The love of amusement is strong among the citizens of Savannah, which is evidenced by the numerous rifle, boat, and other clubs, in the sports of which old and young engage with the keenest zest.
The THEATRE, situated on the east side of Chippewa square, is the first and most prominent among the places of amusement. It enjoys the reputation of being the best adapted for its purpose of any between Baltimore and New Orleans.
ST. ANDREW'S HALL is a large brick building, situated on the south side of Broughton at the corner of Jefferson street. The hall was erected and owned by the St. Andrew's society of Savannah, but was sold to Mr. David R. Dillon during the late war. It is capacious and complete in its arrangements for the comfort and convenience of audiences.
The MUSEUM, situated on the northeast corner of Bull and Taylor streets, is well kept, and an hour or two can be delightfully spent among the rare curiosities there on exhibition.
There are a large number of fine public and society buildings in Savannah, among them the Exchange, Central Railroad Bank, State Bank, Custom House, Hall of the Georgia Historical Society, Medical College, Abrahm's Home, Female Asylum, Masonic Hall, and the three prominent hotels, the Pulaski House, Screven House, and Marshall House.
The EXCHANGE was built in 1799 by a joint-stock company, in which the city was a stockholder to the amount of twenty-five shares. The ground was leased to the company for ninety-nine years. The cost of erection was twenty thousand dollars. The city purchased stock from the inception of the company until 1812, when the building came into the possession of the city, and has since been used as a City Hall. A few years since it was enlarged to its present dimensions. The Mayor's court-room-in which the City Council also meets--the offices of the Mayor, Clerk of Council, City Treasurer, Surveyor, and Marshall, are in the upper portion of the building. The lower stories, one on a line with the top of the bluff and two beneath, are used as offices by private parties.
The GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, upon the petition of Hon. J.M. Berrien, Hon. James M. Wayne, Hon. M.H. McAllister, I.K. Tift, Right Rev. William Bacon Stevens, George W. Hunter, Henry K. Preston, Colonel William Thorne Williams, Judge Chas. S. Henry, Judge John C. Nicoll, Judge William Law, Judge Robert M. Charlton, Dr. Richard D. Arnold, and A.A. Smets, was chartered by the legislature in 1839, "for the purpose of collecting, preserving, and diffusing information relating to the State of Georgia in particular, and of American history generally." The society was formed and a building erected on Bryan street. It is a beautiful edifice, and admirably adapted for the purpose. The society has published several valuable works. There are at present in the library seven thousand five hundred volumes, among them many rare books. There are also a large number of valuable manuscripts. There is, in connection with the society, a Scientific section, the object of which is to investigate and discuss practical questions and subjects in chemistry, mechanics, and kindred branches. The society numbers two hundred members with the following officers; Hon. E.J. Harden, President; Dr. W.M. Charters, 1st Vice-President;Gen. A.R. Lawton, 2nd Vice-President; Dr. R.D. Arnold, Corresponding Secretary; Dr. Easton Yonge, Recording Secretary; W.S. Bogart, Treasurer; J.S. F. Lancaster, Librarian; W.T. Williams, W.B. Hodgson, H.R. Jackson, William Duncan, B. Phillips, Juriah Harris, T.M. Norwood, Curators.
The Presidents of the society, since its organization, are: Hon. J.M. Berrien, Hon. James M. Wayne, Right Rev. Bishop Stephen Elliott, John Stoddard, and Hon. E.J. Harden.
The WATER WORKS are located in the outer portion of the city, on the western side of the Ogeechee canal, close to the river, and were erected in 1853, but were not in full operation until 1854. The receiving reservoir is divided into four compartments, each about one hundred and fifty feet square and eight feet deep, so that while the clarified water from one compartment is being pumped into the city the water in the other basins is in a state of repose and becoming clear. These basins, which are capable of containing six hundred tons of water, and can be kept full, no matter how great the demand may be, are filled from the river by means of a canal with gateways into each basin. The forcing pumps are three in number, of Worthington & Baker's direct-action patent. From these the water is forced through two separate lines of pipes to the distributing reservoir. Each of the three engines is capable of delivering into the distributing reservoir one million gallons of water in twelve hours. The engines, pumps, boilers, and lines of pipe are duplicated, and a failure of a full supply of water at all times is almost impossible.
The distributing reservoir is located in Franklin square, about a half-mile distant from the receiving reservoir. It is a circular iron tank, thirty feet in diameter and twenty-five feet high, placed upon a massive structure of brick, thirty-five feet in diameter at the bottom and thirty feet at the top. A hollow shaft of brick work is carried up in the centre to the full height. Resting upon the inner and outer walls are cast-iron girders forming the floor upon which the wrought-iron tank rests. The bottom is on an elevation of fifty feet above the grade of the city at the Exchange. The whole height to which the water is raised by the pumps is one hundred and twenty feet.
Mr. R.H. Guerard is the Superintendant of the works, and Messrs. James Holland and William A. Luddington Engineers.
The COURT-HOUSE, an edifice of brick and stucco, two stories in height, was erected in 1833. It is situated on the east side of Wright (formerly Percival) square, more generally known as Court-House square, on which all public out-door demonstrations are held. The first court-house was erected at the northeast corner of Bull and Bay lane. A short time previous to the Revolutionary war a large brick court-house was built on the site of the present building, and was considerably injured by the British troops quartered therein, and also by the shells thrown from the American and French batteries during the siege in 1779. After the war it was repaired and devoted to its legitimate uses until 1831, when it was torn down.
The Superior court, Judge Schley, and the City court, Judge Walter S. Chisholm hold their regular sessions in the upper story. The lower story is used for the offices of the Judges, Clerks, Ordinary, Sheriffs of the city and county, and the Receivers and Collectors of Taxes.
The POOR-HOUSE AND HOSPITAL was incorporated in 1835, upon the application of Joseph Cumming, S.C. Dunning, R. King, John Gardner, Mathew Hopkins, William R. Waring, Charles S. Henry, S.D. Corbett, Samuel Philbrick, N.G. Beard, Francis Sorrell, R.D. Arnold, and P.M. Kollock. The present commodious structure, located on Gaston, between Drayton and Abercorn streets, was erected by private subscription in 1819, and used for several years altogether as a hospital for sailors.
In 1830 $18,000 was left to the institution by Messrs. James Wallace and Thomas Young. The institution is well supported by the hospital fund, the donations of fees by the attending physicians, and the State tax upon auctioneers. The officers are: Dr. William Duncan, President; Dr. R.D. Arnold, Attending Physician; Dr. W.G. Bulloch, Surgeon; Dr. Wm. Duncan, medical officer to female ward.
The ABRAHM'S HOME. On the 8th of April, 1822, a society was organized by a number of ladies of Savannah for the relief of poor widows with or without children, and destitute families generally in the city. A number of frame tenements, on South Broad street, were and are used by the society as houses for the destitute families. A few years since Mrs. Theodora Abrahms bequeathed a sum of money to be used in building an edifice to be made a home for destitute families. With the money thus contributed, the present Abrahm's Home, situated on the northwest corner of Broughton and East Broad streets, was erected. It is a large and elegant edifice, admirably adapted for its purpose, and is under the control of the society organized in 1822. A number of aged and indigent females find shelter and comfort in this building.
The officers of the society are: Mrs. J.J. Jackson, 1st Directress; Mrs. J.H. Burroughs, 2d Directress; Mrs. Wallace Cumming, Secretary; Miss S.C. Tufts, Treasurer.
The BANK OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA is an imposing building. It is located on the eastern side of Johnson square.
This bank, with the Merchants and Planters, Farmers and Mechanics, Planters, Marine, Bank of Commerce, and the Bank of Savannah, all in successful operation previous to and during the war, was compelled to suspend operations after the collapse of the Confederacy.
The banks in Savannah now are: The Central Railroad bank, the Savannah National bank, and the Merchants' National bank.
The MEDICAL COLLEGE, located at the northwest corner of Taylor and Habersham streets, is a fine edifice, which, for solidity, commodiousness, and perfect adaptablity for all the purposes of a medical college, challenges a comparison with the best buildings of the kind in the country, and supasses a large majority of them.
A charter to establish a medical college in Savannah was granted in 1838, but no active measures were taken to erect a building until 1852, when the late J. Gordon Howard, M.D. took the initiatory steps to that end, and Drs. P.M. Kollock, R.D. Arnold, W.G. Bulloch, C.W. West, H.L. Byrd, E.H. Martin, J. Gordon Howard, and J.B. Read petitioned the Trustees to organize them as a Faculty, they pledging themselves to erect a suitable building and to provide all apparatus necessary for instruction and illustration. The charter was not granted, owing to the opposition of a number of medical gentlemen. Nothing daunted, the gentlemen associated themselves together as a corporation under the name and style of the Savannah Medical Institute, and erected the present building, the corner-stone of which was laid on the 17th of January, 1853, by Dr. R. D. Arnold, in his capacity as Master of a Lodge of Free Masons.
The following November the first course of lectures was commenced. After the capture of the city by Sherman's troops the building was used as a United States hospital, from which the United States medical officers carried off the fine apparatus, the valuable collections of minerals, the engravings and paintings for illustration, the anatomical proportions, and pathological specimens.
The members of the Faculty are: Drs. R. D. Arnold, Practice of Medicine; William G. Bulloch, Surgery; W. M. Charters, Chemistry; Juriah Harris, Physiology; P. M. Kollock, Obstretrics; J. B. Read, Materia Medica; W. R. Waring, Anatomy; William Duncan and Robert P. Myers, Demonstrators; Thomas Smith, adjunct to P. M. Kollock; Thomas J. Charlton, adjunct to W. G. Bulloch; J. G. Thomas, adjunct to Juriah Harris; J. R. Nunn, adjunct to James B. Read, W. H. Elliott, adjunct to W. M. Charters.
The officers of the Faculty are: Juriah Harris, President; W. R. Waring, Dean; P. M. Kollock, Treasurer; Robt. P. Myers, Curator.
