The captivating story of Savannah, Georgia, a city renowned for its historic charm and picturesque squares, begins with an extraordinary vision and an arduous journey. On November 16, 1732, the ship Anne embarked from England, carrying General James Oglethorpe and 120 hopeful emigrants, destined to establish the colony that would become Savannah, Georgia.
The Voyage to a New World and Southern Hospitality
General James Oglethorpe, a British Member of Parliament and philanthropist, envisioned a new colony in America as a haven for England’s deserving poor and a strategic buffer against Spanish Florida. The Anne did not sail directly to Georgia, but instead made for Charleston, South Carolina, where Oglethorpe sought the crucial advice and assistance of Governor Robert Johnson. Arriving on January 13, 1733, Oglethorpe was received with great honor by the Governor and the South Carolina Legislature, who had been anticipating his arrival. The people of South Carolina warmly welcomed the prospect of an English colony in Georgia, recognizing its vital role in protecting them from the Spanish presence in Florida.
Governor Johnson extended invaluable support, appointing Colonel William Bull, a prominent local figure, to serve as Oglethorpe’s guide and assistant. He also arranged for the emigrants to be comfortably housed in Beaufort, a small town at Port Royal Bay, where a newly erected barracks building was made available. With his people safely settled, Oglethorpe set out to find the perfect location on Georgian soil for his nascent colony. His preliminary studies of maps had already led him to consider a spot along the banks of the Savannah River, a broad and beautiful waterway forming the boundary between South Carolina and Georgia before flowing into the Atlantic.
Discovering the Ideal Location: Yamacraw Bluff
On January 16, Oglethorpe, accompanied by Colonel Bull and a small crew, embarked from Port Royal in a vessel provided by Governor Johnson. As they ascended the Savannah River, Oglethorpe initially observed low-lying, barren islands and vast salt marshes, a somewhat dreary landscape. However, approximately 18 miles upstream, the south bank dramatically transformed, rising into a bold, forest-covered bluff, 45 feet high. Here, the expedition stopped, and Oglethorpe and Bull climbed to the summit. They discovered an expansive, level plain stretching as far as the eye could see, adorned with majestic pines and broad, spreading live oaks.
Oglethorpe was profoundly moved by the natural beauty and strategic potential of the site, exclaiming, “Surely a merciful God has designed this glorious spot as a restful home for my poor, persecuted people!” This elevated ground offered excellent defense, deep water access for ships, and fertile land. Colonel Bull informed Oglethorpe that the only nearby inhabitants were the Yamacraw Indians, a small, isolated tribe residing about three miles away at the other end of the bluff.
Forging Crucial Alliances with the Yamacraw Nation
Recognizing the paramount importance of securing the goodwill of the indigenous population, Oglethorpe immediately sought to meet the Yamacraws. He found their village, consisting of about 30 wigwams, nestled beautifully on the bluff’s edge overlooking the river. The chief, or mico, was an extraordinary 90-year-old man named Tomo-chi-chi, who, despite his age, remained remarkably strong in body and mind. His immediate family included his wife, Seenawki, and his adopted 13-year-old nephew, Toonahowi.
Tomo-chi-chi was no stranger to white men, having previously visited Charleston to negotiate a treaty. English and Spanish traders were also frequent visitors, and at this very time, a trading post operated nearby, managed by John Musgrove, whose wife, Mary Musgrove, was a half-breed Indian fluent in both English and Yamacraw. Tomo-chi-chi sent for Mary, who served as interpreter for the historic meeting.
Oglethorpe explained his desire to settle nearby, assuring Tomo-chi-chi that his colonists would not interfere with the Yamacraws. He promised peace, friendship, and material aid, offering blankets, hatchets, and guns. Oglethorpe’s noble demeanor and genuine promises deeply impressed the wise chief. Tomo-chi-chi responded, “There is plenty of room here for both red men and white men. Bring your people onto our woods.” He understood the potential benefits of alliance and the certain ruin that enmity would bring. This momentous first encounter laid the foundation for a deep and lasting friendship between Oglethorpe and Tomo-chi-chi, a crucial element in the successful founding of Georgia.
