Habersham, James, 1715-1775

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