CHATHAM COUNTY JAIL, situated in the southern part of the city, is neatly built of brick and stuccoed, and is capable of containing about one hundred prisoners. It was erected in 1845, and is under the management of Waring Russell, Esq. The first jail was situated at the northwest corner of Bay lane and Bull street, which rotted down, as did five others on the same site. Another building was erected near the site of the present court-house before the Revolutionary war, and after the war it was torn down and another built on the site occupied by Mr. A. Low's house. It was used until the present jail was built, when it was torn down to make room for dwelling houses. In former times persons were confined for debt. They were not always actually locked up, but were permitted, upon giving sufficient surety, to go at large within "jail bounds," a certain distance each way from the jail. Should they, on any pretence or by any accident, go beyond these limits, their sureties became liable, and they themselves would be locked up. These bounds were designated at suitable intervals by small stones, like the foot-stone of a grave, with the letters "J.B." cut on them. 1
Some years since a gentleman from the North, on a visit to Savannah, was walking out with a resident, when his attention was attracted by one of these stones. "What is that?" said he, "it looks as if it might have come from a graveyard."
The citizen mischievously told him that it stood at the grave of one James Benton, an old settler, indeed one of the first in the time of Oglethorpe. He went on to relate to his wondering friend how this old man (an entirely fictitious character), being a very eccentric genius, desired to perpetuate his old whims, even after his death, and therefore left directions for his interment in one of the public squares, specifying the minutest details, even to the size and style of the stone; also binding his executors and the town authorities, in consideration of certain valuable tracts of land which he donated to them, never to remove his body nor make any attempt to preserve the grave from being trampled upon, only keeping the stone up.
Much more of the same language did the citizen pour into the willing ears of the northerner, relating it with a minuteness of detail and a gravity of countenance which completely deceived the descendant of the Pilgrim fathers. On his return home he published in the village newspaper most wonderful accounts of the habits, manners, and customs of the people of the "Forest City".
The CUSTOM HOUSE, is a noble fire-proof structure, is built of Quincy granite, and is one hundred and ten feet in length and fifty-two feet deep. It is of three stories, the first used as the post office, the second devoted to custom house purposes, and the third or upper story for United States Court room, with the usual offices.
No record remains to point out to the curious the location of the first house of customs, although there was such a one here in 1763. In 1789 Commerce row, west of the exchange, was built and the custom house established therein, wherein its duties were transacted. The customs were then removed to a building on the site now occupied by the Georgia Historical society, and afterward to the Exchange. In 1850 the present building was erected, and the customs were finally firmly located.
The FEMALE ASYLUM of Savannah had a common origin with the Union Society (which was formed in the year 1750) for the care and education of orphan and destitute children in general, who, without distinction of sex, enjoy the benefits of its charitable appropriations until the 17th of December, 1801, at which period, for the greater benefit of both classes of children, and with a view to those more extensive results which true charity ever aims to secure, it was suggested by the Rev. Henry Holcombe, then resident pastor of the Baptist church of Savannah, to several ladies of piety and benevolence the propriety of a separation. The suggestion was approved and actively carried into effect, and the female asyluym, in the year 1801, commenced a distinct and separate existence, under a Board of Directors composed of fourteen ladies, whose names are subjoined: Mrs. Elizabeth Smith; Mrs. Ann Clay, Mrs. Jane Smith; Mrs. Sarah Lamb, Secretary; Margaret Hunter, Treasurer; Lady Ann Houston, Mrs. Holcombe, Mrs. Hannah McAllister, Mrs. Susannah Jenkins, Mrs. Ann Moore, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Rebecca Newel, Mrs. Mary Wall, Miss Martha Stephens, Trustees, or Managers; Mrs. Lydia Myers, Matron.
In 1810 the legislature of Georgia granted an act of incorporation, founded on a system of rules for the better government of the institute. In 1838 (past experience having proved the necessity for a larger building and more desirable location than the one occupied in the eastern part of the city; but the limited funds of the society, at the time, prevented so desirable a change), Mrs. M. Marshall and Mrs. M. Richardsone volunteered to assist the endeavors of the Board of Managers to increase, by a public collection, the available means of the society in the accomplishment of so laudable an object. Their combined efforts happily proved successful, and the erection of the present handsome and commodius edifice on the corner of Bull and Charlton streets was the result.
The officers of the society are: Mrs. E.C. Anderson, 1st Directress; Mrs. Landrum, 2d Directress; Miss Welman, Secretary; Mrs. C.A. Lamar, Treasurer.
The visit of General Lafayette to Savannah in 1825 was made the occasion of laying the corner-stones of two monuments to be erected, one to the memory of Gen. Nathaniel Greene and the other to the memory of Brigadier-General Count Pulaski. A committee was appointed, and under their arrangements the corner-stone of a monument to Greene was laid in Johnson square, and one to Pulaski in Chippewa square, on the 21st of March, 1825, by General Lafayette and the Masonic lodges.
Subsequently, donations were received from the citizens and others by the committee, for their erection, and in November, 1826, a lottery was granted by the legislature, for the purpose of raising the sum of $35,000, to be appropriated to the object. After a few years, the funds not having reached an amount adequate for the erection of both, it was determined to erect one only for the present; that was placed in Johnson square in 1829, and was called the "Greene and Pulaski Monument." The monument, as seen by the accompanying lithograph, is plain and without inscription. It is about fifty feet high. The lottery continued its operations and produced an amount sufficient, with other contributions, to erect
The PULASKI MONUMENT. This marble memorial to Count Casimir Pulaski, who sealed his devotion to the cause of American liberty with his blood, is situated in Monterey square. The corner-stone was laid on the 11th of October, 1853. The military, under command of Colonel A.R. Lawton, the various Masonic lodges, and a large concourse of citizens, were present during the ceremonies.
The monument is about fifty feet in height, surmounted by a statue of Liberty holding the banner of the "stars and stripes." It is perceived, at a glance, that the monument is intended for a soldier who is losing his life while fighting; wounded, he falls from his horse, still grasping his sword. The date of the event, October 9th, 1779, is recorded above the subject. The coat of arms of Poland and Georgia, surrounded by branches of laurel, ornament the cornice on two sides, or fronts; while the eagle, emblem of liberty, courage, and independence, and the symbolic bird of Poland and America, rests upon both. The cannon reversed on the corners of the die are emblematical of military loss and mourning, and give the monument a strong military character. The corner-stone laid in Chippewa square in 1825 was removed in 1853 and placed alongside of the corner-stone of the present monument.
The number and beauty of the churches of Savannah elicit the admiration of all who visit the city.
The Episcopal church was established in Savannah by Reverend Henry Herbert, D.D., in 1733, he having come over with the first settlers. Services were held in Oglethorpe's tent, or in open air, as the weather permitted, until late in that year, when a courthouse was erected on Bull street at what is now the northeast corner of Bay lane, in which services were held until 1750.
CHRIST CHURCH. The lot upon which this church now stands was laid out for an Episcopal church on the 7th of July, 1733, but no attempt was made to build upon it until the 11th of June, 1740, when a frame building was commenced. Six years afterward the shingles were placed upon it, and it was finally completed in 1750, on the 7th of July of which year it was dedicated to the worship of God. The fire of 1796 reduced it to ashes. It was rebuilt, and was very much damaged by the gale in 1804. The present church, constructed after the Grecian Ionic order of architecture, is one of the most magnificent churches in the city. It was completed in 1838. The church records show that the following named ministers have been in charge of the church: Rev. Dr. Henry Herbert was the first. He was succeeded by Rev. S. Quincy, who remained until 1735, when Rev. John Wesley became rector. The latter was followed by the Rev. William Norris, who resided alternately in Savannah and at Frederica. Rev. Wm. Metcalf, who was appointed next, died before he entered upon his duties, and his place was filled by Rev. Mr. Orton, who died in 1742. About this period Rev. George Whitfield was in charge. Rev. T. Bosomworth, his successor, was displaced, and Rev. Mr. Zouberbuhler was appointed. He remained in charge until 1763. In 1768, 1771, and 1771, Rev. Mr. Frink was in charge. There is no record to show who were the rectors in charge from 1763 to 1768 and from 1773 to 1810, and from 1814 to 1820. From 1810 to 1814, when the church was rebuilt, Rev. John V. Bartow was in charge. Rev. Mr. Cranston became rector in 1820, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Carter, who died in 1827. He was followed by Rev. Dr. Edward Neufville, who died in 1851, having filled his responsible position for nearly a quarter of a century. He was succeeded by Rev. A.B. Carter, who remained only a short time, and Right Rev. Bishop Stephen Elliott, Bishop of the Diocese, became pastor. He resigned the charge of the church, temporarily, in November, 1859, and Rev. Dr. J. Easter was temporarily in charge, until the arrival of Rev. Dr. Batch, in February, 1860. In 1861 Bishop Elliott resumed rectorship, and Rev. Chas. H. Coley was called to assist him. Bishop Elliott died on the 21st of December, 1866. Rev. Mr. Coley remained in charge until the fall of 1868, when he received a call to the West. The church was temporarily supplied for several months by Rev. Dr. Easter, when the present rector, Rev. J.M. Mitchell, was called to the rectorship. The membership of the church is about three hundred and seventy. The Sunday-school of this church has about two hundred scholars - Dr. W.H. Elliott, Superintendent.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. St. John's Parish was organized in 1840, and services were held in a building on South Broad west of Barnard street. The present building, built in the English style of Gothic, which prevailed in England from the year 1200 to the year 1300 of the Christian era, is located on the west side of Madison square, and was completed in 1853 and dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop Elliott. There are about two hundred and thirty communicants in this church. The Sunday-school with about one hundred and sixty pupils and twenty teachers, is under the superintendence of J.S.F. Lancaster.
The Church Wardens and Vestry are: W.S. Bogart and J.R. Johnson, Wardens; William Battersby, Dr. J.A. Wragg, Henry Brigham, Levi DeWitt, John M. Guerard, Edward J. Purse, John L. Villalonga, and William Tison.
The following Rectors have been in charge of the parish since its organization: Revs. Rufus M. White, George H. Clarke, C.F. McRae, and Samuel Benedict, the present rector.
CONGREGATION "MICKVA ISRAEL." The early history of this congregation is so involved in doubt that, after the greatest possible labor and research on the part of the writer of this sketch, the task of ascertaining the exact date of the organization was compelled to be abandoned. It is certain, however, that several Jews arrived from England in the year 1733, and that these brought with them two scrolls of the Law and the Ark, or receptacle for the same.
