signifying Sassafras. It was called Cumberland in honor of his royal highness the Duke of Cumberland, at the suggestion of Toonahowi, nephew of
Tomo-chi-chi, to whom, during his visit to England, the duke had given a gold repeating watch that he " might know how the time went." " We will remen- ber him at all times," said Toonahowi, " and therefore will give this Island this name."
8 Called by the Spaniards Santa Maria.
-----
T
234
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Upon their return to Frederica the Indians encamped near the town, and, on the 26th, favored Mr. Oglethorpe and all the peo- ple with a war dance. " They made a Ring, in the middle of which four sat down, having little Drums made of Kettles cov- er'd with Deer-skins, upon which they beat and sung: Round them the others danced, being naked to their Waists, and round their Middles many Trinkets tied with Skins, and some with the Tails of Beasts hanging down behind them. They painted their Faces and Bodies, and their Hair was stuck with Feathers : In one Hand they had a Rattle, in the other Hand the Feathers of an Eagle, made up like the Caduceus of Mercury : They shook these Wings and the Rattle, and danced round the Ring with high Bounds and antick Postures, looking much like the Figures of the Satyrs.
" They shew'd great Activity, and kept just Time in their Motions ; and at certain times answer'd, by way of Chorus, to those that sat in the Middle of the Ring. They stopt, and then stood out one of the chief Warriors, who sung what Wars he had been in, and described (by Actions as well as by Words) which way he had vanquish'd the Enemies of his Country. When he had done, all the rest gave a Shout of Approbation, as knowing what he said to be true. The next Day Mr. Oglethorpe gave Presents to Toma-chi-chi and his Indians, and dismiss'd them with Thanks for their Fidelity to the King." 1
For the further protection of the approaches to Frederica by the inland passages, a battery, called Fort St. Simon, was erected at the south end of St. Simon's Island. It was designed to command the entrance to Jekyll Sound. Adjacent to it was laid out a camp containing barracks and huts for the soldiers. At the southern extremity of Cumberland Island Fort William was afterwards built with a view to controlling Amelia Sound and the inland passage to St. Augustine. Upon San Juan Island to the south, and near the entrance of the St. John's River, Ogle- thorpe observed the traces of an old fort. Thither he sent Captain Hermsdorf and a detachment of Highlanders, with in- structions to repair and occupy it. Having ascertained that this island was included in the cession of lands made by the Indians to his majesty, he named it George, and called the fortification Fort St. George. With the exception of one or two posts of observation, this constituted the most southern defense of the colony, and was regarded as an important position both for hold-
1 Moore's Voyage to Georgia, p. 71. London. 1744.
235
FREDERICA.
ing the Spaniards in check and for giving the earliest intelligence of any hostile demonstration on their part.1 The energy and boldness displayed by the commander-in-chief in developing his line of occupation so far to the south, and in the very teeth of the Spaniards in Florida, are quite remarkable, and indicate on his part not only a daring bordering upon rashness, but also no little confidence in the courage and firmness of the small garrisons detailed to fortify and hold these advanced and isolated positions.
Returning to Frederica from this tour of observation, Mr. Ogle- thorpe found the workmen busily occupied in constructing the fort; the outer works were being " palisaded with Cedar Posts to prevent our Enemies turning up the green Sod." Upon the bastions platforms of two-inch plank were laid for the cannon. A piece of marsh lying below the fort was converted into a water battery, called " the Spur," the guns of which, being on a level with the water, were admirably located for direct and effective operation against all vessels either ascending or descending the river.
A well was dug within the fort which yielded an abundant supply of " tolerable good water." The people having no bread, and the store of biscuits being needed for the crews of the boats which were kept constantly moving from point to point, an oven was built, and an indented servant, a baker by trade, was de- tailed to bake bread for the colony. For the flour furnished by each individual an equal weight was returned in bread, " the dif- ference made by the water and salt " being the baker's gain. This fresh bread, in the language of one who partook of it, was a great comfort to the people. Venison brought in by the Indians was frequently issued in lieu of salt provisions. Poultry, hogs, and sheep were occasionally killed for the sick. Such domestic animals, however, were, at that early period, so scarce in the set- tlement that they were " carefully guarded for the purpose of breeding." A little later, live-stock came forward in abundance by boats from Port Royal and Savannah.
Grave apprehensions were entertained of an attack from the Spaniards, and Mr. Oglethorpe was untiring in his efforts to place the southern frontier in the best possible state of defense. It is remarkable how much was accomplished under the circum-
1 On the upper end of Cumberland Island, and upon a high neck of land commanding the water approaches each way, Fort St. Andrew was subsequently
built. " Its walls were of wood, filled in with earth. Round about were a ditch and n palisade." Wesley's Journal, p. 61. Bristol, n. d.
