The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1893-08-30
rrggGK EARY'SS" CAREER.
-crsTJNG INCIDENTs OF EARLY
y - GEORGIA HISTORY.
of a ReIns rkabie Woman How
1he n,frieuded the Whites and 4hen
Turned Against Them

lh' nefriended the Whites and 1hen
Turned Against Them
the Atlanta Journal.
II 17l6 Colonel John Musgrove was
sen, from South Carolina to the Indian
I'm TO form, if possible, treaty with
1odians. On this mission he was ac-
w. oanied by his sen, John.
w II the nation they found young Indi-
CONAN, named Consaponakeeso, who
I'd been taken in early childhood to
o,nnon. South Carolina, and there edu-
,.4od and instructed in the principles of
.so christian religion. At school she
COS cven the name of Mary. Mary's
s,tbFr was a white man, and on her ma
.srnal side she was directly descended
n .,or, Tomo Chachi, the chief of the
\ Creeks.
h vonng Musgrove became infatuated
v Nth this young Indian girl, married
bor and for several years lived in the
nofiop. In 1882, recognizing the fact
that Yamacraw bluff, the present site of
savannah was good trading point he
established storehouse there and then,
with the aid of his wife, he soon began
nrosperouS business.
Here. in 1888, General Oglethorpe
found them, and quickly recognizing
Mary's accom- plishments and influence
with her people, he sought to gain her
acopaintance and friendship by making
her numerous presents. In this effort
he was successful, an6 she soon proved
herself a useful and faithful friend. It
was through her that the treaty with
Tom Chachi was effected which secured
to the first settlers of Georgia friendly
and peaceful reception.
Seeing that the trading post at Yama-
craw was benefit both to the settlers
and the Indians, Geneal Oglethorpe per-
suaded Mary Musgrove to establish an
other $50 miles up the Altamaha river,
at The Forks, an important Indian and
Dutch settlement This Mary did and
with her husband removed thence. Here
she traded in peltry, bartering for it
such things as the Indians needed, and
some things they did not need, notably,
whiskey. While she resided at The
Forks General Oglethorpe often need
ing her services at Yamacraw and the
lower settlement, would send for her
and these long journeys of one hundred
and fifty to two hundred miles would be
made alone by boat down the river.
These official trips, so to speak, would
keep her from her home sometimes for
two or three months, and in the mean
time her business often suffered serious
loss. She owned large cattle pen on
the river and her chief ranchman was a
noted Swofdsman, native.
When st. Augustine was besieged Gen
erai Ogethorpe, needing his services,
ordered him to the defense of the place.
The Indian lost his life in this fight to-
gether with Mary's own brother, and she
lost her cattle for the want of herder.
While living at 1.-The Forks" Mr.. Mus
grove died, Afterward Mary married
captain Jocob Matthews, who only lived
two years. During her widowhood she
carried on her trading interests in be-
half of the colonial government, often
with loss to herself. But General Ogle-
thorpe constantly assured her that she
would be re-embursed for all such losses.
Mary was to him an invaluable ally.
About 1743 Mary married the Rev.
Thomas Bosomworth, clergyman of the
Church of New England, who was then
in the employment of the "Trustees for
the Propagation OF Christian KnoWl-
edge" This alliance proved serious
one for the settlers. From this on Mary
changed in her conduct and feelings to-
ward His Majesty'S subject. Mr.. Bosom
worth's motives for marrying this Indian
Oenetactress were soon made known in d
elamorous demand for pay for all his
Wife's services and losses for the thirteen
years that she had befriended the set
tiers. Owing then TO the Strengthened
conditions of the finances of the colony,
THIS payment had long been deferred
the debt now had to be referred to the
crown itself. And in 1745 Mr.. Bosom
worth went to England himself to see if
lie could effect more speedy settlement
OF this claim. His visit resulted in the
matter being referred back to Oglethorpe,
VINO made him the usual good promises
10 pay when they had the money.
BOSOmwortb bad haoome heavily in