Historic pilgrimage through Savannah and some of its environs / by Mrs. Peter W. Meldrim

I An Historic Pilgrimage Through Savannah and Some of
Its Environs
By
MRS. PETER W. MELDRIM
"Poor is that country that boasts no heroes, but beggared is that people who having them forget."

EXLIBRIS
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Charles DouvilleCcAurn-IvahWiIlsCcJnffn

CAn Historic Savannah and Some of Its Environs
By MRS. PETER W. MELDRIM
Charles Cobuln -Ciblary -fneatfe Collection
"Poor is that country that boasts no heroes, but beggared is that people who having them forget"

FOREWORD
The Historic Pilgrimage was originally prepared for the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames and delivered at their Annual Meeting heldi in Savannah April 26th, 1921. This tour was personally conducted and two afternoons were given to it. Stops were made at Greenwich, Bethesda and Wormsloe, where the party was hospitably re ceived, and with the utmost cordiality was shown about the interesting houses and grounds. At Bethesda the authorities had kindly arranged a pageant which the boys carried out with great spirit, making a bright and festive afternoon of it. By especial request the pilgrimage was repeated for the Georgia Federation of Womens Clubs on the occasion of their Silver Anniversary Convention held the following fall. The number in attendance was too large and the time allotted toot short to allow more than a hasty reading of the article, which had to be consider ably abbreviated. Only one stop was made, that was at Wormsloe. All met there and were delightfully enter tained.

CAn Historic
[HE GEORGIA FEDERATION OF WOMENS CLUBS assembled in Savannah, November 26th, 1921, this convention marking its Silver Anni versary. Many in attendance had never visited
Savannah before and knowing that so much of the early history of the state was associated with this city they were anxious to be shown all of the old landmarks, so that it seemed an appropriate time to make "An His toric Pilgrimage" through the city, and Mrs. Meldrim was urged to present again the paper read on a former occa sion. This pilgrimage started at the river front and ended at Wormsloe. After a very graceful and happy introduc tion by the President, Mrs. James E. Hays, Mrs. Meldrim spoke as follows:
Madam President and Fellow Members of the Federa tion: To me has been assigned the agreeable task of con ducting you on an historic pilgrimage. It is always interesting to me to visit these patriotic shrines, many of them hallowed by the dust of heroes, but this occasion will be particularly pleasant as we have with us so many notable women. Believe me, I will gladly give such in formation as I have, but what I give to you will be multi plied many times over by what I receive from you; from your splendid addresses, your fine and able papers and reports.
Then, too, we will gain much from contact. 1 other. You remember that Plato delightful dialogues of a wonderful hrirtpet in Athens which some of her wisest men were/present: Socrates of
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course would be there; he was always the center of such groups; and Plato makes him the favorite mouthpiece of much of his philosophy. But Socrates had stopped on the way. He had been seized; with one of those fits of ab straction into which he was apt to fall when a great thought occurred to him, and he was late in arriving. When he entered the banquet room, Agatho, the, host of the evening, said: "Come, Socrates, and recline beside me, that I may thus get the benefit of that great thought which has occurred to you." And Socrates, replying, said: "Agatho, if Wisdom were of such a character as to flow from the party filled with it to the one who is less so when they touch each other, like water running from a fuller to an emptier vessel by means of a woolen thread, then I should indeed enjoy reclining near you, for, I should thus be filled with wisdom, abundant and beautiful."
And so it is, Madam President and ladies, with us. We are not only enjoying this meeting and mingling with you, we are not only profiting by this delightful inter change of thought and sentiments, but from this contact with you we feel, in the words of Socrates, we are "deriv ing wisdom abundant and beautiful."
Now let us start on our pilgrimage. We approach Savannah by the river, and as we land and walk up the bluff the first memorial we find is a granite seat erected by the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames to mark the spot upon which Oglethorpe pitched his tent and spent his first night on Georgia soil.
