The Trustees’ Garden and the Gardener’s Savannah, Province of Georgia

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Savannah, Georgia
Surnames/tags: Southern_Colonies Georgia

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Contents 1 The Trustees’ Garden 2 Inspectors of the Public Garden and Mulberry Trees 3 Gardeners of the Trustees’ Garden 4 The Herb House for the Gardeners of the Trustees’ Garden 5 Sources

The Trustees’ Garden

This profile covers the history of the garden and gardeners in the Province of Georgia from 1732 to Jan 2, 1788 when It became the 4th state after the constitution was ratified.^[1]

Included in a summary of monies received and expended from 30 Jan 1732 to 10 Jan 1734 was £622, s11 which included money for making garden to supply colony with Mulberry Plants. £849, s3, d8 which included money for Mulberry plants. £389, s8, d4 3/4 which included money for labor in the Garden for the Mulberry plants. £691, s19, d1 1/4 which included money for labor in the Garden for the Mulberry plants. £463, s15, d1/2 which included money for general work in the Garden for the Mulberry plants. £463, s15, d1/2 which included money for general work in the Garden for the Mulberry plants. £3479, s10, d4 3/4 which included money for general work in the Garden for the Mulberry plants. A summary was written on the progress of the garden that stated from 9 June 1733 to 9 June 1734 “a publick garden was laid out, which was designed as a Nursery, in order to supply the People for their several Plantations with White Mulberry trees, Vines, Oranges, Olives and other necessary Plants; a Gardener was appointed for the Care of it and to be paid by the Trustees.”^[2]

The Trustees’ Garden was established in Savannah, Georgia on approximately 10 acres within one month after 20 Jan 1733 when the first colonists arrived on the ship Ann. ^[3][4] It’s location was on the east side of Savannah and was referred to as the “Publick Garden”.^[5]It was in the current area of East Bay Street, E. Broad Street and East Broughton Street in Savannah, Georgia where the Pirates’ House Restaurant, Kehoe Iron Works, Charles H. Morris Center and other businesses are located (2023). Google maps show a large green space by the Charles H. Morris Center, however the Trustees’ Garden of the 1700’s is no longer there.^[6] The National Gallery of Art and the New Georgia Encyclopedia cite 1734 as the date the Trustees’ Garden was founded.^{[7] [8]} According to the Trustees’ Garden (business) of 10 E. Broad Street, the Trustees’ Garden was surveyed in 1733 and planting began in 1734.^[9]

6 Feb 1736, Francis Moore wrote in his book a thorough description of the Trustees’ Garden, a description of the location of the garden and that there were “several fine springs” in the garden. He wrote that “a good deal of Snow having fallen” the previous winter killed some orange trees.^{[10] [11]}

15 Jan 1740 Colonel Stephen’s wrote to Mr. Verelt’s that in the Public Garden, he had prepared Mulberry trees and delivered them to those that wanted them.^[12]

23 Jul 1741 Egmont noted the present state of the colony and that the Public Garden was a pine barren and anything that is planted does not survive.^[13]

30 Apr 1743 it was recorded that 8 years ago, Olive trees were planted but now drop their fruit “untimely”.^[14]

In 1952 a historical marker was placed at the site of the Trustees’ Garden (see attached photos. The marker’s wording is “At this site was located the first public agricultural experimental garden in America. From this garden was disseminated the upland cotton which later comprised the greater part of the world’s cotton commerce. Here were propagated and from this garden distributed, the peach trees which gave Georgia and South Carolina another major commercial crop.

The garden consisted of ten acres. It was established by Oglethorpe within one month after the settlement of Georgia. Botanists were sent by the Trustees of the Colony from England to the West Indies and South America to procure plants for the garden. Vine cuttings, flax, hemp, potashes, indigo, cochineal, olives, and medicinal herbs were grown. The greatest hope was centered in the mulberry trees, essential to silk culture. In the early days of the Colony, Queen Caroline was clothed in Georgia silk, and the town’s largest structure was the filature.

The silk and wine industries failed to materialize. The distant sponsors were unable to judge of the immense importance of the experiments conducted in other products. In 1755 the site was developed as a residential section.”^[15]

Inspectors of the Public Garden and Mulberry Trees

• Hugh Anderson ^{[16] [17]}

• Thomas Causton compares his garden to that of the Public Garden ^[18]

Gardeners of the Trustees’ Garden

• Joseph Fitzwalter was the first Gardener of the Trustees’ Garden.

