The Wayne's of Savannah, GA

 

I had a strong instinct about the origins of the Savannah Waynes, and I have comfirmed much of my suspicions. Richard Wayne was in fact the first Wayne settler in Savannah, moving from South Carolina. He always claimed to be of the "same stock" as Anthony Wayne. Anthony Wayne. Several texts show he hailed from Yorkshire, England. He landed in South Carolina in 1759, and settled in Charles Town.

In England he worked in a London Banking House, and sailed for America as a lad of 19 years old. Shortly after settling in Charles Town, he married into money by way of Miss Elizabeth Clifford of Colleton County. Her family had been among the earliest settlers of South Carolina and she was prominently connected in the whole Province.

Richard was a loyal to the Colonies at the start of the Revolution. He was appointed by the General Assembly in 1777 to investigate the delay of some the South Carolina troops in taking the oath of allegiance to the State. When the British besieged Charles Town in 1780, Richards loyalty underwent a change. Richard lived at the Goosecreek Plantation in SC where the British troops found him and arrested him as a prisioner of war. He was promptly paroled upon promise to be forthcoming when called upon by the Commander In Chief or any Officer acting under his authorty. Now he was seen as a Tory and was banished from the state by the General Assembly upon penalty of death without benifit of clergy if he returned. This was a convient time for him to flee to Savannah, Georgia. His name was removed from the banishmenet in 1782 because of his wife's influential family. In any case it can be said that Richard was looking out for his financial interest. The painting below left is of Richards wife, Elizabeth Clifford.

 Richard and Family moved to savannah 1789, purchasing a Plantation on Back River and setting up shop in Savannah to deal in  Factorage and Commission Business. Ths was heralded in "The Subscriber" of Savannah. Soon his business became known as  Wayne's Wharf, and his shop in the City prospered as well. It is true he dealt in the slave trade often.

About 1790 the last of the 13 children were born in Savannah. When James Moore Wayne was 11, His two sisters married well,      one an MD, the other a wealthy Banker. His father was very prosperous in Savannah, with a rice plantation and his other interests.  Richards house was located on "Pepper Hill", at West Broad and Indian Street overlooking the wharf. Richard became very active in  politics in Savannah and held offices such as; Justice of the Peace, alderman, Mayor pro tem and the Chairmanship of the  Commissioners of Pilotage.

Young James studied under a private tutor, named Mackay, who came to Savannah to live with the Waynes. James later attended  Princeton  to study Law. He graduated in 1808 with a Bachelor of Arts. He returned to Savannah to further his studied in law. His  father, Richard died that summer. In 1811 James M. Wayne took the oath and was sworn in on 1/21/1811. He took the oath before  Judge Berrien. This was his start on the way to the Supreme Court of the United States.

 

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The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume XWW

WAYNE, James Moore, associate justice, was born in Savannah, Ga., 1790. He was graduated at the College of New Jersey, A.B., 1808; studied law and was admitted to the Savannah bar in 1810. He was a representative in the general assembly, 1814-17, and declined further service in the state legislature. He served as mayor of Savannah from Sept. 8,1817, to July 12, 1819, when he resigned, and in 1824 was elected to the bench of the superior court, serving five years. He was a representative from Georgia in the 21st, 22d and 23d congresses, 1829-35, and while in congress supported the policy of President Jackson, and with the President opposed nullification; favored free trade; favored limiting expenses for internal improvements to rivers and harbors, and opposed the charter of the Bank of the United States. He assisted in removing the Cherokee Indians beyond the Mississippi; presided over two Georgia state constitutional conventions; served as president of the Georgia Historical society for many years, and was a trustee of the University of Georgia, 1816-58. He was appointed to the bench of the U.S. supreme court by President Jackson in 1834 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Justice William Johnson of South Carolina, and served from Jan. 9, 1835, until his death in 1867. His service covered the stormy times that led up to and through the [p.338] civil war, and during that time he was firm in his faith in the Union and in his allegiance to the constitution. He received the honorary degree of LL.D. from the College of New Jersey in 1849.

He was challanged to a duel in which he accepted, and choose broad swoards to duel with. It was Dr. Daniell challanged him. It was recorded as far away as London, in the London Times, 8/10/1831 and reprinted an article from the Georgian.It was because of the unothodox choosing of the Broadsword that Dr. Daniell dismissed the duel. Hon. James Wayne's son wrote a book for the US Army on use of the sword in combat.

 

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  NOTE:  There is a notation from a letter; Miss Elizabeth Clifford Neff, 361 Cleveland, Oh. in a letter addressed to  Capt. Wm. Wayne that mentions a "Richard Wayne" that moved to Savannah in 1790 and married __ Smyth.  Arrived in America in 1760. With same coat of arms as the Waynesborough Waynes. Source; "Some Colonial  Mansions". T.A.Glenn vol 2. 1899, Henry T. Coates Publ.

 This turns out to be Richard Wayne II that married Juliana Smyth!

 

 

 

 

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Return to:

  1. Facts on General Anthony Wayne .......................... Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne

  2. The Battle of Fallen Timbers................................... Battle of Fallen Timbers

  3. Plantations of Georgia............................................. Anthony Wayne In Georgia

  4. Saint David's ........................................................... St. David's Church

  5. Wayne's of Savannah Georgia............................... Savannah Wayne's

  6. Henry Wayne..........................................................  Henry C. Wayne

  7. Family Arms............................................................ Coats of Arms

  8. History of  Heraldry............................................... Heraldry  

  9. Coats of Arms........................................................  Armory

  10. Descendant Report................................................  Descendants of Richard Wayne

  11. Family Documents.................................................. Wills, Documents and Letters

  12. Sources....................................................................  Authorities

  13. Photo Album...........................................................  Photo Base Web Album

  14. English History of Waynes.....................................English Ancestory

  15. Index of Names Must have ADOBE Acrobat to read!!  Index of Individuals

  16. Wayne Home Page................................................. Wayne Home Page