This is Bay street, our business center, where many of Savannahs greatest achievements have been planned. Here in 1818 was organized the first trans-Atlantic steam-
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ship company in the world, and it was duly incorporated by the Legislature of Georgia. William Scarborough, that princely merchant and planter, conceived the idea of a trans-Atlantic steamship, and with his forward looking company, at once ordered the first of a line of vessels which they intended should ply regularly between Savan nah and Liverpool. While the vessel was being built, Captain Moses Rogers, of New London, who had been en gaged to superintend the construction of the steamer and then command it, found it exceedingly difficult to get seamen to ship with him, the idea of a steamship to cross the Atlantic was so bold, so daring and so seemingly im possible. The Savannah, for so the ship was named, was at length completed and manned and in 1819 steamed out of this port amid the acclamations of the people.
In due time she reached Liverpool without accident or mishap and was the wonder and admiration of Europe. She put in at Christiania, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg, and then made a safe voyage home. This achievement marked an epoch in navigation and put Savannah far ahead of her time, for it was many years before any other steamship attempted to cross the ocean.
A few years ago a tablet was placed here at the en trance of the City Hall to commemorate the centenary of this courageous enterprise. At the same time a companion tablet was placed to commemorate another maritime achievement. Until the year 1834 the world knew only wooden vessels; then the Lairds, the great shipbuilders of Birkenhead, England, began to experiment in iron. When they published their success to tha world, the very first order for a vessel of this new class was given by a citizen of Savannah, who had the vision to see that the iron vessel
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had come to stay. So the first iron vessel seen in Ameri can waters was the John Randolph, ordered by Gaza way B. Lamar of Savannah. The plates were made in England and shipped to this port and riveted together here, this being the first ship riveting done on the Western continent.
We are now on Bull street, named in honor of Col. William Bull, of Charleston, S. C., who generously accom panied Gen. Oglethorpe up the Savannah river to Yamacraw Bluff where they selected a site for the colony, and who rendered distinguished and valuable service in laying out the city and settling the colony.
As we look across the street from the City Hall we will see on the Custom House a bronze tablet which marks the site of the first public building in the colony and also where Rev. John Wesley preached his first sermon in America. This tablet was erected in 1903 to mark the bi centenary of his birth.
As we walk out Bull street we face Johnson Square, named for his Excellency Governor Robert Johnson, of South Carolina, who contributed generously to the colony. Fronting on the square is Christ Church, built on the site of the first church in Georgia. To this congregation Rev. John Wesley preached and for them he established the first Sunday School in the English speaking world, fifty years before Robert Raikes established his in England. There is a tablet at the entrance to Christ Church in com memoration of his work, and the Georgia Society of Colo nial Dames has placed a companion tablet in memory of his successor, that great pulpit orator, the Rev. George Whitefield. In the rear of Christ Church Oglethorpe set aside a lot for a parsonage, and here John Wesley lived
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during his stay in Savannah and in his record he says: "Here in 1736 was the second rise in Methodism when 20 or 30 persons met at my house." While serving the Christ Church congregation Whitefield built Bethesda, a house of mercy, a home for orphaned boys, and it was the first orphan asylum in the American colonies. I am sure you will be interested in Bethesda. It is doing a beautiful, a wonderful work, tenderly caring for and educating boys and making of them clean and upright citizens. The re sources of this home are so limited that many have to be refused admission every year, as only one hundred can be accommodated at a time. There is no more worthy charity than this, which helps boys to help themselves.
In the square in front of the church is a fine old mon ument to Gen. Nathanael Greene. It is made in the form of a Roman short sword and was erected by the citizens of Savannah to that brave and able general who enjoyed the love and confidence of Washington and of Light Horse Harry Lee.
In appreciation of Gen. Greenes splendid services to Georgia he was given Mulberry Grove, the confiscated property of Lt. Gov. Graham. This estate was one of the handsomest and costliest in the colony, and some of the happiest days of General Greenes life were spent there, entertaining many old friends, among them President Washington. The old house was set on fire by some ad vance scouts of Shermans army, in his march through Georgia, and reduced to ruins.
As we move on out Bull street and go one block west ward to the corner of Broughton and Whitaker streets, we find that the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames has
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placed a tablet to mark the site of Tondees Tavern. This was the gathering place of the "Liberty Boys." Here they met to take measures to throw off the hated British yoke, and join the other colonies. Brave old Peter Tondee, himself an ardent patriot, on the occasion of these meet ings stood guard at the door to challenge every man as he advanced to be sure that none but patriots entered his tav ern during their secret sessions; and it was here that the first Liberty pole was raised in Georgia.
