James Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia

Front matter

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APPLETONS' SERIES OF

Chapter I Ancestry And Early Years 1689-1718

The Margravate of Azilia had not been successful. Notwithstanding the declaration of Sir Robert Montgomery that it was *'the most amiable country in the universe," and that "paradise with all its virgin beauties is at most but equal with its native excellencies, ' ' yet Azilia remained unpeopled, and Sir Robert gave up his Utopian scheme.

That was in the year 1717. The struggling colony of Carolina had attracted the attention of this English nobleman ; the hope of adding to his fortune, while ignorant of the difficulties to be overcome, had inspired the scheme of planting a colony which should be at once lucrative to himself and to the colonists. Theoretically, Sir Robert's plans were perfect. He would obtain a grant of lands lying between the rivers Altamaha and Savannah, and bring out at his own expense and within three years a considerable number of families to settle this future Eden.

He further mapped out the 256,000 acres m symmetrical squares of one mile each, with a continuous projecting line of defenses, so secure that no savage dare molest or make afraid. At the very beginning the colonists should enjoy safety, liberty, and comparative wealth. There remained only one step to secure the foundation of the colony of Azilia— that was, obtaining the colonists. A broad and deep ocean rolled between England and America ; contrary winds must be encountered ; a long voyage of weeks or months; a parting for life from all they loved in Old England; a home to be made among savages— all this made many shrink back and decline Sir Robert's fair offer. And so it came to pass that Georgia was not called '^Azilia,'' nor does it glory in Sir Robert Montgomery as its founder. In 1729 Sir Alexander Cuming, one of the victims of the South Sea Bubble— visionary, of course, and apparently anxious for another catastrophe— proposed to build on the Bermuda Islands a college to educate Indians. The scheme fell through for want of Indians —not one in Bermuda, nor ever had been. Sir Alexander must needs look farther west, and turned toward what was called the won-

Ancestry and Early Years

derful Cherokee country, asserting tliat its fabulous riches could pay England's debt in twenty years.

Sir Alexander was finally sent as an embassy to these Cherokees, and succeeded, after some months, in convincing two head warriors and a conjurer of his importance and the power of England. They acknowledged the King's rule and Sir Alexander as their head. Warriors, Beloved-men, Conjurers assembled, and, placing him on a high seat, formed a circle around him with thirteen eagles' tails, sang all day their war songs, and fasted. Such an auspicious beginning should have brought worthier results, but our record only states that the following year Sir Alexander returned to England, taking with him seven chiefs, who laid the crown of the Cherokees at his Majesty's feet, and presented to him ^yq eagles' tails and four scalps, which did not go far toward paying England's debt. Yet the *' Cherokee country" did not lose its reputation; was destined to be colonized, and what Sir Robert Montgomery and Sir Alexander Cuming had attempted, remained for James Oglethorpe to accomplish.

Oglethorpe came of an ancient family, the records showing that before the Normans entered England his ancestors held the estate of

Oglethorpe, in the parish of Bramham. Says Thorsby in his History of Leeds : ' ' Tradition saith that one of the family of Oglethorpe was Eeeve (High Sheriff) of the county at the time of the Norman advent, and condemned by the Conqueror for opposing his designs. The ancient seat of Oglethorpe continued in the family till the civil wars when it was lost for their loyalty ; and it is said that several of the name died at once in the bed of honor, being slain in a battle near Oxford, of the King 's party. ^ ' Sutton of Oglethorpe was, on account of his loyalty, *^ mulcted by Parliament in the sum of £20,000, and his estate eventually fell to the lot of Fairfax. '' This Sutton was grandfather to our hero. Of his two sons, Theophilus, the younger, entered the army, became lieutenant-colonel, and at the battle of Sedgemoor led the Life-Gruards, contributing materially to the victory gained by the royalists. He was honored with knighthood, ^^ attained the rank of major-general and firstequerry to James II, taking command of the army assembled to oppose the Prince of Orange. He was, after the Revolution, deprived of his regiment, but was able to purchase the manor of Westbrook, and married Eleanor, daughter of Richard Wall, Esq., and of Katharine de la Roche, of the Lord Roche family of

Ancestry and Early Years

Ireland, connected by marriage with the Scottish house of Argyle.'^ Sir Theophilus, after serving in two Parliaments, died in his fiftieth year and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Thus ends the record of the father of Oglethorpe. His mother. Lady Eleanor, who survived her husband thirty years, was in the court of Queen Anne of so much influence, that Swift spoke of her in his coarse way as * * a cunning devil. ' ^ Of her seven children, three were sons. The two elder, Lewis and Theophilus, seem to have made an honorable record in military service and in Parliament, but died young. Thus it was that James Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia, succeeded to the family estate.

Little is known of his early years. From the parish register we learn that he was born June 1, 1689, and was educated in Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Before entering the army he served for a few years as * ^ gentleman volunteer abroad. ' ' During that time the incident occurred thus related by Boswell :

When a very young man, only fifteen, serving under Prince Eugene of Savoy, he was sitting at table in company with a prince of the House of Wiirtemberg, who took up a glass of wine, and by a fillip made some of it fly into Oglethorpe's face. The young soldier was in a dilemma. He durst not 3 5 challenge so distinguished a personage, yet he must notice the affront. Therefore, keeping his eye fixed on his Highness, and smiling at the time, as if he took what had been done in jest, Oglethorpe exclaimed: ''That's a good joke, but we do it much better in England ! ' ' whereupon he flung a whole glass full of wine in the prince's face. An old general present observed, ' ' II a bien fait, mon prince, vous I'avez commence" — and thus the affair ended in good humor.

Oglethorpe entered the English army as ensign in 1710, and there remained until peace was made in 1713. In the year following he was made captain-lieutenant of the Queen's Life-Guards, but, preferring active life, soon went to the Continent and enlisted under Prince Eugene. Peace being concluded between the Emperor and the Sultan, Oglethorpe returned to England in 1718, and for some years resided at Westbrook on the family estate — an estate then valued at nearly a million dollars.

The old mansion still remains, though greatly changed. In front, rich meadow-lands slope gradually to the banks of the River Wey, while in the rear the land rises to a steep height, covered with noble trees and commanding a view of the town of Godalming. A tradition still holds faith in that region that the Pretender was once secreted at Westbrook by

Ancestry and Early Years

Lady Oglethorpe, that he used to walk in the twilight and early morning, wrapped in a large cloak, and some rustics, coming suddenly on the strange figure, thought he was a ghost, which notion was encouraged by Lady Oglethorpe, in order to keep people away. To this day the house is said to be haunted.