Georgia,
The southernmost and youngest of the thirteen original States of the
United States, is bounded on the north by
Tennessee and
North Carolina, east by the
Savannah River (which separates it from
South Carolina), and by the
Atlantic Ocean, which forms a coast-line of about 128 miles;
Florida bounds it on the south, and
Alabama and a small part of
Florida on the west.
It lies between lat. 30° 20′ and 35° N., and long.
80° 40′ and 85° 38′
W. Area, 59,475 square miles, in 137 counties.
Population, 1890, 1,837,353; 1900, 2,216,331; capital,
Atlanta.
De Soto enters the
State from
Florida; travels northeast through the pine barrens, erects a cross of wood near the
Ocmulgee; hears from Indians on the
Etowah of gold to the north, and proceeds westward to the
Mississippi, entering
Alabama by the
Coosa......1540
Tristan de Luna, with 300 Spaniards, spends the summer in what is now
Habersham county, searching for gold......1560
Jean Ribault, of
Dieppe, with two ships fitted out by
Gaspard de Coligni, high admiral of
France and leader of Huguenots, anchors off mouth of Satilla, discovers
Altamaha River,
Ossabaw Sound, and the
Savannah River......May, 1562
Second expedition, sent out by
Coligni, three ships under
Rene de Laudonnier.
anchor in
St. Andrew's Sound......June, 1564
Land between lat. 31° and 36° N., and westward to the ocean, granted by first charter of Charles II.
to the lords proprietors of
Carolina......March 24, 1663
A three years grant of lands between
Savannah and
Altamaha rivers obtained from lords proprietors of
Carolina by
Sir Robert Montgomery, Bart., who issues proposals for settlement of his province, the “Margravate of Azilia” ......1717
Montgomery fails to colonize and forfeits grant......1720
Lords proprietors of
Carolina sell seveneighths of their grant to Parliament, and all south of
Savannah River is reserved by British crown......1729
Lord Carteret, owner of one-eighth, sells it to trustees for establishing the colony of
Georgia in
America......Feb. 28, 1732
Trustees receive their charter granting “all those lands between
Savannah and
Altamaha, and westerly from heads of said rivers in a direct line to the
South
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seas, including islands within 20 leagues of the coast.”
The trustees, serving without pay, offer to all “indigent persons who would be willing to seek a livelihood in the colony if provided with a passage thither and means of getting settled,” free citizenship and free exercise of religion (Papists excluded). Charter granted......June 9, 1732
Ship
Ann,
Capt. John Thomas, with
Gen. James Oglethorpe,
Rev. Henry Herbert, P. D., and thirty-five families, anchors in Rebellion Roads, S. C.......Jan. 13, 1733
Obtaining consent of Creek Indians through
Mary Musgrave, interpreter,
Rev. Thomas Bosomworth,
Oglethorpe, and colonists land at Yamacraw bluff, on south side of
Savannah River, the present site of
Savannah......Feb. 12, 1733
First clapboard house in
Georgia begun in
Savannah......Feb. 19, 1733
Two thousand religious books received by trustees from unknown persons in
England for use in colony......April 18, 1733
Ship
James,
Captain Yoakly, first ship to sail up the
Savannah and unload at the town......May, 1733
Treaty of
Oglethorpe with lower Creek, Uchee, and
Yamacraw Indians, who agree ever to protect the
English and restore runaway negroes, receiving for each four blankets and two guns, or an equivalent......May 21, 1733
Ten families sent from
Savannah to Fort Argyle on
Ogeechee River, previously garrisoned by rangers......June, 1733
Public designation of town and wards with religious exercises; town court of record established, first session of magistrates held, and first jury in
Georgia impanelled......July 7, 1733
Forty Jews arrive at
Savannah, sent by the committee appointed by the trustees......July, 1733
Trustees prohibit rum in
Georgia......Aug. 11, 1733
Forty-two families of Salzburgers, sent from
Augsburg, Bavaria, by the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, settle at
Ebenezer......March 17, 1734
Oglethorpe sails for
England, leaving
Thomas Causton in authority......April 7, 1734
Ten persons, under
Rev. Gottlieb Spanzenberg, sent over from
Saxony to begin a Moravian settlement in
America, locate on north side of the
Ogeechee River, near Fort Argyle......January, 1735
Fifty-nine Salzburgers under
Mr. Vat, twenty-two British emigrants, and some Indian chiefs whom
Oglethorpe had taken to
England, arrive at
Savannah early in......1735
Small quantity of
Georgia silk taken to
England and court dress made, worn by Queen Caroline at levee on
King's birthday......April 2, 1735
Augusta laid out and garrisoned at trustees' expense;
Roger de Lacy, an Indian agent, one of its first settlers......1735
First issue of £ 4,000 of
Sola bills, or bills of exchange of various denominations, made by trustees' agents in
Georgia......July 24, 1735
About 100 Highlanders, sent from
Scotland by trustees, settle on north side of the
Altamaha River, calling it New Inverness......January, 1736
Two ships, convoyed by
British sloop
Hawk, bringing
Oglethorpe, John and
Charles Wesley, twenty-five Moravians, and a number of Salzburgers, anchor near
Tybee Island......Feb. 5, 1736
Fort on
St. Simon's Island at
Frederica, as marked out by
Oglethorpe, begun......Feb. 19, 1736
John Wesley first preaches at
Savannah......March 7, 1736
Fort St. Andrews erected on
Cumberland Island by Highlanders, and
Fort William planned......1736
Treaty ending hostilities between Spanish and English colonies, and referring all disputes as to boundaries between
Georgia and
Florida to the home governments......Oct. 27, 1736
Oglethorpe appointed general of forces in
South Carolina and
Georgia......June, 1737
John Wesley sails for
England......Dec. 24, 1737
Uprising of negroes, incited by the
Spanish at
Stono, quelled......1738
Arrival of ship bringing
Rev. George Whitefield and a regiment recruited by
Oglethorpe in
