The skirmish at Bloody Marsh was more than a battle.
It was a clash of cultures - each vying for control of
what is now the southeastern United States.
Soldiers from Hispanic colonies in the New World
fought under the Spanish banner, with the . . . — — Map (db m63869) HM
On Arthur J. Moore Drive, 0.2 miles north of Hamilton Road.
On October 21, 1735, John and Charles Wesley and General James Oglethorpe (founder of the colony of Georgia) and eighty-four other passengers sailed from England on the ship "The Simmonds". After a hundred and fourteen days they sailed into the . . . — — Map (db m12549) HM
On Arthur J. Moore Drive, 0.2 miles north of Hamilton Road.
A Mission By The SeaIn 1949, the South Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church purchased 43.53 acres of the Hamilton Plantation from the Sea Island Company for a Christian conference center. They named "Epworth" after the Wesleys' English . . . — — Map (db m174375) HM
“Two coins were found on the floor. One was a British penny dated 1755, and the other was a United States cent dated 1798.” Archeological Report
The life span of Frederica was brief. Most of the ruins you see represent . . . — — Map (db m70227) HM
We are resolved not to suffer
defeat - we will rather die like
Leonidas and his Spartans - if we
can but protect Georgia and
Carolina and the rest of the Americans
from desolation Oglethorpe
Erected on the battlefield . . . — — Map (db m63868) HM
On Frederica Road, 0.1 miles east of Stevens Road, on the right when traveling west.
During the late morning of July 7, 1742 Georgia Rangers guarding the military road approach to the town of Frederica sighted a force of over 100 Spanish soldiers and their Indian allies. James Edward
Oglethorpe, founder of Georgia, quickly . . . — — Map (db m11634) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.1 miles west of Frederica Drive, on the right when traveling west.
"The town is divided into several ? streets along ? sides are planted orange trees… London Magazine 1745
Imagine a typical day here on Broad Street in the early 1740s. Women worked in fenced gardens. Children played in the streets. . . . — — Map (db m70223) HM
On Lawrence Road, 3 miles north of Frederica Road, on the right when traveling north.
In 1793 John Couper, with his partner James Hamilton, purchased Cannon's Point in northeastern St. Simons Island. In addition to the production of cotton, Couper experimented with citrus trees, grapes, date palms from Persia, mulberry trees for . . . — — Map (db m30167) HM
In 1736 Captain Gascoigne of the
British Sloop-of War Hawk, established
here at Gascoigne Bluff the base for
the naval defense of the Colony of
Georgia. The Spaniards landed here
in the invasion of 1742.
In 1794 Live Oak timbers were . . . — — Map (db m13414) HM
These houses were slave cabins on the Gascoigne Bluff section of Hamilton Plantation which was developed in 1793 by James Hamilton into one of the largest estates on St. Simons Island.
Eventually this Gascoigne Bluff area was given to Glynn . . . — — Map (db m11810) HM
On Frederica Rd, on the left when traveling north.
Here are buried former Rectors of Christ Church and their families, the families of early settlers and of plantation days, officers of the British Army, and soldiers of every war in which our country fought. The oldest tombstone is dated 1803 but . . . — — Map (db m12346) HM
On Frederica Road, on the left when traveling north.
This congregation was established as a mission of the Church of England in February, 1736. The Rev. Charles Wesley, ordained priest of that Church, conducted the first services in the chapel within the walls of Fort Frederica. The Rev. John . . . — — Map (db m17449) HM
In 1804, John Couper of Cannon's Point Plantation sold 4 acres of land, known as Couper's Point, to the U.S. Government for the sum of $1.00. This is the site where the first St. Simons Lighthouse, built by James Gould, was located. — — Map (db m14041) HM
On Ocean Blvd at 8th St, on the right when traveling north on Ocean Blvd.
The first fortification built by the British on the South End of St. Simons Island was erected near this site in April, 1736, by soldiers of the South Carolina Independent Company under the command of Lieutenant Philip Delegal. Before coming to . . . — — Map (db m12167) HM
On Demere Road at East Beach Causeway, on the left when traveling north on Demere Road.