Two blocks west of Bull street, fronting on Telfair Square, we see the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, which was bequeathed to the City by Miss Mary Telfair. This building by special request of the donor has been kept mucto as it was during her life. It contains many fine paintings by the best modern artists and has a splen did collection of plaster casts. Nearly all of the paintings have been purchased with the Telfair fund, but a few handsome ones have been presented by public spirited citi zens, and one came to the Gallery from the Ranger Fund. The beautiful old drawing room and the dining room con tain some rare old Telfair furniture, much of which was worn and wormeaten, but which has been restored. These old relics, together with some dainty bits of bric-a-brac here and there, catch the eye and hold the attention of all who visit the gallery. The two old kitchens in the base ment, with their original flagstone flooring and large brick ovens have been restored through the vision and generosity of a member of the board. The big open fireplaces, the old cranes hung with brass and copper kettles, the large tur key roasters, and every utensil which went to make per fection in the culinary department of that day, are all
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there and suggest the old Southern cooking and the hos pitality which reigned supreme in the homes of this section.
A large room in the rear of the annex is used as a studio. Every winter and spring an artist of repute is brought to the city through the co-operation of the Acad emy and the Savannah Art Club and many of our men and women avail themselves of the opportunity of study ing under these masters, with gratifying results. It is peculiarly appropriate that this Academy of Arts should encourage a School of Painting, and I hope and believe that in time the Trustees will see fit and will be able to further carry out this idea so that Savannah may be a center, not only of enterprise and business, but of art and culture. Thus students from neighboring cities, even adjacent states, may come here for inspiration and instruction.
This site has also an interesting historic association. Here Governor Wright lived during the turbulent times preceding the Revolution. A British vessel arrived off Tybee, bringing troops to aid the Governor in carrying out the royal mandate to hold Georgia loyal to Great Britain, and it was important that the news of the arrival of the vessel should reach the Governor that he might give orders to the officers. This the Council of Safety determined to prevent and it was decided that the surest method would be to arrest the Governor and keep him under guard. Joseph Habersham volunteered to do this, and as Govern or Wright sat at the Council table in conference with his Councilmen as to the best way to suppress the threatened uprising among the patriots, Joseph Habersham passed the sentry at the door, entered the room and placing his
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hand on the Governors shoulder exclaimed "Sir James, you are my prisoner." All supposed from his bold man ner of entrance that young Habersham was supported by a strong military body, and the Councillors fearing a like arrest retreated, leaving the Governor to his fate. Dr. William Bacon Stevens, later Bishop of Pennsylvania, says: "This was one of the most signal instances of de liberate and successful daring in the history of the war. For a youth of twenty-four, unarmed and unsupported, to enter the mansion; of the Chief Magistrate and at his own table amid a circle of his Councillors to place him under arrest, is an act of heroism ranking with the most brilliant exploits in American history."
Now we go back to Bull street. Two blocks to the east of Bull is a picturesque building known as the Old Owens house, now owned by Miss Margaret Thomas, a granddaughter in the Owens family. When the Marquis de Lafayette went through our country, the honored guest of the Nation, hej was entertained there, which was ap propriate, as the architecture of the house is quite like that of a French chateau and the interior work is un usually fine and beautiful. Every possible honor was paid the great Frenchman while in our city. Children were brought to him that they might say when grown up that they had seen him, and the ancestor of a prominent fam ily was christened in the house,* that this illustrious hero might stand as his God-father. When news of the death of Lafayette came to Savannah, the Mayor and Aldermen wore crepe on their sleeves for thirty days. Life was not too busy then for sentiment and courtesy.
*Charlea Andersen Lafayette Lamar.
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Continuing out Bull street we see a monument erected to one of Savannahs most prominent citizens, William Washington Gordon, who was a pioneer in the railroad world. He organized the company that built the Central of Georgia Railroad and was its first president.
Nearby is a boulder with a bronze tablet, erected by the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames to that noble son of the forest, Tomo-Chi-Chi, the Mico of the Yamacrawa and the friend of the colonists.
