frontier is one of the proudest in the annals of Georgia. Thus was the
existence of the Colony perpetuated. Thus was hurled back in wrath and
mortification a powerful army of invasion whose avowed object was to show
no quarter,[136] but crush out of existence the English colonies. Had
success attended the demonstration against Frederica, the Enemy would
have advanced upon the more northern strong-holds. Appreciating this,
and deeply sensible of their great obligations to General Oglethorpe
for the deliverance vouchsafed at his hands, the Governors of New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina,[137]
addressed special letters to him “thanking him for the invaluable services
he had rendered to the British-American Provinces; congratulating him upon
his success and the great renown he had acquired; and expressing their
gratitude to the Supreme Governor of Nations for placing the destiny of
the southern colonies under the direction of a General so well qualified
for the important trust.”
Upon the disappearance of the Spanish forces Oglethorpe at once bent his
energies to strengthening the fortifications at Frederica and repairing
the damages which had been sustained by the southern forts. For a long
time he seems to have counted upon a return of the expedition, and could
not bring his mind to believe that the enterprise upon which so much
preparation and money had been expended would be thus hastily and almost
causelessly abandoned. Within a few months the works upon St. Simons,
Jekyll, and Cumberland islands were stronger than ever. What those
additional defensive works at Frederica were, we shall shortly see. Not
content with having repulsed the Spaniards in their effort to crush the
colony, General Oglethorpe was soon again engaged in “carrying the war
into Africa.” Finding the enemy so strong in St. Augustine that they
defeated all the parties of Indians he sent against them, ascertaining
that a large detachment was marching towards the river St. Mattheo, and
concluding that this was a movement to extend their quarters so as to
be prepared for the proper location and accommodation of reinforcements
expected from Havana in the spring, taking with him a considerable body
of Creek warriors, a detachment from the Highland company of Rangers,
and a portion of his regiment, Oglethorpe landed by night in Florida in
March, 1743, and, moving rapidly, drove the enemy, with loss, within
the lines of St. Augustine. Having disposed his command in ambush, the
General, with a small party, advanced within sight of the town, intending
to skirmish and draw the garrison out. The enemy declined to leave their
fortifications;[138] and the English, being too weak to attack, and having
compelled the Spaniards to abandon their advanced posts in Florida,
returned, having performed the extraordinary march of ninety-six miles in
four days.[139] This was the last expedition led by the General against
the Spaniards.[140]
Still persuaded that the attack upon Frederica would be renewed at an
early day, he continued to place the frontier in the best possible state
of defense. Until he left Georgia on the 23d of July, 1743, never again to
return, he resided at his cottage on St. Simons island. Of all the places
planted and nurtured by him, none so warmly enlisted his energies and
engaged his constant solicitude as the fortified town at the mouth of the
Alatamaha.
Upon the General’s departure, William Stephens was left as Deputy General
of the Colony, and Major Horton, as military commander at Frederica. With
the civil matters of the province Major Horton had no concern except where
his assistance, as commander in chief of the military, was occasionally
invoked to enforce the measures of the president and council. In such
instances he acted with calmness and humanity, and secured the respect and
esteem of the better class of the colonists.
On the 22nd of March, 1743, the magazine at Frederica was blown up, to
the general alarm and regret of the inhabitants. Although it contained,
at the time, three thousand bombs, so well bedded were they, but little
damage occurred. A vagabond Irishman was suspected of having fired the
magazine.[141]
We have two descriptions of Frederica in 1743,—the period of its greatest
prosperity and importance,—which we make no apology for transcribing.
The first is from the lips of a captain conversant with the appearance and
condition of the town.