From the site of the Battle of Bloody Marsh to the intersection with Ocean Boulevard, this road is part of the Military Road, sometimes called The King’s High Road, which was built by Frederica settlers in 1738 to connect Fort Frederica and Fort . . . — — Map (db m12473) HM
On 12th Street, on the right when traveling south.
The Spanish established several
missions along Georgia's coastal sea
islands. Two missions were located on
St. Simons Island, called " Isla De
Guadalquini" by the Spanish: Santo
Domingo de Asajo (Guale) and San
Buenaventura de . . . — — Map (db m13431) HM
On Arthur J. Moore Drive, 0.2 miles north of Hamilton Road.
Epworth by the SeaJohn and Charles Wesley were born in a parsonage with thatched roof and solidly built walls in Epworth, England. This home was destroyed by fire when John was six years old. All the family were able to escape except John. From . . . — — Map (db m12560) HM
On Arthur J. Moore Drive, 0.1 miles north of Hamilton Road, on the right when traveling north.
On this island in 1736 and 1737 lived and labored John and Charles Wesley, George Whitefield, Benjamin Ingham and Charles Delamotte. Leaders in the evangelical revival and founders of The Methodist Church.
They left an imperishable record of . . . — — Map (db m129260) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.3 miles west of Frederica Road.
”Gone to Carolina” Town Census 1743 Samuel Perkins, a coachmaker, arrived at Frederica with the first settlers. He built two good houses in town, one of them on this foundation. Outside town he cleared and fenced five acres, . . . — — Map (db m168384) HM
In 1736, on this historic site, Fort Frederica was constructed by the early settlers of the Colony of Georgia under General James Edward Oglethorpe. It was the strongest fortification built by Great Britain on American soil and its purpose was to . . . — — Map (db m18909) HM
On 12th Street, on the right when traveling south.
On this site Fort St. Simons was built by
English troops under command of General
James Edward Oglethorpe in 1738. It guarded
the entrance to the Frederica River through
which ships must pass to reach Fort Frederica.
With nearby Delegal's . . . — — Map (db m81904) HM
British settlement on St. Simons Island dates from 1736 when General James Edward Oglethorpe established the fortified town of Frederica seven miles northwest of today's lighthouse. Fort Frederica served as a defense against the Spanish in Florida . . . — — Map (db m106265) HM
On this site Fort St. Simons was built by English troops under command of General James Edward Oglethorpe in 1738. It guarded the entrance to the Frederica River through which ships must pass to reach Fort Frederica with nearby Delegal's Fort. It . . . — — Map (db m236873) HM
" Frederica is situated on the Island of
St. Simons, in the middle of an Indian
field where our people found 30 or 40
acres cleared by them."
Francis Moore
1736
A Voyage to Georgia
The first British settlers landed . . . — — Map (db m18823) HM
John Calwell, the candlemaker, " had
built lately a large house of three storied
high which was looked on to be the best
in town, with storehouses, etc. for carrying
on the trade..."
Journal of William Stephens
June 25, 1745 During . . . — — Map (db m18906) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.2 miles west of Frederica Road.
”We have built us a little room with some boards that we sawed, and built us a chimney in it with clay.” Joseph Cannon, Age 15 Letter to England November 1736 The first settler on this lot was Daniel Cannon, a carpenter. . . . — — Map (db m168382) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.2 miles west of Frederica Road.
”Frederica was once a pretty little town, as appears by the ruins, having been burned down some years since.” Colonel S. Elbert May 1777 The house that stood on these ruins was a two-story duplex with tabby walls, and elegant . . . — — Map (db m168380) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.4 miles west of Frederica Road.
The Fort at Frederica has ”four bastions, a ditch palisaded, and a covered way [outer moat] defended by fifteen pieces of cannon.” Samuel Augspourguer Frederica engineer 1739 Cannon protected Frederica’s river approaches from . . . — — Map (db m168387) HM
" Some houses are built entirely of brick, some
of brick and wood, some few of tappy-work; but
most of the meaner sort of wood only."
London Magazine 1745 When Frederica was established in 1736, each
freeholder was given a lot 60 foot . . . — — Map (db m18905) HM
Mary Musgrove Matthews " has always
been in great esteen with the General,... for
being half Indian by extract, she had a very
great influence upon many of them, particulary
the Creek Nation...."
