By Andrea Marroquin, Museum Specialist
On Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 2:00 pm, venture to Horton House on Jekyll Island, Georgia and meet Major William Horton, a British colonial officer, and his company of soldiers and indentured servants, in a joint living history program offered by Fort Frederica National Monument and the Jekyll Island Museum.
Horton, portrayed by Jon Burpee of Fort Frederica National Monument, bellows orders at the 18th century British soldiers drilling with muskets on the grounds, entreats the crowd to join ranks for the safety of the fledgling colony, and explains his grievances against the Spanish. Horton is determined to hold both his Jekyll Island estate and Fort Frederica for England.
Soldiers from the Castillo at St. Augustine have been at odds with the English colonists and tensions have been mounting for years. Overtures of peace between the two nations once took place right at Jekyll Island. Now that peace has been broken and the Spanish have grievances of their own. British soldiers are now on constant guard against the appearance of Spanish soldiers in their midst.
Horton was the first Englishman to obtain property on Jekyll Island, acquiring a 500-acre land grant in 1735. Horton gained much stature as an officer in the Royal Colony of Georgia. He was placed in charge of the fort on St. Simon’s Island during General Oglethorpe’s absence in England in 1736 and later commanded troops in defense of the colony. During food shortages he supplied corn and beef to Fort Frederica from his own personal supplies on Jekyll Island.
Because of his importance, he became a target of the Spanish from St. Augustine. His original two-story wooden house was burned by the Spanish as they retreated across the island following the Battle of Bloody Marsh in July of 1742. This would be the Spanish Army’s final strike against the British in the Colony of Georgia.
John Hunter is the director of the Jekyll Island Museum, a division of the Jekyll Island Authority, which maintains the Horton House Historic Site. Hunter points out that the year 1742 was an eventful one for Horton.
“In 1742, Horton was placed in command of a new grenadier company of thirty men. His wife and children finally joined him in Georgia after being an ocean apart for many years. Fort Frederica was raided by the Spanish. Finally, his house was burned down and his crops and livestock were destroyed. That all happened by mid-summer!” Hunter exclaimed. “There was constant excitement.”
With the help of his indentured servants, Horton rebuilt his home by the following year. The sturdy tabby house still stands today, one of the earliest standing tabby structures in Georgia.
Guests are invited to participate in the colonial life of the island through an assortment of activities. These activities are designed to share information about Horton, his family, his servants, and his property on the island, as well as their significant role in producing goods to supply the needs of the struggling British colony.
Horton’s servants will demonstrate various chores such as carding and spinning wool, soap making, and blacksmithing, which were all essential skills in the colonial era.
In contrast to such labors, guests can try their skills in a variety of 18th century entertainments on the front lawn. Games might include such favorites as hoop rolling, graces, sack racing, and more.
During the living history program, visitors can quench their thirst with a dram of Major Horton’s finest beverages. Horton, who established Georgia’s first brewery, will offer up his best hospitality inside of Horton House, with family-friendly drinks poured by his servants. Visitors will be served frothy mugs of ginger-flavored “ale” (ginger ale) or root-flavored “beer” (root beer).
Through musket demonstrations, children’s games, food and drink, guests can experience the strategically important role of Jekyll Island in the struggle for British survival in the New World.
For more information, call or visit the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road, 912-635-4036. Admission to the living history program is free of charge.
Tags: barrier islands, British colony, british soldiers, family vacation, fort frederica, georgia history, Georgia Tourism, georgia's jewel, golden isles, historical reenactments, horton house, jekyll island, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island history, jekyll island museum, major william horton, Stable Road, tabbie, tabbie ruins, tabby
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August 20-22, 2009 marks the 26th annual Jekyll Island Beach Music Festival and the first annual BBQ Bash. The BBQ Bash has been added to the long-standing Jekyll Island Beach Music Festival to complete a weekend of dancing, eating, and relaxing on the beach. Featured bands include The Swingin’ Medallions, Second Chance, the Fantastic Shakers, and Jim Quick & Coastline. In between concerts, guests can check out barbecue teams smoking-up their best recipes, take shag dance lessons, or even learn how to be a professional bbq judge.
