who was given the honor of being the georgia colony’s first governor? 1754-1757 former navy...
TRANSCRIPT
Who was given the honor of being the Georgia colony’s first governor?
1754-1757• Former Navy captain• Greeted with much fan
fare and excitement• Is given credit for giving
colonists the right to self-government and for setting up the colony’s first bi-cameral legislature and court system.
Ha, ha! Suckers!
The king chose
me first!
Captain John Reynolds
What did self-government mean to GA colonists?
• 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
50 Acres!
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
• 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.
Back to a life I know and
love!
Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?
• Henry Ellis• 1757-1760• In today’s world, he’d
be heavily medicated!
Sadly, no
paintings of me
can be found!
Gov. Henry Ellis
Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?
• Was another captain in the British Royal Navy
• Fancied himself a naturalist and scientist
• He unified feuding factions of colonists, sought the advice of the governor of SC, and allowed wealthy, influential colonists help lead the colony.
Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?
• 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
CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON!
Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?
• In 1759, Ellis becomes very ill and asks to return to Britain.
• He is later re-assigned to Nova Scotia in 1761
Who was the 3rd and last royal governor of the Georgia colony?
• 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.
Man is fickle!
Everyone loves
me…then, many
HATE me!
Gov. James Wright