William Stephens
February 22, 1740 . . . — — Map (db m18908) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.3 miles west of Frederica Road.
”They were pleased to appoint me to be Keeper of the Stores.” Francis Moore 1736 A Voyage to Georgia Francis Moore, like other Frederica settlers, wore many hats. He served as General Oglethorpe's secretary, town . . . — — Map (db m168389) HM
" The inhabitants of the town went
out on the 25th [September 1738] with
the General and cut a road through
the woods down to the soldiers fort..."
Gentleman's Magazine
January 1739 In front of you lies the trace of the . . . — — Map (db m18911) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.4 miles west of Frederica Road.
This brick rectangle marks the site of the North Storehouse. It was a three-story brick and timber structure with a flat, tarred roof. Ship’s cargoes of food, tools, weapons, and other provisions vital to the colony were stored here. Frederica’s . . . — — Map (db m168388) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.2 miles west of Frederica Road.
”There are two bastion towers of two stories each in the hollow of the bastions, defended on the outside with thick earthworks, and capable of lodging great numbers of soldiers.” London Magazine October 23, 1747 An earthwork . . . — — Map (db m168392) HM
This remnant is all
that time has spared of the
citadel of the town of Frederica
built by
General Oglethorpe
A.D. 1736
As an outpost against
The Spanish in Florida — — Map (db m18919) HM
" This Frederica is a very strange place; it
was once a town - the town, the metropolis of
the island."
Francis Anne Kemble
Visitor to Frederica
1839 Here, in unknown graves more than two centuries old,
lie many of the early . . . — — Map (db m18907) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.3 miles west of Frederica Road.
Concerning the town doctor, Thomas Jones wrote in 1741, "He had not administered one dose of physic to any poor person, but refused unless paid…” This ruin represents two houses which may have shared a common wall, much like English . . . — — Map (db m168385) HM
"There are barracks in the town on
the north side, ninety feet square, built of tappy,
covered by cypress shingles; and a handsome
tower over the gateway...."
London Magazine
October 23, 1747 At the time of the Spanish attack in . . . — — Map (db m18917) HM
"In the morning, Mr. Oglethorpe began
to mark out a fort with four bastions, and
taught the men how to dig the ditch, and
raise and turf the rampart."
Francis Moore
1736
A Voyage to Georgia General Oglethorpe chose this . . . — — Map (db m18915) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.4 miles west of Frederica Road.
”All sentrys are to be vigilant on their post; neither are they to sing, smoke tobacco, nor suffer any noise to be made near them.” Treatise of Military Discipline 1749 ”The Kings Magazine,” as it is known today, was . . . — — Map (db m168386) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.3 miles west of Frederica Road.
”They make as fine an appearance upon the parade as any regiment in the King’s Service.” London Magazine 1745 This large, open area near the barracks was the parade ground. Some of the soldiers lived in huts along its edges. . . . — — Map (db m168391) HM
On Arthur J. Moore Drive at Hamilton Road, on the right when traveling north on Arthur J. Moore Drive.
Throughout the ages Gascoigne Bluff has been the gateway to St. Simons Island. An Indian village was located here. Capt. James Gascoigne of HM Sloop-of-war, HAWK, which convoyed the Frederica settlers on their voyage across the Atlantic in 1736, . . . — — Map (db m12229) HM
Throughout the ages Gascoigne Bluff has been the gateway to St. Simons Island. An Indian village was located here. Capt. James Gascoigne of HM Sloop-of-was, HAWK, which convoyed the Frederica settlers on their voyage across the Atlantic in 1736, . . . — — Map (db m13415) HM
On Lawrence Rd at Village Dr, on the right when traveling north on Lawrence Rd.
Here in 1736, Oglethorpe settled a group of German Lutherans, known as Salzburgers, and their settlement was called the German Village. These Salzburgers made their living by planting, fishing, and selling their products to the Frederica settlers. . . . — — Map (db m12389) HM
On Hamilton Road at Arthur J. Moore Drive, on the left when traveling west on Hamilton Road.
