William Ewen

William Ewen (April 15, 1720 – January 24, 1777) was the first president of the Council of Safety of Georgia during the American Revolution. He is considered the state's first chief executive, although the first chief executive under a proper constitutional government (the "Rules and Regulations" of 1776) was Archibald Bulloch, and the first person to hold the title of (non-royal) "governor" was John A. Treutlen.

Early life

Believed to have been born in England in 1720, Ewen came to Georgia in 1734 as an indentured servant and worked for Thomas Causton, chief magistrate and storekeeper in Savannah, in the Trustee store for the term of two years. A former potter in England, Ewen left his position at the store when that controversial establishment closed, bought goods at discounted prices, and ventured out on his own as an auctioneer in Savannah.[1]

Political life

In 1741, he worked in the private store of John Bromfield, and became one of the so-called "Malcontents" who opposed the Trustees of the colony. Trustee secretary William Stephens wrote about Ewen: "There is not a more virulent little mischief maker among ‘em, this Ewen".[2] Ewen was elected to the Commons House of Assembly on March 25, 1761, working under provincial governor Sir James Wright. Ewen was elected president of the Council of Safety on June 22, 1775 and served until December 11, 1775. He served alongside other famous Revolutionary War heroes of Georgia including Seth John Cuthbert, Joseph Habersham, Edward Telfair, William LeConte, Basil Cowper, Joseph Clay, George Walton, John Glenn, Samuel Elbert, William Young, Elisha Butler, George Houston, John Smith, Francis H. Harris and John Morel.[3]

When news of the Stamp Act reached Georgia, it ignited the revolutionary movement with Ewen at the forefront as a Son of Liberty. By the end of January 1775, Ewen, with many others, signed the Continental Association, adding Georgia to the colonies against the rule of Great Britain.

Ewen returned to the Council of Safety, acting as president pro tempore for the absent Elisha Butler, from February 20, 1776 through May 1, 1776.

Personal life

Ewen was a leader in the Anglican Church in Georgia, holding several offices for the parish of Christ Church. Sometime before 1760 (the exact date being unknown), Ewen wed Margaretha Waldhauer of the Salzburg Protestants settlement in Ebenezer.

References

1. Pressly, Paul M. (2013). On the Rim of the Caribbean : Colonial Georgia and the British Atlantic World. Athens: University of Georgia Press. p. 132. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
2. Knight, Lucian Lamar (1914). The Colonial Papers of the State of Georgia. Volume 23. Atlanta: Charles P. Byrd. p. 144. Retrieved 20 May 2016. virulent mischief maker .
3. Jones, Charles C. (1883). The history of Georgia. Houghton, Mifflin. p. 208. Retrieved 20 May 2016. William Ewen georgia.

• Ewen, William. Will, Sept. 30, 1776. From Wills, Colony of Georgia, RG 49-1-2, Georgia Archives.
• Fore, Sam. "William Ewen (ca. 1720-1776/1777)." New Georgia Encyclopedia. 21 August 2013. Web. 18 May 2016.
• Plan of Government, William Ewen, v5:590. American Archives: Documents of the American Revolutionary Period, 1774-1776, Northern Illinois University Libraries, Digital Collections and Collaborative Projects. Web. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
• Power of Attorney. Thomas Stephens, William Ewen & John Milledge, Apr. 25, 1761. From Telamon Cuyler collection, ms 1170, series 1. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries. Web. Retrieved 20 May 2016.