Here Ye, Here Ye, Georgia Becomes a Royal Colony

EQ: How did Georgia become a royal colony, and what changes occurred?

What is the difference between a trustee colony and royal colony?

• A trustee colony is one that is managed by a group of trustees.

• A royal colony is one managed by a royal governor who is appointed by the king/queen of a nation.

I’ve got the perfect solution – a royal governor. Hand-picked by

me!

What BIG stuff changed in the Georgia colony between 1752 and 1754?

• When the Georgia colony stopped being a trustee colony and became a royal colony, the Trustees’ regulations on land, rum, and slavery went away.

• Therefore, the colonists in Georgia were able to now purchase and sell land and women were able to inherit property. Colonists could now also purchase slaves.

BUY OR SELL! YOU PICK!

LADIES WITH LANDSLAVERY

ALLOWED

RUM

What changed in the Georgia colony between 1752 and 1754?

• So, crowds of colonists who left the GA colony when it was a trustee colony came back to GA.

• Also, thousands of new settlers from England, SC, NC, and Virginia pour into the colony looking for vast amounts of land and new opportunities.

We’re BACK!!!

What changed in the Georgia colony

• Where will these new settlers settle down in GA?

– The “Backcountry”• Rough life, have to be totally

self-sufficient. Many dangers exist. Different culture evolves than those living in/near Savannah.

• Augusta was created as a result of new populations of settlers

– Becomes #2 city of importance in GA

What changed in the Georgia colony?

• Slavery is allowed.• Black slaves also

arrive in GA, and in 1759, 1/3 of GA’s population is African slaves.

– Most are employed as rice farmers along the coast.

What changed in the Georgia colony?

• 1759 – Total population = 10,000– Double the population of 5,500 in 1752.

• The amount of owned land grew from 1 million acres to 7 million acres.

Who was given the honor of being the Georgia colony’s first governor?

John Reynolds1754-1757• Former Navy captain• Greeted with much fan fare

and excitement• Is given credit for giving

colonists the right to self-government and for setting up the colony’s first bi-cameral legislature (2 houses) and court system.Captain John Reynolds

What did self-government mean to GA colonists?

• Gave colonists the right to voice concerns and be a part of the evolution of the GA colony!

• Colonists would have the right to –

– Vote – had to own 50 acres and be male

– Hold elections– Collect taxes

50 Acres!

The Royal Colony of GA’s First Government

Bi-Cameral (2 houses) Legislature (makes laws)

Commons House of Assembly Governor’s Council

Lower house Upper house

These men were elected by colonists

These men were appointed by the King

Had to own 500 acres

Were wealthy, influential landowners

Could write and vote on bills

Would advise the governor, approve land grants, make laws, and, sometimes, act as judges in

legal cases

Georgia’s first royal governor John Reynolds

• Reynolds lost his temper when the Commons House disagreed with his viewpoints on building up the defenses of the colony, and he disbanded the legislature and took charge writing and approving bills.

Georgia’s first royal governor John Reynolds• While “waiting for a better

assignment to came along,” Reynolds was called back to England to answer charges that he behaved poorly.

• He was ordered to resign and went back to service in the Navy.

• Major events - he was royal governor when the French and Indian War was beginning.

Back to a life I know and

love!

Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• Henry Ellis• 1757-1760• Was a former slave trader (but no one

died on his ships)• Friendly to Creek

• Divided the colony into 8 parishes which sent delegates to Savannah (actually allowed the colonists to have self government)Sadly, n

o

paintings of me

can be found!

Gov. Henry Ellis

Henry Ellis

• Major boom time for GA’s population.

– By 1759 = 10,000 in GA (3,600 slaves)

• Colony made huge economic progress!

– new farms, new crops being grown successfully, and new products to purchase as more and more merchants conduct business in GA

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON!

Henry Ellis• In 1759, Ellis becomes

very ill and asks to return to Britain. (He can’t handle the heat.)

• He is later re-assigned to Nova Scotia in 1761.

• Later he helps get several treaties with the Creek, convinces Spain to give up Florida, and writes the Proclamation of 1763

Who was the 3rd and last royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• James Wright• 1760-1776• Was the attorney general

for SC before coming to GA

• Wright played a key role in two large land cessions from GA's Indians in 1763 and1773.

– During Wright’s term, land ownership increases the most.

Man is fickle!

Everyone loves

me…then, many

HATE me!

Gov. James Wright

James Wright

• Completed the defenses around Savannah with palisades and forts were made stronger.

• New port at Sunbury was created and made the official port of entry.

Where is Sunbury in GA? http://www.mapquest.com/mq/3-mectJa0e

James Wright

• Other positive developments: – Rice, indigo, and silk booming– More schools created– More people reading/books

being sold– GA’s first newspaper “The

Georgia Gazette” started– Many homes rebuilt into finer

homes • poor whites (esp. in the

backcountry) weren’t experiencing this much progress however.

Well, at least for some!

Major events during James Wright’s term as royal governor

• Major events – French and Indian War ends, protests in American colonies begin, American Revolution breaks out, Battle of the Rice Boats occur, and Wright is arrested by Liberty Boys.