Transcripts of the Earl of Egmont papers, 1732-1743

Online content

Some materials from this collection are available online.
Show only online content

Summary

Creator:
Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America
Date:
1732-1743
Extent:
13 volume(s)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Transcripts of Earl of Egmont papers, ms1786, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of transcripts created by E. Merton Coulter from contemporary, hand-written copies of letters and documents from 1732-1745 relating to the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America. The correspondence includes letters between officials and settlers in the Colony and the Trustees. Major correspondees include James Oglethorpe, Thomas Causton, Samuel Eveleigh, Thomas Christie, Elisha Dobree, John Wesley and Trustees Benjamin Martryn and Harman Verelst. The letters provide comprehensive information regarding the settlement of Georgia, especially in Savannah and Frederica; Indian trading and relations; activities of the French and Spanish; the question of slavery; Salzburger and Moravian settlers; and religious matters.

Biographical / historical:

The first twenty years of Georgia history are referred to as Trustee Georgia because during that time a Board of Trustees governed the colony. England's King George signed a charter establishing the colony and creating its governing board on April 21, 1732. His action culminated a lengthy process. John Viscount Percival, the Earl of Egmont (after 1733), was the first president of the common council and the dominant figure among the Trustees until his retirement in 1742. He acted as Georgia's champion in Parliament.

For more information, see the article Trustee Georgia, 1732-1752 in the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

Custodial history:

The Letters from Georgia (serial no. 14200-14213) form part of twenty volumes purchased by the University in 1947. The volumes consituted a portion of the library of Sir Thomas Phillips, were known as the Phillips collection, and reported to have originally belonged to the Earl of Egmont, first President of the Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America.

Arrangement:

The letters are bound chronologically based on the Old Style Calendar. Some documents are dual dated with both the Julian and Gregorian calendar dates.

Access and use restrictions

Restrictions:

Due to its fragile condition, the original volumes can only be accessed through the transcript, microfilm, or digital surrogates.

Preferred citation:

Transcripts of Earl of Egmont papers, ms1786, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.