in the London Magazine for 1745: “Our first Stage we made _New Inverness_,
or the _Darien_, on the Continent near 20 miles from _Frederica_; which
is a Settlement of Highlanders living and dressing in their own Country
Fashion, very happily and contentedly. There is an Independent Company
of Foot of them, consisting of 70 men who have been of good service. The
Town is regularly laid out, and built of Wood mostly, divided into Streets
and Squares; before the Town is the Parade, and a Fort not yet finish’d.
It is situated upon a very high Bluff, or Point of Land, from whence,
with a few cannon, they can scour the River, otherwise it is surrounded
by Pine-barrens, and Woods, and there is a Rout by Land to _Savannah_
and _Fort Argyle_, which is statedly reconnoitred by a Troop of Highland
Rangers who do duty here. The Company and Troop, armed in the Highland
manner, make an extreme good appearance under arms. The whole Settlement
may be said to be a brave and industrious People; but were more numerous,
planted more, and raised more cattle before the Invasion, with which they
drove a good Trade to the Southward; but Things seem daily mending with
them. They are forc’d to keep a very good Guard in this Place, it lies so
open to the Insults of the _French_ and _Spanish Indians_, who once or
twice have shewn Straglers some very bloody Tricks.” Page 551.
[136] Samuel Cloake,—who was a prisoner on board the “Pretty Nancy” taken
by the Spaniards from the English, and fitted out for the invasion of
Georgia,—made oath that during the time they lay off the bar the Spaniards
often “whetted their swords and held their knives to this deponent’s and
other English prisoners’ throats, saying they would cut the throats of
those they should take at Georgia.” Harris’ Complete Collection of Voyages
and Travels, pp. 342, 343. London, 1748.
[137] The governor of South Carolina did not unite in these
congratulations and thanks; but the people of Port Royal did, much to his
chagrin.
[138] In the language of General Oglethorpe, “_they were so meek there was
no provoking them_.”
[139] See General Oglethorpe’s letters of the 12th and 21st of March,
1743. Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, vol. III, pp. 149,
151. Savannah, 1873. London Magazine for 1743, vol. XII, pp. 356, 357.
London Gazette, July 9, 1743.
[140] This demonstration had the effect of restraining the Enemy within
the lines of St. Augustine; and the active cruizing of the English Guard
Schooner and Scout Boats held in check the privateers which were in the
habit of annoying the navigation to the southward. “In fine,” writes a
Charles-Town merchant to his correspondent in London, under date August
10, 1743, “_Georgia_ is a Gibraltar to this Province and _North America_,
however insignificant some People may make it.” London Magazine for 1743,
vol. XII, p. 567.
[141] See McCall’s Georgia, vol. I, p. 203. Savannah, 1811. Gentleman’s
Magazine for 1744, vol. XIV, p. 393. London Magazine for 1744, vol. XIII,
p. 359.
[142] London Magazine for 1743, vol. XII, p. 305.
[143] A mixture of lime made of Oyster-shells, with Sand, Small Shells,
&c., which, when harden’d, is as firm as Stone. I have observ’d prodigious
Quantities of Salt Petre to issue from Walls of this Cement.
[144] See Lond: Mag: 1742, p. 461, 515, 516, 567.
[145] Shingles are split out of many Sorts of Wood, in the shape of Tiles,
which, when they have been some Time expos’d to the Weather, appear of the
Colour of Slate, and have a very pretty Look; the Houses in America are
mostly Shingled.
[146] See Lond. Mag. 1744, p. 359.
[147] I have been told that in this Explosion near 3,000 Bombs burst,
which, had they not been well bedded, would have done much Mischief.
[148] The Inhabitants begin to plant this charming Fruit very much, and
’tis to be hop’d will banish their numerous Peach Trees to their Country
Settlements, which are Nurseries of _Muskettos_ and other _Vermin_. The
Season I was there, they had Oranges enough of their own Growth for Home
Consumption.
[149] This was written in the beginning of 1743. See London Magazine for
1745, vol. XIV, pp. 395, 396.
