1758 Sir Patrick Houstoun—Founding-Era Georgia Colonist and President of the Royal Council—Signature, Savannah
Original colonial-era signature of Sir Patrick Houstoun, 5th Baronet, one of the earliest settlers and most important officials of eighteenth-century Georgia. Signed “P. Houstoun” on a clipped portion of an original document and mounted on an early collector’s card bearing the manuscript identification, “Savannah March 5th 1758.”
Houstoun followed General James Oglethorpe to Georgia during the colony’s founding era and was employed by Oglethorpe in a confidential capacity at Frederica. He subsequently became a leading landowner, representative of the Vernonburg District in Georgia’s first Provincial Assembly, and a charter member of the Royal Council after Georgia became a royal colony.
At the date associated with this signature, Houstoun was the senior member and president of His Majesty’s Council, president of the Upper House of Assembly, Register of Grants, and Receiver of Quit Rents. As senior councilor, he was authorized to act in place of the royal governor when necessary. His surviving signatures are closely associated with the administration and registration of early Georgia land grants.
Houstoun was also the father of John Houstoun, delegate to the Continental Congress and twice governor of Georgia.
A scarce autograph connected directly with the establishment and royal administration of colonial Georgia.
Clipped from a larger document and mounted on a ruled collector’s card. Toning, a vertical crease, and light handling wear; the signature remains bold and legible. The place and date are presented as an early collector’s identification rather than a guaranteed inscription in Houstoun’s hand.
Original colonial-era signature of Sir Patrick Houstoun, 5th Baronet, one of the earliest settlers and most important officials of eighteenth-century Georgia. Signed “P. Houstoun” on a clipped portion of an original document and mounted on an early collector’s card bearing the manuscript identification, “Savannah March 5th 1758.”
Houstoun followed General James Oglethorpe to Georgia during the colony’s founding era and was employed by Oglethorpe in a confidential capacity at Frederica. He subsequently became a leading landowner, representative of the Vernonburg District in Georgia’s first Provincial Assembly, and a charter member of the Royal Council after Georgia became a royal colony.
At the date associated with this signature, Houstoun was the senior member and president of His Majesty’s Council, president of the Upper House of Assembly, Register of Grants, and Receiver of Quit Rents. As senior councilor, he was authorized to act in place of the royal governor when necessary. His surviving signatures are closely associated with the administration and registration of early Georgia land grants.
Houstoun was also the father of John Houstoun, delegate to the Continental Congress and twice governor of Georgia.
A scarce autograph connected directly with the establishment and royal administration of colonial Georgia.
Clipped from a larger document and mounted on a ruled collector’s card. Toning, a vertical crease, and light handling wear; the signature remains bold and legible. The place and date are presented as an early collector’s identification rather than a guaranteed inscription in Houstoun’s hand.