On 16 Jan 1735 he wrote a letter to James Oglethorpe listing the improvements he had made and discussed many of the plants he had grown in the garden.^[19]

25 Jan 1735 Thomas Causton wrote to the Trustees that the Caper plants had arrived with instructions for their care and that the plants and instructions had been given to Mr. Fitzwalter and Mr. Johnson Dalmas was dead so his servants were to work in the garden under the management of Mr. Fitzwalter.^[20]

10 Mar 1735 he wrote to James Oglethorpe and the Trustees giving a list of plants accompanied by Paul Amatis and Paul’s brother Nicholas and Paul’s wife to Savannah. Joseph recounted a dispute he and Mr. Causton had with Paul Amatis. ^[21]

5 Jul 1735 Joseph wrote a letter to James Oglethorpe about his “Disappointment” with Amatis and that Amatis knew about silk but not plants, trees or vegetables. Joseph noted he had married “Tuscanies Eldest Daughter” and wanted to return to England and settle his affairs. Afterwards he wanted to return to Georgia to spend the rest of his life there. He wrote about wanting to receive his salary.^[22] see also: ^{[23] [24]}

• Paul Amatis came from Charleston, South Carolina to Savannah 8 Sep 1734.^[25][26]

2 Jan 1735 he arrived in Charles Town. On 12 Jan 1735 Paul Amatis wrote a letter to the Trustees about his seeing to the removal of 30,000 plants and trees from the Trustees’ Garden in Charles Town and loading them on “two perioguas” for transfer to the Trustees’ Garden in Savannah. He wrote about feeding the silkworms and noted he had sent several samples of silk to the Trustees. His plan was to establish the garden in Savannah, then leave for London, England in July 1735.^[27]

21 Jan 1735 he wrote a letter to James Oglethorpe indicating he hoped to finish transplanting trees by the end of February and noted that if his concerns about finances were not resolved, he would leave immediately and return to London.^[28]

Jan (possibly) 1735 Paul Amatis wrote to James Oglethorpe about silk and silkworms, the garden being in disorder, problems with Joseph Fitzwalter and servants for the garden being diverted to work on other endeavors, and that he needed a chimney because of the cold.^[29]

The dispute between Paul Amatis and Joseph Fitzwalter escalated and on 5 Apr 1735 Paul wrote a letter to the magistrates of Georgia that was read in court defending the reasons he turned “out Mr. Fitzwalter from the Garden” including for mismanagement.^[30]

• John Gionovali ^[31]

• Francis Piercy became Gardener after Joseph Fitzwalter in 1735. He was a gardener and arrived in Savannah 28 Dec 1734^[32] Piercy later abandoned Georgia because of his discontent with Causton.^{[33] [34]}

• Andrew Salice public gardener

5 Oct 1741 Andrew, a Grison Trust servant that had returned to England appeared with his 8 year old son Anthony and daughter Maria Catharina and requested that the Trustees return him and his children back to Georgia. He said he would pay off his passage by working in the Publick Garden once he returned. The Common Council agreed and also offered him the possibility of becoming a freeholder.^[35]

• Hugh Anderson

15 June 1738 Hugh Anderson wrote to Mr. Adam Anderson that he left Savannah for his plantation near Oxstead. He gave reasons for problems with the silk in in the Trustees Garden. The silk in the Public garden did not grow well last year due to over pruning. The transplants produced few leaves so the worms died due to lack of food. Because they did not have enough white Mulberry leaves, the worms were fed black Mulberry leaves which were fatal to the worms. This year the trees budded but then there was a severe frost and worms were killed. Aside from the difficulties a large amount of fine silk was produced. It was also written that “our Publick Garden is in miserable condition.”^[36]

The Herb House for the Gardeners of the Trustees’ Garden

The Herb House (see attached photos) is said to have been built in 1733 or 1734 and housed the Gardener of the Trustee’ Garden. Today, it is located within and adjacent to the Pirate’s House Restaurant. One reference cites a later build date for the Herb House and commented about the use of local bricks making the earlier build date questionable.^[37] The front room contained an office and tools. The back room had a stable with a hayloft above. There is brick in the chimney and brick and boards outside. In a letter dated 19 Oct 1734 from Samuel Eveleigh to James Oglethorpe about the trip he had taken to Georgia, he wrote about the plants he had sent, mentioned Mr. Amathist and noted “I went also down to See the Brickmakers, where I found made about One hundred thousand,” and “they expect their Chimneys up to all their houses by Christmas.”^[38] This indicates bricks were being made in Savannah in 1734. More research is needed to determine the date construction began on the building.