The First Days of Savannah: Settlement and Celebration
After several days spent thoroughly surveying the magnificent bluff and its surroundings, Oglethorpe returned to Port Royal on February 5. During his ten-day absence, the colonists had been treated with exceptional kindness by the soldiers and people of Beaufort, receiving gifts of food and warm hospitality. They were in high spirits when Oglethorpe gathered them to describe their beautiful new home on the Savannah River, which he had already named Savannah. He instructed them to prepare for departure the following Monday morning.
Before leaving South Carolina, the colonists held a special Thanksgiving service. Oglethorpe, at his own expense, hosted a grand dinner for over 300 guests, including the soldiers and generous South Carolinians. The feast was lavish, featuring roasted hogs, beef, turkeys, chickens, ducks, and various beverages, all consumed with perfect order. This event, though held in South Carolina, is often considered the first Georgia barbecue, embodying the generous spirit that would characterize the new colony.
On the afternoon of February 12, 1733, the colonists, aboard four small vessels, landed at the high bluff on the Savannah River. By sunset, four large white tents were pitched under the towering pine trees, comfortably housing all 120 souls for their first night on Georgian soil. Oglethorpe himself slept in a small tent beneath three tall pines.
A Ceremonial Welcome and Lasting Bonds
Early the next morning, February 13, the colonists gathered for prayers led by Reverend Henry Herbert. Oglethorpe offered them kind words of advice before they began the work of unloading boats and organizing household goods. Their tasks were soon interrupted by the distant sounds of shouting and a drum-like beat. Initially fearful, the colonists were reassured by Oglethorpe, who recognized the approaching band as Tomo-chi-chi and his followers, arriving to fulfill their promise of welcome.
The procession was led by the Yamacraw priest, or “medicine man,” adorned in vibrant paints and a stag’s antlers, carrying eagle feather fans with jingling bells. His ritualistic movements and chanting, accompanied by the grunts of those behind him, created a truly impressive spectacle. As they neared, Oglethorpe stepped forward to meet them. After the medicine man performed a solemn blessing, Tomo-chi-chi presented Oglethorpe with a buffalo robe painted with an eagle’s head and feathers. Through Mary Musgrove, he delivered a powerful speech, symbolizing the English as the strongest and swiftest of all peoples, and requesting their love and protection for the Yamacraw families. Oglethorpe, deeply moved, responded with a noble speech, much to the wonder of his colonists.
Oglethorpe invited his visitors to dinner, and the women of the colony quickly prepared a fine repast. The men entertained the Indians by showcasing their English goods. After dinner, Oglethorpe presented gifts: a scarlet shawl for Tomo-chi-chi, blankets and hatchets for the men, and beads and looking glasses for the women. This event marked the first “state dining” in Georgia.
Laying the Foundations of a City and a State
For over a year, James Oglethorpe continued to live in his humble tent overlooking the river, sharing the hardships and privations of his colonists. He meticulously laid out the plan for the new town in the vast forest, a plan that is remarkably preserved in the city of Savannah today, famous for its grid of squares and public spaces. Oglethorpe’s original six streets—Bull, Bryan, Drayton, Abercorn, St. Julian, and Whitaker—remain principal thoroughfares, named to honor Colonel William Bull and other benefactors. The colonists received significant aid during this first year from the generous South Carolinians, who provided laborers, mechanics, a herd of 105 cows, 80 hogs, sheep, and horses. With the arrival of new emigrants sent by the Trustees, the colony grew to approximately 600 people under Oglethorpe’s paternal care by the end of its first year.
The Enduring Legacy of Savannah
The story of the founding of Savannah, Georgia, is not merely a tale of colonial expansion but of vision, diplomacy, and resilience. From its humble beginnings on Yamacraw Bluff, Savannah quickly became the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first capital of the state after the American Revolution. Today, Savannah stands as Georgia’s fifth-largest city, a vibrant hub attracting millions of visitors annually. Its rich architectural heritage, historic squares, coastal access, and landmarks like Fort Pulaski and Wormsloe Plantation bear testament to Oglethorpe’s foresight and the strong foundations laid by its early settlers. The peaceful founding of Savannah, marked by mutual respect and collaboration between Oglethorpe and Chief Tomo-chi-chi, remains a remarkable chapter in American history, embodying the spirit of cooperation that shaped this great city and the state of Georgia.
