Ed Jackson and Charles Pou

The University of Georgia

October 18

1526 After bringing 600 Spanish colonists from Hispaniola to found a colony on the North American mainland, Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon died at San Miguel de Gualdape. The coastal settlement is believed to have been on the coast of McIntosh County opposite the southern end of St. Catherines Island.

Artist's Conception of San Miguel de Gualdape

1732 A month before the first Georgia colonists set sail from England, the Trustees wrote South Carolina governor Robert Johnson requesting assistance on their arrival. Specifically, they asked Johnson to hire twenty black laborers and four pairs of sawyers to clear the ground once a site for Savannah was selected. Johnson would agree to supply the requested help.

1733 On May 21, 1733, James Oglethorpe and the chiefs of the Lower Creeks signed a treaty officially allowing the English colonists permission to settle at Yamacraw Bluff.

The treaty then was sent to London for formal ratification by the Trustees of Georgia, who on this day officially gave their approval.

1735 135 Scot Highlands sailed from Inverness, Scotland aboard the Prince of Wales bound for Georgia. They disbarked on the northern bank of the Altamaha River, where they founded New Inverness, later named Darien.

James Oglethorpe Greeting Scot Highlanders

1748 Britain and Spain signed the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, ending the War of Jenkins' Ear. Among the provisions of the treaty, both countries agreed to settle the Georgia-Florida boundary at a future date.

1852 Noted educator David Crenshaw Barrow was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. After his family moved to Athens while Crenshaw was still young, he grew up with a deep appreciation for Georgia and especially its state university. Barrow entered the University of Georgia in 1869 and graduated in 1874. He began his career in education when he became an adjunct professor in 1879. His devotion to teaching and firm, but fair, ways of dealing with students helped him progress to full professor to dean of arts and sciences, and ultimately in 1906 to university chancellor, which he held until his retirement in 1925.

During his tenure, the University of Georgia enlarged all its existing schools, plus added schools of commerce, education, forestry, and journalism. Enrollment increased more than four hundred percent and the first female students were admitted. Faculty size tripled, while funding increased over ten-fold. In recognition of many contributions to the University of Georgia, the General Assembly named a new county after him in 1914. Barrow died in Athens on Jan. 11, 1929.

1870 Gov. Rufus Bullock signed legislation creating McDuffie and Rockdale counties.

McDuffie County, Georgia's 134th, was created from portions of Columbia and Warren counties. It was named for Georgia-born George McDuffie, a noted orator and South Carolina governor and U.S. senator.

Rockdale County, Georgia's 135tdh, was created from Henry and Newton counties. It was named for Rockdale Church, which took its name from frequent rock outcroppings due to the substantial amount of granite bedrock found in the area.

1918 The State Board of Health met and recognized the seriousness of the Spanish influenza epidemic. Along with federal health authorities present a resolution was passed allowing an executive committee of the State Board to take whatever actions necessary to control the disease wherever it might appear in Georgia. A report on new cases in the previous 24 hours was given – statewide there had been 2,749 new cases, with 48 deaths. Hardest hit was Cartersville, with almost 1000 new cases the previous day. For more information on the pandemic, see PBS's The American Experience: Influenza 1918 web site.

1980 Freshman sensation Herschel Walker dominated the game, and Georgia's "Junkyard Dawg" defense produced a shutout as Georgia defeated Vanderbilt 41-0. Walker rushed for 283 yards and three touchdowns. In comparison, Vanderbilt's entire team gained only 228 yards. The game was played before a homecoming crowd in Sanford Stadium in what would prove one more step towards the 1980 national championship.

1992 After losing the first game of the World Series, Toronto came back with a ninth-inning home run to beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 to even the series.

2005 Atlanta Braves center fielder Andruw Jones was named the Sporting News Major League Player of the Year, and Bobby Cox was named National League Manager of the Year.

Georgia cities and towns first incorporated on acts approved on Oct. 18:

1870 Cleveland (White County), Geneva (Talbot County), and Van Wert (Polk County)

In Their Own Words on This Day. . .

1733 In London, the Trustees prepared to the second group of colonists to Georgia, as recorded by Sir John Percival (soon to be named first Earl of Egmont]:

"1. Mr. Vernon reported the must of persons taken on board 3 Ships, viz. the Savannah, Capt. Wood, 130, [viz.] Males 73, Females 57. The London Merchant, Capt. Thomas, 5, viz. 3 males, 2 females. The James, Capt. Yoakly, 48, viz. 27 Men, 21 females, making in all 183 persons, and 139 3/4 heads. . . ."

Source: Robert G. McPherson (ed.), The Journal of The Earl of Egmont: Abstract of the Trustees Proceedings for Establishing the Colony of Georgia, 1732-1738 (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1962), pp. 34-35.

1736 From Ebenezer, Johann Martin Boltzius wrote about distributing food supplies sent the Salzburgers from Savannah:

"Both today and last week I distributed flour and butter to our people, which they had asked Mr. Causton [the Trustees' storekeeper] to send them instead of syrup. They were due syrup for three quarters of a year, which they then, to be sure needed for brewing beer, but the butter and flour given them in place of it stands them in good stead in their present sickness, that has last so long. They cordially thank God, who has in this way saved until now what is useful for them now. To be sure, some extra things are being given to the sick from the store-house in Savannah. However, since it is being given so frugally for a few sick and, as it is said, is being given on credit, how could we expect to be given as much as would be necessary for the entire congregation?"

Source: George Fenwick Jones and Marie Hahn (trans. and ed.), Detailed Reports on the Salzburger Emigrants Who Settled in America . . . Edited by Samuel Urlsperger, Vol. 3, 1736 (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1972), p. 231.