Eeaching Oglethorpe avenue and going two blocks east, we arrive at the Colonial Cemetery, which is one of our most interesting and revered spots. Here many of our early patriots sleep. At the entrance to the cemetery is a handsome arch erected by the Savannah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution "In memory of the heroes of 1776." I wish we might tarry awhile in this quaint old place for it is filled with romance and his tory. The Colonial Dames book, "Some Early Epitaphs in Georgia," will tell you much of interest about it.
Across the street is the Old Assembly House. It was the first brick house in the colony. In the "Long Room" of this building were held all of the important and festive meetings of that day. Later it was the home of Gen. Lachlan Mclntosh, and Washington was entertained there. A bronze tablet has been placed upon it by the Lachlan Mclntosh Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
The handsome monument to Oglethorpe in Chippewa Square on Bull street was erected by the State, this City and the Patriotic Societies. The bronze figure of Ogle, thorpe was made by Daniel Chester French, and the ped-
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estal and the architectural plan of the square were de signed by the late Henry Bacon. When we value our his tory as we should, we can show the American world, what England already believes, that the battle of Bloody Marsh, fought on Georgia soil, was the most decisive battle of the whole Colonial period. There Oglethorpe with six hundred men repelled an invading army of five thousand Spaniards and defeated them so effectually that they ceased to be a menace iu tho American colonists.
They will also realize that Oglethorpe was not just settling here a colony of debtor prisoners, but his intention was a military colony to stop the advance of the Spaniards from the South. Note his own words written to the Trus tees just before the battle on St. Simons Island, telling them how poorly equipped he was, but he said: "We are resolved not to suffer defeat; rather would we die like Leonidas and his Spartans, if we can but protect Georgia, Carolina and the rest of the Americans from desolation." All of the colonies from New York down the Atlantic Coast were in constant peril of the powerful Spanish fleet and they rejoiced at Oglethorpes coming, and after this battle the governors of six provinces, viz.: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, sent letters of congratulations and thanks to Oglethorpe for this splendid victory. Thomas Carlyle, who lived long enough after this time to get the right perspective on affairs in the colonies, in writing of it says: "The whole Yankee nation was involved in the issue of that battle."
Whitefield said of it: "The deliverance of Georgia from the Spaniards is such as cannot be paralleled but by some instance out of the Old Testament."
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While we are in the square I must ask you to pause awhile and look at that handsome edifice, the Independent Presbyterian Church, the tall graceful spire of which has pointed heavenward for more than a century. The interior is chaste and beautiful, and interesting with its high, old fashioned, mahogany pulpit and its broad aisles which lend themselves admirably to the sacramental table which is spread quarterly for communion and which al ways suggests Leonardos "Last Supper." Dr. Lowell Mason, who is considered the father of modern church hymnology, composed the tune of "From Greenlands Icy Mountains," as well as the music for other favorite hymns, while organist at this church. It is interesting to know that he left his New England home, passed through the older and wealthier cities of the North, and, as his biog rapher says, "Went to Savannah, Georgia, where there were one or two foreigners of correct training and studied music there."*
Glancing across the street we see the old theatre built by Jay in the year 1818. The old building has now no beauty to recommend it, but if walls could talk "They would doubtless many a tale unfold," whisper many a bit of pretty romance and sentiment, tell of many an encoun ter of wit and repartee, which had taken place there among the stage folk of the long ago, a period when the great actors and actresses came and went, while the stock companies remained here and furnished the support. A distinguished gentleman of Savannah, who has long since passed away,t once told me an amusing little incident in connection with this quaint old theatre. He said in look*
"Lowell Mason: Who Taught America to Sing." Frets Publish ing Co., New York Evening World, Copyrighted 1919.
fCoL. John Screven.
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ing through a trunk of letters which had been in the garret for ages he came across the following item in one of them. The letter was written by a member of his family here to a relative who was spending the summer at Saratoga. It said: "We are all delighted with the new drop curtain at our theatre. It was painted for a New York theatre, but was rejected because it was thought the price was exorbitant, and our management bought it." Brave little Savannah!