-
4
236
THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
stances. His energy was boundless, his watchfulness unceasing. Scout-boats were constantly on duty observing the water ap- proaches from the south as far as the mouth of the St. John. Indian runners narrowly watched the walls of St. Augustine, and conveyed intelligence of every movement by the enemy. Look- outs were maintained at all necessary points to give warning of threatened danger. Mr. Bryan and Mr. Barnwell promised, in case Frederica or its out-posts were attacked, to come to their support with a strong body of volunteers from Carolina. Chiefs of the Cheehaws and the Creeks proffered their assistance.
Acting upon the belief that it was better to confront the Span- iards upon the confines of the colony than to abide the event of their invasion, volunteers came in such numbers from Carolina and Georgia that General Oglethorpe was compelled to issue orders that all who had plantations should remain at home and cultivate them until actually summoned to arms.
Hearing a report that the Spaniards were intent upon dislodg- ing the settlers from Frederica, Ensign Delegal, taking thirty men of the Independent Company under his command and row- ing night and day, reached Frederica on the 10th of May and tendered his services. Without permitting them to land, Ogle- thorpe ordered English strong beer and provisions on board, sent a present of wine to Ensign Delegal, and, upon the same tide, in his scout-boat conducted the party to the east point of St. Simon's Island where it is washed by Jekyll Sound and there posted the company, locating a spot for constructing a fort, and commanding a well to be dug. By the 16th, Ensign Delegal succeeded in casting up a considerable intrenchment and in mounting several cannon.
This post, strengthened on the 8th of June by the arrival of Lieutenant Delegal, with the rest of the Independent Company and thirteen pieces of cannon belonging to them, was subse- quently known as Delegal's Fort at the Sea-point.
Workmen at Frederica were employed in building a powder magazine under one of the bastions of the fort. It was made of heavy timber covered with several feet of earth. The construc- tion of a large storehouse, a smith's forge, a wheelwright's shop, and a corn-house also engaged their attention. The men capable of bearing arms were trained in military exercises each day by Mr. McIntosh. The colonists were in a state of constant alarm, and everything was made subservient to the general defense. Even the feeble avowed their willingness to sacrifice their lives
.
237
BRAVERY OF THE COLONISTS.
.
in protecting their new homes. Inspired by the intrepidity and vigilance, the fearlessness and the activity, of Oglethorpe, who was constantly on the move, visiting the advanced works, press- ing his reconnoissances even within the enemy's lines, and mak- ing every available disposition of men and munitions which could conduce to the common safety, soldiers and citizens kept brave hearts, labored incessantly and cheerfully, observed a sleepless watch upon the sea and its inlets, and stood prepared to offer stout resistance to the Spaniard. It was a manly sight, this little colony fearlessly planting itself upon island and headland, sepa- rated from all substantial support, and yet extending itself on land and water to the very verge of hostile lines held by an enemy greatly superior in men and warlike appliances.
CHAPTER XVI.
FREDERICA A MILITARY TOWN. - MISSION OF MR. DEMPSEY AND MAJOR RICHARDS. - AMICABLE RELATIONS ESTABLISHED BETWEEN GEORGIA AND FLORIDA. - OGLETHORPE'S INTERVIEW WITH THE SPANISH OFFICIALS. - SUBSEQUENTLY THE SPANIARDS CALL UPON THE ENGLISII TO EVACUATE ALL TERRITORY LYING SOUTH OF ST. HELENA SOUND. - CONFERENCE WITH SOUTH CAROLINA COMMISSIONERS IN REGARD TO THE INDIAN TRADE. -- OGLETHORPE DEPARTS A SECOND TIME FOR ENGLAND.
WITH their situation at Frederica, exposed as it was, the colonists expressed themselves entirely delighted. The mag- nificent forests of cedar, bay, laurel, and live-oak; the luxuriant vines drooping in graceful festoons even to the water's edge; the voices of song-birds filling the soft air with sounds sweeter far than they had ever heard in Europe; the vernal atmosphere red- olent of jessamines, orange blossoms, and the thousand delight- ful flowers which lend their commingled fragrance and beauty to this charming spot; the presence of game and fish in great variety, and the generous appearance of the soil, all inspired the emigrants with a sense of satisfaction, happiness, and hope.
Situated on the west side of St. Simon's Island, on a bold bluff confronting a bay formed by one of the mouths of the Alatamaba River, Frederica was planned as a military town and constructed with a view to breasting the shock of hostile assaults. Its houses were to be substantially built, not of wood, as in Savannah, but of tabby. Its streets by their names proclaimed the presence of military officers. Its esplanade and parade-ground characterized it as a permanent camp.
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.