From this fact, it is reasonable to conclude that a congregation was established shortly afterward. Tradition honors a room in the neighborhood of Bay Street lane as the place in which the Hebrews first assembled for the purpose of divine worship. Then, at a later date, this temporary Synagogue was changed to a one-story wooden building on Broughton Street lane. Tradition also states that after some years a schism took place among the members of this small congregation, and doubtless this must have occurred, since the earliest manuscript extant, bearing date September 7th, 1762, is a deed of gift of a parcel of land by Mr. Sheftall to all persons professing to be Jews, to be used by them either as a burying-ground or as the site of a synagogue. Now this deed does not allude at all to a congregation. If, therefore, the "Mickva Israel" existed prior to this date, the tradition of a schism must be correct, and the donor of this piece of land must have purposely omitted the name of the congregation. Again, tradition asserts that this schism was subsequently healed, and the congregation reunited. Whatever may have been the real occurrences which marked the early history of the congregation, it is quite certain that it existed under its present name in the year 1790, for the old minute book, now in the possession of the congregation, contains entries as far back as that year, and the charter of the congregation bears date November 30th, 1790, during the administration of Governor Edward Telfair.
The congregation, although organized and chartered, had as yet no regular edifice for public worship, and it was not until 1815 that the first Synagogue was erected on the sire of the present building, at the northeast corner of Liberty and Whitaker streets. The lot was granted by the City Council for the purpose, and the building itself was only constructed of wood, and was of small dimensions. In 1832-3 this building was destroyed by fire, but fortunately, it having been insured to the amount of $1500, the congregation was enabled to erect the present building, the difference of outlay between the amount received from the insurance and the actual cost of the new building being obtained by contributions. With all this, however, the congregation continued to remain small in numbers, which is to be attributed to the fact that no clergyman was engaged to perform divine worship, and the severe laws of the congregation prevented foreign Jews from becoming members. Time, however, cured all evils, and as soon as these restrictions, which impeded the progress of the congregation, were removed, a new life was infused into it. Thus, in the year, 1852, the names of several foreigners were to be found on the list of members, and the first regular minister was appointed after the "Mickva Israels" had been in existence over one hundred and twenty years. The Rev. Jacob Rosenfeld was the first incumbent, but in 1861 he resigned, and the congregation again continued to be without the services of a minister. This state of things continued during the war, services, however, being performed by a lay-reader.
In January, 1867, Abraham Einstein, Esq., was called to the presidential chair, and upon assuming the duties of his office he brought into the congregation about thirty new members. The want of a minister was then for the first time severely felt, and steps were at once taken to secure one. A correspondence was opened with the Rev. R. D'C'. Lewin, minister of a congregation in Shreveport, La., and the position in the "Mickva Israel" was tendered to him by the Adjunta of that body. The Rev., Mr. Lewin accepted, and arrived in Savannah in March, 1867. Since that time many changes have taken place in the congregation, foremost among which have been the changes produced in synagogue worship and in the forms of the Jewish religion - the Rev. Mr. Lewin being a liberalist, and a progressionist, and belonging to that school of Judaism popularly denominated the reform school.
The "Mickva Israel" numbers about fifty members, and if the government of the congregation continues to be conducted in the same spirit as it is at present, it must undoubtedly be among the most prosperous in the country.
CONGREGATION "B'NAI BERITH JACOB." This congregation was founded in September, 1860, after the departure of the Rev. J. Rosenfeld from the "Mickva Israel: congregation. It owes its origin to a society bearing the name of B'nai Berith, which existed prior to the formation of the congregation, but which resolved itself into the congregation, retaining the original name with the addition of the e "Jacob." In 1861 it was chartered, and commenced from that time worshipping in Armory Hall. The first president was Mr. Rosenfeld, who also officiated gratuitously as minister until August, 1865, when, leaving Savannah to do business in Tallahassee, Florida, Mr. Simon Gertsman commenced officiating as lay reader gratuitously. In January, 1867, this gentleman was elected president, from which date he commenced active measures to encourage the congregation by endeavoring to have a permanent building erected as a place of worship. By dint of great energy and perseverance, and after many trials and obstacles, he succeeded in his praiseworthy designs, and on the 16th of the same year the corner-stone of the building was laid by the Rev. R. D'C. Lewin with all the ceremonies and pomp attendant on such occasions. The work of building progressed so rapidly, under the management of the architects, Messrs. Muller and Bruyn, that in the third month after the laying of the corner-stone, on the 27th day of September, 1867, the Synagogue was solemnly dedicated to the God of Israel by Rev. R. D'C. Lewin, and the congregation commenced regular worship in the new edifice. In January, 1868, Mr. Gertsman resigned the office of president and ceased officiating as lay reader. He was succeeded in the presidential chair by Mr. A.B. Weslow, and Mr. Rosenfeld, having given up his business in Florida and returned to Savannah, was elected the paid minister of the congregation. The congregation consists of about thirty members, nearly all of whom are natives of Poland. The "Minhag"2 of the congregation is Polish, according to the orthodox form, although some few changes have been introduced. The congregation, though still young, promises to do well, and will doubtless progress as it grows older.
LUTHERAN CHURCH. There is little if any record remaining of the establishment of the Lutheran religion by the Salzburgers in Savannah. From the best information that can be gained, it appears that many members of the various colonies of Salzburgers who, during the period between 1736 and 1744, fled to Georgia to avoid persecution in their own land on account of their religion, remained in Savannah and formed the nucleus of a church organization about the year 1744. It was, however, for several years, regarded as a missionary ground, and the members were preached to at intervals by Revs. John Martin Bolzius and Israel Christian Gronau, of Ebenezer, and Rev. U. Driesler, of Frederica. A small church was built upon the site occupied by the present church, on the eastern side of Wright square. Revs. Rabenhorst and Wattman officiated in 1759. Rev. Mr. Bergman took charge of the church a short time before the Revolutionary war, during which the congregation, though much scattered, kept up its organization, and an 1787 the church was fully organized with a full board of elders and wardens. The services were conducted in the German language, of which the younger portion of the congregation were ignorant, a want of interest was manifested, the congregation decreased, and finally the church was closed. In 1824 Dr. Bachman, of Charleston, came over, and finding the families of Mr. Frederick Herb, Mr. Snider, Mr. Haupt, Mr. Spann, Mr. Gougle, Mr. Felt, Mrs. S. Cooper, Mrs. N. Weriman, and Mrs. L. Cooper, still attached to the faith, endeavored to resuscitate the congregation, in which effort he was successful. Rev. Stephen A. Mealy came from Charleston in this year and took charge of the congregation, conducting the services in English. He remained until 1839, when he accepted a call to Philadelphia. Rev. N. Aldrich, of Charleston, became pastor in 1840. In 1843 the present building was erected, and was dedicated in the fall by the pastor, aided by Rev. Dr. Bachman. In 1850 Mr. Aldrich was succeeded by Rev. A.J. Karn, who remained until 1859. The church was closed until 1861, when Rev. J. Hawkins took charge, but he remained only eight or nine months. On his departure the church was again closed until the 1st of June, 1863, at which time the present pastor, Rev. D.M. Gilbert took charge.
The church has about one hundred and thirty communicants, a fine Sunday-school numbering one hundred and seventy-five pupils under the superintendence of Mr. J.T. Thomas, and is in a flourishing condition. During the later periods, when the church was closed, the Sunday-school was in full operation, and devotional exercises were occasionally held.
PRESBYTERIAN. The first Presbyterian society in Savannah was organized about the year 1755, Rev. J.J. Zubly, D.D. Pastor. The exact location of the first church is not known, but it was in Decker ward, and was destroyed by the fire of 1796. Another church was erected on the corner of York, President, and Whitaker streets, where a large livery stable now stands. The steeple of this church was blown down and the building injured during the gale of 1804. It was repaired and used until 1819, when it was taken down, and the congregation removed to the Independent Presbyterian church on Bull street, which is one of the most elegant and spacious houses of worship in the country. It was commenced in 1815 and completed in 1819, when it was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Henry Kollock, who died the following December. Rev. Dr. I.S.K. Axson is the present pastor of the church.
The elders since 1800 are: Thomas Young, John Gibbons, John Bolton, Jno. Hunter, Edward Stebbins, Geo. Harrell, Jno. Millen, John Cumming, Benjamin Burroughs, Moses Cleland, George W. Coe, John Lewis, George W. Anderson, James Smith, William Law, William Bee, G.B. Cumming, John Stoddard, G.B. Lamar, B.B. Hopkins.
The pastors who have had charge of the church since its organization are: Revs. John J. Zubly, D.D., Walter Montieth, Robert Smith, Samuel Clarkson, D.D., Henry Kollock, D.D., William D. Snodgrass, D.D., Samuel B. How, D.D., Daniel Baker, Willard Preston, D.D., and I.S.K. Axson, D.D., the present pastor, who has been in charge since 1856.
Messrs. George W. Anderson, William Law, George B. Cumming, William H. Baker, John D. Hopkins, and Charles H. Olmstead are Elders, and Francis Sorrel, Anthony Porter, William Duncan, Chas. Green, and Charles F. Miller, Trustees.
There are three hundred and thirty-five communicants in this church, which has attached to it a fine Sunday-school, numbering one hundred and eighty-five scholars and teachers, under the superintendence of John D. Hopkins, Chas. H. Olmstead, Assistant Superintendent.
The FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Savannah was formally organized by the Presbytery of Georgia at a called meeting held in the old Baptist church on the 6th of June, 1827 - the opening sermon being preached by the moderator, Rev. N.A. Pratt, of Darien. The number of members constituting the church then organized was about fifteen, the names of the following only being now known: James Cumming, Lowell Mason, Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Clifton, George G. Faries, W. King, Mrs. Coppee, Miss Burns, Edward Coppee, Miss M. Lavender, and Mrs. Faries.3
The elders of the church, chosen immediately after its organization, were: James Cumming, George G. Faries, E. Coppee, and L. Mason. Subsequent elders have been: W. Crabtree, J. J. Maxwell, B. E. Hand, John Ingersol, E. J. Harden, Charles West, H. A. Crane, and J.F. Cann.
The first church was built upon the north side of Broughton, between Jefferson and Barnard streets, in 1833. Some time after the congregation left it, it was purchased by the Young Men's Christian association and removed to the northwest corner of Ann and Orange streets, where it was used for some time by the association, and was lately destroyed by fire. The present church edifice, situated on the east side of Monterey square, was commenced in 1856, but, owing to the loss of money and other circumstances beyond the control of the congregation, has not been completed. The work upon it, which was stopped at the commencement of the late war, will, it is thought be soon recommenced and a spacious and elegant building be erected. There are, at present about eighty-five communicants. Judge E.J. Harden is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which numbers some sixty pupils. Rev. David H. Porter is pastor, and H. A. Crane, E. J. Harden, and A.M. Sloan, elders.
