Request Material
Transcripts of the Earl of Egmont papers
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Transcripts of the Earl of Egmont papers | |
| Creator: Trustees for Establishing the Colony of Georgia in America | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1732-1743 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 13 volume(s) | |
| Collection Number: ms1786 | |
| Repository: Hargrett Library | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
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.
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.
Organization and 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.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
Due to its fragile condition, the original volumes can only be accessed through the transcript, microfilm, or digital surrogates.
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.
Preferred Citation
Transcripts of Earl of Egmont papers, ms1786, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
Finding Aid Publication
Finding aid prepared on: 2010 March 22.
General Notes
The majority of the letters are contemporary copies, the originals often reside in the British Public Record Office, microfilm for the Documents relating to Georgia in the files of the Colonial Office is available at the Main Library, FILM F289 .G7, https://galileo-usg-uga-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/v7b6bh/01GALI_USG_ALMA71118364680002931
Related collections held by the Georgia Room and the Main Library at the University of Georgia Libraries: The journal of the Earl of Egmont; abstract of the trustees proceedings for establishing the Colony of Georgia, 1732-1738. Athens, University of Georgia Press, [1962] ; Journal of the Earl of Egmont, first president of the Board of trustees, from June 14, 1738, to May 25, 1744. Atlanta, Ga., The Franklin-Turner company, 1908 ; Manuscripts of the Earl of Egmont. London, H.M. Stationery off., 1920-23 ; A list of the early settlers of Georgia, by E. Merton Coulter and Albert B. Saye. Athens, Univ. of Georgia Press [1949].
The transcripts are available through the Digital Library of Georgia: https://dlg.usg.edu/collection/guan_ms1786
Related Materials and Subjects
Subject Terms
Related Collections in this Repository
Related materials available in the following collections of this repository: Earl of Egmont papers, ms746; List of early settlers, ms4132.