James Habersham | |
|---|---|
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| Born | (1712-01-26)26 January 1712 |
| Died | 28 August 1775(1775-08-28) (aged 63) |
| Occupation(s) | Merchant, planter, missionary, teacher politician |
James Habersham (26 January 1712 – 28 August 1775) was an English-born American merchant, planter, missionary, teacher and politician who lived the majority of his life in theProvince of Georgia.[1] Habersham is credited with opening the first direct trade betweenSavannah, Georgia, andLondon. He was an influentialadvocate for slavery in theThirteen Colonies and served asSecretary of Georgia and asPresident of theGeorgia General Assembly'sUpper House. In opposition to his adult sons, Habersham remainedloyal to the Crown during theAmerican Revolution.[2]
All three of Habersham's sons became actively involved in thePatriot cause.Joseph Habersham became a zealous revolutionary in 1774. After July 1776, both he and brotherJohn enlisted in theGeorgia Line of theContinental Army, whileJames Jr. contributed to the revolution through political and financial service. The senior Habersham's death in 1775 prevented the painful family division from extending into the war years.[3]
Habersham was born inBeverley,Yorkshire, the son of afreeman andburgess, on 26 January 1712. He was baptised in theAnglican church ofSt Mary's. In 1722, he moved toLondon, where he worked as a merchant apprentice. In the 1730s, Habersham began following the teachings ofGeorge Whitefield and converted toMethodism. At Whitefield's behest, Habersham traveled to theProvince of Georgia as a missionary and schoolteacher in 1738.[2] The decision changed the trajectory of Habersham's life. In addition to Whitefield, Habersham was associated with William Piercy, an English curate whom theCountess of Huntington had appointed to serve as president ofBethesda Orphanage nearSavannah, Georgia. It is the oldest extant charity in North America.[4] Habersham taught at Bethesda, and it was there, in Savannah, that he met and married a woman named Mary Bolton.[3]
In 1744, he became a merchant and set up a partnership with Francis Harris to participate in the burgeoning trade between Georgia and Europe. He and Harris's business was considered the first successful commercial endeavor in Georgia. With resources from this business, Habersham acquired land along rivers forrice planting. After the ban on slavery in Georgia was lifted, his rice fields developed into a massive 15,000-acreplantation worked by 200 slaves.
By the 1750s, Habersham had become politically influential. His advocacy for the economic benefits of slavery influenced a repeal on theban of slavery. He was a senior counselor to the royal government of the colony and in 1754 was appointedSecretary of Georgia byKing George II. Beginning in 1767, Habersham served asPresident of theGeorgia General Assembly'sUpper House. As president of the upper house, he also assumed the position ofLieutenant Governor of Georgia during the 19-month absence of GovernorJames Wright from 1771 to 1772, who was in England. All three of his sons became supporters of theAmerican Revolution, but Habersham pledged his loyalty to the Crown.
Habersham died on 28 August 1775, at the age of 63.[3] He is buried in Savannah'sColonial Park Cemetery. Savannah'sHabersham Street is named for him.[5][6]