The pastors of the church, with an approximation of the dates of their ministry, are named as follows:Revs. Mr. Boggs, 1828; James C. Stile, 1829; C.C. Jones, 1830; Mr. Holt, 1832; C. Blodget, 1832; J. L. Merrick, 1834; T.F. Scott, 1835; J. L. Jones, 1840- vacancy one year; B. M. Palmer, 1843- vacancy one year; John Jones, 1854; C. B. King, 1855; David H. Porter (the present pastor), 1855.
METHODISM. The first preacher sent to Savannah to propagate the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church was Rev. Beverly Allen, who came in 1785. He was followed by Revs. Hope Hull, Thomas Humphries, John Major, John Crawford, Phillip Mathews, Hezekiah Arnold, Wheeler Grisson, John Bonner, Jonathan Jackson, John Garvin, and Samuel Dunwoody, the latter of whom, in 1806, succeeded in organizing a Methodist society, and services were conducted in the houses of the Methodists. Rev. Hope Hull, for several years, preached in a cabinet-maker's shop belonging to Mr. Lowry. The society in 1813, while under the pastoral charge of Rev. James Russell, commenced building a house of worship at the northeast corner of Lincoln and South Broad streets. It was completed in 1816, and dedicated by Rev. Lewis Myers. This edifice was called
The WESLEY CHAPEL. After being enlarged, remodeled, and repaired several times, the chapel was sold to Mr. W.B. Adams, in 1866, who converted it into private residences. A Sunday-school and lecture room was erected next to the church, but was destroyed by fire several years since. The congregation then purchased the building at the corner of Wayne and Drayton streets, formerly belonging to the German Lutheran congregation. The congregation is under the pastoral charge of Rev. D. D. Cox, and has one hundred and forty members. There is also a good Sunday-school, under the superintendence of Mr. J.H Newman. The official members are: John Clements, A.C. Miller, W. H. Hubbard, W. H. Burrell, A. G. Bass; I. S. Anderson, Secretary of church meeting. The parsonage is located on the northeast corner of State and Habersham streets.
TRINITY CHURCH, a large and commodious brick edifice, and one of the handsomest churches in the city, is located on the west side of St. James square. It was commenced in 1848, during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Alfred T. Mann, and completed in 1850, under the pastorate of Rev. J.E. Evans, and the following year was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Mann. The present membership numbers four hundred and twenty-six, Rev. G. G. N. McDonell, pastor.
The stewards of the church are: R. D. Walker, John Houston, C. D. Rogers, James Lachlison, William M. Weaver, R. McIntire, C. A. Magill, J. R. Saussy, J. H. Newman, Benjamin Gammon. Rev. E. Heidt, elder, and George Allen, deacon, are local preachers; R. H. Tatem, Secretary of church meeting. The parsonage is located on the east side of Orleans square, and was bequeathed to the church by Mrs. Mary Ann Stafford in 1860, who also left about $20,000 in negro property for the poor of the church. The Sunday-school, with about three hundred and fifty scholars, is under the superintendence of Mr. C. D. Rogers.
The ANDREW CHAPEL was built for the colored people in 1845, through the energetic and persevering efforts of G. F. Pearce. For twenty years it was supplied with pastors Georgia Annual Conference, and had a large and flourishing membership. After the occupation of Savannah by General Sherman's army the great mass of the members united with the African M.E. Church South, and a few of the old members continue faithful to their former church relations.
The trustees, who hold all property belonging to the M.E. Church South in Savannah, are: Robert D. Walker, E. Heidt, C.A. Magill, J.R. Saussy, Robert McIntire, Benjamin Gammon, C.D. Rogers, John Houston.
The names of all of the Methodist ministers ever stationed in Savannah are appended, many having been appointed here two or more times: Revs. Beverly Allen, Thomas Humphries, John Major, John Crawford, Phillip Mathews, Hope Hull, Hezekiah Arnold, Wheeler Grisson, John Bonner, Jonathan Jackson, John Garvin, Samuel Dunwoody, Jones H. Mallard, John McVean, Irving Cooper, James H. Kogler, Whitman C. Hill, James Russell, Henry Ross, Solomon Bryan, Wm. Capers (afterward Bishop), John Howard, James O. Andrew (afterward Bishop), George White, E.T. Fitzgerald, Thomas L. Wynn, George Hill, Charles Hardy, Elijah Sinclair, Benjamin Pope, Ignatius A. Few, George F. Pierce, Ward Bishop, Alexander Speer, James R. Evans, James Sewell, Miller H. White, James B. Jackson, Daniel Currie, Joseph Lewis, Caleb W. Key, A.T. Mann, W.R. Branham, Robert Connor, Lovick Pierce, Wm. M. Crumley, Joshua S. Payne, Charles F. Cooper, Thomas H. Jordan, G.G.N. Macdonnell, Joseph S. Key, James M. Dickie, D.T. Holmes, Lewis B. Payne, W.H. Potter, L.G.R. Wiggings, W.P. Pledger, H. James, R.F. Breedlove, E.W. Speer, J.T. Norris, J.R. Caldwell, W.S. Baker, Walter Knox, Alexander M. Wynn, John W. Turner, John F. Ellerson, A.J. Corley, and D.D. Cox.
The BAPTIST CHURCH. About the year 1795 a Baptist house of worship was erected on Franklin square in this city, by different denominations both here and in South Carolina. The house, in an unfinished state, was rented for several years to the Presbyterian congregation, theirs having been destroyed by fire. In 1799, before the expiration of the lease, the Rev. Henry Holcomb, of Beaufort, S.C. was chosen pastor of the congregation, then consisting of different denominations. His salary was $2,000 per annum. The house of worship was dedicated on the 17th of April, 1800, and the church was dedicated on the 26th of November, in the same year. The Rev. Henry Holcombe was the pastor. Baptistry was placed in the chrch in 1800, and the first person baptised was a Mrs. Jones.
In the year 1795 the corporation of Savannah conveyed to the church, in fee simple, the lot (No, 19) on Franklin square, now occupied by the First African Baptist church. The following persons petitioned the legislature of Georgia for the charter of incorporation: Rev. Henry Holcombe, pastor; George Mosse, W.H. Matthers, John Rose, Elias Robert, Joseph Wiseman, Theodore Carlton, Joseph , Isaac Sibley, and Wm. Parker.
Worship was continued on Franklin square until the year 1833, about which time the brick building was enlarged in 1839, during the ministry of Rev. J.G. Binney. This building cost, in the aggregate, about $40,000, and is the one in which the church is now worshiping.
The following are the pastors of the church from its organization to the present time: Henry Holcombe, D.D., from 1799 to 1811; W.B. Johnson, D.D., 1811 to 1815; Benj. Scriven, 1815 to 1819; Jas. Sweat, 1819 to 1822; Thomas Meredith, 1822 to 1824; Henry O. Wyer, 1825 to 1834; Josiah S. Law, 1834 to 1835, Charles b. Jones, 836; J.G. Biney, 1836 to 1843; Henry O. Wyer, 1843 to 1845; Albert Williams, 1845 to 1847.
On the 4th of February, 1847, the church divided, Rev. Albert Williams, pastor. Thenceforward the two branches were popularly known as the First and Second Baptist churches, though the former never changed its corporate name. Those who constituted the Second Baptist church purchased the building then owned by the Unitarians on the southwest corner of Bull and York streets, where they continued to worship until the 6th of February, 1859, when they dissolved, and the reunion of the Baptists of Savannah occurred (after a separation of twelve years almost to a day) on the 6th of February, 1859.
Pastors of the First Church: Rev. Albert Williams, a part of 1847; Rev. Jos. T. Roberts, from 1847 to 1849; Rev. Thomas Rambaut, 1849 to 1855; Rev. J.B. Stiteler, 1855 to 1856; Rev. S.G. Daniel, 1856 to 1859.
Pastors of the Second Church; Rev. Henry O. Wyer, from 1847 to 1849; Rev. J.P. Tustin, 1849 to 1854; Rev. Henry O. Wyer, 1854 to 1855; Rev. M. Winston, 1855 to 1859.
Rev. Sylvanus Landrum (the present pastor) was called to Savannah in November, 1859, and settled with the church on the first day of the following month.
The deacons chosen on the 3rd of March, 1859, were George W. Davis, James E. Hogg, O.M. Lillibridge, John W. Rabun, William F. Chaplin, and Isaac Brunner, four of whom are still living and in office.
In 1861 the church constructed the lecture and Sunday-school room in the basement of their building, and in 1862 purchased the Pastor's Home, on the corner of Jones and Drayton streets. During the year 1868, they purchased a lot (No. 19) in Loyd ward, corner of Barnard and Gwinnett streets, on which a mission church is to be built. The number of communicants is four hundred and fifteen.
The Sunday-school was organized on the 29th of April, 1827, and is finely arranged and admirably conducted. Mr. B.M. Settler is superintendent and C.W. West is secretary. The number of teachers is thirty-four; scholars, one hundred and eighty.
This church has no colored members. There are, however, three colored Baptist churches in the city. The first and second own good buildings and have a very large membership.
The government of the Savannah Baptist church, according to the practice of the denomination, is congregational, or independent. The church transacts her own business, executes her own discipline, and her decisions are final. She, however, holds an associated connection for benevolent purposes, with the new Sunbury Association and with the Georgia Baptist Convention.
The CATHOLIC CHURCH. The Catholic religion was established in Savannah during the latter part of the last century. The first building was erected in Liberty square, and was taken down in 1838. There are about eight thousand five hundred members of this church in Savannah, which is divided into two parishes, St. John's and St. Patrick's. The former parish has about five thousand persons in it, who worship at the St. John's cathedral, a magnificent and capacious edifice, located on the east side of Drayton, at the corner of Perry street. Right Rev. Bishop A. Verot, and Rev. Fathers W.J. Hamilton and P. Whelan officiate in this parish. St. Patrick's parish was organized on the 6th of November, 1865. St. Patrick's church, in which the members of this parish, three thousand five hundred in number, worship has been used as a church edifice since the 8th of November, 1863. Very Rev. Peter Dufau, Vicar-General of the diocese, and Rev. Father C.C. Prendergast are in charge of this parish. The Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy have an extensive building situated on Liberty street, in which about two hundred females are instructed. A large number of them are orphans, under the care of the sisters, and a considerable number besides receive gratuitous instruction.
The PENFIELD MARINERS' CHRCH, located on Bay, near Lincoln street, was erected in 1831 with the money bequeathed for the purpose by Rev. Josiah Penfield.
