Great Britain claimed Georgia in 1663, but did not plan to settle there until 1717There were many different proposals about how to settle Georgia.

Some envisioned a colony of riches (Robert Montgomery)Others saw Georgia as a new beginning

for England’s poor. (James Oglethorpe)

Fort King George 1721-1727

James Edward Oglethorpe was born into a wealthy and influential family.He was well educated and was a member of Parliament’s House of Commons.Even though Oglethorpe was rich he did a lot of charity work for England’s poor.Important Social Reformer of his time.

James Edward Oglethorpe

Oglethorpe worked to improve prison conditions and wanted to help debtors get out of prison.

Many people were out of work and could not pay their debts.

Those that could not pay their debts were sent to prison.

Prisons were dirty and had smallpox, influenza, and other diseases.

Conditions in Great Britain

Conditions in England

• Many people were out of work and could not pay their debts.

• Those that could not pay their debts were sent to prison.

• Prisons were dirty and had smallpox, influenza, and other diseases

• Oglethorpe worked to improve prison conditions and wanted to help debtors get out of prison

Oglethorpe’s Opinion’s on Debtors

• Robert Castell, Oglethorpe's friend died of small pox in a debtor’s prison

• Oglethorpe believed that debtors were a victim of the high unemployment in England

The Two Purposes for the Creation of Georgia

• Economics-- Balance in trade (Oglethorpe/King George)

• Defense-- Create a buffer for Carolina against Indian, French, and Spanish attacks (King George)

How was Georgia going to help England?

• Oglethorpe believed that Georgia could produce silk, cotton dyes, and wine.

• English merchants believed that Georgia could be a source of cheap raw materials

Which Religious Group Fled England?

• The Protestants left because they were being treated poorly in Europe

Georgia’s Boundaries

• South Carolina had no settlements south of the Savannah River

• The Savannah River would become Georgia’s northern border and the Altamaha River would become the southern border

What is a Charter?

Definition: A legal document giving a group of people rights to land

Georgia’s Charter: Gave the trustees right to all land between the Altamaha and Savannah Rivers

4 Limits on Trustees

1. Couldn’t own land.

2. Couldn’t hold political office.

3. Couldn’t get money for their work.

4. Couldn’t pass laws unless the king approved them first.

No lawyers, liquor dealers, or Africans allowed!

• Lawyers - Wanted colonists to settle their own disputes with each other.

• Liquor Dealers - Wanted colonists to work

• African slaves- Wanted colonists to work for themselves

What is a trustee?

• Definition: A person that holds responsibilities for others.

• Georgia’s Trustees: Made up of 21 member of the British nobility.

The Trustees Selected 35 Families

• The colonists were mostly farmers, carpenters, tailors, blacksmiths, etc. (Oglethorpe’s Poor?)

• These colonists were given free land (50 acres), weapons, tools, seeds, food, and passage (on charity).

• Some paid their way. These colonists received (500 acres) and could bring 10 indentured servants.

Georgia's Regulations

• Each man was to defend the new colony• Land could not be sold or mortgaged

– Inherited by male heirs only

• Everyone farmed– Mulberry trees produced silk

• No Slaves• No liquor• No state religion • No Lawyers

The First Colonists Sail to Georgia

• 114-125 passengers• Took 57 days to travel from

England to Charles Town, Carolina.

• Port Royal (Beaufort), SC• Carolina supports the New

Georgia Colony• “Georgia Day” February 12,

1733 land at Yamacraw Bluff (Savannah) 88 days total.

Ann was a 200-ton British galley, only 87 feet long and

26 feet wide.

What was sailing on the Anne like?

• Simple food• Cramped living

conditions• Only two deaths

About 18 Miles Upriver From The Ocean, Oglethorpe Found A Large Flat

Area (Yamacraw Bluff/Savannah)

• Area was close to friendly Indians and a Carolina trading post. (John & Mary Musgrove)

• Oglethorpe would have to ask permission from the local Yamacraw Indians for permission to settle the area.

Chief TomochichiYamacraw

• His tribe depended on English trading• He believed that a new English

settlement would help his tribe and agrees to allow the colonists to settle

• Oglethorpe and Tomochichi would become lifelong friends.

• Traveled to Great Britain

Ticket Out The Door

• In at least a half page, choose one of the three individuals from the right and explain which person was most important in the founding of Georgia. Use details to back up your decision.

James Oglethorpe

Chief Tomochichi

Mary Musgrove