Expect to be surrounded by history in Savannah, a history that spans almost 275 years. The city dates its founding to February 12, 1733, when a group of 114 colonists (35 families) arrived from England and set up an initial camp on Yamacraw Bluff, a 40 foot high bluff overlooking the Savannah River. They had sailed from Gravesend, a town on the Thames in Kent, on a voyage across the Atlantic that took about two months.

The new colony was named “Georgia” in honor of King George II, and became the last of the 13 original colonies, with Savannah as its first city. The name Savannah derives from a Muskoghean Indian word that means "Shawnee.”

The group was led by James Edward Oglethorpe, a former military officer and politician. Oglethorpe was an idealistic gentleman in his mid 30’s with a strong interest in improving the conditions of the poor and unemployed. He petitioned the King for a charter to start a colony in America, intending to provide a new start for people out of work. The English crown approved the proposal, seeing an opportunity for a source of produce and raw materials, a market for English goods, and a buffer between the Spanish settlements to the south and the thriving British colonies to the north.

The original plans changed, and the men eventually selected to help start the colony were middle class; they brought skills, strength and good reputations. The group included carpenters, tailors, bakers, farmers, merchants, and others who would help ensure the new colony’s success. They agreed to remain for at least three years and received a town lot for a house and 50 acres to farm. Over the next ten years more than 2000 other settlers arrived to begin life in the new colony.

Today the site of the colonists’ first camp is a small park at Bay and Whitaker Streets, noted by a stone bench and a historical marker. And February 12th is now recognized as Georgia Day, celebrating the founding of what later became our 4th state.

Learn more about the founding of Savannah here:

Early History of Savannah

Join us for The Great Slow Travel Gathering - Savannah, Georgia - April 4 to 6, 2008

Kathy

Kathy, I think it’s so great the way you are giving us all little tidbits about Savannah in weekly doses. Thanks!

Question: Does anyone have any recommendations for books set in Savannah (preferably fiction, as I tend to fall asleep when reading straight history) other than “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”?

- Roz

I extend my thanks also, Kathy. I really appreciate the background information and the links.

And, Roz, your question sent me to Amazon. I didn't find any other novels right away, and I don't have any (other than "Midnight..") to recommend, but I did find this book, which looks interesting and has an introduction by John Berendt. It appears to be something of a "coffee-table" book with lots of photographs.

One possibility is John Jakes' "Savannah or A Gift For Mr Lincoln," which I haven't read - only heard about. It received mixed reviews, though.

Ann

I'm mystified as to why the settlers would sail for America in November? Could it be to avoid hurricane season? I would think that the weather on such a journey would be brutal. Also I noticed that not to many of them lived very long after arriving. So very many had death dates of 1732 & 1733. And what the heck is a Potash maker and Peruke maker? Or a Mercer & Turner? I see that there was an upholsterer but no draper.

Ginger

Well, Ginger, I can come up with some answers here but not sure how accurate I would be on this one:
"I'm mystified as to why the settlers would sail for America in November?"

My guess on that is that since people didn't seem to bathe very much back then, they probably thought that this was one way to keep the body odor from getting too bad!

And I think potash was used in the manufacture of soap and a peruke is a wig. They apparently had to have their perukes but the soap is still a mystery!

That's our history lesson for today, kids.