England; the regiment, under
Colonel Cochran, locating at
Frederica......May 3, 1738
Many Moravian emigrants remove to
Pennsylvania (the rest follow two years later)......1738
Attempted assassination of General
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Oglethorpe while inspecting Fort St. Andrews on
Cumberland Island......November, 1738
Articles of convention between the
British and
Spanish governments; disputed territories to be retained by present possessors......Jan. 14, 1739
Treaty of peace at Coweta Town between chiefs of Creek Indians and
Oglethorpe......Aug. 21, 1739
George Whitefield lays first brick of central building of orphan house “
Bethesda,” 9 miles from
Savannah......March 25, 1740
Spanish Fort St. Diego, near
St. Augustine, defended by fifty-seven men, taken by
Oglethorpe......May 10, 1740
Being joined at
St. John's by
Carolina troops,
Oglethorpe marches upon Fort Moosa, which Spaniards evacuate and retreat to
St. Augustine......May 15, 1740
Fort Moosa recaptured by 300 Spaniards under
Don Antonio Salgrado after a bloody conflict......June 26, 1740
After an ineffectual siege of three weeks
Oglethorpe retires from before
St. Augustine and reaches
Frederica about......July 20, 1740
Georgia divided into two counties:
Savannah, comprising all territory north of
Darien; and
Frederica, covering the settlements on
St. Simon's Island and the
Altamaha; and
Col. William Stephens chosen president of
Savannah......April 15, 1741
Nine Spanish vessels, attempting to enter Amelia Sound, are repulsed by cannon of
Fort William, on
Cumberland Island, aided by armed schooner of fourteen guns and eighty men......June 21, 1742
Spanish squadron of thirty-six vessels enters St. Simon's harbor in spite of battery of fort and a few English ships, lands about 500 men within 4 miles of
Frederica......July 5, 1742
English having abandoned Fort St. Simon, the
Spanish occupy it; march against
Frederica, and are driven back to an open marsh bordering on a forest, where they stack arms and are surprised and completely routed by a platoon and company of rangers under
Lieutenants Sutherland and
Mackay in a battle known as “Bloody
Marsh” ......July 7, 1742
Rum act repealed in
Georgia by order of House of Commons......July 14, 1742
Gen. Don Manuel de Montiano, alarmed by a decoy letter sent by
Oglethorpe, with his fleet, fearful of being hemmed in by sea and land, hastens to sea......about July 20, 1742
Oglethorpe returns with detachment of Highlanders from a fruitless incursion into
Florida......March 9, 1743
Magazine at
Frederica blown up......March 22, 1743
Trustees abrogate part of constitution appointing board for
Frederica, and counties are consolidated;
Col. William Stephens elected first president of colony of
Georgia, under government established at solicitation of people, by the
King......April 18, 1743
Charles Harris and
James Habersham in partnership establish first commercial house in
Georgia......1744
Thomas Bosomworth obtains deed from Indian chief and emperor, Malatchee, to islands of Ossabaw, Sapelo, and St. Catharine......Dec. 14, 1747
Small ship (the first) chartered in
England by
Harris and
Habersham to bring
Georgia products......May, 1749
In response to petitions the act of 1735, prohibiting importation and use of negro slaves, was repealed by trustees......Oct. 26, 1749
Trustees abolish tail-male tenure of grants and make them absolute......May 25, 1750
Henry Parker commissioned vice-president of
Georgia......June 26, 1750
Christ Church (Anglican),
Savannah, dedicated......July 7, 1750
Provincial assembly of delegates to propose, debate, and refer matters to the trustees, first meets at
Savannah......Jan. 15, 1751
Henry Parker chosen president of colony......April 8, 1751
First general muster of militia in lower districts at
Savannah......June 13, 1751
Trustees hold last meeting, surrender charters, and the government passes to the board of trade and plantations......June 23, 1752
Community of Anglican Church people, after preliminary examination of lands in 1752-53 and procuring grant of about 32.000 acres of land between
Ogeechee and
Altamaha, settle at
Midway, Ga.......March, 1754
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Patrick Graham elected president of colony......1754
Silver seal made for colony under
King's direction......June 21, 1754
Capt. John Reynolds, of the
British navy, appointed governor of
Georgia in August, arrives at
Savannah......Oct. 29, 1754
Reynolds dissolves board and forms a royal council under letters patent from the crown......Oct. 30, 1754
First General Assembly of freeholders of estates of not less than 500 acres, meets at
Savannah......Jan. 7, 1755
Governor assents to twelve acts of Assembly; the second was for issuing £ 3,000 in paper bills of credit......March 7, 1755
Two transports arrive at
Savannah with about 400 Acadians, banished from
Nova Scotia.
As Papists could not remain in
Georgia under charter, they were sent to
South Carolina the next spring......December, 1755
By machinations of his secretary, William Little,
Governor Reynolds is charged with maladministration and resigns office to
Henry Ellis, elected lieutenant-governor......Feb. 16, 1757
Treaty of peace with council of upper and lower Creeks by
Lieutenant-Governor Ellis......Nov. 3, 1757
Georgia divided into eight parishes, and Church of
England worship established......March 17, 1758
Islands of Ossabaw, St. Catharine, and Sapelo formally ceded to
England by Creek nation......April 22, 1758
Ellis appointed governor-in-chief by lords of trade......May 17, 1758
Grant of 300 acres for site of
Sunbury by Mark
Carr, part of his 500-acre grant from the
King in 1757......June 20, 1758
Claims of
Thomas and
Mary Bosomworth settled by order of the
King......Feb. 9, 1759
First wharf built in
Savannah......1759
Act for issuing £ 7,410 in paper bills of credit......May 1, 1760
Lieut.-Gov. James Wright succeeds
Governor Ellis......Nov. 2, 1760
George III.
