Name ______________________________________________ Date _____________________
James Oglethorpe (1696 – 1785)
James Oglethorpe was tenth child born to a wealthy family
in England. His father was an important part of the government in
England, and James and his brothers also wanted to work for the
government. He went to college and joined the military in England.
After that, James got a job working for the government, just like his
father and brothers.
At that time in England, people were put in jail for
their debts (owing money to people). James Oglethorpe’s friend
was put in jail for his debts, and he died in jail. James was very
upset about this. He wanted to change this. He asked the king of
England if he could start a new colony in America. His plan was to bring the debtors from England to
America to start a new life. He told the king that the people who are in jail can go to America to become
farmers and build the new colony.
The king told James he could start the
new colony of Georgia. Oglethorpe wanted to
give each settler in Georgia some land to build a
farm, and no one would be allowed to have
slaves. Oglethorpe sailed to America and settled
a Yamacraw Bluff. He met the Creek Indian
tribes who were already living here. He met the
leader, Tomochichi. James Oglethorpe could not
speak the Creek Indian language, so Mary Musgrove, a Creek Indian translator, helped him speak to
Tomochichi. Oglethorpe asked Tomochichi if he could start the colony of Georgia on this land. The men
signed peace treaty agreements every time they made a decision about the land. James knew that the
Creek wanted to do that, and he wanted to keep peace with them. The first city he created was Savannah.
In 1742, the Spanish army tried to attack and take over Georgia. James Oglethorpe fought with his
soldiers in these battles. James Oglethorpe and his army won the Battle of Bloody Marsh, and the Spanish
army left Georgia.
We still remember James Oglethorpe today. He is remembered for creating Georgia, but also for
caring about other people before himself. There are many streets, schools, parks, towns, and businesses
named after Oglethorpe to honor him today.
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Name ______________________________________________ Date _____________________
James Oglethorpe Questions
1. According to the article, in what year was James Oglethorpe born? _________________________
2. According to the article, in what year did James Oglethorpe die? ___________________________
3. How old was James Oglethorpe? Show your work. ____________________________
4. Where is James Oglethorpe from? ___________________________________________________
5. Using the information in paragraph 1, how many siblings does Oglethorpe have? ______________
6. Was the Oglethorpe family poor? _______________ What evidence from the text helps you know?
_________________________________________________________________________________
7. According to paragraph 2, why did Oglethorpe want to create a new colony in America?
_________________________________________________________________________________
8. What did Oglethorpe want the ex-prisoners to do in America? _____________________________
9. According to paragraph 4, where did Oglethorpe decide to settle? ____________________________
10. Who did Oglethorpe become friends with when he settled? _______________________________
11. What did Oglethorpe name his new city? _____________________________________________
12. Do you think Oglethorpe cared about the Indians? _______________ Cite evidence from the text.
_________________________________________________________________________________
13. True or False? James Oglethorpe made sure that no one in the new Georgia colony owned slaves.
14. Who won the battle of Bloody Marsh? _______________________________________________
16. How is Oglethorpe honored in Georgia today? _________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
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Name ______________________________________________ Date _____________________
James Oglethorpe Questions
1. According to the article, in what year was James Oglethorpe born? ________1696_________________
2. According to the article, in what year did James Oglethorpe die? ___________1785________________
3. How old was James Oglethorpe? Show your work. _________1785-1696= 89___________________
4. Where is James Oglethorpe from? _______________England_______________________________
5. Using the information in paragraph 1, how many siblings does Oglethorpe have? ____9__________
6. Was the Oglethorpe family poor? ____no___________ What evidence from the text helps you know?
__________According to the article, his family is wealthy.______________________________________
7. According to paragraph 2, why did Oglethorpe want to create a new colony in America?
________So debtors in jail could start a new life. _____________________________________________
8. What did Oglethorpe want the ex-prisoners to do in America? ______Farm and build the colony_____
9. According to paragraph 4, where did Oglethorpe decide to settle? ___Yamacraw Bluff________
10. Who did Oglethorpe become friends with when he settled? __Tomochichi__________________
11. What did Oglethorpe name his new city? _____Savannah____________________________________
12. Do you think Oglethorpe cared about the Indians? ______yes_________ Cite evidence from the text.
_It said that James asked Tomochichi for permission to make the colony and they made a peace treaty.___
13. True or False? James Oglethorpe made sure that no one in the new Georgia colony owned slaves.
14. Who won the battle of Bloody Marsh? ____James O. and his army won.___________________
16. How is Oglethorpe honored in Georgia today? _________________________________________
__________ Streets, schools, parks, towns, and businesses are named after Oglethorpe ____________
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