The church is now under the management of the Savannah Port Society, which was organized on the 21st of November, 1843, "for the purpose of furnishing seamen with regular evangelical ministration of the Gospel, and such other religious instruction as may be found practicable." Messrs. John Lewis, W.W. Nash, Asa Holt, Robert M. Goodwin, John Ingersoll, Wm. Duncan, Robt. A. Lewis, Samuel Philbrick, S. Goodall, Benjamin Snider, J.R. Wilder, Thos. Clark, Michael Dillon, Charles Green, Rev. P.A. Strobel, Rev. E. F. Neufville, D.D., Rev. W. Preston, D.D., Captain William Crabtree, Joseph Felt, John Stoddard, Joseph George, Edward Wiley, Green Fleetwood, Edward Padelford, Joseph Cumming, John J. Maxwell, Matthew Hopkins, J.C. Dunning, and D.B. Williams, were among the founders.
The officers of the society are: J.T. Thomas, President; John D. Hopkins, 1st Vice-President; C.D. Rogers, 2d Vice-President; D. G. Purse, Treasurer; C.H. Olmstead, Recording Secetary; J. R. Saussy, Corresponding Secretary; Rev. Richard Webb, Chaplain.
The societies in Savannah for the amelioration of the wants of the poor and distressed, and for the purpose of fostering fraternal relations, are numerous and flourishing. The records of the more prominent ones will be found below.
MASONIC. There is little else but tradition left regarding the origin of the first Lodge of the brethren of the "mystic tie" in Georgia. It is asserted that, early in 1733, a number of Masons under the leadership of General Oglethorpe, while at Sunbury, then a small settlement, organized under a large oak tree,4 a Lodge known afterward as the Savannah Lodge. This Lodge was chartered, in 1735, as Solomon's Lodge. After 1800, the Union, L'Esperance, Hiram, and Oglethorpe Lodges were organized. During the Morgan excitement all the Lodges, excepting Solomon's, were broken up. The first hall erected for the meetings of the Lodges is situated on President street, near St. James square. It is a long two-story frame building, now used as a private residence. The present hall, in which both the Masonic and Odd Fellows' Lodges meet, is an elegant brick structure situated on Broughton, at the northeast corner of Bull street.
The Solomon's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. M. (first known as the Savannah Lodge), was organized in 1733 and chartered in 1735. It is the oldest chartered Lodge in the United States. From 1776 to 1785, owing to the Revolutionary war, no meetings were held, and the records were lost. The officers are: P. M. John Nicolson, W. M.; Bros. J. Lachlison, S. W.; Bernard Brady, J. W.; J. C. Bruyn, Treas.; J. H. Estill, Sec.; John Oliver, S. D.; R. H. Lewis, J. D.; A. G. McArthur, Harmon A. Elkins, Stewards: De Witt Bruyn, Organist; John F. Herb, Tyler.
Georgia Chapter, No. 3, R. A. M., was established in 1818. The following are the officers: P. H. P. Richard T. Turner, M. E. H. P.; Companions R. J. Nunn, E. K.; Thomas Balentyne, E. S.; Rev. Sylvanus Landrum, Chaplain; S. P. Hamilton, C. H.; E. W. Marsh, P. S.; C. Heinsius, R. A. C.; J. H. Dews, M. 3d V.; Chas. Pratt, M. 2d V.; J. C. McNulty, M. 1st V.; J. T. Thomas, Treas.; J. H. Estill, Sec.; M. M. Belisario, Sentinel.
Zerubbabel Lodge, No. 15, A. F. M., was chartered on the 5th of November, 1840. The officers are: P. M. L. M. Shafer, W. M.; Rev. Bro. R. D'C. Lewin, S. W.; Bro. Simon Hexter, J. W.; P. M. Alfred Haywood, Treas.; J. A. Sullivan, Sec.; Jas. Manning, S. D.; William D. Sullivan, J. D.; Jacob Belsinger, Moritz Kohl, J. Vetsburg, Stewards; I. H. Hollem, Organist; J. F. Herb, Tyler.
Clinton Lodge, No. 54, F. A. M., was chartered on the 27th of October, 1847. The officers are: P. M. C. F. Blancho, W. M.; P. M. M. M. Belisario, S. W.; Bros. John G. Blitch, J. W.; Wm. M. Davidson, Treas.; Levy E. Byck, Sec.; Lewis Kayton, S. D.; David Cockshutt, J. D.; John F. Herb, Tyler.
Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 231, was chartered on the 15th of November, 1859. The following are the officers: Bros. Rufus E. Lester, W. M.; C. Heinsius, S. W.; E. W. Marsh, J. W.; C. M. Cunningham, Treas.; F. R. Sweat, Sec.; A. A. E. W. Barclay, S. D.; E. W. Marsh, J. D.; John F. Herb, Tyler.
Palestine Commandery, No. 7, K. T., was instituted on the 15th of April, 1867. The officers are: Theodore B. Marshall, E. C.; R. J. Nunn, G.; J. H. Gould, C. G.; E. W. S. Neff, Treas.; J. A. Roberts, P.; Rufus E. Lester, S. W.; S. P. Hamilton, J. W.; L. M. Shafer, R.; J. H. Estill, John H. Dew, Standard Bearers; John Nicolson, Warden; W. F. Parker, Sentinel.
The UNION SOCIETY, whose achievements, to use the language of that gifted divine, Rev. Willard Preston, consist in rescuing the mind from the worst of despotisms - the cruel, degrading, withering grasp of ignorance; in training it to effort and to useful enterprise; in rescuing the child of misfortune from the deep and overwhelming, and but too often demoralizing and ruinous, depression of poverty, and consequently relieving the widow from those burdens which often sink her into an untimely grave, was organized in 1750 by five gentlemen of five distinct religious denominations, having for their leading object the education of orphan children in indigent circumstances. Tradition has rescued from oblivion only three of the founders, viz: Benjamin Shefftall, Peter Tondee, and Richard Milledge. They called themselves the St. George's Society and held their anniversaries on the 23rd day of April, the calendar day of the canonization of the tutelar saint of England. The records were destroyed by the British when they evacuated the city in 1782, and very little is known of its early history. Among the rules was one requiring each member to contribute two pence weekly to carry out the object of the society; another, that any three of its members should hold regular meetings and celebrate its anniversaries. Twenty-eight years after its organization this rule saved the society from extinction. When Savannah was captured by the British in December, 1778, a large number of citizens (among them a number of members of the Union Society) and soldiers was placed on board of the prison-ships. A few days after, those of the prisoners who held office in the American army were sent, under parole, to Sunbury, a town forty miles distant, on the seacoast. Among these were four members of the society, Mordecai Shefftall, John Martin, John Stirk, and Josiah Powell, who were kept there three years, during which time they observed the meetings and kept the anniversaries of the society, at the first of which, held on the 23d of April, 1779, under a large oak tree,5 the following resolution was adopted:
By the unhappy fate of war, the members of the Union Society are some made captives and others drove from the State, and by one of the rules of said society, it is ordered and resolved that so long as three members shall be together the Union Society shall exist; and there being now four members present who, being desirous as much as in them lies, notwithstanding they are CAPTIVES, to continue so laudable an institution, have come to the following resolve, to wit: To nominate and appoint officers for said society for the ensuing year as near and as agreeable to the rules of the society as they can recollect, the rules being lost or mislaid.
Josiah Powell was then elected president, Mordecai Shefftall vice-president, and John Martin secretary. An entertainment was then partaken of, a number of British officers who had furnished it participating. The sentiments given on the occasion equally express the noble and honorable feelings of both parties. The first, by a member of the society, was "The Union Society;" the second, by a British officer, "General George Washington," which was responded to with equal magnanimity by an American officer, "The King of Great Britain."
These gentlemen preserved the existence of the society, which in 1786 was incorporated by the legislature of the State, with the title of the Union Society. In 1854 the Board of Managers of the society purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of the Bethesda estate and erected buildings for the accommodation of the orphans under its charge, and removed them thither. There are now twenty-three boys under the charge of the society at Bethesda, which is under the superintendence of Rev. E. P. Brown.
The officers are: Abraham Minis, president; G. Moxley Sorrell, vice-president; John T. Thomas, secretary; D. G. Purse, treasurer; Edward Padelford, Andrew Low, Octavus Cohen, W. M. Wadley, C. H. Olmstead, F. W. Sims, R. Morgan, J. L. Villalonga, J. W. Lathrop, board of managers; Henry Bryan, E. J. Moses, stewards.
The following list embraces the presidents of the society so far as known. From 1750 to 1778 there is no record to show who filled the responsible position. In 1779 Josiah Powell was president, in 1786 Wm. Stephens, in 1790 Noble Wimberly Jones, from which year to the present the following have respectively held the position: Joseph Clay, Joseph Habersham, Wm. Stephens, George Jones, James P. Young, Mathew McAllister, Joseph Habersham, Charles Harris, General David B. Mitchell, Wm. B. Bulloch, Wm. Davies, J. McPherson Berrien, James Johnston, Dr. Moses Sheftall, John Hunter, Richard W. Habersham, Steele White, Thomas Polhill, John C. Nicoll, George W. Anderson, Francis Sorrell, Thomas Purse, Dr. R. D. Arnold, Solomon Cohen, Edward Padelford, Jos. S. Fay, Robert D. Walker, John M. Cooper, William M. Wadley, and Abraham Minis, the present president.
Robert Habersham, Esq., one of our oldest and most respected merchants, has been connected with the society sixty-two years, and attends all of the anniversaries.
ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY. This society, composed of the sons of old Scotia, was organized about 1790, its first president being General Lachlan McIntosh, with Sir George Houstoun as vice-president. During the war of 1812 the society seems to have died, as we find no notice of its meetings. About 1819 it was reorganized. In 1849 or 1850 the society purchased the lot on the southwest corner of Broughton and Jefferson streets, and erected upon it the present commodious hall. During the war the treasury became depleted, and the society was forced to dispose of the property. Its decaying fortunes have been revived of late, and the society is now in a flourishing condition. The officers are: John Cunningham, president; Robt. Lachlison, first, and Wm. Rogers, second vice-president; E. A. McGill, secretary and treasurer; Alexander Irving and A. G. McArthur, stewards.
The MEDICAL SOCIETY. Upon petition, Noble Wimberly Jones, John Irvine, John Grimes, Lemuel Kollock, John Cumming, Jas. Ewell, Moses Sheftall, Joshua E. White, William Parker, Thomas Schley, George Jones, George Vinson Proctor, Henry Bourquin, Thomas Young, Jr., Peter Ward, William Cocke, James Glenn, and Nicholas S. Bayard, who had associated themselves under the above name "for improving the science of medicine and lessening the fatality induced by climate and incidental causes," were granted a charter by the legislature on the 12th of December, 1804.