Compare notice in “The North-American and the West-Indian Gazetteer.”
London, 1778.
[150] Volume XVI, p. 484.
[151] A destructive fire had consumed nearly all the houses which time had
spared. See Stevens’ History of Georgia, vol. I, p. 446. New York, 1847.
[152] Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, vol. III, pp. 168,
169. Savannah, 1873.
[153] Travels through North and South Carolina, Georgia, &c., pp. 55-60.
London, 1792.
[154] MS. Order-Book of Col. S. Elbert.
[155] Marbury and Crawford’s Digest, p. 151.
[156] See McCall’s History of Georgia, vol. I, pp. 131, 132. Savannah,
1811.
[157] See McCall’s History of Georgia, vol. II, pp. 137-139. Savannah,
1811. Stevens’ History of Georgia, vol. II, pp. 161-162. Philadelphia,
1859. White’s Historical Collections of Georgia, p. 468. New York, 1855.
[158] Watkins’ Digest, p. 470.
[159] Watkins’ Digest, pp. 598, 599.
[160] “Notes and Observations on the Pine Lands of Georgia,” &c. Augusta,
1801.
[161] Clayton’s Digest, p. 63.
[162] Lamar’s Digest, pp. 902, 978.
[163] Alluding to Frederica, in 1829, Sherwood says: “The Fort is gone to
decay, but there are ten houses in the village.” Gazetteer of Georgia, p.
111.
[164] Frances Anne Kemble, who visited Frederica in the spring of 1839,
thus records her impressions of the deserted spot: “This Frederica is a
very strange place; it was once a town,—_the_ town, the metropolis of the
island. The English, when they landed on the coast of Georgia in the war,
destroyed this tiny place, and it has never been built up again. Mrs. A.’s
and one other house, are the only dwellings that remain in this curious
wilderness of dismantled crumbling gray walls compassionately cloaked
with a thousand profuse and graceful creepers. These are the only ruins,
properly so called, except those of Fort Putnam, that I have ever seen in
this land of contemptuous youth. I hailed these picturesque groups and
masses with the feelings of a European, to whom ruins are like a sort of
relations. In my country, ruins are like a minor chord in music; here
they are like a discord; they are not the relics of time, but the results
of violence; they recall no valuable memories of a remote past, and are
mere encumbrances to the busy present. Evidently they are out of place
in America except on St. Simon’s island, between this savage selvage of
civilization and the great Atlantic deep. These heaps of rubbish and
roses would have made the fortune of a sketcher; but I imagine the snakes
have it all to themselves here, and are undisturbed by camp-stools, white
umbrellas, and ejaculatory young ladies.” Journal of a Residence on a
Georgian Plantation, &c., p. 285. New York, 1863.
[165] A Journal of the Proceedings in Georgia, &c., vol. II, pp. 215, 216.
London, 1742.
[166] For notices of Abercorn, see—“An Extract of the Journals of Mr.
Commissary Von Beck, &c., and of the Reverend Mr. Bolzius,” pp. 18, 20,
54, 66, 69. London, 1734. “An Account Shewing the Progress of the Colony
of Georgia, in America,” &c., p. 35. London, 1741. Stephens’ “Journal
of the Proceedings in Georgia,” &c., vol. I, p. 230. Vol. II, pp. 215,
216. London, 1742. “An Extract of the Rev. Mr. John Wesley’s Journal,”
&c., p. 60. Bristol, n. d. “A State of the Province of Georgia, attested
upon oath,” &c., p. 5. London, 1742. “A True and Historical Narrative of
the Colony of Georgia,” &c., by Tailfer, Anderson, and Douglas, p. 108.
Charles-Town, 1741.
[167] See Memoir of General James Oglethorpe, by Robert Wright, p. 74.
London, 1857.
[168] Memoir of General James Oglethorpe, by Robert Wright, pp. 284, 285.
London, 1867.
[169] See A Journal of the Proceedings in Georgia, &c., by William
Stephens, pp. 160, 161. London, MDCCXLII.
