36 Facts About Samuel Elbert

Samuel Elbert was an American merchant, soldier, slave owner, and politician from Savannah, Georgia.

Samuel Elbert was wounded and captured at the Battle of Brier Creek the following year, though he regained his freedom in a prisoner exchange.

Samuel Elbert rose to the rank of major general in the Georgia militia and colonel in the Continental Army.

Samuel Elbert was brevetted a brigadier general after the end of the war.

Samuel Elbert was an original member of the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of Georgia.

Samuel Elbert did later serve a term as the Governor of Georgia.

Samuel Elbert's name appears on the 1779 Masonic membership roles of Solomon's Lodge No 1 at Savannah along with James Jackson, Governor John A Treutlen, and Archibald Bulloch.

Samuel Elbert served as the last Provincial Grand Master of the first English Provincial Grand Lodge of Georgia in 1785.

Samuel Elbert's parents died in South Carolina when he was fourteen.

Samuel Elbert was employed by a prosperous planter named John Rae, an important man in both commerce and government.

Samuel Elbert had great success in his dealings with the Indians, mostly because of his kind regard for them.

Samuel Elbert became active in the Provisional Congress of Georgia and its outgrowth, the Georgia Council of Safety.

Samuel Elbert's plan was to send Colonel Samuel Elbert with 400 Continental Army troops in three galleys and support craft by sea and another element of 109 mounted militia led by Colonel John Baker by land.

Samuel Elbert's forces were joined by a few stragglers from Baker's detachment, but after reconnoitering, Elbert found the British well entrenched with troops and artillery.

The ensuing battle damaged the Rebecca so badly that it could no longer carry on, allowing Samuel Elbert to leave Amelia Island unopposed.

Shortly thereafter, Samuel Elbert concluded in a letter to General McIntosh:.

One of the few successes of this second invasion attempt came when Colonel Samuel Elbert put 300 of his troops aboard three galleys and caused the surrender of three British warships, his Majesty's schooner Hinchinbrook, the recently repaired sloop-of-war Rebecca, and a third vessel referred to as a prize brig, all anchored along Frederica.

Meanwhile, Samuel Elbert continued with his Continental troops toward Florida.

Samuel Elbert, now joined by General Howe, continued on and occupied Fort Tonyn, which had been deserted by the British.

In late February, Samuel Elbert was joined by General John Ashe and about 1800 additional troops.

The remaining left wing, under General Samuel Elbert, was driven back against Brier Creek.

Samuel Elbert himself was about to be bayoneted when he was recognized as a Mason by a British officer who ordered his life spared.

General Ashe was later accused of cowardice for leaving the field of battle while Samuel Elbert was still engaged, but since nothing could be proved, a court of inquiry found Ashe only guilty of gross neglect.

Samuel Elbert remained a prisoner on parole in the British camp for more than a year.

Samuel Elbert was given considerable freedom while being held prisoner, which was unusual given the typically harsh treatment of prisoners at the time.

Samuel Elbert had always extended great kindness to the Indians whenever he had had dealings with them in the past.

Samuel Elbert made a secret signal to them, and they recognized him as a friend.

Samuel Elbert went immediately to George Washington's headquarters in the north.

Samuel Elbert was elected Sheriff of Chatham County and chosen Vestryman for Christ Church, the first church in the new nation to organize a Sunday school.

Samuel Elbert had not sought this honor and he asked for time to give the matter his earnest consideration.

Undoubtedly, Samuel Elbert favored full cooperation with Congress, but governors of that did not wield the power that executives of later years were to possess, and Georgia did not accept the tax.

Samuel Elbert's death was announced by the discharge of minute guns and the colours of Fort Wayne, and vessels in the harbour being displayed at half mast high.

Samuel Elbert's remains were attended to on Sunday to Christ Church by the ancient society of the Masons, with the members of the Cincinnati as mourners, accompanied by a great number of his other fellow citizens, whom the Rev Mr Lindsay addressed in a short but well adapted discourse on the solemn occasion.

Samuel Elbert's interest inspired the Sons of the American Revolution to appoint a committee to locate Samuel Elbert's grave.

Samuel Elbert kept them in a crate under his desk until reburial arrangements could be made.

In 1971 a private school named the Samuel Elbert Academy was chartered in Elberton, Georgia.