At that period rice was cultivated on the low lands adjacent to the city, up to the very door-sills of the houses. This society early took the stand that, with our semi-tropical climate, there could be no worse nor more malignant incidental cause of disease than the stagnant water which remains on the rice fields exposed to an ardent summer sun and the subsequent exposure of the saturated soil when the water is drained off. As an effort toward the abatement of the evil, the society proposed a plan of dry culture providing that the lands then cultivated in rice, which obligates wet culture, should be cultivated solely in such products as necessitated drainage and dry culture. The prohibition of rice culture within a radius of one mile from the city limits was suggested as a remedial measure. But rice lands were valuable, and the owners of the land lying within the prescribed radius demurred to the project of putting their lands under dry culture when they were much more valuable under wet culture. The society persevered until, in 1817, the land owners came to terms, and, in consideration of the sum of forty dollars per acre, agreed to bind their lands for ever from being cultivated in wet culture. Savannah then had a population of about six thousand (about two fifths black) and paid two hundred thousand dollars to carry the project into effect. Well did Dr. R. D. Arnold remark, in a lecture delivered before the Medical Society in 1868, that this contribution was "a noble monument to the liberality of her citizens and a high tribute to the estimation in which our profession was held, when a sum so large in proportion to her population was freely given in support of what many still maintained was a mere theoretical idea. But it was a practical idea. Never were more decided results produced for any given cause."
The officers of the Society are: Juriah Harris, president; James B. Read, vice-president; Joseph C. Habersham, recording secretary; William M. Charters, corresponding secretary; John D. Fish, treasurer; R. J. Nunn, librarian.
The HIBERNIAN SOCIETY was organized on the 17th of March, 1812, by a number of Irish citizens. Among the first members of the society were John Cumming, Zachary Miller, John Dillon, David Bell, Isaac Minis, T. U. P. Charlton, and James Hunter. Of those who organized the society Mr. David Bell is the only one living. He is now eighty-nine years of age. He was one of the first members of the Savannah Volunteer Guards, and was to be found in the ranks of the company upon every parade day until a few years ago, when age and infirmity prevented. He was with the Guards on duty in the trenches around the city in 1812.
The society has the following officers: J. J. Kelly, president; John McMahon, vice-president; L. J. Guilmartin, treasurer; John R. Dillon, secretary; P. R. Shiels, standard bearer.
ODD FELLOWS. "Quotha, they are odd enow in excellence," says an odd play, and this is confirmed by the six societies in Savannah which are day by day developing the holy principles of the order.
The Oglethorpe Lodge was instituted in 1842. The officers are: D. Ferguson, N. G.; F. Kreiger, V. G.; C. Gross, P. and R. S.; J. Oliver, T.
Live Oak Lodge, No. 3, was instituted in 1843. The following are the officers: C. E. Wakefield, N. G.; John Cooper, V. G.; John F. Herb, R. and P. G.; William E. White, T.
Magnolia Encampment was instituted in 1845. The officers are F. D. Jordan, G. P.; J. F. Herb, S.; J. Neal, S. W.; T. H. Bolshaw, J. W.; C. E. Wakefield, H. P.
De Kalb Lodge was instituted in 1845. The officers are: C. W. West, N. G.; B. T. Cole, V. G.; W. S. Hubbard, P. and R. S.
Wildney Degree Lodge was instituted in 1867. The officers are: John Neill, H. P.; T. H. Bolshaw, D. H. P.; Benjamin Cole, Jr., S.; C. E. Wakefield, T.
Haupt Lodge, No. 57, was instituted on the 14th of January, 1869. The officers are: C. F. Blancho, N. G.; Thomas H. Laird, V. G.; T. W. McNish, P. and R. S.; Jos. B. Sibley, Treasurer.
The IRISH UNION SOCIETY was organized on the 17th of March, 1847, having for its object the amelioration of the condition of the fellow countrymen of its members. The first officers were John Murphy, president, and Philip Kean, vice-president; John Everard, treasurer; Martin Duggan, secretary; Thomas Forde, standard bearer. The officers now are: Judge Dominick A. O'Byrne, president; Andrew Flatley, vice-president; William J. Flynn, secretary; John O'Connell, standard bearer.
The HEBREW BENEVOLENT SOCIETY. The initiatory proceedings from the organization of this society took place on the evening of September 22d, 1851, at the house of Rudolph Einstein, Esq., where, at a meeting of Israelites specially convened for the purpose and presided over by Abraham Einstein, Esq., the plans for the establishment of the proposed society were discussed and committees appointed to prepare the necessary constitution and enlist the sympathies of the Israelites in the project. Two evenings afterward a large and influential meeting was held at the house of Abraham Einstein, Solomon Cohen presiding as chairman, on which occasion the society was established, eighty-one gentlemen having enrolled their names as members. Solomon Cohen was elected president of the society, whose object is to minister to the necessities of the indigent. In addition to the regular officers, a committee of four is appointed, who possess supervisory power over the relief distributed.
The officers are as follows: Abraham Einstein, president; Solomon Gardner, vice-president; S. H. Eckman, treasurer; L. W. Stern, secretary; A. J. Brady, E. Ehrlich, S. E. Bees. The charity committee consists of Rev. R. D'C. Lewin, chairman; L. Lilienthal and J. M. Solomons.
The LADIES' GERMAN BENEVOLENT SOCIETY was founded in 1853. Its object is identical with that of the Hebrew Benevolent Society. The meetings of the society are held quarterly. The officers are: Mrs. Joseph Lippman, president; Mrs. S. H. Eckman, treasurer; Mrs. M. Loewenthal, secretary.
The HARMONIE CLUB. The history of this club dates back to 1865. It was instituted for social and mental improvement, and made considerable progress under its first president, Mr. Wolf. Renting St. Andrew's Hall for their meetings, the members of the club are enabled to give those pleasant balls and social gatherings which add so much to the winter amusements of the city. The officers are: M. Loewenthal, president; L. Elsinger, vice-president; S. Gerstman, treasurer, J. Vetsburg, secretary.
The YOUNG MEN'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION was organized on the 24th of June, 1866, under the auspices of Rev. A. M. Wynn, pastor of Trinity Methodist Church, and was composed only of young men connected with that church. On the 15th of June, 1868, it was reorganized, and thrown open to the young men of all denominations. There are one hundred members connected with the association, and about four hundred volumes in the library. The officers are: General George P. Harrison, president; Rev. G. G. N. McDonell, vice-president; F. L. Hale, secretary and treasurer; J. C. Mather, librarian.
The ST. GEORGE'S SOCIETY, organized o the 18th of April, 1868, is composed entirely of Englishmen or their descendants, with the following officers: W. T. Smith (British Consul), president; John Oliver, vice-president; W. C. Cosens, secretary; Alfred Haywood, treasurer.
JOSEPH LODGE, NO. 76, I.O.B.B., was organized on the 3d of June, 1866, for the advancement of the interests of the Jewish religion among its followers and for benevolent purposes. The officers are: Simon E. Byck, president; Isaac S. Davidson, vice-president; Isaac S. Cohen, secretary; Solomon Gardner, treasurer; Rev. R. D'C. Lewin, lecturer; Philip Dzialynski, assistant monitor; Jacob Cohen, warden; Isaac Cohen, guardian.
The GEORGIA GAZETTE was started in Savannah on the 7th of April, 1763, by Mr. James Johnson, making the eighth newspaper then in the Colonies. This paper flourished as a weekly until 1799, when it was suspended. In the days of this newspaper there was no "local" column, and the only matters published concerning the city affairs were the marriages, deaths, and arrivals of vessels. Intercourse between Savannah and Charleston, in those days, was frequent. The Charleston editor obtained from the citizens of Savannah all information connected with the "Forest City," and published it. This the Georgia Gazette would copy in its next issue, about two weeks afterward. In the same way did the Savannah paper get its information concerning matters in Charleston.
The SAVANNAH REPUBLICAN. On the 1st of January, 1802, the first number of "The Georgia Republican," a semi-weekly paper, issued Tuesday and Friday, made its appearance in Savannah, GA., edited and owned by John F. Everett, under which name it continued until March 10, 1807, when Jno. J. Evans became interested, under the firm name of Everett & Evans. The publication was then changed to a tri-weekly afternoon edition, issued Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, under the name of "The Republican and Savannah Evening Ledger." It was published by Everett & Evans until the 28th of June, 1810, when John J. Evans continued it alone - no announcement being made of the withdrawal of Mr. Everett - until the 1st of January, 1814, when Mr. Frederick S. Fell became the editor and proprietor - the motto of the paper "Free Trade and no Impressment."
On the 11th of March, 1817, Mr. A. McIntyre was taken as a copartner in the concern, under the firm name of F. S. Fell & Co.
On the 17th of October, 1817, the paper was changed to a daily, and continued as such during the fall and winter months, and returned, during the summer, to tri-weekly issues. During the winter, besides a daily, a tri-weekly was also issued, which last publication was for country subscribers. The country, or tri-weekly paper, contained all the matter of the daily, besides the new advertisements. In both editions the Savannah market appeared weekly. Motto of the paper, "Truth without Fear." It contained a large amount of reading matter, and the advertising columns were well patronized. In order to accommodate its advertising patrons, it was necessary to issue, very often, a supplemental sheet.
On the 30th of October, a fortnight after the paper was changed from tri-weekly to daily, it was considerably enlarged. The pages of the former contained but four columns, while those of the latter had five columns, printed on a sheet twenty-four by thirty inches. The price of the daily, $8; tri-weekly, $6 per annum - payable in advance. The enlargement of the paper did not do away with the necessity of issuing the regular supplemental sheets for advertisements, so encouraging was that branch of patronage.
On the 10th of February, 1818, the Republican and Ledger commenced carrying on the job printing business in connection with the paper, having "employed one hand and a press" for this branch of their business, exclusively.
In June, 1818, F. S. Fell again published the paper alone - the firm name of F. S. Fell & Co. having been discontinued.
On the 21st of August, 1821, James G. Greenhow became associated with F. S. Fell, under the firm name of Fell & Greenhow, which continued until March 30th, 1822, when the copartnership was dissolved and Mr. Fell became again sole proprietor and editor.
