Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-09-04
GEORGIA LANDS.
FecuIiar Conditions Attached 10
Grants Under rhe Colonial Charter.

Grants Under the Colonial Charter.
Atlanta Constitution
The colony of Georgia was estab-
lishsd IN 1888 under 4 charter from
the king of Great Britain, and during
The tirst twenty years of its existence
all grants of land were made BY the
trustees undsr this charter. These
grants were limited to tracts not ex-
ceediRg 500 acres and coupled with
many conditions that to the present
generation seem extremely harsh and
not entirely free from absu dity. For
example, the grants were limited to
the male heirs of the grantees. The
obi ct OF this seeming ly unfair regula-
ton WAS TO preserve the military
strength OF the province, as female
heir might be unmarried and thus
withdraw from the garrison the por-
ton which should belong to soldier.
Nor were the grantees st first allowed
TO sell their grants, because this
privilege being perMitted, the lands
which should be spportioned among
many might become centered in 4 few.
On failure of male heirs the lands at
once reverted to the trustees, 10 be
again granted 10 saCh persons AS the
comRon council should think most
advantageous 10 the colony. The
rules. however, contained at least one
element of justice, as the widows of
grantees dying without issue were,
during their lives, entitled TO the en-.
loyment of the house and one half the
improved lands which their joint
labor had created; sud special regard
was had for daughters presumably
those with husbandsl of those who
made improvements upon their lots.
1t was also provided that the land
granted should be cultivated, planted,
cleSred, improved, or fenced within
ter years from date of the grant, else
such grant shoald be void and the land
so unlmproved should revert to the
trustees.
Another condition attached TO the
earlier grants was that each person
should plant one hundred white mul-
berry trees. The protectors of the
future great state of Georgia regarded
the cultivation of silk as the fsunda
ton of her future wealth.
As the years rolled by it became
more and more apparent that the silk.
worm would prove failure, hence
that industry ceased to be fostered by
the colonistS. One large trust,lot in
the present city of Savannah was set
apart as the ''filature lot, whereon
was erected huge wooden structure,
specially appropriated to the promo
ton OF silk culture, This lot is now
covered by a range of brick tene
mentS.
In the earlier period OF her history
the known Georgia" so far rs the
records disclose, was confined to the
low lands along the coast and the
banks of the Savannah river. The
a.eds all describe the land as in the
province OF Georgia, and all the
districts of Savannah, Ebenezer, Ogee-
chez, etc. After the termination of
the charter, in 1853 or thereabouts,
all grants emanated from the crown,
and were tested by the governor gem
eral and commander>in- chief for the
time beng. The records render no
torious the fact that each of these
governors took care 10 Feather his
own nest, " as large tracts of the most
valuable lands III the province were
set aside to them.
In 1858 the charter of the colony
expired, but two years prior to that
cate the trustees deemed ii expedient
to surrender their trust, which, after
various negotiations, was accomplish
ed in 1852. Their last meeting was
held oa June 23d Of that year, when
they executed formal deed of sur
render to the crown.
The records of deeds. mortgages,
wills, etc. which are now preserved
in the offices of the clerks Of superior
courts and ordinaries, were, during
the colonial era, kept in an office
which was the equivalent of that Of
secretary Of state to day. These rec
ords are now in the capitol, and in an
excellent state Of preservation. They
cover the entire period from 1884 to
the organization of the state governs
mcnt