proclaimed
King with civil and military pomp; the only event of the kind ever witnessed in
Georgia......Feb. 10, 1761
Commission creating
James Wright captain-general and governor-in-chief of
Georgia reaches
Savannah......Jan. 28, 1762
William Grover, first
chief-justice of
Georgia, removed from office for maladministration......March, 1763
Protest and caveat issued by
Governor Wright against grants of land south of the
Altamaha by
South Carolina......March 30, 1763
First newspaper in
Georgia, the
Georgia Gazette, issued at
Savannah by
James Johnson......April 17, 1763
By royal proclamation, southern boundary of
Georgia is made the
St. Mary's River, including lands between this and the
Altamaha claimed by
South Carolina......Oct. 7, 1763
Congress of Creeks, Cherokees, Catawbas, Chickasaws, and Chocktaws, meet governors of
Virginia,
North Carolina,
South Carolina, and
Georgia at
Augusta, and conclude treaty and cede additional land to
Georgia......Nov. 5, 1763
New commission granted
Governor Wright for the new
Mississippi territory of
Georgia......Jan. 20, 1764
Four additional parishes laid off between
Altamaha and
St. Mary's rivers......1765
Sixteen members of Assembly at
Savannah consider a circular from Massachusetts Assembly, proposing a General Congress at New York on the Stamp Act......Sept. 2, 1765
Letter sent General Congress in New York announces hearty co-operation of Georgia Assembly, but opposition of
Governor Wright prevents attendance of delegates......October, 1765
British ship
Speedwell arrives in
Savannah River with stamps, which are secretly transferred to Fort Halifax to avoid destruction threatened by Liberty Boys......Dec. 5, 1765
South Carolina aroused because
Georgia accepts stamps to clear sixty or seventy vessels waiting in
Savannah......December, 1765
Two hundred Liberty Boys threatening to break open fort and destroy stamps, the governor removes them under military escort to the guard-house......Jan. 2, 1766
Mr. Agnus, stamp distributer, arrives at
Tybee, is secretly conveyed to the governor's house, takes the oath, but in a few
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days leaves town convinced of his insecurity......Jan. 3, 1766
A body of 600 men threatening
Fort George and the governor's house, the stamps are placed on the
Speedwell......Feb. 3, 1766
Effigy of
Governor Wright, with offensive circular of
Secretary Conway in his hand, burned on the commons in
Savannah......Feb. 4, 1766
Official announcement of repeal of Stamp Act received by governor......July 6, 1766
Assembly refuses governor's call for supplies for British troops in
Georgia, and
General Gage withdraws all troops from province soon after......Jan. 20, 1767
One hundred and seven Irish Protestants settle at forks of
Lambert Creek and
Great Ogeechee......March, 1768
Benjamin Franklin appointed agent for
Georgia in
Great Britain......April 11, 1768
King rejects, as irregular and disrespectful, a petition of the Assembly presented by
Franklin, protesting against acts of Parliament taxing America, under date of......Dec. 24, 1768
Merchants and traders of
Savannah meet and resolve that importers of articles subject to parliamentary duties are enemies to the country......Sept. 16, 1769
Unanimous election of
Dr. Wimberly Jones as speaker of Assembly; vetoed by governor, who dissolves the Assembly......Feb. 22, 1770
James Habersham, president of the council, assumes executive duties on
Wright's departure for
England, and twice vetoes election of
Dr. Jones as speaker of Assembly......July, 1771
Works for filature in
Savannah, erected 1751, discontinued; end of silk industry in
Georgia......1772
Governor Wright returns from
England with the title of baronet......February, 1773
Creeks and Cherokees convene at
Augusta and cede to
King over 2,100,000 acres in
Georgia, to liquidate indebtedness to traders of over $200,000......June 1, 1773
Meeting in
Savannah; resolves to concur with sister colonies in every constitutional measure to obtain redress of American grievances.
This meeting was afterwards pronounced illegal and punishable by
Governor Wright......Aug. 10, 1774
Resolutions of fealty to Continental Congress drawn up by representatives of
Darien in district congress......Jan. 12, 1775
Provincial Congress in
Savannah elects
Dr. Jones,
Archibald Bullock, and
John Houstoun, delegates to the Continental Congress in
Philadelphia......Jan. 18, 1775
Delegates send patriotic letter, but cannot attend during struggle in
Georgia with royal power......April 8, 1775
General Assembly convenes; no quorum; royal government in
Georgia suspended......May 9, 1775
Noble
Wimberly Jones,
Joseph Habersham, Edward Tel-fair, and a few others appropriate to colonial use 500 lbs. of powder from
King's magazine......May 11, 1775
Lyman Hall, delegate from parish of
St. John to Continental Congress, arrives at
Philadelphia with present for patriots in
Massachusetts of 160 barrels of rice and £ 50......May 13, 1775
Other delegates from the
State not taking their seats in Congress, Georgia, except parish of
St. John, is placed under ban of colonial intercourse by Continental Congress......May 17, 1775
Ship
Juliana leaves
Savannah with gift of sixty-three barrels of rice and £ 120 in specie for
Massachusetts......June 1, 1775
Governor Wright having issued orders for celebration of
King's birthday, Liberty people spike the cannon on the bay, dismount them, and roll them to the bottom of bluff......June 2, 1775
First liberty-pole in
Georgia erected at
Savannah, on
King's birthday......June 5, 1775
Claim of
George Galphin, a prominent and liberal trader, audited before governor and approved, for £ 9,791......June 6, 1775
Provincial Congress at
Tondee's Long Room,
Savannah, elect
Archibald Bullock president, adopt the “American Declaration or
bill of rights” of Continental Congress, and resolve in non-importation of British merchandise......July 4, 1775
First provincial vessel commissioned for naval warfare in the Revolution, is sent out by
Georgia under command of
Captain Bowen and
Joseph Habersham.
