James Oglethorpe

James OglethorpeFounder of Georgia

By Lindsay EsterlineVisit my TPT store HERE

Childhood

James Oglethorpe was born in December 22, 1696 in London, England. He was the tenth child of Eleanor and Theophilus Oglethorpe. His father was elected to the House of Commons and was a general in England’s army. The Oglethorpe family was wealthy, so young James was able to go to school.

Then and Now:

Back then only the wealthy were able to go to school. In poorer families even the small children had to work to earn money for the family. Is that how it is now?

In 1732 Oglethorpe persuaded King George II to grant a charter for creating the Georgia colony (named after the king). King George II named Oglethorpe as one of the 21 trustees to govern the colony. A total of 114 men, women and children boarded the Anne for the two month journey to America. After reaching the Port Royal, South Carolina outpost, Oglethorpe and a band of South Carolina Rangers went to look for a place to settle.

Founding Georgia

Then and Now:

Back then it took people two months to travel from England to America by boat. Is that how long it takes to travel from England to America now? Would we have to take a boat now?

Young Man

James Oglethorpe went to Oxford University in 1714. But, he dropped out to join a military school due to the Turk’s attack on Europe. After the Turk’s were defeated he returned to Oxford, but did not graduate. In 1722 he was elected to the House of Commons.

Savannah

Near the mouth of the Savannah River Oglethorpe and his men found Yamacraw Bluff. Oglethorpe made friends with the Yamacraw Chief, Tomochichi. In February 1733 Oglethorpe returned with the Georgia colonists and quickly cleared the pine forest and laid a plan for the town of Savannah.

Leadership

Oglethorpe lived up to the Georgia Trustee’s motto: Not for self, but others,” and worked tirelessly for the colony. He allowed religious minorities to live in the settlement. He was against bringing in African slaves. He also always respected the Indians' customs, language, and needs. Land rights were always agreed to by treaty. Oglethorpe actively sought to protect the Indians from unscrupulous white traders.

Defending the Colony

Oglethorpe was appointed Colonel, and later General, of a British regiment by King George II due to the treat of invasion from the Spanish colony in St. Augustine, Florida. In 1742, in spite of a failed attack on St. Augustine, Oglethorpe rallied his troops and defeated the Spanish when they invaded Savannah. The fight was later called the Battle of Gully Hole Creek. After another victory known as the Battle of Blood Marsh, the Spanish would never again try to invade a British colony on the east coast of America.

After GeorgiaIn 1743 Oglethorpe returned to England a national hero. In 1744 he married Elizabeth Wright and settled outside of London. He continued to serve on the Board of Trustees of Georgia until 1750.

He lived the life of a gentleman until, after a short illness, he died on June 30, 1785. He was 88 years old.

Georgia England

BACK

School in the 1700’sOnly the wealthy English children were able to go to school. In many families children had to work to earn money. Some started working when they were only five years old!Wealthy--rich: having a large amount of money or possessions

BACK

King George II

George AugustusKing of England from 1727-1760.

BACK

Charter—an agreement where the king provides the ship and supplies to set up a colony, and colonists agree to return resources and taxes (money)Trustee—a person in charge of a colony

South Carolina

Colony—a place ruled by people in another country

House of CommonsThe House of Commons is part of Parliament. People in Parliament make laws. Men elected to Parliament were wealthy.

BACK

Oxford UniversityOxford is a famous university or college in England. Only wealthy gentlemen were allowed to attend. You would go to university or college after high school in order to get a degree or certificate that says you are able to do certain jobs.

Yamacraw Bluff

Bluff—a cliff, or hill with a broad, steep face

Savannah

BACK

TomochichiTomochichi was the chief of the Yamacraw Indians. He was an important mediator between the native people and the new English settlers during the first years of settlement. He was important in keeping peaceful relations between the two groups.Mediator—a person who works with both sides in a problem to try and help them to reach an agreement

BACK

LeadershipMotto—a short saying that is a rule to live by.

Religious minorities—a small group of people who have a different religion or belief system

Settlement—a community started by people from another land

Slaves—somebody who is forced to work for somebody else for no payment; treated like property

Treaty—an agreement or contract between two or more groups

Unscrupulous white traders—unscrupulous means that you do not care what is right or just, so these white traders would try to cheat the native people if they could!

BACK

Spanish AttackRegiment—an army unit, or large group of troops

Invasion—when one group tries to take another group’s territory

St. Augustine, FloridaFort Castillo De San Marcos

BACK

Mary MusgroveIf the Indians had their own language how did Oglethorpe speak to them?

Mary Musgrove owned a trading post in the area and she spoke both English and Creek languages. She translated for them.

BACK