[170] See An Account Shewing the Progress of the Colony of Georgia in
America, &c., pp. 48, 49. London, 1741.
[171] History of Georgia, vol. I, p. 255. Savannah, 1811.
[172] The following members of that Congress came from the Parish of St.
John: James Screven, Nathan Brownson, Daniel Roberts, John Baker, Sr.,
John Bacon, Sr., James Maxwell, Edward Ball, William Baker, Sr., William
Bacon, Jr., John Stevens, and John Winn, Sr. Stevens’ History of Georgia,
vol. II, p. 106.
[173] See McCall’s History of Georgia, vol. II, p. 7. Savannah, 1816.
[174] The Medway, in the county of Kent, is a noble stream. Its trunk
and branches cover thirty square miles of the surface of the county, and
its length is nearly sixty miles,—of which forty are navigable. This
river well deserves the name of _Vaga_, by which the Britons described
its wanderings. The Saxons added the syllable _Med_, the sign of middle,
because the river runs through the centre of the county, and thus gets its
present name of _Medway_. Encyclopædia Britannica, 8th Edition, vol. XIII,
Article Kent, p. 65. See also vol. VIII, p. 716.
[175] Marbury and Crawford’s Digest, pp. 150, 152.
[176] Under the writs of election issued by Sir James Wright in 1761,
Thomas Carter, Parmenus Way and John Winn were returned as members from
Midway and Sunbury in St. John’s Parish. McCall’s Georgia, vol. I, p. 286.
[177] DeBrahm says: “The Beach-Hill Congregation settled upon the Heads
of the two Newport Rivers early in the year 1752, when they left Carolina
in a great Body, they continued drawing their Effects and Cattle after
settling all other Concerns in their native Province until 1755, many rich
Carolina Planters followed the Example of that Congregation, and came with
all their Families and Negroes to settle in Georgia in 1752: the Spirit
of Emigration out of South Carolina into Georgia became so universal that
year, that this and the following year near one thousand Negroes was
brought in Georgia, where in 1751 were scarce above three dozen.” History
of the Province of Georgia, &c., p. 21. Wormsloe, 1849.
[178] See Stevens’ History of Georgia, vol. II, p. 21. Philadelphia, 1859.
In his letter to Lord Halifax, written in 1763, Sir James Wright says: “I
judged it necessary for his Majesty’s service that Sunbury,—a well settled
place, having an exceeding good harbour and inlet from the sea,—should be
made a Port of Entry; and I have appointed Thomas Carr, Collector, and
John Martin, Naval Officer for the same. There are eighty dwelling houses
in the place: three considerable merchant stores for supplying the town
and planters in the neighborhood with all kinds of necessary goods; and
around it for about fifteen miles is one of the best settled parts of the
country.”
[179] When visited by an English traveller in 1743, this island was
inhabited by eight or ten families of _Indians_, who had considerable
tracts of open land, and were largely engaged in the cultivation of corn.
It abounded with game, “on which,” says the writer, “the good Indians
regaled us, and for Greens boiled us the Tops of China Briars, which eat
almost as well as Asparagus.” London Magazine for 1745, pp. 551, 552.
[180] McCall’s History of Georgia, vol. I, pp. 214, 215. Savannah, 1811.
[181] See Stevens’ History of Georgia, vol. I, pp. 453, 454.
[182] See Sanderson’s Biography of the Signers, vol. III, p. 120.
Philadelphia, 1823.
[183] McCall’s History of Georgia, vol. I, pp. 255, 256. Savannah, 1811.
[184] See Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, vol. III, p. 161,
et seq. Savannah, 1873.
[185] Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia, &c., p. 5.
London, 1792.
[186] His Observations were published in 1792.
[187] Idem, pp. 9, 10.
[188] See Watkins’ Digest, p. 144.
[189] See Stevens’ History of Georgia, vol. II, p. 92. Philadelphia, 1859.
[190] See Sanderson’s Biography of the Signers, vol. III, p. 55.
Philadelphia, 1823. McCall’s Georgia, vol. II, p. 41. Savannah, 1816.