In 1800 James Hamilton, with his partner John Couper, purchased land at Gascoigne Bluff. Under Hamilton’s stewardship, Hamilton Plantation became one of the major St. Simons producers of long-staple cotton. After Hamilton moved to Philadelphia, . . . — — Map (db m19084) HM
In 1774 Major Pierce Butler of South Carolina purchased Hampton Point in northwestern St. Simons Island, and by the 1790s Hampton was developed into the island's largest cotton plantation in land and slave population. Signer of the Constitution and . . . — — Map (db m51975) HM
On Lawrence Road, 0.6 miles north of Frederica Road, on the left when traveling north.
Capt. Raymond Demere, a native of France, served many years in the British army at Gibraltar before coming to Georgia in 1738 as an officer in Oglethorpe's Regiment. His home, Harrington Hall, was located at this site.
Later generations of . . . — — Map (db m14670) HM
On 12th Street, on the right when traveling south.
The present lighthouse was
commissioned by the U.S.
Government in 1867 to be
built adjacent to the site of
the 1810 tower. The 104' tower
and keeper's dwelling were
designed by the noted
architect Charles Clusky.
Clusky and . . . — — Map (db m13486) HM
[Left panel]
Constructed in 1880 by Norman Dodge, repaired in 1897 after a hurricane damaged it, the Chapel was designed by architect G.W. Laine of Atlanta. It was originally known as Union Church and later connsecrated [sic] as St. James . . . — — Map (db m12552) HM
In February of 1984, an expedition launched from
St. Simons Island discovered the calving grounds of
the North Atlantic Right Whale. Female whales
give birth in nearby coastal waters during the winter
months; But the young calves and . . . — — Map (db m55024) HM
On Demere Road at Ocean Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Demere Road.
Spain maintained missions along this coast for more than a century. Beginning in 1568 Jesuit and, later, Franciscan missionaries labored to Christianize the Indians and cultivated in the mission gardens figs, peaches, oranges and other plants . . . — — Map (db m12430) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.3 miles west of Frederica Road.
Patrick Houstoun wrote in January 1741 that he was "...now settled in Frederica, being lately married to Capt. Dunbar's sister who hath a lot in Frederica which is now mine...." Priscilla Dunbar, the original settler on this lot, came to . . . — — Map (db m168383) HM
On Lawrence Road, on the left when traveling north.
In circa 1740, James Oglethorpe established a watch house west of here on the bank of the Frederica River. In 1745, Edward Kimber described this site as a place "from whence they can see Vessels a great Way to the Northward" and it served as a . . . — — Map (db m73889) HM
On Kings Way, 0.2 miles north of Frederica Road, on the left when traveling north.
In 1804 William Page purchased land on St. Simons Sound and named it Retreat. With later purchases, Retreat became one of the preeminent plantations on St. Simons Island for the production of long-staple cotton. In 1827 the Pages' only child, Anna . . . — — Map (db m125106) HM
On Frederica Road, 0 miles south of Mimosa Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Reverends John & Charles Wesley
“About 3:30 in the afternoon I first set foot on St. Simons Island and immediately my spirits revived.” Charles Wesley, March 9, 1736.
Ordained ministers of the Anglican Church, . . . — — Map (db m58588) HM
On First Street near Just east of Woods Ave, on the right when traveling east.
After midnight on April 8, 1942, the German submarine U-123 was in position off the St. Simons Island sea buoy. Minutes later it chased and torpedoed two tankers, the Oklahoma and Esso Baton Rouge, killing twenty-two crew members. Survivors were . . . — — Map (db m15609) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.1 miles west of Frederica Drive, on the right when traveling west.
“The soldiers have the privilege of cutting timber and building houses for their families, which many have done, and thrive very well.” London Magazine 1747
The first settler on this lot was John LeValley, Jr., a . . . — — Map (db m70226) HM
On Lawrence Road, 1.8 miles north of Frederica Road, on the right when traveling north.
This was the plantation of Archibald Sinclair, tything man of the town of Frederica. In 1765 it was granted to Donald Forbes as bounty land for his services in Oglethorpe's regiment. Forbes sold to Gen. Lachlan McIntosh of Revolutionary War fame, . . . — — Map (db m12509) HM
On Frederica Road at Demere Road, on the right when traveling north on Frederica Road.