Captain John MacClellan, who had left Georgia on the 31st of January,
1743, on his arrival in England reported the colonists busily engaged
in placing themselves in the best posture of defense, in anticipation of
a second attack from the Spaniards; that Fort William had been fortified
anew with brick work, and that “great numbers of Men were employ’d in
compleating the Fortifications at _Frederica_, the Walls whereof are
judged strong enough to be Proof against Eighteen-Pound Shot;” that two
towers,—one at each corner of the town walls,—capable of holding one
hundred men each, and designed to protect the flanks by means of small
arms, had been erected; that the men were “full of spirits and unanimous
to make a vigorous Defence to the last Drop of Blood;” that General
Oglethorpe had been reinforced by two hundred men from Virginia, raised by
Major Heron, many of whom were disciplined soldiers from Colonel Gouge’s
late regiment, and that thirty horsemen were on their way to Georgia to
“recruit the Rangers.”[142]
The second is from the pen of an intelligent traveler, who made his
observations early in 1743. It reads as follows:
“Frederica, on the Island of St. Simon, the chief Town in the Southernmost
Part of the Colony of _Georgia_, is nearly in Lat: 31° 15´ North. It
stands on an Eminence, if consider’d with regard to the Marshes before
it, upon a Branch of the famous River _Alatamaha_, which washes the
West side of this agreeable little Island, and, after several Windings,
disembogues itself into the Sea at _Jekyl Sound_. It forms a kind of a
Bay before the Town, and is navigable for Vessels of the largest Burden,
which may lie along the wharf in a secure and safe Harbour; and may, upon
Occasion, haul up to careen and refit, the Bottom being a soft oozy Clay,
intermix’d with small Sand and Shells. The Town is defended by a pretty
strong Fort of Tappy,[143] which has several 18 Pounders mounted on a
Ravelin in its Front, and commands the River both upwards and downwards;
and is surrounded by a quadrangular Rampart, with 4 Bastions, of Earth,
well stockaded and turfed, and a palisadoed Ditch which include also the
King’s Storehouses, (in which are kept the Arsenal, the Court of Justice,
and Chapel) two large and spacious Buildings of Brick and Timber; On the
Rampart are mounted a considerable Quantity of Ordnance of several sizes.
The Town is surrounded by a Rampart, with Flankers, of the same Thickness
with that round the Fort, in Form of a Pentagon, and a dry Ditch; and
since the famous attempt of the Spaniards in _July_ 1742,[144] at the N.
E. and S. E. Angles are erected two strong cover’d pentagonal Bastions,
capable of containing 100 men each, to scour the Flanks with Small Arms,
and defended by a Number of Cannon; At their Tops are Look-outs which
command the View of the Country and the River for many miles: The Roofs
are shingled,[145] but so contriv’d as to be easily clear’d away, if
incommodious in the Defense of the Towers. The whole Circumference of the
Town is about a Mile and a Half, including, within the Fortifications,
the Camp for General _Oglethorpe’s_ Regiment, at the North Side of the
Town; the Parades on the West, and a small Wood to the South, which is
left for Conveniency of Fuel and Pasture, and is an excellent Blind to
the Enemy in case of an Attack; in it is a small Magazine of Powder. The
Town has two Gates, call’d the _Land-port_, and the _Water-port;_ next
to the latter of which is the Guard-house, and underneath it the Prison
for Malefactors, which is an handsome Building of Brick. At the North End
are the Barracks, which is an extremely well contriv’d Building in Form
of a Square, of Tappy work, in which, at present, are kept the Hospital,
and _Spanish_ Prisoners of War. Near this was situated the Bomb Magazine
which was blown up on March 22, 1744,[146] with so surprizingly little
Damage.[147]
“The town is situated in a large _Indian_ Field. To the East it has a
very extensive Savannah (wherein is the Burial Place) thro’ which is cut
a Road to the other Side of the Island, which is bounded by Woods, save
here and there some opening Glades into the Neighboring Savannah’s and
Marshes, which much elucidate the Pleasure of looking. Down this Road
are several very commodious Plantations, particularly the very agreeable
one of Capt. _Demery_, and that of Mr. _Hawkins_. Pre-eminently appears
Mr. _Oglethorpe’s_ Settlement, which, at Distance, looks like a neat
Country Village, where the consequences of all the various Industries of
an _European_ Farm are seen. The Master of it has shewn what Application
and unbated Diligence may effect in this Country. At the Extremity of the
Road is a small Village, call’d the _German_ Village, inhabited by several
Families of _Saltzburghers_, who plant and fish for their Subsistence.
On the River Side one has the Prospect of a large Circuit of Marshes,
terminated by the Woods on the Continent, in Form like an Amphitheatre,
and interspers’d with the Meanders of abundance of Creeks, form’d from the
aforesaid River. At a Distance may be seen the white Post at _Bachelor’s_
Redoubt, also on the _Main_, where is kept a good Look-out of Rangers.
