The Colony of Georgia

The Colony of Georgia
by Rebecca Fant
In the 1700s in England there was a man named James Oglethorpe. He was a
philanthropist. That means that he wanted to help other people. He wanted to give
others charity. He went to King George II and asked to start a colony in the "New World".
King George agreed and signed the Charter of 1732. This charter gave James Oglethorpe
and other trustees the power to begin the new colony. The document also laid out the
rules for the new colony and the reasons for establishing it. The trustees were so thankful
that they named the colony after the King. The new colony was called Georgia.
King George II
Part of the Charter document outlining the trustees
There were 3 main reasons for starting the Georgia colony:
1. Philanthropy
2. Economy
3. Defense
James Oglethorpe wanted to help those in prison for debt. He

wanted to give them a second chance in the Georgia colony.
This is philanthropy.
The King and Oglethorpe wanted the colony to be successful

and make money. They hoped they could grow new crops in
Georgia. This would help the economy.
The King was worried about the Spanish colony of Florida.

Florida was close to South Carolina and the King didn't want
the Spanish to invade. He wanted to make a new colony in
between South Carolina and Florida to be a buffer and
defend the other colonies.
When James Oglethorpe arrived in Georgia, he did not know where to start
building the colony. He made friends with a Native American chief named
Tomochichi. He was the leader of the Yamacraw tribe. Tomochichi and
James Oglethorpe became good friends. Tomochichi gave him land to build
his settlement. Mary Musgrove was a businesswoman who served as a
translator for Tomochichi and Oglethorpe. She was half European, half Native
American and spoke both languages.
The Yamacraw greet Oglethorpe with

gifts.
Mary Musgrove was
James Oglethorpe was the
Oglethorpe's translator and
founder of the Georgia colony.
a businesswoman.
Tomochichi was the leader

of the Yamacraw tribe.
Oglethorpe needed land to build a settlement. Tomochichi gave him land on what was
called Yamacraw Bluff on the side of a river. This settlement became the city of Savannah.
Savannah was different from other cities because it was planned in square blocks. It
became America's first pre-planned city! It was built in 1733.
A drawing of the city of Savannah as it was being

built.
What would it be like to live in Savannah in 1734? Let's
take a look at this news broadcast and find out!
In addition to Oglethorpe and the original colonists, other groups also
came to settle in the new Georgia Colony.
The Jews were a group that came from Europe escaping religious
persecution. They decided to come to Georgia and were accepted in to
the colony after Dr. Samuel Nunes (the group's leader) helped the
Georgia colonist survive a deadly illness.
The Salzburgers were a group of colonists from Salzburg, Austria.

They were German-speaking Protestants who also had to leave their
home because of religious persecution. They left Europe and settled in
Georgia. They started a new town called Ebenezer. When that town
had environmental problems, they created a new settlement called
New Ebenezer.
The Highland Scots were a group recruited from Scotland by James

Oglethorpe. They had a reputation for being strong men and good
fighters. Oglethorpe wanted more people who could help protect
Georgia and the other colonies from the Spanish. This group settled in
a town called Darien.
These groups and more were welcomed in to the new Georgia colony!
Salzburgers in Georgia
Old map of Georgia coastal towns Highland Scots in Georgia

Timeline of Colonial Georgia
1732 1734 1742
King George grants The Salzburgers arrive Georgia (led by
the Charter to the in Georgia Oglethorpe) gain
trustees victory over the
1733
Spanish at the Battle
First settlers arrive
of Bloody Marsh
with Oglethorpe.
Negotiations with
1752
Tomochichi start and
Trustee period ends
Savannah begins 1736
and control of the
construction. The The Highland Scots
colony goes back to
Jewish settlers arrive. arrive in Georgia
the King

The Colony of Georgia

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The Colony of Georgia

James Oglethorpe wanted to help those in prison for debt. He

The King and Oglethorpe wanted the colony to be successful

The King was worried about the Spanish colony of Florida.

The Yamacraw greet Oglethorpe with

Tomochichi was the leader

A drawing of the city of Savannah as it was being

The Salzburgers were a group of colonists from Salzburg, Austria.

The Highland Scots were a group recruited from Scotland by James

Old map of Georgia coastal towns Highland Scots in Georgia

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