Discovering an English vessel bringing powder for Indians and royalists, they board her and secure the powder......July 10, 1775
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Continental Congress officially notified that
Georgia acceded to general association; it is thenceforth one of the United Colonies......July 20, 1775
Messrs. Zubley,
Bullock, and
Houstoun take seats as delegates from
Georgia to Continental Congress......Sept. 13, 1775
English ship with 250 barrels of gunpowder seized off
Tybee Island by the
Liberty people......Sept. 17, 1775
Provincial Congress takes under supervision all courts of law......Dec. 1, 1775
Council of safety fully organized;
George Walton, president......Dec. 11, 1775
Battalion of troops ordered raised at Continental expense for protection of
Georgia, organized......Jan. 7, 1776
Governor Wright arrested by
Maj. Joseph Habersham and put under parole......Jan. 18, 1776
Provincial Congress organize; elect
Hon. Archibald Bullock president, issue bills of credit for military stores, and draw up temporary constitution for
Georgia......Jan. 22, 1776
Governor Wright escapes to
English ship
Scarborough, and writes a letter to people, offering peace, but is not heeded......Feb. 11, 1776
Captain Rice, charged by the council of safety to dismantle shipping at
Savannah to prevent capture by the
British, is surprised and imprisoned on a vessel which the
British had boarded.
To accomplish his release the council of safety fired several vessels, arrested all members of royal council in
Savannah, and menaced officers of ships at
Tybee......March 2, 1776
Lord North's bill prohibiting trade with the colonies in rebellion is announced in
Georgia......March, 1776
Temporary constitution ratified by Provincial Congress......April 15, 1776
Declaration of Independence signed by Lyman Hall, Button
Gwinnett, and
George Walton, members from
Georgia......July 3, 1776
Declaration of Independence received in
Savannah; read by
Archibald Bullock at liberty-pole, and acknowledged by national salute......Aug. 8, 1776
First constitution of
Georgia ratified in convention; parishes abolished and counties erected instead......Feb. 5, 1777
Fort McIntosh on St. Illa River surrendered to British......Feb. 17, 1777
President Bullock invested with the executive power, with assistance of five persons of his own choosing......Feb. 22, 1777
Mr. Bullock dying within a month, is succeeded by Button
Gwinnett, who was soon after killed in a duel with
General McIntosh......March 4, 1777
Act of attainder of enemies of American liberty as traitors, and confiscating their estates, passes the Assembly......March 1, 1778
Executive council invests the governor with sole executive power independent of council......April 16, 1778
British under
Colonel Prevost advance north into
Georgia to join
Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, who sailed from New York......Nov. 27, 1778
Campbell anchors off
Tybee......Dec. 27, 1778
Campbell lands, attacks rear of
Americans under
General Howe, who retreats across the
Savannah, abandoning the city.
American loss, nearly 100 killed and wounded, thirty drowned in swamps, seven officers, 416 non-commissioned officers and privates taken prisoners.
British loss, two captains and five privates killed, eight privates wounded......Dec. 29, 1778
Colonel Campbell takes possession of
Cherokee Hill and Ebenezer......Jan. 1-2, 1779
Major Lane surrenders garrison at
Sunbury to
Prevost......Jan. 9, 1779
Augusta surrendered to British under
Campbell......January, 1779
Americans under
Pickens,
Dooly, and
Clarke repulse British at
battle of Kettle Creek,
Wilkes county......Feb. 14, 1779
Prevost surprises and defeats
Americans under
General Ashe at
Briar Creek.
Loss, American, 340 killed, wounded, and prisoners; British, sixteen killed and wounded......March 3, 1779
Civil government renewed by British under
Colonel Prevost......March 4, 1779
Governor Wright returns to
Georgia......July 13, 1779
As British invasion prevented carrying the constitution into effect, the supreme executive council is clothed with plenary power and elects
John Wereat president......Aug. 6, 1779
Count d'estaing, with fleet of thirty-three war-vessels, surprises and captures
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part of British fleet under
Sir James Wallace, commanding Tybee station......Sept. 3, 1779
Armies of
Lincoln and
D'Estaing besiege
Savannah......Sept. 23, 1779
Captain French with 111 British, and five vessels with crews and ammunition, frightened by bonfires and voices, surrender to
Col. John White of Georgia line and six
Americans......Oct. 1, 1779
Americans and French attack
Savannah; lose 1,100 killed and wounded out of 4,000 and abandon siege, bearing away
Count Pulaski, mortally wounded......Oct. 9, 1779
A dissatisfied faction elects
George Walton governor, appoints executive councillors, and elects delegates to Congress, producing great confusion......Nov. 4, 1779
Assembly at
Augusta elects
Richard Howley governor and
George Wells president of executive council......Jan. 4, 1780
Governor Howley by proclamation calls on people to support and defend the government......Feb. 2. 1780
Assembly adjourns to
Heard's Fort,
Wilkes county, which becomes temporary capital of the
State......Feb. 5, 1780
Governor Howley leaves for Continental Congress;
President Wells dying soon after, Stephen Heard becomes executive......Feb. 18, 1780
House of Assembly of only fifteen members (eighteen being a quorum) passes acts attainting rebels of high treason......May 9, 1780