In the center of Madison Square stands a monument to Sergeant William Jasper. The fame of this young Irishman was not merely local. Bancroft in his history of the United States thus speaks of his heroism at Fort Moultrie, S. C.: "In the fort, William Jasper, a sergeant, perceived that the flag had been cut down by a ball from the enemy and had fallen over the ramparts, Colonel, he said to Moultrie, dont let us fight without a flag. What can we do? The staff is broken off. Then/ said Jasper, Ill fix it on a halberd and place it on the merlon of the fort next the enemy. Leaping through an embrasure and braving the thickest fire from the ships, he walked the length of the fort and took up the flag, re turned with it safely, and planted it as he had promised on the summit of the merlon. This done, waving his hat, he gave three cheers and shouted, God save liberty and my country forever!" After the- battle Col. Moultria thanked Jasper in presence of the regiment and offered him a commission which he modestly refused. Shortly after, Governor Rutledge visited the Fort, and publicly commended the heroic conduct of young Jasper and re moving from his side his own sword he presented it to
him. At the siege of Savannah the intrepid Jasper fought with his usual daring. Towards the close of the engage-

ment, after the retreat had been sounded, he looked around for the colors which had been presented by the wife of Major Elliott to his company and given in Jaspers care,
he having promised to protect them with his life. The flag had been successively borne that day by Lieutenants Rush and Hume, both of whom were killed. It was from the dying grasp of the latter that Jasper, though himself sorely wounded, snatched the blood stained banner, and as he bore it off the field received his mortal wound. As he grew weak from loss of blood there flashed through his memory one of his many generous acts, namely the rescue of two prisoners. They were being brought down from Ebenezer to Savannah to be tried for treason. Sympathy was greatly enlisted for these men. Jasper resolved to rescue them. He and his comrade, Sergeant Newton, con
cealed themselves in an oak grove near a spring a little way from the city, for he felt sure, it being a hot day, they would stop at this spring for water. They were not
disappointed. In a little while the British escort, con sisting of a sergeant, a corporal and six privates ap proached with their prisoners in irons. Two guards were left with the prisoners, the others leaned their guns against a tree and went to the spring. When they were a little distance off, Jasper and Newton sprang from their hiding place, seized the guns, shot down the guards. The other six were held at bay, and kept by threats of instant death from attempting to recover their guns, and so they were forced to surrender. The two heroes crossed the river with their liberated prisoners and six captives and joined the army at Purysburg. It is said the names of these grateful men were the last words on the lips of Sergeant Jasper. The spring ever since has been called "Jasper Spring," and a grateful state has named a county for him.
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Fronting on Madison Square overlooking the Jasper Monument stands the home of Judge and Mrs. Peter W. Meldrim. It is built along the lines of an English abbey house of the Elizabethan period, and with its oriel and bay windows, and its wealth of iron work on the exterior, and delicate moulding and black walnut wood carving in the interior, it is an individual and interesting building. Materials for the house were brought over as ballast in ships by the English gentleman, Charles Green, for whom it was built and who was engaged here in shipping cotton and lumber to Europe. It is known to the tourists as Shermans Headquarters.
General Sherman arrived in Savannah a few days be fore Christmas and he sent a telegram to President Lin coln, presenting him the City of Savannah as a Christmas gift. He commandeered this house to be used as his head quarters, but it is a pleasant thought to us that he had to pay rent for it as it was owned by a British subject. In letters to his family which were published in one of the magazines a few years ago he speaks of the lordly mansion in which he and his staff were domiciled, and of how inadequately attired for such a house he felt him self to be, having only a small valise of clothes, much the worse for wear.
On the corner of Bull and Taylor Streets stands the Comer house, the residence of the late H. M. Comer, a noted financier and a long time President of the Central of Georgia Railway. It is historic, because Jefferson Davis, the beloved President of the Confederate States and his lovely daughter, known as the "Daughter of the Confederacy," were entertained there by Mr. and Mrs. Comer while on their visit to Savannah.
