Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Liberty

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 24, 2009

1. The Liberty Marker

Inscription. The armed schooner "Liberty", the first American Naval vessel officially commissioned early in July 1775 by a Provincial Congress, sailed from this port. She was commanded by Oliver Bowen and Joseph Habersham and carried ten carriage guns and fifty men. She flew the Liberty Flag, a white banner with a red border and the motto "American Liberty" imprinted on the field in large red letters. The "Liberty" made the first ordered capture in Southern waters of the Revolution on July 9, 1775 when she took off Tybee the British vessel "Phillipa", commanded by Captain Richard Maitland. Of some six and one half tons of gunpowder taken, over half was sent north for use by the other colonies. The Georgia leaders, Bowen and Habersham went on to command the Georgia Continental Navy and the first Continental Battalion respectively.

Erected by The Sons of the Revolution in the State of Georgia.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1775.

Location. 32° 4.797′ N, 81° 5.081′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. It is on East River Street, on the right when traveling east. West

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of the Broad Street. Ramp at Morrell Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Lions Club of Savannah (a few steps from this marker); Ironclads and Gunboats of the Savannah River Squadron (within shouting distance of this marker); “Liberty” 1775 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Georgia Medical Society (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Harbor Light (within shouting distance of this marker); Crossing the Savannah (within shouting distance of this marker); 1996 Olympic Yachting Cauldron (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chatham Artillery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Regarding The Liberty. Oliver Bowen, naval officer, died in Providence, Rhode Island, in August 1800. He was a revolutionary patriot of Augusta, Georgia, and was successful, in the early days of the war, in seizing a large quantity of
powder stored on Tybee island, near Savannah, 10 July 1775. He joined the unsuccessful expedition against Wilmington in 1778. He was a member of the Provincial Congress of 1775, and of the Council of Safety.

The Liberty Marker along River Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2009

2. The Liberty Marker along River Street

The Liberty Marker at Morrell Park tour bus stop image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 1, 2009

3. The Liberty Marker at Morrell Park tour bus stop

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,668 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 28, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.