Not sure how to shag dance? Wayne and Judy Bennett of the Golden Isles Shag Club will give lessons on Saturday, August 22 from 10 AM – 12 PM for $10 per person. Want to help judge the BBQ Bash? Sign up for the Judge’s Training Class on Friday, August 21. Registration for both can be found on the festival website. Register early as spaces are limited.
Looking for some family fun this summer? Join the Georgia Sea Turtle Center for Arribada Adventures!
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a small to medium sized turtle found in estuaries and salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Cape Cod to Texas. Seven subspecies have been formally described. Malaclemys terrapin centrata, the Carolina diamondback terrapin, ranges from Cape Hatteras to northern Florida and is the subspecies that occurs in Georgia. Adult male terrapins are significantly smaller than females. Courtship and mating take place in March and April and the nesting season occurs from early May until mid July in Georgia. Nesting typically takes place during the day. The general sites selected for nesting by the terrapins are located in areas above the high tide with minimum erosion.
GOLF June 9th-21st, 2009 Jekyll Island is proud to announce the first Summer Kids’ Golf Camp, hosted by PGA Professional Steve Godley. The camp runs from 9am-3pm each day and includes ages 8-14. Campers will receive instruction on putting, putting, bunker play, and more; in addition, camp lessons also focus on golf rules, etiquette, safety, and perseverance. Kids will learn from PGA professionals and get to play Jekyll Island’s historic golf courses. Spaces are limited and therefore on a first come, first serve basis. Parents are encouraged to attend and participate! For more information or to register online, visit 
different camps taught by USPTA-professionals. Kids will learn to develop individualistic styles of play and have a minimum of 5 hours of on-court instruction daily. With 3 different camps, there are options for all levels of players, and each camp session concludes with a tournament. For more information or to register online, visit 
Hop aboard the Emerald Princess II Casino as the staff and crew invite you to join in the 20th Anniversary celebration. Cruising nine times a week, the Emerald Princess II is an inexpensive way to combine dinner, entertainment and a scenic cruise all into one fun afternoon or evening for just $10.00 per person.
In 1984 Len Poleszak founded the Jekyll Island Arts Association’s Guild and Pottery Shop. Si Fryer, one of the founders of the JIAA introduced Len to the craft that would change his life. The first time at a wheel Len immediately centered and threw a pot. No one was more surprised than he was and Len became hooked with “playing in the clay.” Over the years, he won prizes in JIAA festivals, sold lots of pots, exhibited many times, enjoyed teaching others and was always eager to learn more.
When the going gets tough the tough get going, well that’s what the marketing team of the Days Inn & Suites has done. With the slow down in tourism and everyone watching every penny spent, it was important to get the word out that the Days Inn & Suites would offer creative specials to not only help their bottom line, but also the savvy traveler looking for a deal. The team came up with “The temperature of the Day Rate” last winter when the temperatures dropped down in the 30’s and even 20’s the guests walking into the hotel seeking a room paid what the outside thermometer read at time of check in!
Sir Joseph Jekyll, son of John Jekyll, was born in London in 1663. He went to school at the Middle Temple and became a lawyer in 1687. Within the span of ten years, he rose to the position of Chief Justice of Chester. In 1697 he also became a member of Parliament, and retained this position for the rest of his life. He went on to become Sergeant-at-Law and King’s Sergeant. In 1700, King George I made him a Knight. In 1717, he became Master of the Rolls, the third most senior judge in England. His wife was Lady Elizabeth Somers.
Jekyll passed away on August 19, 1738. In his will he designated a portion of his substantial estate to be applied to the national debt. His contemporaries ridiculed Jekyll for this benevolent gesture. One commentator scoffed that he might as well have “attempted to block the middle arch of Blackfriars Bridge with his full-bottomed wig.” In later proceedings, the will was actually set aside on the “ground of imbecility,” even though he was an active member of Parliament at the time he made the will.