Augusta taken by
Colonel Clarke, Sept. 14; retaken by
British......Sept. 17, 1780
Fort Grierson, one of the defences of
Augusta, taken by
Clarke,
Pickens, and
Lee......May 24, 1781
Colonel Brown, who with British forces stands a protracted siege of
Augusta by
Americans, capitulates......June 5, 1781
Assembly convenes at
Augusta and elects
Nathan Brownson governor......Aug. 16, 1781
John Martin elected governor at
Augusta......Jan. 1, 1782
Legislature consults with
General Wayne at Sister's Ferry on the
Savannah, and by proclamation invites desertion from British army and return of citizens to
Georgia......Jan. 12, 1782
Governor Martin, in destitution, is supplied by legislature by sale of forfeited negroes and supplies......May 4, 1782
British forces, advancing 7 miles from
Savannah to escort Creek Indian allies into camp, are routed by
Wayne......May 21, 1782
Orders received by
Sir James Wright at
Savannah for evacuation of the province......June 14, 1782
Seat of provincial government removed to
Ebenezer, headquarters of
General Wayne, where Assembly meets......July 1, 1782
Savannah evacuated by British;
Col. James Jackson selected to receive the keys......July 11, 1782
Executive council establish themselves in
Savannah, and legislature convenes......July 14, 1782
Last blood of Revolution shed in
Georgia,
Col. John Laurens, killed in a skirmish at Combahee Ferry......Aug. 27, 1782
General Pickens and
Colonel Clarke drive a party of marauding Tories from settlement on
Etowah into
Florida......Oct. 17, 1782
General McIntosh,
John Houstoun, and
Edward Telfair appointed agents to adjust the northern boundaries......Feb. 15, 1783
Treaty ratified at
Augusta; Creeks cede country west of Tugaloo, including headwaters of
Oconee River......May 31, 1783
Legislature convenes at
Augusta......July 8, 1783
Franklin and
Washington counties laid out on land ceded by the
Creek Indians......February, 1784
Executive council notified of ratification by Congress of treaty of peace with
Great Britain......March 1, 1784
Land court opened at
Augusta to issue warrants, “citizens' rights,” “refugee certificates,” “Continental certificates,” “minute-men certificates,” and “marine certificates” ......April, 1784
University of Georgia receives charter and 40,000 acres of wild land......1785
Legislature grants
Count d'estaing 20,000 acres of land and free citizenship of
Georgia......1785
Hostile Creeks subjected by
Colonel Clarke, and treaty concluded at Galphington......Nov. 12, 1785
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Chatham artillery of
Savannah organized......May 1, 1786
Colonel Gunn breaks up camp of runaway negroes, trained to arms by the
British and ravaging country......May 6, 1786
Gen. Nathanael Greene dies at “
Mulberry Grove,” 14 miles from
Savannah, the home presented him by the legislature......June 19, 1786
Assembly directs paper bills of credit not to exceed £ 30,000 struck off under direction of governor......Aug. 14, 1786
Abram Baldwin and
Hon. William Frew, delegates from
Georgia, sign draught of constitution proposed for ratification......Sept. 17, 1787
Legislature at
Augusta ratifies the federal Constitution, the fourth State......Jan. 2, 1788
George Handly elected governor to succeed
Gen. James Jackson (age thirty), elected Jan. 9, who resigned on account of his youth......Jan. 25, 1788
Differences between
South Carolina and
Georgia settled; northern boundary of
Georgia fixed in line west from head of most northern branch of
Tugaloo River to the
Mississippi River......February, 1788
First bag of cotton exported from
Georgia, raised by
Alexander Bissel of
St. Simon's Island......1788
New constitution, to take effect in following October, formally accepted by governor......May 6, 1789
First General Assembly under new constitution meets......Nov. 3, 1789
General Assembly meets for public worship in St. Paul's church,
Augusta, on the first national Thanksgiving under the constitution......Nov. 26, 1789
Colonel Willet gains the confidence of Creek
Indians, and
Alexander McGillivray, son of a Scotchman by a half-breed Creek, an enemy to the
Americans and acknowledged head of the
Creeks; McGillivray with eight warriors accompanies
Willet to
Philadelphia and New York, when a treaty is concluded, ceding land south of
Oconee and
Ocmulgee rivers......Aug. 13, 1790
Two brass cannon, taken at
Yorktown, are presented to the Chatham artillery of
Savannah, by
General Washington, in appreciation of their part in his reception in
Savannah; one bears the inscription, “Surrendered by the capitulation of York Town, Oct. 19, 1781. Honi soit qui mal y pense—G. R.”
with the imperial crown......1791
General Washington, on a Presidential tour, arrives at
Savannah and is received with enthusiasm......May 13, 1791
Eli Whitney, of
Connecticut, while residing in
Georgia, invents the cotton-gin......May 27, 1793
General Clarke, claiming that by the treaty of 1790 certain lands on the south side of the
Oconee River had been improperly ceded to the
Creeks by the
United States, takes possession, defying
Georgia and
United States, but is driven out......Oct. 12, 1794
Seat of government removed from
Augusta to
Louisville, now county seat of
Jefferson county......May 16, 1795
Rescinding act signed by
Governor Irwin, who was elected the previous month......Feb. 13, 1796
United States grants to
Georgia preemption rights to lands obtained by joint treaty made with the
Creek Indians by
United States and
Georgia in previous.
