Fourth and Fifth Congresses
John Milledge took which position from Mar 1795 to Mar 1799?
John Milledge John Milledge ( 1757February 9 , 1818 ) was an American politician . He fought in the American Revolution and later served as United States Representative , 26th Governor of Georgia , and United States Senator . Milledge was a founder of Athens , Georgia , and the University of Georgia . Revolutionary War . John Milledge was born in Savannah , the grandson of an original settler of Georgia . He was tutored privately and studied law . After being admitted to the bar , he opened a law practice in Savannah . At the onset of the Revolutionary War , Milledge was part of a group that took colonial governor Sir James Wright as a prisoner in 1775 . He also took part in a raid of Savannahs royal armory to procure gunpowder for the revolutionary cause . When the British captured Savannah , Milledge escaped to South Carolina , where American patriots nearly hanged him as a spy . He participated in the Siege of Savannah in an attempt to drive the British forces out . In 1778 , he served as an aide to Governor John Houstoun in an abortive campaign against the British in East Florida . In 1781 , as a colonel in the Georgia militia , he helped to recapture Augusta . Political career . State legislature and U.S . Congress . Milledges political career began in 1779 , when he was elected to the patriot general assembly . After serving as the attorney general of Georgia , Milledge was a member of the Georgia General Assembly . While in the General Assembly , he spoke out forcefully against the Yazoo Land Acts . In 1792 , the House of Representatives declared the seat of Anthony Wayne vacant due to disputes over his residency . Milledge was elected to the Second Congress to fill this vacancy and served from November 22 , 1792 , to March 3 , 1793 . Later , Milledge would be elected to the Fourth and Fifth Congresses , serving from March 4 , 1795 to March 3 , 1799 . In 1801 , he was again elected to Congress , this time as a Democratic-Republican , and served from March 4 , 1801 , until he resigned in May 1802 to become Governor of Georgia . Governor of Georgia . Milledge was Governor of Georgia from 1802 to 1806 . As governor , he created Georgias first land lottery to combat corruption in the distribution of former Creek lands to settlers . He also reorganized the state militia , and built a road from Georgia to Tennessee passing through Cherokee lands . In 1803 , Milledgeville , Georgia , state capital from 1804 to 1868 , was named in his honor . U.S . Senate . In 1806 , he was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Jackson . He was a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the policies of President Thomas Jefferson . In the 10th United States Congress , he was named President pro tempore of the Senate . He served as a Senator from June 19 , 1806 , until November 14 , 1809 , when he resigned . The University of Georgia . While serving in the U.S . House of Representatives , Milledge was named to a commission to establish a site for the state University of Georgia ( incorporated January 27 , 1785 ) . On July 25 , 1801 Milledge bought with his own money some land on the Oconee River for the school , and named the surrounding area Athens , in honor of the city of Platos Academy . John Milledge Hall ( circa 1921 as a male dormitory ) at the University of Georgia , now houses the Division of Academic Enhancement and the Regents Center for Learning Disorders . Death and legacy . After retiring from the United States Senate , Milledge returned home , to live out his final years at his plantation near Augusta , Georgia . He died there , February 9 , 1818 , and was buried in Summerville Cemetery in that same city . Milledge Avenue in Athens is named for him . Milledge Road in Augusta is also named for him . John Milledge Academy in Milledgeville is named for John Milledge . References . - Power of Attorney . Thomas Stephens , William Ewen & John Milledge , April 25 , 1761 . From Telamon Cuyler collection , ms 1170 , series 1 . Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library , University of Georgia Libraries . Web . Retrieved May 20 , 2016 . External links . - The founding of Milledgeville