On the 29th of May, 1830, Emanuel DeLaMotta took an interest with Mr. Fell, under the firm name of Fell & DeLaMotta, which copartnership was dissolved on the 10th of October, 1831, by the death, after a protracted illness, of Mr. Fell. This was the first death that occurred to a proprietor of the paper while in the active discharge of his duties. Mr. Fell filled the position of editor and publisher of the Republican seventeen years. The columns of the paper were clad in deep mourning for three consecutive issues after his death.
Mr. DeLaMotta continued the publication of the Republican alone from this date until June 1st, 1837, when Mr. I. Cleland became interested with him, under the copartnership name of DeLaMotta & Cleland, which remained in existence until the 11th of June, 1839, when Mr. DeLaMotta withdrew. From this date until February 15, 1840, Mr. Cleland was the sole publisher, when he became associated with Mr. William Hogan, under the firm name of Cleland & Hogan. This last copartnership only lasted till the 6th of July of the same year, when Mr. Cleland sold out his interest to Mr. Charles Davis, former proprietor of the Brunswick Advocate. Hogan & Davis was the firm name. Motto of the paper: "Union of the Whigs for the sake of the Union." It then became an active advocate of Whig principles, and was immediately changed from an afternoon to a morning issue, and continued daily throughout the year, at $10 per annum.
On the 12th of August, 1840 (the same year), Mr. Hogan disposed of his interest to Joseph L. Locke - firm name Locke & Davis - Mr. Locke senior editor and Mr. Davis commercial editor and business director. On the 26th of the following October the paper was again enlarged - seven columns to the page and length in proportion. This firm continued until the 30th of June, 1847, when, Mr. Davis' health becoming impaired, necessarily requiring a change of climate, he sold his interest to Mr. Francis J. Winter. Mr. Winter only survived until the following March (1848), being the second proprietor who died while in possession of an interest in the concern.
The firm name of Locke & Winter continued, until the death of Mr. Winter, until June 1st, 1848, when Mr. Locke became sole proprietor, and on the 17th of the following month (July) Mr. P. W. Alexander took position as associate editor with Mr. Locke - the paper published by J. L. Locke.
January 22d, 1849, A. K. Moore acquired an interest in the Republican and became its business manager.
July 1st, 1851, the price of subscription was reduced from $10 to $8 per annum.
On the 1st of January, 1853, Mr. Locke retired from the Republican, having sold out his interest to his editorial associate, P.W. Alexander, who, in connection with Mr. Moore, published it under the firm name of P.W. Alexander & Co. This copartnership continued until the 19th of June, 1855, when Mr. Moore was announced as having retired, and Mr. James R. Sneed became a copartner with Mr. Alexander, under the firm name of Alexander & Sneed. Though Mr. Sneed became interested in the paper from this date, he did not arrive in Savannah, from Washington, Wilkes county, GA., until the 21st of August, following, and on the 22d his salutatory appeared, from which time he entered upon the active duties of associate editor with Mr. Alexander.
On the 1st of July, 1856, Mr. Alexander withdrew from the Republican. His interest, being two thirds, was sold to Mr. James R. Sneed and Mr. F. W. Sims, so as to make them equal owners, and the firm name became that of Sneed & Sims - Mr. Sneed as the principal editor and Mr. Sims commercial editor and business manager. This firm continued until the capture of Savannah by General Sherman and his army.
On the 29th of December, 1864, John E. Hayes, war correspondent of the New York Tribune, who had been following the army of General Sherman, took possession of the Republican office and its contents, by military authority, to publish a paper in the interest of the Federal government. He continued in the position of its editor and proprietor up to the time of his death, which occurred suddenly on the 16th day of September, 1868.
Frequent efforts were made by Mr. Sims (who had served in the Confederate armies) to reclaim his office, but unsuccessfully. A compromise was at length agreed upon, and his claim submitted to arbitration, when Mr. Sims was awarded about one fourth of its original cost.
During the administration of Mr. Hayes, the paper was in the interest of the Republican party up to within a short time of his death, when it became a conservative sheet.
At the death of Mr. Hayes the office went into the hands of his administrator, and was sold at public outcry, on the 6th day of October, 1868, when Mr. James R. Sneed, its former editor and proprietor, by whom it is now (January, 1869) owned and conducted, became the purchaser.
Among the associate editors of the Republican, since 1845, the following gentlemen, each for a time, rendered services on the paper: Messrs. S. T. Chapman, Edwin DeLeon, Thomas H. Harden, and Thomas W. Lane. For awhile before his last illness, the late Dr. William A. Caruthers, a distinguished writer of his time, was one of its regular contributors, and the eloquence of his style and diction gave additional interest to the columns of the paper.
In the fall of 1845 Mr. Locke made a tour of Europe, and during his sojourn there interested the readers of the Republican with a series of highly interesting and edifying letters, giving glowing and graphic descriptions of each point he visited. This was his first visit across the Atlantic while connected with the paper. He subsequently paid the continent another visit and resumed his correspondence.
In politics, the Republican, throughout its history, has been devoted to conservative views. For the first twenty years of its existence, it took no very active part in the political struggles of the times, though its sympathies were with the then Republican, or Jeffersonian party. It was an ardent advocate of Troup when the party that clustered around him in the State were opposed by Clarke and his political friends, and it warmly sustained General Jackson for the Presidency in the celebrated contest of 1828. During the second year of Jackson's administration, alarmed by what it considered the usurpations and abuses of the Executive, it gave the weight of its influence to the States' Rights party, and subsequently to the Whigs, with whom it acted throughout the existence of that organization, though it declined to support General Scott, its nominee, for the Presidency. During the contests that resulted in the late civil war between the States, the views of the Republican were conservative. It opposed the secession of the Southern States as unjustified by any grievance then in existence - that it would surely result in a terrible and disastrous war, for which we were wholly unprepared, and that our true policy was to fight our battles in the Union and under the constitution, at least until the wrongs of our section should become intolerable. When the Convention of Georgia took the State out of the Union, the Republican allied itself with her destiny, and was among the foremost in giving encouragement to the arms and councils of the Southern Confederacy. At the fall of the city, as previously stated, the paper fell into new and strange hands, and for several years was devoted to the conquerors. Restored to the hands of the gentlemen who controlled its columns during the war and for five years preceding, it is now battling with zeal for the restoration of harmony and the Union under the Constitution.
The SAVANNAH GEORGIAN commenced publication on the 25th of November, 1818, by Dr. John Harney. About two years after, he sold the paper and material to I.K. Tefft and Henry Friend, who shortly afterward sold it to George Robertson. He subsequently associated with him his brother, William Robertson. The latter purchased the interest of his brother (George R.) and conducted the paper until the close of the year, 1832, when it was disposed of to Dr. R. D. Arnold and William H. Bulloch, who were the joint editors and proprietors until 1835, when Mr. Bulloch purchased Dr. A.'s interest in the paper, and in 1849 conveyed it to Henry R. Jackson and Phillip J. Punch, who subsequently admitted S. S. Sibley as a partner. When General Jackson retired R. B. Hilton, of Florida, united himself with Messrs. Punch & Sibley. After several years connection with the paper Colonel Sibley left it, and it was published by Punch & Hilton; Punch, Hilton & Ganahl; P. J. Punch & Co.; Wright & Register; J. G. Wright & Co.; and perhaps one or two others, until the Journal and Courier was merged with it, when it came under the control of Albert R. Lamar, who revived its waning fortunes for a time, but the changes and unfortunate management had so weakened the paper that it was impossible to regain its ancient standing, and in 1859 its publication was suspended, and has never since been resumed.
The SAVANNAH MUSEUM was started about 1820, as a daily, by Keppel & Bartlett. It was in existence several years - how many, it is not definitely known.
The SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS. The publication of this paper was commenced on the 15th day of January, 1850, by John M. Cooper, publisher, and W. T. Thompson, editor. At that time there were but two daily papers in Savannah - the Republican and the Georgian, both political journals - the first the organ of the Whig and the latter of the Democratic party of the State. The establishment of the News was projected with a view to furnish Savannah, then the rapidly thriving commercial emporium of the State, with an independent news and commercial medium, as nearly upon the plan of the cheap dailies of the Northern cities as was practicable. To furnish a medium for the dissemination of political truth, unbiased by party affiliation and control, was an object not secondary to the general purposes of the proprietors. The News, keeping aloof from party politics, took a decided position on the great sectional questions of the day, maintaining that the perpetuity of the Union depended upon a strict observance of the compromises and guarantees of the constitution, as affecting the rights and sovereign character of the States. To this position the paper steadfastly adhered to the close of the struggle which verified its prediction. The News was originally published on a sheet very little more than half its present dimension, at four dollars per annum, or twelve and a half cents per week, payable to the carriers.
In the nineteen years of its existence, the Morning News has several times changed proprietors, while its present editor, Colonel W. T. Thompson, has been its principal editor all the time, except from the fall of Savannah in December, 1864, to August, 1865, when he resumed his identification with the paper as associate editor, with Mr. S. W. Mason, its late proprietor.
The following gentlemen have at different periods been editorially associated with the Savannah Morning News: Major T. A. Burke (now of Macon), Mr. E. O. Withington (at one time also a part proprietor), J. N. Cardoza, Esq., Dr. James S. Jones, and S. W. Mason, Esq., deceased.
From the commencement of its publication in 1850, to March, 1855, Mr. John M. Cooper was proprietor, though for a short time other parties were associated with him as publishers. From March, 1855, to July, 1858, Colonel Thompson was both proprietor and editor --- Mr. Withington being his partner and associate editor for a part of the time. In July, 1858, Messrs. Blois and Desvergers became the proprietors of the News, which was, in October of the same year, purchased entire by Mr. T. Blois, by whom, with Mr. Cooper and Colonel Aaron Wilbur --- the latter of whom purchased an interest a few months before the fall of Savannah --- as partners, the paper was continued to be published until the occupation of the city by the Federal troops.
Upon the occupation of the city the News establishment was taken possession of by Mr. John E. Hayes, who carried all the moveable material to the Republican office, of which he had also taken possession. Mr. Mason finally getting possession of the News office, brought from Hilton Head the materials with which he had published a small paper called the Palmetto Herald. With this, and the presses remaining in the News office, he commenced the publication of the Savannah Herald, subsequently settling the claims of the previous proprietors of the News establishment, which were submitted to arbitration. The name of the paper was then changed to the Daily News and Herald.
The present proprietor, Mr. J. H. Estill, originally purchased a part interest in the Morning News and entered upon the management of its business and mechanical department in July, 1867. A year afterward Mr. Estill purchased Mr. Mason's interest and resumed the original name of the paper, Savannah Morning News.
