John A. Treutlen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Adam Treutlen
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| 9th Governor of Georgia | |
| In office May 8, 1777 – January 10, 1778 |
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| Preceded by | Button Gwinnett |
| Succeeded by | John Houstoun |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 16, 1734 Kürnbach, Duchy of Württemberg (now Germany) |
| Died | March 1, 1782 (aged 48) |
| Spouse | Marguerite Dupuis |
John Adam Treutlen (born Hans Adam Treuettlen on January 16, 1734 – died March 1, 1782) was an important leader in Georgia during the American Revolution. He came to America as an indentured servant, which meant he worked for someone for a period of time to pay for his trip. He later became a successful businessman and landowner.
Treutlen helped write Georgia's first constitution. In 1777, he was chosen as Georgia's first governor after the British left. He was one of the few governors of Georgia who died in a violent way. For a long time, many details about his life were a mystery, but new information has recently been found.
Contents
Early Life and Journey to America
Hans Adam Treuettlen was born in 1734 in a town called Kürnbach, which is now in Germany. His father, Hans Michel Treuettlen, was a barrel maker, and his mother was Magdalena Clara. His family was Protestant, and at that time, Protestants in some German areas faced difficulties because of their religion. His mother was Catholic, which also caused problems for the family.
In 1744, when John Adam was about 10 years old, his father decided to take his family on a long and risky journey to America. They hoped to find a new life and religious freedom there. They first traveled to Gosport, a port city in Britain.
In November 1745, John Adam, his mother Clara, and two of his siblings sailed from Gosport to Georgia on a ship called the Judith. His father and another brother stayed behind in Britain. The voyage was very difficult. Many people on the ship got sick with typhus fever, and some, including the captain, died. The ship was in danger because there was no one left who knew how to sail it. Luckily, a minister named Rev. Bartholomäus Zuberbühler, who had no sailing experience, used his knowledge of geometry to guide the ship safely to Georgia.
When they arrived in Georgia, John Adam, his mother, and his siblings became indentured servants to a man named Michael Burckhalter. This meant they had to work for him for a set time to pay off their travel costs.
Education and Early Career
John Adam Treutlen was very smart. A local pastor, Johann Martin Boltzius, noticed his talents and helped him get into a school in Ebenezer. Even though his family's past made it difficult, Treutlen was able to attend the school. He studied many subjects, including Latin, French, German, and English. He learned a lot from the people of Ebenezer, who were mostly German Protestants called Salzburgers.
People later described Treutlen as a very intelligent man who understood laws and had good judgment.
In 1756, Treutlen married Marguerite Dupuis, who was also an orphan educated at Ebenezer. He soon started buying land and built a large farm. He also became a successful merchant, buying and selling goods.
Treutlen became active in public service. In 1768, he was made a Justice of the Peace, which meant he helped keep order and settle small legal matters. He also worked as a Commissioner and Surveyor of Roads. For several years in the 1770s, he represented Ebenezer in Georgia's government, called the Commons House of Assembly.
He was also involved in the religious life of Ebenezer and taught at the local school. His religious beliefs helped him support democratic ideas, where people have a say in their government.
Leading the Revolution in Georgia
In July 1775, Treutlen became a representative for Ebenezer at the Provincial Congress, a meeting of leaders in Georgia. He quickly became an important figure in the American Revolution. He was a leader of a group called the "radicals," who wanted big changes and more power for ordinary people. Other leaders in this group included Button Gwinnett and George Wells.
In February 1777, Treutlen, Gwinnett, and Wells were on the committee that wrote Georgia's first constitution. Thanks to their efforts, the constitution included important democratic rules. These rules allowed almost all men to vote and required yearly elections for government officials.
Because he was very popular, John Adam Treutlen was elected as Georgia's first governor under this new constitution on May 8, 1777. He was seen as a smart and calm leader, well-suited to guide the new state during a difficult time.
Governorship and Challenges
During Treutlen's time as governor, there were many political disagreements between the "radicals" (who wanted more power for ordinary people, like Treutlen) and the "conservatives" (who wanted to keep things more traditional). The conservatives didn't like that people from less wealthy backgrounds, like Treutlen, were gaining power.
These groups argued about who should control the military and how the war should be fought. The conservatives even tried to combine Georgia with South Carolina, which the radicals opposed. Sometimes, these political fights became very serious and even violent. For example, some leaders from opposing sides were hurt or killed in disputes.
The Revolutionary War was especially hard on the Salzburgers in Ebenezer. They were often robbed by both British and American soldiers as the armies moved through the area. Some families were robbed many times during the war.
Later Life and Legacy
In January 1778, John Houstoun was elected governor, and Treutlen decided to step away from state politics. He returned to Ebenezer to help his community, which had supported him for many years. He also joined Solomon's Lodge, a Freemason group in Savannah, in 1779. Many other important Georgia leaders of the Revolution were also members.
Late in 1781, Treutlen returned to state politics as Ebenezer's representative in the Georgia Assembly. He served in the January 1782 session. By this time, the "conservatives" had more control over Georgia's government. Treutlen was one of the few "radical" leaders left. This imbalance in power created a difficult situation for him.
John Adam Treutlen died on March 1, 1782. His death was violent, and the exact details are still debated by historians.
Today, Treutlen County in Georgia is named after him, honoring his important role as Georgia's first governor and a leader during the American Revolution.
