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Peter Gordon. A Georgia Colonist. Background. Man of good standing in England Upholsterer Needed employment Selected as settler for the Colony of Georgia 34 Years Old. Trustees. Made him an important official in the new Georgia colony government
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Peter Gordon A Georgia Colonist
Background • Man of good standing in England • Upholsterer • Needed employment • Selected as settler for the Colony of Georgia • 34 Years Old
Trustees • Made him an important official in the new Georgia colony government • James Oglethorpe seemed to have held Gordon in high esteem.
Tythingman • Oglethorpe informed Gordon once on the ship Ann that he had been appointed by the Trustees to be the first of four Tythingmen. • Head of 10 families • Make sure that they received proper provisions while on ship • Also, look after them and protect them once in the colony.
Health • Gordon was sick from Cholick for 12 days while on the voyage.
Family • Wife = Catherine • 28 Years Old
First Bailiff/Magistrate • Appointed as the First Bailiff or Magistrate (supreme authority in local government) • Also a Conservator of the Peace (Preserved Order and Punished Evil-Doers)
Health (Again) • The first year in Georgia was a deadly one. • About 26 settlers died. • The first was the surgeon, Dr. William Cox. • Gordon became ill again (fistula). • He went to Charles Town for surgery and stayed there 3 months. • Thinking he was well, he returned to Savannah but fell ill again. • Obtained permission to return to England for treatment.
First Colonist to Visit England • Received medical care. • Reported to the Trustees about the Georgia Colony • Sketched Georgia showing its situation and how it was laid out
Return to Georgia • Oglethorpe arrived in England with Chief Tomochichi, his wife, nephew, and a group of Indian chiefs. • Shown off and royally entertained for a few months. • Oglethorpe asked Gordon to escort them back to Georgia on the ship Prince of Wales. • Oglethorpe was kind and friendly to Gordon.
Servants • The Trustees... Gave him two servants Paid his expenses for his passage
Malcontents • Upon his return, he found the people in an uproar! • Many of them had never worked on a farm. • Only 1 Farmer, 1 Gardener, and a Few Carpenters! • Most of the occupations they practiced in England were not practical on the Georgia frontier. • Gordon became their Chief Agent.
Return to England • Gordon decided that he must return to England to inform the Trustees about the situation of unrest in Georgia. • Took 7 letters with him from the colonists outlining complaints. • Arrived March 1735 • Surrendered property in Georgia on April 12, 1738 and gave it to Ann and Susannah Cook (daughters of William Cook)
Last Years • Gordon died in 1740 before his 40th birthday.