To the North are Marshes, and a small Wood, at the Western Extremity
of which are the Plantations of the late Capt. _Desbrisay_, and some
others of less note; together with a Look-out wherein a Corporal’s Guard
is stationed, and reliev’d weekly, called _Pike’s_, on the Bank of the
River, from whence they can see Vessels a great way to the Northward. On
the South is a Wood, which is, however, so far clear’d as to discover the
Approach of an Enemy at a great Distance; within it, to the Eastward,
is the Plantation of Capt. _Dunbar_; and to the Westward a Corporal’s
Look-out. The Town is divided into several spacious Streets, along whose
sides are planted Orange Trees,[148] which, in some Time, will have a very
pretty Effect on the View, and will render the Town pleasingly shady. Some
Houses are built entirely of Brick, some of Brick and Wood, some few of
Tappy-Work, but most of the meaner sort, of Wood only. The Camp is also
divided into several Streets, distinguished by the names of the Captains
of the several Companies of the Regiment; and the Huts are built generally
of Clap-boards and Palmetto’s, and are each of them capable to contain a
Family, or Half a Dozen Single men. Here these brave Fellows live with
the most laudable Œconomy; and tho’ most of them when off Duty, practise
some Trade or Employment, they make as fine an Appearance upon the Parade,
as any Regiment in the King’s Service; and their exact Discipline does
a great deal of Honour to their Officers; They have a Market every Day;
The Inhabitants of the Town may be divided into Officers, Merchants,
Store-Keepers, Artisans, and People in the Provincial Service; and there
are often, also, many Sojourners from the neighbouring Settlements, and
from _New York_, _Philadelphia_, and _Carolina_, on account of Trade.
The Civil Government does not seem yet to be quite rightly settled by
the Trustees, but is, at present, administered by three Magistrates,
or Justices, assisted by a Recorder, Constables, and Tything Men. The
Military is regulated as in all Garrison-Towns in the _British_ Dominions.
In short, the whole Town, and Country adjacent, are quite rurally
charming, and the Improvements everywhere around are Footsteps of the
greatest Skill and Industry imaginable, considering its late Settlement,
and the Rubs it has so often met with; and as it seems so necessary for
the Barrier of our Colonies, I am in Hopes of, one Time, seeing it taken
more Notice of than it is at present.”[149]
For the ensuing few years, and during the retention of Oglethorpe’s
regiment on St. Simons island, but little change occurred in the condition
of Frederica. It retained its importance as a military post, and was
regarded as the safe guard of the Province against Spanish invasion. The
expectations, if indeed any were seriously entertained, of elevating
this town into commercial importance, were practically abandoned previous
to the withdrawal of the troops. In fact, even before the existing
difficulties with Spain were formally accommodated by treaty, and it
became manifest that there would in all likelihood occur no further
serious demonstrations along the southern frontier, the population of
Frederica began to decrease.
The home authorities, however, were loth to acknowledge its manifest
tendency to decadence, and for some time, by occasional reports and
notices, endeavored to assure the public of the continued prosperity of
a town which had attracted such special attention in connection with the
progress and perils of the Colony of Georgia.
An article having appeared in the “Daily Gazetteer” giving “a most
scandalous and untrue account of the present state of the Colony of
Georgia, particularly levelled at the Southern Part thereof (which
is the Frontier against the French and Spaniards)” in justice to the
public, William Thomson and John Lawrence, Jr., who had been trading
with the Colony for some years and who had left Georgia in June, 1747,
on business calling them to England, united in a card to the editor of
the London Magazine[150] in which they stated: “That instead of the false
Representation in the said Gazetteer ‘That only seven Houses were in the
Town of _Frederica_,’ the said Town has several Streets, in every one
of which are many good Houses, some of Brick, some of Tappy (which is a
Cement of Lime and Oyster Shells;) That the High Street is planted with
Orange Trees and has good Houses on both sides. That the Fort, besides
other Buildings has two large Magazines, three Stories high, and sixty
Feet long; That there are Barracks in the Town, on the North side,
ninety Feet Square, built of Tappy, covered with Cypress Shingles, and
a handsome Tower over the Gateway of twenty Feet square; That there are
two Bastion Towers, of two stories each, in the Hollow of the Bastions,
defended on the Outside with thick Earth-works, and capable of lodging
great Numbers of Soldiers, the two long Sides being nearly fifty Feet,
and the short Sides twenty-five; And that instead of the Inhabitants
removing from thence, several Families were come and more coming from
_North Carolina_ to settle in _Georgia_, who will certainly establish
themselves there unless they are prevented by any Fears which may arise
from the Reduction of the Rangers and Vessels which have hitherto made
that Frontier safe: That before the Barracks were finished, very good
Clap-board Huts were built sufficient for the lodging of two Companies
who do Duty at _Frederica_ (with their Wives and Families) which by an
Accident of Fire were lately burnt down; since which others have been
made for married Soldiers; and the Soldiers have the Privilege of cutting
Timber and building Houses for their Families, which many have done, and
thrive very well, and we know the Soldiers are regularly paid and kindly
treated. We also certify that there are several Farms which produce not
only _Indian_ Wheat and Potatoes, but _English_ Wheat, Barley, and other
Grain. In short, Provisions in general are plentiful, Venison, Beef, Pork,
at Two Pence Half-Penny _per_ Pound, and sometimes under. Fish extremely
cheap.”