[191] Sir Thomas Browne’s Hydriotaphia.
[192] See Letter of the 9th of February, 1775, signed by Lyman Hall,
Chairman. White’s Historical Collections of Georgia, pp. 520, 521. New
York, 1855. Sanderson’s Biography of the Signers, vol. III, p. 54.
Philadelphia, 1823.
[193] The apparent tardiness and hesitancy on the part of the Colony of
Georgia in casting her lot with her Sister Colonies at the inception of
those movements which culminated in a declaration of independence, may
be excused or accounted for when we remember that she was the youngest
and the least prepared of all the Colonies, and recall the fact that
Schovilites, leagued with Indians, were scourging her borders and
awakening in the breasts even of the most patriotic and daring, gravest
apprehensions for the safety of their wives and children. “The charge of
inactivity vanishes,” says Captain McCall, “when the sword and hatchet are
held over the heads of the actors to compel them to lie still.”
During the progress of the Revolution the term Schovilite which, at first,
was used to designate not only the bandit follower of Schovil, but also
every adherent of the Crown in the Southern provinces, was dropped, and
that of Loyalist and Tory substituted. The Revolutionists were known
as Whigs, Rebels, and Patriots. Many Loyalists who had fled from the
Carolinas and Georgia secured a retreat in East Florida whence, having
associated with themselves parties of Indians, under the name of Florida
Rangers, they indulged in predatory incursions into Georgia to the great
loss and disquietude of the southern portions of the Province.
History of Georgia, vol. II, p. 4. Savannah, 1816.
[194] See White’s Historical Collections of Georgia, pp. 517, 518. New
York, 1855.
[195] Stevens’ History of Georgia, vol. I, pp. 445, 446. New York, 1847.
[196] Journal of Congress, vol. I, p. 375. Stevens’ History of Georgia,
vol. II, p. 151. Philadelphia, 1859.
Three days afterwards Congress appropriated $60,000 for the support of the
battalions thus ordered to be raised.
[197] It is not improbable that some of these guns may have been brought
from Frederica; for the Council of Safety had ordered all warlike stores
at that place to be secured.
[198] In compliment to Captain Morris, commanding a company of Continental
Artillery raised for coast defence. By this company was the fort
garrisoned upon its completion.
[199] For the accompanying plan of Fort Morris, I am indebted to a recent
survey made at my suggestion by Sam’l L. Fleming, Esq., of Liberty County.
[200] The following orders were issued by Colonel S. Elbert, for the
fuller instruction of the Artillerists stationed at Sunbury. See MS. Order
Book of Col. Elbert.
“HEADQUARTERS SAVANNAH, 5th Dec’r, 1777.
“ORDERS TO CAPTAIN DEFATT OF THE ARTILLERY.
“You are to proceed immediately to the Town of Sunbury, in
this State, where are a corps of Continental Artillery posted,
which you are constantly to be employed in teaching the perfect
use of Artillery, particularly in the Field. Both Officers and
Men are hereby strictly ordered to attend on you for the above
purpose, at such times, and in such places as you may direct;
and the Commanding Officer of the Troops in that place on your
shewing him these Orders, will furnish Men to do the necessary
duty in the Town & Fort; so that there will be nothing to
prevent Captain Morris and his Company from being perfected
in the Business for which they were raised. Such pieces of
Artillery as you approve of, have mounted on Field-Carriages;
and for this purpose you are empowered to employ the necessary
Workmen, and procure Materials. Your drafts on me for every
necessary Expense, accompanying the Vouchers, will be duly
honored.
“I am, Sir, your most Obdt Servt,
“S. ELBERT, Col. Commd’g.”
[201] McCall’s Georgia, vol. II, p. 96. Savannah, 1816.
[202] See McCall’s Georgia, vol. II, p. 153. Savannah, 1816.
[203] During the year 1777 American privateers were busy off the Georgia
coast and among the inland passages. They cruised as far south as St.