year......March, 1797
Mississippi Territory set off from
Georgia by act of Congress......April 7, 1798
Revised constitution signed by delegates at
Louisville, proclaimed by sixteen rounds of artillery......May 30, 1798
“ Senatus Academicus” of University of Georgia first meets at
Louisville......November, 1799
Moravian mission among the Cherokees begun at
Spring Place, Murray county......1801
First building erected for university of Georgia......1801
James Jackson resigns to take seat in United States Senate;
David Emanuel acting governor......Dec. 7, 1801
Georgia cedes her western territory to the
United States for $1,250,000 and stipulation that the
Indian title to lands in
Georgia should be extinguished by
United States, but no time for completion of contract is specified......April 24, 1802
Treaty at
Washington; Creek Indians cede land between
Oconee and
Ocmulgee to the
United States......Nov. 14, 1805
First session of legislature at
Milledgeville, the new capital......1807
Battle between Georgia volunteers under
[
314]
Col. Daniel Newman and Lotchaway and
Alligator Indians in
east Florida......Oct. 5, 1812
Attack and destruction of Auttose towns by 950
Georgia militia under
General Floyd, and battle with Creeks on
Tallapoosa River; Indian loss, .200 killed;
Americans, eleven killed, fifty-four wounded......Nov. 29, 1813
General Floyd repulses a large body of Creek Indians at Camp Defiance, 48 miles west of the
Chattahoochee, after a loss of seventeen killed and 132 wounded......Jan. 27, 1814
Treaty ceding territory to
United States between Creek Indians and
General Jackson, at
Fort Jackson......Aug. 9, 1814
Point Petrie, near St. Mary's, defended by about ninety men under
Captain Massias, is surrendered to 1,000 British......Jan. 13, 1815
William H. Crawford appointed
Secretary of War......March 3, 1815
Frederic Tudor, of
Boston, ships first load of ice to
Savannah......1817
First mission of American board of commissioners among the Cherokees commenced at
Spring Place, Murray county......1817
William H. Crawford appointed
Secretary of the Treasury......Oct. 22, 1817
David B. Mitchell resigns governorship and is succeeded by
William Rabun, president of the Senate......Nov. 4, 1817
Three hundred
Georgia infantry under
Lieutenant-Colonel Arbuckle repulse
Fowltown Indians 12 miles from
Fort Scott on
Flint River......Nov. 23, 1817
Ex-Governor Mitchell,
United States agent to the
Creek Indians, concludes treaty, ceding lands in
northwest Georgia to the
United States to be annexed to
Georgia......Jan. 22, 1818
First transatlantic steamship
Savannah sails from
Savannah for
Liverpool (passage took twenty-six days)......May 26, 1819
Governor Rabun dying, is succeeded by
Matthew Talbot, president of the Senate......Oct. 24, 1819
Macon laid out, and first court held......March 20, 1823
Wilson Lumpkin appointed by
President commissioner of boundary between
Georgia and
Florida......1823
By amendment to the constitution, the election of governor is transferred from the legislature to the people......Nov. 17, 1824
Treaty at
Indian Springs with Creeks— represented by
Gen. William McIntosh and fifty others.
They cede to
United States all the
Creek country in
Georgia and several millions of acres in
Alabama......Feb. 12, 1825
Savannah and Ogeechee Canal begun, the
State subscribing for $40,000 of stock......1825
Governor orders a survey of Indian lands in
Georgia......1825
United States government sends
General Gaines to
Georgia to protect the Indians......1825
Treaty with Creek Indians at
Washington annuls treaty of 1825 and cedes only lands in
Georgia, the
Creeks agreeing to emigrate......Jan. 24, 1826
Threatening correspondence between
Governor Troup and the
United States on jurisdiction in Indian matters within the
State......1826-27
State extends criminal jurisdiction over part of
Georgia claimed by the Cherokees......Dec. 20, 1828
John M. Berrien appointed
Attorney-General......March 9, 1829
Legislation annuls all laws and ordinances made by Cherokees......Dec. 19, 1829
First gold from
Georgia mines received at the United States mint......1830
Law forbidding any white person to enter the
Cherokee country without license and oath of allegiance to
Georgia......Dec. 22, 1830
Cherokee Georgia surveyed by order of governor, laid out in small sections, and distributed by lottery to the people of
Georgia......April, 1831
Rev. Samuel A. Worcester and
Elizur Butler, M. D., missionaries to Cherokees, refusing oath of allegiance to
Georgia, are imprisoned in State penitentiary......Sept. 16, 1831
Supreme Court of the
United States pronounces authority assumed by
Georgia unconstitutional, declares void laws depriving Indians of their rights, and orders release of missionaries......March, 1832
Gospel of Matthew printed at New Echota in
Cherokee language......1832
Altamaha and Brunswick Railroad, 12 miles long, commenced......1832
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315]
Anti-tariff convention meets at
Milledgeville......Nov. 12, 1832
Imprisoned missionaries pardoned by
Governor Lumpkin......Jan. 14, 1833
John Forsyth appointed
Secretary of State......June 27, 1834
William Schley elected governor, recommends a State lunatic asylum at
Milledgeville and geological survey......November, 1835
Treaty at New Echota between
United States and
Cherokee nation fixes May 24, 1838, for
Georgia to take possession of territory ceded by Cherokees......Dec. 29, 1835
Battle of Chickasawhachee in
Baker county between Creek Indians on their way to join the Seminoles, and
Georgia militia......July 3, 1836
Wesleyan Female College, the oldest for women in the
United States, chartered......1837
United States branch mint opened at
Dahlonega, Lumpkin county......1837
Southern convention, 180 delegates from five States, at
Augusta for establishing direct trade with
Europe......April 2, 1838
Cherokee Indians, 1,560 in number, escorted out of
Georgia to
Ross Landing, Tenn., by
Georgia militia......June 3, 1838
Bonds for $1,579,875 issued by State for the Western and Atlantic Railroad......1839
Georgia Historical Society incorporated......1839
First settlement on site of
Atlanta......1839
Governor McDonald advocates the
Missouri Compromise......1839
Great flood in
Georgia, the
Savannah River the highest in a century; boats pass through the streets of
Augusta......May 28, 1840
Law reducing State tax 20 per cent......1841
After much opposition bill passes, adding 25 per cent. to State tax of previous year ......1842
Suspension from office of
Bishop Andrews of Methodist Episcopal Church, for marrying a slave-holder, results in the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, organized at
Louisville, Ky......May 1, 1845
Settlement previously known as Marthasville and Terminus is named
Atlanta......1847
Macon and
Atlanta telegraph line in operation......1849
George W. Crawford appointed
Secretary of War......March 6, 1849
Wallace,
Iverson, and
Lumpkin, of
Georgia, issue a manifesto to people of the
United States, declaring emancipation certain unless prevented by the slave States, and calling upon the latter for union and concert in self-defence......1849
Gen. Narciso Lopez, having fled from
Cuba to New York under charges of conspiracy, organizes an expedition against
Cuba, lands at
Savannah, is arrested, but discharged amid the cheers of the people and allowed to proceed......May 27, 1850
State convention of delegates called by the executive at
Milledgeville adopts the “platform of 1850.”
