Habersham, James, 1715-1775

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James Habersham (1712-1775) was born in Yorkshire, England in January, 1712. He came to Savannah in 1738 and founded the Bethesda Orphan Home with George Whitefield; from 1741 to 1744, Habersham ran the orphanage. In 1744, he left this position to start the firm Harris & Habersham, one of the earliest such businesses in Savannah. He married Mary Bolton on December 26, 1740. Habersham took an active part in the political affairs of Georgia: he was elected president of the upper house of the General Assembly in 1767. In the absence of Governor Sir James Wright in 1771-1773, Habersham served as Acting Governor. He was a prosperous land owner and a strong advocate for allowing slavery in Georgia. When, in 1749, slavery became legal in the state, Habersham established many rice plantations. Forever loyal to England, he died in New Brunswick, New Jersey, August 28, 1775, shortly before the outbreak of the American Revolution.

From the description of James Habersham papers, 1747-1775 (Georgia Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 76829177

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Bevan, Joseph Vallence, 1798-1830. Joseph Vallence Bevan papers, 1733-1826. Georgia Historical Society
referencedIn Force transcripts, 1742-1789. Georgia Historical Society
referencedIn Whitefield, George, 1714-1770. Papers, 1750-1759. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Downshire, Wills Hill, Marquis of, 1718-1793. Letter to James Habersham, 1772 Apr. 1. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Boswell's Life of Johnson : including Boswell's Journal of a tour to the Hebrides and Johnson's Diary of a journey into North Wales, edited by George Birkbeck Hill, extra-illustrated, 1464-1897 (inclusive), 1724-1874 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Floyd, Marmaduke Hamilton, 1888-1949. Marmaduke Hamilton and Dolores Boisfeuillet Floyd papers, 1562-1970 Georgia Historical Society
creatorOf Habersham, James, 1715-1775. James Habersham papers, 1747-1775 Georgia Historical Society
referencedIn Cheshunt College. Cheshunt College collection on Bethesda College, 1770-1778. Georgia Historical Society
referencedIn Topical pamphlet collection, <1741>-<1996>. Concord Free Public Library, Special Collection
referencedIn Habersham family. Habersham family papers, 1712-1842. Georgia Historical Society
referencedIn Piercy, William, 1744-1819. William Piercy letter book, 1773-1783. South Carolina Historical Society
referencedIn Frank Baker collection of Wesleyana and British Methodism, 1536-1996 and undated David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Baker, Frank, 1910-1999 person
associatedWith Bethesda College (Savannah, Ga.) corporateBody
associatedWith Bevan, Joseph Vallence, 1798-1830. person
correspondedWith Boswell, James, 1740-1795 person
associatedWith Cheshunt College. corporateBody
associatedWith Dartmouth, William Legge, Earl of, 1731-1801. person
associatedWith Downshire, Wills Hill, Marquis of, 1718-1793. person
associatedWith Floyd, Marmaduke Hamilton, 1888-1949 person
associatedWith Habersham family. family
associatedWith Huntingdon, Selina Hastings, Countess of, 1707-1791. person
associatedWith Jackson, James, 1757-1806. person
associatedWith Piercy, William, 1744-1819. person
associatedWith Whitefield, George, 1714-1770. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Georgia
Subject
Creek Indians
Plantations
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1715

Death 1775

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