George Handley (politician)

George Handley (February 9, 1752 – September 17, 1793) was an American politician who served as the 18th Governor of Georgia from 1788 to 1789. George Handley was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of Georgia.[1]

George Handley
18th Governor of Georgia
In office
January 26, 1788 – January 7, 1789
Preceded byGeorge Mathews
Succeeded byGeorge Walton
Personal details
Born
George Handley

(1752-02-09)February 9, 1752
Sheffield, England
DiedSeptember 17, 1793(1793-09-17) (aged 41)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceContinental Army
Years of service1776–1784
RankCaptain
Unit1st Georgia Battalion
Battles/warsAmerican Revolutionary War  (POW)

Biography

Handley was born in Sheffield, England, in 1752 and moved to Savannah, Georgia, in 1775. During the American Revolutionary War, he served in the 1st Georgia Battalion of the Continental Army, rising to the rank of captain. He was taken prisoner at Augusta, Georgia, on September 18, 1780.

Handley served as the Governor of Georgia from 1788 to 1789 and was instrumental in the drafting of Georgia's state constitution.

George Handley was a Freemason and member of Solomon's Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. at Savannah, Georgia.[2] Solomon's Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was established on February 21, 1734, by the renowned Freemason and founder of the Colony of Georgia James Edward Oglethorpe. Solomon's Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M. is now the "Oldest Continuously Operating English Constituted Lodge of Freemasons in the Western Hemisphere".

Handley died near Rae's Hall Plantation near Savannah in 1793. His burial place is now unknown but is presumed to be in Savannah.

See also

References
  1. Aimone, Alan Conrad (2005). "New York State Society of the Cincinnati: Biographies of Original Members and Other Continental Officers (review)". The Journal of Military History. 69 (1): 231–232. doi:10.1353/jmh.2005.0002. ISSN 1543-7795. S2CID 162248285.
  2. Freemasonry and United States Government, Chapter 4, By James Davis Carter, Committee on Masonic education and service, for the Grand Lodge of Texas
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