Sir Henry Ellis
Henry Ellis was born in 1721 to Francis and Joan Ellis in England. He went on to study law, and later became the 2nd Royal Governor of Georgia. He is known for being one of the best colonial governors for the colony of Georgia and showed exemplary accomplishments through his term.
In his early years, before being appointed governor, Ellis traveled to Ireland as a young adult and participated in a voyage that focused on searching for the Northwest Passage. He solidified his identity as an explorer, and scientist, and participated in slave trade activities through Africa, the Caribbean, and America.
Henry Ellis replaced the Colony of Georgia’s first governor, John Reynolds, who was not in good standing with the townspeople. In contrast, residents found Ellis to be a fair and competent leader, as he helped soothe friction exacerbated during Reynolds’s term. Ellis was named lieutenant governor of Georgia in 1756, and in 1758 he was appointed royal governor.
One of his first calls to action was to form a peace treaty with the Creeks, as he recognized them to be hostile neighbors that posed a danger to the colony. This proved to be a successful move when the war with the French broke out and gained him even more respect among his colony.
Unfortunately, Ellis was forced to cede his position when his health was severely impacted by the subtropical climate of the South. He left Georgia in 1760, and James Wright took over his position. On his way back to England, Ellis stopped by New York and asked for military assistance for the colony of Georgia, and the other southern colonies. This act showed how much he still cared for and valued the colony and townspeople he served in the south.
Upon his arrival back in England, the expertise and knowledge he acquired while in Georgia proved to be useful. He was called in by government officials to help develop a plan for taxing the colonies and was later rewarded with sinecure offices. In the early 17060’s, he held the commission of Governor of Nova Scotia, but he did not ever assume office duties.
Ellis removed himself from public service in 1768 and later retired to Italy. During his time in Italy, he delved into scientific research studies. In 1806, he passed away at the age of 85 while living in Naples, Italy.
His memory is honored through the naming of both Fort Ellis and Ellis Square after him. Fort Ellis was built during the French and Indian War and is located in Nova Scotia, Canada. Savannah honored his legacy by naming one of its 22 squares after him. Ellis Square was the first square to be laid out after the initial four and was originally known as Decker Square.
Sir Henry Ellis served as the governor of the colony of Georgia through a crucial time in both American and British history. His expertise and successes in guiding the colony through his term are well remembered and honored to this day.