“Resolved, that the
State of Georgia, even to the disruption of every tie that binds her to the
Union, will resist any act of Congress abolishing slavery” ......Dec. 10, 1850
Extension of slavery into
California and
New Mexico being advocated by the
Southern extremists, the Union party nominate and elect
Howell Cobb governor......October, 1851
By joint resolution the governor is requested to withdraw the block of marble bearing the inscription, “The Constitution as it is, the
Union as it was,” contributed to the
Washington monument, and substitute one bearing the
State arms......Dec. 31, 1851
Formation of the “Know-nothing” or American party in
Georgia......1852
Southern convention meets in
Savannah......Dec. 12, 1856
Appropriation of $200,000 made by Congress for purchase of site for a naval depot at
Brunswick on
Blythe Island......Jan. 28, 1857
Howell Cobb appointed
Secretary of the Treasury......March 6, 1857
Governor Brown vetoes bill suspending forfeiture proceedings against banks for one year; the banks in
Augusta and elsewhere resume specie payment......May 1, 1858
Georgia schooner-yacht
Wanderer seized in New York on suspicion of being a slavetrader, but released.......June 16, 1858
Governor Brown seizes
forts Pulaski and
Jackson sixteen days before
Georgia secedes......Jan. 3, 1861
Ordinance of secession passed (yeas, 208; nays, 89)......Jan. 19, 1861
[
316]
[
Alexander H. Stephens and
Herschel V. Johnson vote nay.]
Members of Congress from
Georgia withdraw......Jan. 23, 1861
Iverson withdraws from the Senate......Jan. 28, 1861
Mint at
Dahlonega seized by Confederate authorities of
Georgia......Feb. 28, 1861
Georgia adopts Confederate constitution......March 16, 1861
Georgia adopts a State constitution......March 23, 1861
Governor Brown by proclamation forbids the people of
Georgia to pay Northern creditors......April 26, 1861
Admiral Dupont, U. S. N., takes
Tybee Island......November, 1861
Draft of troops made in
Savannah, at call of
President Davis for 1,200 volunteers from
Georgia......March 4, 1862
Fort Pulaski bombarded by Federals and taken......April 10, 1862
Conscript act, annulling previous contracts by volunteers and making all men over eighteen years and under thirty-five soldiers for the war, sustained by Supreme Court of
Georgia......Nov. 11, 1862
First general council of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the
Confederate States assembles at
Augusta......Nov. 19, 1862
Federals under
Colonel Montgomery capture and burn
Darien......June 11, 1863
Confederate war-vessel
Atlanta leaves
Savannah to attack the blockading fleet; meets Federal monitor
Weehawken, and in fifteen minutes is disabled and captured......June 17, 1863
Battle of Chickamauga. Sept. 19-20, 1863
Battle of Ringgold......Nov. 27, 1863
First detachment of Federal prisoners received at Andersonville prison......Feb. 15, 1864
Battle of Tunnel Hill......Feb. 22-25, 1864
Resolutions passed by legislature recommending the tender of peace to the
United States after every victory......March, 1864
Confederates under
General Johnston evacuate
Resaca and cross the
Oostenaula, speedily followed by Federals under
General Sherman......May 15, 1864
Sherman attacks
Johnston at bluffs of
Kenesaw Mountain and is repulsed......June 27, 1864
Johnston evacuates
Marietta......July 1, 1864
Johnston succeeded by
Hood in defence of
Atlanta......July 17, 1864
First battle (Peach-tree Creek) near
Atlanta......July 20, 1864
Second battle (
Decatur) near
Atlanta......July 22, 1864
Third battle near
Atlanta......July 28, 1864
Battle of Jonesboro......Aug. 31, 1864
Hood evacuates
Atlanta after burning all machinery, supplies, and munitions of war not portable......Sept. 1, 1864
President Jefferson Davis, on a tour of inspection, delivers an address on the crisis, at
Macon......Sept. 23, 1864
Battle of Allatoona Pass......Oct. 6, 1864
Sherman begins his march to the sea with two corps of the Army of the Tennessee under
Howard, and two corps of the Army of the Cumberland under
Slocum......Nov. 14, 1864
[City of
Atlanta burned at the same time.]
Governor Brown and Georgia legislature, in session at
Milledgeville, leave hurriedly for
Augusta......Nov. 18, 1864
Fort McAllister captured by the
Federals under
Hazen......Dec. 13, 1864
Confederates evacuate
Savannah......Dec. 20, 1864
Legislature assembles at
Macon......Feb. 11, 1865.