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During the years after the war President Davis did not often appear in public, both his health, much impaired by the hardships of prison life, and a disinclination to take part in public meetings forbidding. But he attended occasions such as the great Lee Memorial, the reorganiza tion of Southern Historical Societies, the laying of corner stones or unveiling Confederate monuments, and was al ways a notable figure. Wherever he went he was greeted with the wildest enthusiasm. No Roman conqueror re turning from his victories was ever acclaimed with more fervor or with as much love and veneration as greeted him. Yes, Savannah is rich in memories. To her came thrice our great military chieftain, Robert E. Lee. Once as the young engineer with the honors of West Point fresh upon his brow. Later, though, the victories of the Mexi can war and the War between the States were also writ ten there, his brow was deeply furrowed with care and responsibility and with the sorrows of his people. It was such men as these that made the ancients believe in demi gods. They and men like them in the council and the field kept the Confederacy on such a high plane that a poet in a neutral country wrote of it, "No nation rose so white and fair. None fell so pure of crime."
In the center of Monterey Square is a monument to the peerless Pole, Count Casimir Pulaski. His father, Count Joseph Pulaski, in righteous indignation over the Partition of Poland, had organized the Confederation of Bar. Successful at first, he was finally captured, and he, with two of his sons, was executed, and a price put upon the head of the youngest son, Casimir. But he made his escape to France, and there he found the whole country aflame with sympathy for the American colonies, so he came to America and volunteered his services to Wash-
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ington at Valley Forge. Washington gladly accepted them and at once made him drill officer of his cavalry. At the battle of Brandywine he exhibited such valor and leader ship that he was given a legion. After rendering splen did service in the North, he was sent South and fought gallantly at the siege of Savannah but here he fell mor tally wounded. In the retreat of the American and allied forces, he was taken to Greenwich, one of the beautiful colonial plantations in the environs of Savannah, by his devoted soldiers. Cold history tells us that Pulaski was taken on board of one of the French ships, died between Savannah and Charleston, and was buried at sea. But romantic tradition still lingers that he was left at Green wich for treatment with the hope of saving his life, the Bowen family, the owners of the plantation, assuring his heartbroken comrades that they would take the tenderest care of the wounded hero. They did this, but their serv ices were unavailing. Pulaski died and the family remi niscences went that he was buried on the plantation. A descendant in after years insisted that the remains of Pulaski were brought from Greenwich and reverently placed beneath a cornerstone of the monument to his memory. The name of Pulaski will always be associated with Greenwich and arriving there you will be graciously welcomed by Dr. and Mrs. H. N. Torrey, who will show you the portrait of that bold sabreur.*
Longfellow wrote a touching poem entitled "Hymn of the Moravian Nuns of Bethlehem at the Consecration of Pulaskis Banner." The Moravians had made and pre sented Count Pulaski a beautiful crimson banner, em broidered with gold. It is now a prized possession of the Maryland Historical Society.
*Manaion since destroyed by fixe.
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Hogdson Hall, used by the Georgia Historical Society for its library was presented by Mrs. Hodgson as a me morial to her husband. Mrs. Hodgson was a member of the Telfair family which through the years has done so much in our city for religion and humanity and for the arts and sciences.
Now we pass through our park named for the bril liant orator and statesman, John Forsyth, and we find in the Park Extension the busts of two gallant Confed erate heroes, Gen. Lafayette McLaws and Col. Francis Bartow, and between them stands our Confederate monu ment with its beautiful and appropriate inscription: "Come from the four winds, O, Breath! and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." When this monument reached Savannah, the ladies of the memorial association, who had ordered it were greatly disappointed; it was not at all .what they had expected. At this juncture George Wymberley Jones DeRenne, one of the most generous and public-spirited citizens Savannah has ever had, asked to be permitted to present to the memorial association a bronze figure of a Confederate soldier to surmount the monument. This offer was gladly accepted and there we see the Confederate soldier standing like a faithful sen tinel, guarding the sacred memory of the Lost Cause.
As we go farther out Bull street, we see Lawton Me morial, a handsome structure erected by Mrs. Alexander Robert Lawton, in loving memory of her distinguished husband, Gen. A. R. Lawton, and their daughter. This building has been of great benefit to our city. It is at all times at the service of the community for educational purposes, lectures, concerts, and the like, and it has in this way contributed much to the pleasure and uplift of our city.
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As we passed through the city, I might have re minded you that Savannah has not only commemorated her own local history but that in the names of the streets, squares and monuments of the city you can trace a fairly good record of the history of our country.