Sources

1. ↑ New Georgia Encyclopedia, Georgia History https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/georgia-history-overview/
2. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia / compiled and published under the authority of the Legislature. v.3 1905 The General Account of all Monies and Effects received and expended by the Trustees For establishing the Colony of Georgia in America https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780310&view=1up&seq=79&q1=Garden page 86, 116, 145, 169, 191, 211, 382
3. ↑ Georgia Historical Marker for the Trustees’ Garden also see attached photos https://georgiahistory.com/ghmi_marker_updated/trustees-garden/
4. ↑ Ann, Arrived 20 January 1733
5. ↑ A true and historical narrative of the colony of Georgia in America, from the first settlement thereof until this present period: containing the most authentick facts, matters and transactions therein; together with His Majesty's Charter, representations of the people, letters, &c. and a dedication to His Excellency General Oglethorpe. Tailfer, Patrick., Anderson, Hugh, d. 1748., Douglas, David. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N03913.0001.001/1:4?rgn=div1;view=fulltext Page 104
6. ↑ Google Map of East Broad, East Bay and East Broughton Streets https://www.google.com/maps/@32.0780731,-81.0838735,661m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en-us
7. ↑ National Gallery of Art History of Early American Landscape Design Trustees’ Garden https://heald.nga.gov/mediawiki/index.php/Trustees’_Garden
8. ↑ Wilson, R. & Cowan, D. L. (2003). Trustee Garden. In New Georgia Encyclopedia. Retrieved Oct 6, 2016, from https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/trustee-garden/
9. ↑ Trustees’ Garden, Savannah https://trusteesgarden.com/our-history/
10. ↑ A Voyage to Georgia Begun in the Year 1735, by Francis Moore, 1744 London pages 29-32 https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Voyage_to_Georgia/oKxbAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
11. ↑ A Voyage to Georgia Begun in the Year 1735, by Francis Moore, 1744 London https://gdz.sub.uni-goettingen.de/id/PPN240250028?tify=%7B%22pages%22%3A%5B11%5D%2C%22view%22%3A%22info%22%7D
12. ↑ Journal of the Earl of Egmont p432 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=442&q1=garden
13. ↑ Journal of the Earl of Egmont https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=539&q1=garden Page 527
14. ↑ Journal of the Earl of Egmont https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=710&q1=garden Page 696
15. ↑ Georgia Historical Society Marker, Trustees’ Garden https://georgiahistory.com/ghmi_marker_updated/trustees-garden/
16. ↑ The Journal of the Edge of Egmont https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=13&q1=garden page 5, 95, 159, 190
17. ↑ https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=41&q1=garden p31
18. ↑ https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=354&q1=garden page 344
19. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 page 163 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=179&skin=2021&q1=Gardner
20. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 Page 452 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=468&skin=2021&q1=Garden
21. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 Page 251-253 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=267&skin=2021&q1=Garden
22. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 pages 426-427 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=442&skin=2021&q1=Garden
23. ↑ https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780328&view=1up&seq=222&q1=Fitzwalter Page 214
24. ↑ https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=215&q1=Fitzwalter Page 205, 656
25. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 page 71
26. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 Page 408 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=424&skin=2021&q1=Gardner
27. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 pages 152-153 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=169&skin=2021&q1=Garden
28. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 Pages 186-187 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=203&skin=2021&q1=Garden
29. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 Pages 201-214 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=226&skin=2021&q1=Garden
30. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 Page 315-314, 378-381, 408-412, 425-426, 446-449, 459-461 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=330&skin=2021&q1=Garden Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902
31. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia / compiled Volume 6 1906 Page 5 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780351&view=1up&seq=59&q1=Fitzwalter
32. ↑ A List of the Early Settlers of Georgia Page 41 https://ugapress.manifoldapp.org/system/actioncallout/942870e2-a50c-411f-9667-389b519cc9ce/attachment/original-91386f8bd1d21dfdccbdcdd88ad0c7c5.pdf
33. ↑ https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=30&q1=Piercy Page 20
34. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia / compiled v.20 1902. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=383&skin=2021&q1=Garden Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 Page 367
35. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia / compiled and published under the authority of the Legislature. v.5 1906 p554-555, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=568&q1=garden
36. ↑ Journal of the Earl of Egmont p39-40 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780344&view=1up&seq=49&q1=garden
37. ↑ Wikipedia Herb House https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_House
38. ↑ Colonial records of the State of Georgia, compiled volume 20, 1902 Page 88 https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015039780492&view=1up&seq=103&skin=2021&q1=Eveleigh

• https://thepirateshouse.com/history/
• https://www.freemansrag.com/historical-ruminations/trustees-garden-and-a-pirates-house
• https://ghostcitytours.com/savannah/haunted-places/haunted-restaurants/pirates-house/
• https://dlg.usg.edu/record/gaarchives_postcard_670