Upon the confirmation of the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in April, 1748, most
of the troops were withdrawn from St. Simons island and the fortifications
soon began to fall into decay.
The Trustees having surrendered their charter, Captain John Reynolds
was, in 1754, appointed by the King, Governor of Georgia, with the title
of “Captain General and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s Province of
Georgia, and Vice-Admiral of the same.” He entered upon his duties in
October of that year, and early, the following Spring, made a tour of
inspection through the southern portion of the Province. Arriving at
Frederica, he found the town “in ruins,” the fortifications “decayed,” and
the “houses falling down.” Twenty pieces of cannon were lying dismounted
and “spoiled for want of care.” The melancholy prospect was presented
of “houses without inhabitants, barracks without soldiers, guns without
carriages, and streets grown over with weeds.”[151] Fort Frederick was
entirely dismantled. Not a gun was mounted, and neither powder nor ball
could be found. Among his recommendations for the defense of the Colony,
the Governor suggested the construction of a work at Frederica “in the
form of half a hexagon, nine hundred and sixty feet each, with two whole
and two demi-bastions towards the land, and two demi-bastions and a
citadel towards the sea, on which were to be placed fifty cannon manned by
three hundred regulars.” This fortification was never built, and no effort
was made to repair the works then crumbling and abandoned.
This dilapidation and neglect continued without any effort on the part
of the Colonial authorities to check their annihilating influences.
Frederica had now ceased to be a place of any note. In his report of the
condition of the Province of Georgia, submitted to the Earl of Dartmouth
on the 20th of December, 1773, Sir James Wright, then Governor of the
Colony, represents Fort Frederick at Frederica as “going to decay very
fast.” “There is still,”—such is the language of the report,—“some Remains
of good Tabby Walls, &c., but there has been no men there since the
Independent Company were broke in the Year 1767.”[152]
In March, 1774, William Bartram visited Frederica and St. Simons island
and was most hospitably entertained by Mr. James Spalding who was there
engaged in an extensive trade with the Indian tribes of East Florida.
Following the old highway across the savannah, he devoted a day to
exploring the island and was charmed with the magnificent forests of pines
and oaks perfumed with the fragrant breath of the white lily and the
sweet bay. The venerable live-oaks still overshadowed the spacious avenue
leading to the former seat of General Oglethorpe, but that distinguished
gentleman was no longer there, and his quiet cottage had passed into the
ownership of another. The delights of the woods and waters, the delicious
breezes wafted from groves filled with birds of bright plumage and sweet
voices, the commingled perfumes of the yellow jasmine, the lonicera, the
andromeda and the azalea, and the solemn sound of the incoming surf were,
in the recollection of this happy traveller, associated with generous
hospitality, a plentiful repast of venison, and an agreeable “drink of
honey and water strengthened by the addition of brandy.”
Although nature was as balmy, as attractive, and as beautiful as ever,
Bartram was oppressed by the indications of desolation which confronted
him all over the island. He speaks of “vestiges of plantations, ruins of
costly buildings, and highways overgrown with forests.” The fort he found
entirely dilapidated, and nothing of the town remaining except ruins.