For instance, Bull, Bryan and St. Julian streets, and Oglethorpe Avenue, Johnson and Wright Squares, repre sent the colonial times. The monuments to Gen. Greene, Sergeant Jasper and Count Pulaski recall the revolution ary period. Then the old order passes and Congress, President and State streets suggests the new. Hull, MeDonough and Perry streets, Orleans and Madison Squares at once remind us of the war of 1812. Taylor street and Monterey Square hring to mind Zachary Taylor and the victories of old "Rough and Ready" in Mexico. When we see Tattnall Place, we recall with pride our own Com modore Tattnall and his heroic conduct in Chinese waters, and his "blood is thicker than water" incident which brought England and the States together in friendly re lations after many years of separation. The Confederate Monument and the busts of Gen. McLaws and Col. Bartow bring to us tender memories of the War between the States.
Further on, in Victory Drive we see a memorial to the valiant dead of the World War who "died the noblest death a man may die, fighting for God and right and liberty, and such a death is immortality."
The cannon we have seen here and there through out the city have been presented from time to time in appreciation of the valor and patriotism of our military who have ever borne their full share in the wars of this country.
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Before leaving the city and going further towards the southeast, I must tell you of two interesting old estates west of Savannah which I regret we have not time to visit. Just a little way to the westward of the city is the old McAlpin plantation, the Hermitage, now in ruins. It was a beautiful ante-helium home. It had a wonderful avenue of live oaks leading up to it from the land ap proach, and a handsome entrance on the water front. Once there were sunken gardens and a variety of trees, shrubs and flowers ornamenting the grounds.
A few miles further on is Whitehall, now owned by Mr. Lathrop Hopkins, of New Jersey, who comes out every winter to visit it. It is notable as the old home of Thomas Gibbons, who was once a prominent figure at the bar, and in the political affairs of Savannah and Georgia. He was Mayor of the city and for six years member of the General Assembly. He also maintained a country seat at Elizabethtown, N. J. He is spoken of by historians of the day as a "lawyer of consummate ability, untiring energy and he was possessed of large means." Indeed he is said to have been one of the first American millionaires. While in New Jersey he became interested in steamboat navi gation, then in its infancy. New York had created a monopoly in favor of Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston. Gibbons denied the constitutional right of this mon opoly to prevent his running his boats on the waters of that state, and he ran them. Ogden, successor of the business, brought suit against Gibbons and won over him in the New York courts. Then Gibbons carried the case to the United States Supreme Court. Daniel Webster, of Massachusetts, and William Wirt, of Virginia, were his attorneys, and the great John Marshall was on the bench.
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Beveridge, who quotes largely from this case in his "Life of John Marshall," says the Chief Justice was thus given the opportunity to deliver "the last but one of his great est nation making opinions." The verdict was in Gibbons favor and dealt a death blow to steamboat monopolies. This "case was considered of immense importance polit ically and commercially, and Mr. Gibbons came to be everywhere viewed as the champion of free trade between the states, and, indeed, somewhat in the light of a public benefactor for having taken upon himself the burden of this magnificent, costly and finally successful litigation. So confident was her that this monopoly was unconstitu tional, and so determined to win his case, that while the suit was pending he made his will and appropriated $40,000 to carry on, the suit in the event he should die before it ended. It is interesting to know that Mr. Gibbons employed Cornelius Vanderbilt, the future "Commodore," as captain of one of his steamships.""1 So you see Savan nah has contributed largely to the commercial interests of this country with her first trans-Atlantic steamship, her first iron vessel, and her able constitutional lawyer, who broke up steamboat monopolies. Another attractive spot time prevents us from visiting are the grounds of the Savannah Golf Club, an organization that at a very early period as far back as 1789 played the ancient and honorable Scotch game and enrolled leading Savannahians among its members.
And now we go to Bonaventure, our silent city of the dead, but once, as its name implies, it was the abode of the living, the happy hospitable home of the English
*"Savannah Duels and Duellists," by Thomas Gamble, Savannah, Georgia. 1925.