The EVENING JOURNAL was started by J. B. Cubbedge in 1851. The following year the Savannah Daily Courier was started by S. T. Chapman, and the Evening Mirror by W. B. Harrison. The Mirror was suspended soon after its birth, and the Journal and Courier were merged into one paper, known as the Journal and Courier, and published by Messrs. Chapman & Cubbedge until the death of the former, in 1854, when the paper was suspended for a short time, until it was purchased by Mr. R. B. Hilton. This paper was merged into the Georgian about 1857, and the consolidated papers published under the name of the Georgian and the Journal.
The EVENING EXPRESS was started in 1859, by Ambrose Spencer and J. H. Estill. In 1860 its publication was suspended.
The DAILY ADVERTISER. This paper was started in September, 1865, as a free circulating journal (the first in the South) by Messrs. Theodore Hamilton and M. J. Divine, the former one of the managers of the Savannah theatre, and the latter a practical printer. They made arrangements with Mr. George N. Nichols for the use of his material. After running the paper a week these gentlemen disposed of their interest to Mr. Nichols, Mr. Hamilton retiring and Mr. Divine remaining as foreman. In the course of the following two months it was twice enlarged, and Mr. E. O. Withington, who had been connected with the paper since its first issue, was installed as editor. After a career of some six months more, a copartnership was formed between Messrs. Withington, Divine, and George S. Gray, under the firm name of E. O. Withington & Co., under which the paper continued, still as a free journal, until January 1st, 1868, when it was enlarged, changed to a subscription paper, and S. Yates Levy, Esq., engaged as editor-in-chief. Under his able editorial management the Advertiser at once took rank with the leading journals of the State. Mr. L. was a vigorous and fearless writer, pointing out and condemning abuses wherever discovered. So keen were some of his remarks upon the tyrannical actions of the military that an order was sent from Gen. Meade to either suppress the paper or moderate the tone of its editorials. Soon after Mr. Levy, was obliged, by military pressure, to retire from the editorial chair.
In the latter part of May arrangements were made by the managers to sell out the paper to a gentleman of much experience in newspaper life. In order to perfect the changes necessary, it was determined to suspend for a month; but before the expiration of that time the gentleman declined to consummate the arrangement.
Nothing further was done until November, when Messrs. Edward L. Beard and George G. Kimball, formerly connected with the Savannah Republican, took charge of the paper, and are now running it again as a free journal.
The MERCANTILE INDEX was started in 1865, by George H. Johnstone, Jr., and E. M. Purse, but was suspended after an existence of about six months.
Savannah is fortunate in her suburban relations. Bethesda, Thunderbolt, White Bluff, Bonaventure and Jasper Spring, all of easy access from the city, present attractions to the tourist that amply repay a visit. Independent of their historical associations, their intrinsic beauty is their best commendation.
BETHESDA, signifying a "House of Mercy," is situated about ten miles from Savannah, where there is an orphan-house under the auspices of the Union Society.
In 1737 Rev. Geo. Whitfield, whose popularity in England was so great that those who came to hear him preach sometimes numbered twenty thousand, and many who were forced to remain outside prayed only for a sight of "his blessed face," turned his back on fame and fortune and sought what was then the wilds of Georgia, believing that God was calling him to undertake the mission. He labored among the inhabitants with unwonted zeal, and observing that the poverty of the inhabitants imperatively demanded the establishment of an orphan-house, suggested to him originally by Rev. Charles Wesley, he labored long and diligently in the furtherance of his plan, meeting a ready and willing assistant in James Habersham, who had accompanied him to Georgia, and whom he called his "beloved fellow-traveler." To further the object, Whitfield returned to England and secured from the Trustees "five hundred acres of any vacant land which he should select." The people of England to whom he preached gave with liberal hands to the charity. On his return to Savannah the ground was selected - the present ground forming part of it --- by Mr. Habersham, and on the 25th of March, 1740, Whitfield "laid with his own hands the first brick of this great house, which he called Bethesda." This charity was never out of the mind of Whitfield, and with a parent's ardor and abiding love he clung to it and labored for it. For thirty years this labor lasted, and in the very year of his death, 1770, when his strength had yielded and his life was fast ebbing away, he projected a plan of a college to be added to the House of Mercy, and preached in the chapel there before the Governor, Council, and Assembly, whom he had invited hither to secure their co-operation.
Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, born and reared amid the splendor of high rank, beautiful, accomplished, and talented, became a convert to Methodism. She met Whitfield, and having her sympathies enlisted in his noble work, gave her money, her counsel, and her countenance to him. The Orphan-House became her work almost as much as his, and when he died his will was found to contain a clause devising Bethesda to her, "and in case she should be called upon to enter upon her glorious rest before my decease, to Hon. James Habersham, a merchant of Savannah." She did not falter when this responsibility was thrust upon her, but did all that could be done, but its sun of prosperity had set in Whitfield's grave. The buildings were struck by lightning and consumed. They were rebuilt, but disaster followed disaster, and in 1782 the Royal troops, previous to their evacuation of the city, destroyed everything of value. Lady Huntingdon, until her death, which occurred in 1791, labored with indomitable perseverance and christian zeal to forward the interests of Bethesda, but with comparatively little success. At her death the school was discontinued, and the State government reclaimed it and committed its management to a Board of Trustees. The Board took no active steps toward completing the buildings, nor other necessary measures for the organization of the school, until 1801. The property was rebuilt and the school reorganized, but in 1805 a fire destroyed one of the wings so that it could not be repaired, and a hurricane destroyed the out-buildings. The Trustees being unable to rebuild, in 1808 they advised the legislature to dispose of the property and distribute the proceeds among the benevolent institutions of Savannah. Accordingly, on the 12th of March, 1809, the property was sold.
In the year 1854 the Board of Managers of the Union Society, an institution similar in purposes and operations to Bethesda, purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of the ancient Bethesda estate, which included the original locality of the Whitfield Orphan-House. They at once erected suitable buildings, and in January, 1855, removed the boys under their charge from Savannah to this place. This was purchased by the Union Society at a higher price than that at which some other places might have been obtained, and perhaps above its market value, from the fact that upward of a century ago it had been consecrated to the same noble purpose.
BONAVENTURE, whose melancholy beauty challenges comparison with any spot of similar magnitude in the country, is situated about four miles from Savannah. Originally a cemetery, it contains many fine specimens of sepultural architecture, which time has invested with hallowed remembrances. Numerous lofty oaks lend their grateful shade to the last resting-places of the silent dead, and the character of the foliage presents a unique and almost indescribable appearance, draped as it is with weeping festoons of moss, whose luxuriant growth makes the shade impenetrable to the sun's rays. Nature and the wise neglect of man have made it a peerless combination of the sublime and picturesque.
THUNDERBOLT, another of those "lungs of the city" which renders a residence in Savannah peculiarly agreeable, is a collection of some two or three hotels and a score or so of private residences, pleasantly situated upon the banks of the river to which the village has given its name. Distant about five miles southeast of the city, it is noted more for the splendid drive, of which it is the terminus, than for any intrinsic natural beauty. The Savannah race-track, which is contiguous, materially enhances the popularity of the place, and the patrons of the turf find ample opportunity during the racing season to test the qualities of their stock. Its name, in the quaint literalness of General Oglethorpe's account of Carolina and Georgia, is derived "from the fall of a thunderbolt," and he adds that "a spring thereupon arose in that place, which still smells of the bolt."
WHITE BLUFF, situated on the Vernon river, about ten miles from the city, is also a popular place of resort, and the route to it during fine weather is marked by a train of equipages that would do credit to a city of metropolitan standing. The accommodations for visitors at present are limited to two hotels but with the rapid advancement of Savannah others will doubtless be built. A number of summer residences impart an air of importance to this well-known locality. It is deficient in historical reminiscence, and therefore little can be said on this subject. A small Dutch settlement occupied the Bluff in 1740.
JASPER SPRING, situated on the Augusta road, two miles from Savannah, is noted as being the scene of the bold exploit of Sergeants Jasper and Newton previous to the siege of Savannah. Sergeant Jasper, after his exploit at Fort Moultrie, was granted a roving commission by Colonel Moultrie, commanding the 2d South Carolina regiment, with the privilege of selecting such men as he pleased. The scouts of Jasper were frequent and productive of much good, on account of the information he brought.6 On one occasion he met, neat Ebenezer, a lady named Mrs. Jones, who was in great distress about her husband. He had taken the oath of allegiance to the British government; afterward joined the American army and was captured by the British, who determined to hang him, with others who were to be carried to Savannah for that purpose the next morning. She appealed to Jasper to rescue him. He was moved by her distress, and promised to do what he could. Sergeant Newton was near by and Jasper consulted him, but they could arrange no plan. They, however, determined to follow, the guard the next day, and take advantage of any opportunity that might be offered. Early in the morning a guard, consisting of a sergeant, a corporal, and eight men, started with the prisoners in irons. The wives and children of two or three of the prisoners followed. Jasper and Newton also followed closely, and upon coming neat the spring, got ahead of the party and hid in the bushes, thinking that the guard would halt to get water, and a chance to rescue the prisoners be presented. The guard came up and halted on the roadside. The arms were stacked and two men placed on guard over them and the prisoners near by. The rest of the guard then went to the spring. Jasper and Newton crept up to the two sentinels, shot them down, seized the stack of muskets, and called upon the rest of the astonished guard to surrender. A moment's reflection showed that they were completely at the mercy of the two determined men, and a surrender was made. The irons were knocked off of the prisoners and placed upon the soldiers, who were then conducted to the American camp at Purysburgh.
2 - Meaning custom-as in the form of ritual and pronunciation of the Hebrew.
3 - All of the original members, excepting Mr. King and Mrs. Coppee are dead.
4 -A chair was made of a portion of this tree, and now ornaments the Masonic Lodge room in the Masonic Hall.
5 -This tree was cut down some years after the meeting, and a beautiful box made of a portion of it. On the one hundredth anniversary (1850) of the society the box was presented to it by Mrs. Perla Shefftall Solomons, a descendent of one of the founders. The records and papers are now kept in this box, which is laid before the president upon every anniversary.
6 -Jasper at one time came into Savannah and spent several days without discovery during which time he collected valuable information concerning the numbers and position of the British forces and furnished it to General Lincoln.
If you have resources for Chatham County or would like to volunteer to help with look-ups, please e-mail Tim Stowell