Who was given the honor of being the
Georgia colony’s first governor?
Captain John Reynolds
1754-1757
• Former Navy captain
• Greeted with much fan
fare and excitement
• Is given credit for giving
colonists the right to selfgovernment and for
setting up the colony’s first
bi-cameral legislature and
court system.
What did self-government mean to GA
colonists?
50 Acres!
• Gave colonists the right to
voice concerns and be a
part of the evolution of the
GA colony!
• Colonists would have the
right to –
– Vote – had to own 50 acres
and be male
– Hold elections
– Collect taxes
The Royal Colony of GA’s First Government
Bi-Cameral Legislature
Commons House of
Assembly
Governor’s Council
Lower house
Upper house
These men were elected by
colonists
These men were appointed by
the King
Had to own 500
acres
Were wealthy, influential
landowners
Could write and vote on
bills
Would advise the governor, approve land
grants, make laws, and, sometimes, act
as judges in legal cases
The Royal Colony of GA’s First Government
• When the colonists had
differences with each other,
they went before the Court
of Conscience, over which
presided a local justice of
the peace.
• Cases that couldn’t be
resolved by the C.C. were
heard by members of the
Governor’s Council.
Georgia’s first royal governor John Reynolds
• Lost his temper when the
Commons House disagreed with
his viewpoints on building up the
defenses of the colony, and he
disbanded the legislature and
took charge writing and
approving bills.
• He assigned a close friend more
than 6 administration jobs to
make up for those he had sent
home.
Georgia’s first royal governor John Reynolds
Back to a life
I know and
love!
• While “waiting for a better
assignment to came along,”
Reynolds was called back to
England to answer charges
that he behaved poorly.
• He was ordered to resign and
went back to service in the
Navy.
• Major events - he was royal
governor when the French and
Indian War was beginning.
nd
2
Who was the
royal governor of the
Georgia colony?
•
•
•
•
•
Gov. Henry Ellis
Henry Ellis
1757-1760
Was another captain in the
British Royal Navy
Fancied himself a naturalist
and scientist
In today’s world, he’d be
heavily medicated!
nd
2
Who was the
royal governor of the
Georgia colony?
• He unified feuding
factions of
colonists, sought
the advice of the
governor of SC,
and allowed
wealthy, influential
colonists help lead
the colony.
nd
2
Who was the
royal governor of the
Georgia colony?
•
CELEBRATE GOOD
TIMES, COME ON!
Major boom time for
GA’s population.
– By 1759 = 10,000 in GA
•
Colony made huge
economic progress!
– new farms, new crops
being grown
successfully, and new
products to purchase
as more and more
merchants conduct
business in GA
nd
2
Who was the
royal governor of the
Georgia colony?
• In 1759, Ellis
becomes very ill and
asks to return to
Britain.
• He is later reassigned to Nova
Scotia in 1761
rd
3
Who was the
and last royal
governor of the Georgia colony?
•
•
•
•
Gov. James Wright
James Wright
1760-1776
Was the attorney
general for SC before
coming to GA
Wright played a key
role in two large land
cessions from GA's
Indians in 1763
and1773.
– During Wright’s term,
land ownership
increases the most.
rd
3
Who was the
and last royal
governor of the Georgia colony?
• Completed the
defenses around
Savannah with
palisades and forts
were made stronger.
• New port at Sunbury
was created and
made the official port
of entry.
Where is Sunbury in GA? http://www.mapquest.com/mq/3-mectJa0e
rd
3
Who was the
and last royal
governor of the Georgia colony?
•
Other positive developments:
–
–
–
–
–
•
Well, at least
for some!
Rice, indigo, and silk booming
More schools created
More people reading/books
being sold
GA’s first newspaper “The
Georgia Gazette” started
Many homes rebuilt into finer
homes
Crackers and other poor
whites (esp. in the
backcountry) weren’t feeling
much this much progress
however.
rd
3
Who was the
and last royal
governor of the Georgia colony?
• Major events – French and Indian War ends,
protests in American colonies begin, American
Revolution breaks out, Battle of the Rice Boats
occur, and Wright is arrested by Liberty Boys.