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THE BULLETIN OF THE CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
1 I
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE PARISH
OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST,
SAVANNAH.
(Continued From Page Five)
Peter Tondee was one of the founders of the Union
Society in 1750. Its object and purpose was the edu
cation and care of neglected orphan children, and its
original membership consisted of five gentlemen rep
resenting the five religious creeds then in Savannah.”
Owing to the loss of the records, the names of only
three of the original five are handed down to us
Benjamin Sheftall, an Israelite, Richard Milledge, an
Episcopalian, and Peter Tondee, a Catholic.
Tondee’s Tavern stood on Lot 10, Decker Ward,
Heathcote Tything, now known as the northwest cor
ner of Whitaker and Broughton Streets. It became
in after years the meeting place of the ‘‘Sons of Lib-
erty” in the beginning of the War of the Revolu
tion. On the 10th day of August, 17 74, the first
assembly of the American patriots was held on this
historic spot, and a short time afterward a liberty
pole was erected just in front of the tavern—despite
the warning of the British governor that those who
took part in any plots against His Majesty the King
“would do so at their peril.”
Peter Tondee stood in the doorway of his tavern,
with a list of accredited members of the new pat
riotic society in his hand, and checked off the names
of those permitted to enter the famous “long room”
where the meetings were held of the first council in
Georgai espousing the cause of liberty. None were
permitted to take part in its deliberations unless
vouched for by Peter Tondee.
Mark well, then, ye so-called “Guardians of Lib
erty” of the present day ever valiant in times of
peace and absent in times of war: the original band
of real “Sons of Liberty” met in Savannah in 17 74
despite the known danger of imprisonment and even
death; they met in the time of their country’s need,
with little thought of danger to themselves—and they
were vouched for by Peter Tondee—a Catholic.
Cornelius MacCarthy.
Another evidence of the fact that there were Cath
olics in Savannah in Colonial times is the name of
Cornelius MacCarthy “Irishman and Papist.” He
rebuilt or repaired the lighthouse on Tybee Island,
and also built the jail in the town of Savannah—a
building which he was destined to occupy himself in
after years.
The records show that he received a crown-grant
of 350 acres of land in Christ Church Parish now
Chatham County situated on the “near Ogeechee
River,” and next to the land of Dr. Prescott. This
grant was dated December 4, 1764. A short time
later—just before the outbreak of the Revolution,
MacCarthy was arrested on the charge of treason
the accusation being that he was trying to stir up a
revolt of the Indians against the English. Here is
another case of the Catholic figuring in Savannah’s
patriotic history two patriots, but no Tory.
The land of MacCarthy was sold in October, 1784,
by his estate to Abram Jones.
Such is the history of the Catholic Church in Sa
vannah before the Revolutionary War—with no place
of worship and no records of membership; yet meagre
as it is, it is worthy of notice, and contains nothing in
which we can not take an honest pride.
THE PRESIDENT’S REPORT.
To the Members of The Catholic Laymen’s Association
of Georgia:
Acting under the instruction from the State Con
vention held in Savannah Sunday, September 26,
1920, to visit the different cities and give an account
of the past year’s work, Sunday, September 1 7th,
the president, with Mr. Farrell, Mr. Ryan and Mrs.
Howkins, of the publicity committee, addressed the
Catholics of Augus'.a; Sunday, October 31st, they,
with Vice-President O’Byrne, of Savannah, spoke be
fore the Catholics of Atlanta; Sunday, November 7th,
v: ith Miss Horne, of the publicity committee, they
addressed the Catholics in Macon, and Sunday, No
vember 21 st, with Mrs. W. W. Battey, they went to
Washington.
Arrangements are now being made to visit the
other cities as soon as possible. At the different
places visited local Associations elected officers for
the coming year.
I suggest to the presidents of local Associations to
arrange to have quarterly meetings, inviting all Cath
olics and members so as to discuss local conditions,
as well as make suggestions to the publicity commit
tee as to the work of the State Association. Make
your local Association a live, active working organi
zation, and in this way we will make the year 1 920-
1 92 1 the banner year in the history of our Associa
tion. P. H. RICE,
State President.
PAID FOR IN FULL.
The Sacred Heart Church, Savannah, Ga., has re
cently been frescoed and decorated. The church,
which is a splendid specimen of the Gothic architec
ture, presents a most beautiful appearance in its new
dress. A new lighting system has been installed, and
the church is now complete and, what is of great im
portance, paid for in full.
TWO PROMINENT CONVERTS TO THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Two recent prominent converts to the Church are
Dr. Carlton Joseph Huntley Hayes, of Columbia, and
Professor Henry Jones Ford, of Princeton.
President Rice announces the appointment of Mr.
J. J. Brennan, of Moultrie, as vice-president for the
South Georgia Missions. This section of the State
is, therefore, in excellent hands so far as Association
affairs are concerned.