This tabby slave cabin of Retreat Plantation, now the Sea Island Golf Course, was one of eight cabins that stood in this area, known as New Field. The slaves who lived here tilled the Sea Island cotton fields nearby. Each of these cabins was 48 x . . . — — Map (db m125102) HM
From March 9 - May 12, 1738, Charles Wesley, secretary to James Oglethorpe, was Anglican cleric to the founders of Fort Frederica. His stern discipline earned disfavor among the colonists and Oglethorpe. John Wesley, religious leaders of the . . . — — Map (db m12155) HM
On Mallery Street near Anne Street, on the right when traveling north.
St. Simons park was the site of a Mocama Indian village of approximately 100-200 people. The inhabitants used marine resources, agriculture, square wattle and daub houses, stamped and incised Irene style ceramics, and burial mounds characteristic . . . — — Map (db m12262) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.1 miles west of Frederica Drive, on the right when traveling west.
The settlers of St Simon’s Island in the 1700s used an unusual building material—oyster shells. The colonists found piles of them when they arrived here, discards from long-ago feasts of the local Guale and Mocama Indians. These mounds of shells, . . . — — Map (db m70176) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.1 miles west of Frederica Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Ann and Levi Bennett, “kept a good public house there (Frederica), and after her husband’s death married (Samuel) Lee who is an idle fellow, and her businesses is almost lost.” A List of the Early Settlers of Georgia 1763 . . . — — Map (db m70228) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.2 miles west of Frederica Road.
Robert Sengstacke Abbott was born on St. Simons Island in 1868. As the son of former slaves, the advocacy of equal rights became his life's work. Trained as a printer and lawyer, the prejudice of the day led to failure and caused him to turn to . . . — — Map (db m167991) HM
On 12th Street, on the right when traveling south.
In 1804, Scottish-born plantation owner
John Couper sold four acres of land for $1 to the
new United States government to build the first
St. Simons Light Station. James Gould was hired
to design and build the lighthouse . . . — — Map (db m13463) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.1 miles west of Frederica Drive, on the right when traveling west.
“In short, provisions in general are plentiful; venison, beef, pork at two pence, half-penny per pound, and sometimes under. Fish extremely cheap.” William Thompson, London Magazine 1747
Records identify this lot as the . . . — — Map (db m70225) HM
On Mimosa Drive/W. Point Road, 0 miles Frederica Road, on the left when traveling north.
During the American Revolution four heavily-armed row galleys were constructed in Savannah for the Georgia Navy, all underwritten by the Continental Congress. In nearby Frederica River, beginning at dawn on April 19, 1778, Georgia galleys Lee, . . . — — Map (db m10088) HM
On 101 12th Street, on the right when traveling south.
Surely the most important aspect of
the lighthouse to the mariner is the light
that emanates from the tower. The tall, white
beacon also serves as a day-mark. The light,
a 1,000 watt electric bulb, is reflected by a
fixed 3rd Order . . . — — Map (db m13464) HM
On Frederica Road, 0.2 miles north of South Harrington Road, on the right when traveling north.
The Military Road connecting Fort Frederica with Fort Saint Simons, crossed at this point. Built in 1738 by British forces under Oglethorpe and used during the Battle of Bloody Marsh. W.P.A. 1936 D.A.R. — — Map (db m72672) HM
Near Mimosa Drive, 0.1 miles west of Frederica Drive, on the right when traveling west.
“The town is surrounded by a rampart with flankers, of the same thickness with that round the fort…” London Magazine 1745
The tree-covered embankment in front of you is a remnant of a mile-long earthen wall that once . . . — — Map (db m73888) HM
On Frederica Rd., on the left when traveling north.
Not far from this spot stood the "great tree" under which Charles Wesley had prayers and preached, March 14, 1736, the first Sunday after his arrival. There were about twenty people present, among whom was Mr. Oglethorpe. A year later, Georgia . . . — — Map (db m12370) HM
On 12th Street south of Beachview Drive, on the right when traveling south.
The Lighthouse and Keeper's Dwelling were completed in 1872, replacing the Lighthouse destroyed during the Civil War. Orlando Poe, chief engineer for the U.S. Lighthouse Board, supervised the design. Charles Cluskey, the architect of many . . . — — Map (db m106303) HM