James Johnson appointed provisional governor by
President Johnson......June 17, 1865
Convention of State Delegates at
Milledgeville repeal ordinance of secession......Oct. 30, 1865
War debt declared void by convention, and revised constitution adopted......Nov. 7, 1865
Legislature assembled at
Milledgeville adopts amendment to federal Constitution abolishing slavery......Dec. 5, 1865
Charles J. Jenkins inaugurated governor of
Georgia......Dec. 14, 1865
Legislature appropriates $200,000 to buy corn for indigent poor of the
State, and distributes it to 45,000 people......March 12, 1866
Legislature passes over the governor's veto a stay-law forbidding levy or sale under execution upon any contract or liability made or incurred prior to Jan. 1, 1865, or any subsequent renewal, except for one-third of the principal and interest,
[
317]
after Jan. 1, 1868, and one-third after each subsequent year ......1866
New constitution set aside by Congress......March, 1867
Maj.-Gen. John Pope assumes command of 3d Military District......April 1, 1867
Use of “chain gang” as a legal mode of punishment except in penitentiary discontinued......May 1, 1867
Republican State mass convention held at
Atlanta adopts the name “Union Republican party of
Georgia,” and pledges hearty support of reconstruction measures......July 4, 1867
Convention of native white citizens of
Georgia, at
Macon, under name of “Conservative party of
Georgia” ......Dec. 5, 1867
Constitutional convention, called by order of
General Pope, meets at
Atlanta......Dec. 9, 1867
Convention makes
Atlanta the capital......Jan. 8, 1868
Governor Jenkins, refusing warrant for expenses of constitutional convention, is removed by
General Meade,
military governor;
Maj.-Gen. Thomas H. Ruger made provisional governor......Jan. 13, 1868
State central committee of conservative party meets at
Macon and adopts the title “The central executive committee of the national Democratic party of
Georgia” ......Feb. 13, 1868
New constitution ratified......March 11, 1868
Rufus B. Bullock, Republican, elected governor......April 20, 1868
“ Farming out” of penitentiary convicts begun by
General Ruger......May 11, 1868
Governor Bullock inaugurated, to serve four years......July 22, 1868
Convention of negroes held at
Macon......Oct. 6, 1868
Right of negroes to hold office settled by the Supreme Court......June 22, 1869
Act of Congress completes reconstruction of
Georgia......Dec. 22, 1869
Georgia Senate refuses to ratify the Fifteenth Amendment......1869
Gen. A. H. Terry assigned to military command of District of Georgia......Dec. 24, 1869
Legislature elected 1868 assemble in
Atlanta by
Governor Bullock's proclamation, to perfect organization of State......Jan. 10, 1870
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments ratified in legislature......February, 1870
Georgia readmitted to the
Union......July 15, 1870
System of public instruction established by law......Oct. 13, 1870
Governor Bullock, accused of fraudulent negotiation of bonds endorsed by the
State, resigns and leaves the
State;
Benjamin Conley, president of the Senate, succeeds......Oct. 30, 1871
James M. Smith elected governor by special election......Dec. 19, 1871
Macon and Brunswick Railroad seized by the
State for non-payment of interest......July 2, 1873
Amendment to bonding law prohibits payment of $8,000,000 bonds endorsed by
Governor Bullock and pronounced fraudulent.
(Being ambiguously worded, it failed of its purpose.) Passed......February, 1874
Commissioner of agriculture authorized by law......February, 1874
State board of health organized......June 9, 1875
New constitution adopted......July 25, 1877
Confederate monument unveiled at
Augusta......Oct. 31, 1878
Legislature votes bounties to soldiers who had lost limbs in the
Confederate service; appoints a commission to regulate railroad charges, and adopts a State flag......July-October, 1879
Macon and Brunswick Railroad sold at auction by the
State for $1,125,000......Jan. 13, 1880
Nugget of gold weighing over a pound found in
Nacoochee Valley......spring of 1880
Revision of State code regulating time for voting by the electoral college......1880
International cotton exposition held at
Atlanta......Oct. 5–Dec. 31, 1881
One hundred and fiftieth anniversary of settlement of
Savannah celebrated......Feb. 13, 1883
Governor Stephens dying, is succeeded by
James S. Boynton, president of the Senate......March 5, 1883
Legislature prohibits Sunday excursion trains......1883
General local option law passed by legislature......1885
First election under local option law in
Fulton county; majority of 225 for prohibition in vote of about 7,000......Nov. 25, 1885
[
318]
Inter-State farmers' convention held at
Atlanta......August, 1887
Legislature increases Supreme Court from three judges to five......1887
Opening of the Technological School at
Atlanta, a branch of the State university......October, 1888
New capitol at
Atlanta finished and accepted by State; cost, $1,000,000......March 20, 1890
National
Military Park established at
Chickamauga battle-field by Congress......Aug. 19, 1890
Direct-trade convention, delegates from six cotton-producing States, organizes at
Atlanta......Sept. 10, 1890
William J. Northen, president of State Agricultural Society, nominated by Farmers' State Alliance in June, and by Democratic State Convention in August, is elected governor......Oct. 1, 1890
Ex-Governor Gordon elected
United States Senator......Nov. 19, 1890
Ex-Gov. James Milton Smith dies at
Columbus......Nov. 25, 1890
Monument to
Henry W. Grady unveiled at
Atlanta......Oct. 21, 1891
Southern States exposition opens at
Augusta......Nov. 2, 1891
Charles F. Crisp elected speaker United States Congress......Dec. 8, 1891
First State convention of People's party at
Atlanta nominates
W. L. Peck for governor and a full State ticket......July 20, 1892
L. Q. C. Lamar, of United States Supreme Court, dies at
Macon......Jan. 23, 1893
Statue of
Alexander H. Stephens unveiled at
Crawfordsville......May 24, 1893
Cyclone on the coast of
Georgia and
South Carolina, 1,000 lives lost......Aug. 28, 1893
Yellow-fever epidemic at
Brunswick......Sept. 17, 1893
Cotton-spinners' Southern Association meets at
Augusta......Dec. 13, 1893
The cotton States and
international exposition at
Atlanta opened......Sept. 18, 1895
Ex-Speaker C. F. Crisp dies at
Atlanta......Oct. 23, 1896
Tornado at
Arlington, eight killed......March 22, 1897
Roman Catholic cathedral at
Savannah burned......Feb. 6, 1898
President and cabinet attend peace jubilee at
Atlanta......Dec. 13-19, 1898
Ex-Gov. W. Y. Atkinson dies at
Newnan......Aug. 8, 1899
Railroad wreck near
McDonough; thirty-five lives lost......June 24, 1900
Hawaii