Augustine and made frequent captures. In his communication of the 8th of
October, Sir James Wright informs Lord George Germain that a short time
previous a privateer from Sunbury, mounting ten guns, had taken five
prizes; two of which were safely carried in. He urges upon the Secretary
of War the expediency of stationing a twenty-gun ship or a frigate at
Cockspur, two sloops of war in the Savannah river, and one at Sunbury.
From Sunbury, on the 1st of May, 1777, did Col. Elbert embark in
transports his troops destined for the expedition against Florida
undertaken at the instance of Governor Button Gwinnett.
Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, vol. III, pp. 246, 248.
Savannah, 1873.
[204] He had been for some time stationed at Sunbury, and commanded not
only the Continental troops there concentrated, but also all detached
companies operating to the southward. Captain Morris’ artillery company
constituted the permanent garrison of the Fort.
[205] The following lines descriptive of the desolations wrought by this
invading force, are extracted from a quaint old-fashioned poem composed by
John Baker, a son of Colonel John Baker, and found among the MSS of the
latter:
“Where’er they march, the buildings burn,
Large stacks of rice to ashes turn:
And me [Midway] a pile of ruin made
Before their hellish malice staid.
“Nor did their boundless fury spare
The house devote to God and prayer:
Brick, coal, and ashes shew the place
Which once that sacred house did grace.
“The churchyard, too, no better sped,
The rabble so against the dead
Transported were with direful fumes,
They tore up and uncover’d tombs.”
[206] Bancroft’s History of the United States, vol. X, p. 294. Boston,
1874.
[207] Mr. John Couper, in a letter dated St. Simon’s, 16th April, 1842,
and written when he was eighty-three years of age, gives the following
anecdote of the famous and eccentric Captain Rory McIntosh who, at the
time, had attached himself in a volunteer capacity to the infantry company
commanded by Captain Murray, forming part of the 4th Battalion of the
60th Regiment. Captain Murray’s company was in the lines which Colonel
Fuser had developed around Sunbury and its Fort. “Early one morning,”
writes Mr. Couper, “when Rory had made rather free with the ‘mountain
dew,’ he insisted on sallying out to summons the fort to surrender. His
friends could not restrain him, so out he strutted, claymore in hand,
followed by his faithful slave Jim, and approached the fort, roaring out,
“Surrender, you miscreants! How dare you presume to resist his Majesty’s
arms?” Captain McIntosh knew him, and, seeing his situation, forbid any
one firing, threw open the gate, and said “Walk in, Mr. McIntosh, and take
possession.” “No,” said Rory, “I will not trust myself among such vermin;
but I order you to surrender.” A rifle was fired, the ball from which
passed through his face, sideways, under his eyes. He stumbled and fell
backwards, but immediately recovered and retreated backwards, flourishing
his sword. Several dropping shots followed. Jim called out, “Run, massa—de
kill you.” “Run, poor slave,” says Rory. “Thou mayest run, but I am of a
race that never runs.” In rising from the ground, Jim stated to me, his
master, first putting his hand to one cheek, looked at his bloody hand,
and then raising it to the other, perceived it also covered with blood. He
backed safely into the lines.” White’s Historical Collections of Georgia,
p. 472. New York, 1855.
[208] The Legislature of Georgia, in acknowledgment of the conspicuous
gallantry of Colonel McIntosh on this occasion, voted him a sword with the
words _Come and take it_, engraven thereon.
[209] See White’s Historical Collections of Georgia, pp. 523, 524. New
York, 1855. McCall’s Georgia, vol. II, pp. 155, 161. Savannah, 1816.
Moultrie’s Memoirs of the American Revolution, &c., vol. I, p. 189. New
York, 1802.
[210] The inhabitants of Sunbury seem, at times, to have been considerably
annoyed by the lawless conduct of the troops quartered in their midst. So
marked were these violations of good order, that General Howe on the 16th
of January, 1778, deemed it proper to call attention to them in a General
Order, from which we make the following extract:
“Complaints have been made to the General that some of the Soldiers have
injured the Buildings in the Town; and his own observation convinces
him that these complaints are but too well founded. Actions like these
disgrace an army, and render it hateful. Any Soldier who either offers
Insult or does Injury to the Persons or Property of the Inhabitants will
be punished in the severest manner. And officers of every degree are
injoined to exert themselves to prevent such Enormities for the future
if possible, or to detect those who may commit them, that they may
receive that punishment which such Actions so richly deserve. Officers of
Companies are to take particular care that their men are made acquainted
with this Order.”