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gentleman, JosiahrTattnall. When Josiah Tattnall mar ried Mary Mulryne, English landscape gardeners were brought over and they planted those fine avenues of live oaks in the forms of T and M. I wish I had time to tell you of the splendid heroism of that family. They have responded to every call of duty and have written their names high on their countrys roll of honor.*
Before leaving Bonaventure, I must tell you a little of this old tomb which faces the entrance to the ceme tery and bears the simple legend "Gaston Vault." I have often wondered what secret was locked within the walls of that old tomb, but none could tell. Finally from the pen of one of our citizens who has a fund of information gathered from old papers and books among which he loves to browse came the following- story.t It is a pretty one as he tells it and it is a pity that in this hasty sketch I can only touch briefly upon it* Long, long ago, so long that this generation had never heard of it, there lived here a William Gaston, a man greatly beloved by his fellow citizens. He had reached the highest position of honor and dignity in the city and had amassed quite a fortune. Though a bachelor he, loved to play the host in his richly appointed home, not only to his friends but also to visit ors. Indeed, it was said that no stranger came within Savannahs gates but he was entertained at Mr. Gastons bountiful board. And Savannah felt a pride in this gen tleman who did the honors of the city so handsomely. On a visit to New York he died suddenly. The news came as a shock to the community; the bells of the city were
*For further information about the Tattnalla read "Bonaventure, the Colonial Home of the Tattnalls," published by Georgia Society Colonial Dames.
fThomas Gamble in Savannah Morning News.
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tolled and a mass meeting was called to take action on his death. A large number of representative citizens met, resolutions of sorrow were passed, and it was further resolved that this mausoleum should be built as a memo rial to him, and to perpetuate his spirit of hospitality to strangers, it should be a sort of receiving vault, where any stranger who might die here away from his family and friends could be placed until such time as his people arranged to remove the body, so that William Gaston, who had ever been the generous hospitable host to the living strangers might be silent host to the dead ones. "In life he entertained strangers and in death they slept with him." Gaston street is named in his honor.
And now we come to beautiful Wormsloe, the oldest of the large land grants in Georgia. It was granted to Noble Jones in 1733, and it has remained in the posses sion of his descendants ever since. Each member of the family who has inherited the place has made substantial contributions to the state and city. The first Noble Jones was a friend of Oglethorpe and was an officer under him. Later he became captain of the First Georgia Company and colonel of the First Georgia Regiment. He built at Wormsloe a fort of wood, and named it Fort Wymberley, and he later rebuilt it of tabby. It did much to protect the young colony from the depredations of the Indians, outlaws and Spaniards. He also had several vessels under him and a number of marines, so that he was active on land and sea. His scout work on St. Simons was particu larly valuable to the colony as it discovered the approach of the Spanish and gave the alarm which enabled Ogle thorpe to get ready to meet that enemy at Bloody Marsh instead of being surprised in the garrison.
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His son, Noble Wymberley Jones, was called the "Morning Star of Liberty," because of his brilliant and daring services during the Revolution. His son, George Jones, served his state in war and peace. He was con fined in the British prison ship during the war and after the war he became a distinguished jurist and senator.
George Wymberley Jones, who later added DeRenne to his name, was a liberal patron of literature. He was a large collector of early Georgia manuscripts which he published in the Wormsloe Quarto and these he distrib uted gratuitously to the historical societies, to libraries, and to his friends. The historians of Georgia are largely indebted to him for their data. I have already mentioned his gift to the Confederate monument. He also gave the fine old Scarborough residence to the Board of Education as a school for negroes.
His son, Wymberley Jones DeRenne, felt great pride in his ancestral home and did much to beautify it. His greatest contribution was building that elegant library devoted to Georgiana and to Confederate history. To both of these collections he made substantial additions.
His mantle as dignified and delightful host has fallen easily upon the shoulders of his son, Wymberley W. De Renne, who, aided by his gracious wife, has dispensed much charming hospitality to distinguished visitors to the city.
And now, my friends, our journey is ended. Let us lay aside our Pilgrim Staffs and rest here at Wormsloe. Rest under these trees ever green and beautiful, their
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dark, rich foliage brightened in winter by the wonderful camellias in their every shade and hue, in spring by the brilliant azaleas, and in summer by the gardenias and the glorious magnolias.
I trust you are not weary of your long pilgrimage, but even so now comes your reward, for here I deliver you unto the hands of our genial host and charming hostess, for recreation and refreshment on these classic grounds."
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