From the crumbling walls of the deserted houses peach trees, figs, and
pomegranates were growing.[153] And so this brave town dwindled away into
nothingness.
The last detachment of troops stationed there consisted of ten Royal
Americans; but even these were withdrawn during the early part of the
administration of Governor Wright.
The rupture between Great Britain and her Colonies being imminent, the
Council of Safety ordered all guns at Frederica to be secured, and they
were used in fortifying other points on the coast deemed of greater
importance. During the progress of the expedition projected from Sunbury,
by Governor Gwinnett, against Florida, Colonel Elbert, who was in command,
on Sunday, the 11th of May, 1777, landed at Frederica “to air” his troops.
The following entry occurs in his Order-Book: “Frederica was once a
pretty little Town, as appears by the Ruins, having been burned down some
years since; the Fort at this place, with a little expence, might be made
defensible, and might, if properly garrisoned, be a means of protecting
great part of our Southern Frontiers. There are about twelve men that bear
arms here; in my opinion all Tories. Their Captain, Ditter, says otherwise
of himself, and informed me that about 6 or 8 of the inhabitants had
lately gone to Florida for protection.”[154]
By the provisions of the act of the 15th of March, 1758,[155] dividing
the Province into eight Parishes, “the town and district of Frederica,
including the islands of Great and Little St. Simons and the adjacent
islands,” were declared a parish and named “St. James.” Under the writs
of election issued by Sir James Wright, Lachlan McIntosh was returned as
member for Frederica.
On the 10th of August, 1777, some boats from a British armed vessel lying
in St. Andrews Sound landed on St. Simons island, and their crews captured
and carried away Captain Arthur Carney, five citizens, several negroes,
and as much household furniture as could be conveyed in the barges. Carney
had been appointed to the captaincy of the fourth company in the first
Continental Battalion of Georgia troops. After his capture, he espoused
the Royal cause and proved himself not only an active Tory but a great
cattle thief.[156]
While General Robert Howe was concentrating his forces on the Southern
frontier of Georgia with a view to the invasion of Florida, Colonel
Elbert, who was commanding at Fort Howe,—the place of rendezvous,—achieved
an exploit which imparts another distinct and gallant memory to the
neglected settlements, “Where wild Altama murmurs to their woe.”
The details of the affair are thus narrated in a letter to General Howe:
“FREDERICA, April 19th, 1778.
_Dear General_:
I have the happiness to inform you that about 10 o’clock this
forenoon, the brigantine Hinchinbrooke, the sloop Rebecca,
and a prize brig, all struck the British tyrant’s colors and
surrendered to the American arms.
Having received intelligence that the above vessels were
at this place, I put about three hundred men, by detachment
from the troops under my command at Fort Howe, on board the
three galleys, the Washington,—Captain Hardy,—the Lee,—Captain
Braddock,—and the Bulloch,—Captain Hutcher;—and a detachment
of artillery with two field pieces, under Captain Young, I
put on board a boat. With this little army we embarked at
Darien, and last evening effected a landing at a bluff about a
mile below the town, leaving Colonel White on board the Lee,
Captain Melvin on board the Washington, and Lieutenant Petty
on board the Bulloch, each with a sufficient party of troops.
Immediately on landing I dispatched Lieutenant-Colonel Ray and
Major Roberts, with about one hundred men, who marched directly
up to the town and made prisoners three marines and two sailors
belonging to the Hinchinbrooke.
“It being late, the galleys did not engage until this morning.
You must imagine what my feelings were to see our three little
men-of-war going on to the attack of these three vessels, who
have spread terror on our coast, and who were drawn up in order
of battle; but the weight of our metal soon damped the courage
of these heroes, who soon took to their boats; and as many as
could, abandoned the vessel with everything on board, of which
we immediately took possession. What is extraordinary, we have
not one man hurt. Captain Ellis, of the Hinchinbrooke, is
drowned, and Captain Mowbray, of the Rebecca, made his escape.
As soon as I see Colonel White, who has not yet come to us with
his prizes, I shall consult with him, the three other officers,
and the comanding officers of the galleys, on the expediency of
attacking the Galatea now lying at Jekyll.”
While Colonel Elbert was preparing to attack her, the Galatea made her
escape to sea.[157] This successful enterprize encouraged the troops at
Fort Howe, who were in a very dispirited mood.