[211] If we may credit a contemporary writer, the population of the Midway
settlement was considerably demoralized.
“Fields once her [Midway’s] glory and her pride,
Weeds, grass, and briars now do hide.
And worst of villains make their home
Where flames had happen’d not to come.
“Instead of preaching, prayers, and praises,
Now on the Gospel holy days
They race, and fight, and swear and game,
Without regard to law or shame.
“They arm’d, disguis’d, with faces blacked,
Do many villainies transact;
The few, few honest that are here,
Do often rob and put in fear.”
MS. DIARY OF BENJ’N BAKER.
[212] For this disobedience of orders Major Lane was subsequently tried by
a Court Martial and dismissed the service. McCall’s Georgia, vol. II, p.
177. Savannah, 1816.
[213] This island lying in front of Sunbury, divides Midway river into two
channels known respectively as the front and back rivers.
[214] McCall’s History of Georgia, vol. II, pp. 177, 179. Savannah, 1816.
General Moultrie, then at Purysburg, before the news of the surrender of
Sunbury and its fort had reached him, wrote to Colonel Pinckney: “I fear
we have lost Sunberry and the two gallies that took shelter under that
battery, last Thursday or Friday, as we heard a very heavy cannonade from
that quarter. The officer commanding had about 120 Continentals and some
inhabitants within the fort,—refused to evacuate the post; notwithstanding
his receiving positive orders for that purpose he, Don Quixote-like,
thought he was strong enough to withstand the whole force the British had
in Georgia, for which, I think, he deserved to be hanged.” Memoirs of the
American Revolution, &c., vol. I, p. 259. New York, 1802.
[215] Memoirs of the American Revolution, &c., vol. I, p. 259. New York,
1802.
[216] McCall’s History of Georgia, vol. II, pp. 235, 237. Savannah, 1816.
[217] McCall’s Georgia, vol. II, pp. 270 and 271. Savannah, 1816. White’s
Historical Collections of Georgia, pp. 533, 537. New York, 1855.
[218] History of Georgia, vol. II, p. 283, et seq. Savannah, 1816.
[219] See letter of Sir James Wright to Lord George Germain, under date
Savannah, 20th August, 1780. Collections of the Georgia Historical
Society, vol. III, p. 314. Savannah, 1873.
[220] General James Screven, who fell in the skirmish near Midway Meeting
House.
[221] This monument has never been reared. The obligation is as binding
now as when thus solemnly recognized.
[222] Quoted in White’s Historical Collections of Georgia, p. 530. New
York, 1855.
[223] See Watkins’ Digest, pp. 298, 618.
[224] See White’s Historical Collections of Georgia, p. 528. New York,
1855.
[225] See Historical Address before the Liberty Independent Troop by the
Rev. Dr. Charles Colcock Jones, pp. 10, 11. Savannah, 1856.
[226] See Watkins’ Digest, p. 431. Marbury and Crawford’s Digest, pp. 128,
129.
[227] Clayton’s Digest, p. 213.
[228] Clayton’s Digest, p. 243.
[229] “Notes and Observations on the Pine Lands of Georgia,” &c., p. 65.
Augusta, 1801.
[230] Watkins’ Digest, p. 380.
[231] Clayton’s Digest, pp. 115, 246.
[232] See Watkins’ Digest, p. 618.
[233] Gazetteer of the State of Georgia. Philadelphia, 1829.
[234] Lamar’s Digest, p. 84.
[235] To Mr. G. W. J. DeRenne are we indebted for the following memoranda
from H. M. Public Record Office, Georgia, Vol. 35, B. T., touching the
primal settlement, and naming of _Hardwick_: