Background
Milledge, John was born in 1757 in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Son of Captain John and Mistress (Robe) Milledge.
governor lawyer politician representative senator
Milledge, John was born in 1757 in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Son of Captain John and Mistress (Robe) Milledge.
He was tutored privately and studied law.
He fought in the American Revolution and later served as United States Representative, Governor of Georgia, and United States Senator. After being admitted to the bar, he opened a law practice in Savannah. At the onset of the, Milledge was part of a group that took colonial governor Sir James Wright as a prisoner in 1775.
He also took part in a raid of Savannah"s royal armory to procure gunpowder for the revolutionary cause.
When the British captured Savannah, Milledge escaped to South Carolina, where American patriots nearly hanged him as a spy. He participated in the Siege of Savannah in an attempt to drive the British forces out.
State legislature and United States. Congress
In 1792, the House of Representatives declared the seat of Anthony Wayne vacant due to disputes over his residency. Milledge was elected to the Second Congress to fill this vacancy and served from November 22, 1792, to March 3, 1793.
Later, Milledge would be elected to the Fourth and Fifth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1795 to March 3, 1799.
In 1801, he was again elected to Congress, this time as a Democratic-Republican, and served from March 4, 1801, until he resigned in May 1802 to become Governor of Georgia. Governor of Georgia
Milledge was Governor of Georgia from 1802 to 1806. As governor, he created Georgia"s first land lottery, to combat corruption in the distribution of former Creek lands to settlers.
He also reorganized the state militia, and built a road from Georgia to Tennessee passing through Cherokee lands.
In 1803, Milledgeville, Georgia, state capital from 1804 to 1868, was named in his honor. United States. Senate
In 1806, he was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of James Jackson.
In the 10th United States Congress, he was named President pro tempore of the Senate. He served as a Senator from June 19, 1806, until November 14, 1809, when he resigned.
While serving in the United States. House of Representatives, Milledge was named to a commission to establish a site for the state University of Georgia (incorporated January 27, 1785).
On July 25, 1801 Milledge bought with his own money some land on the Oconee River for the school, and named the surrounding area Athens, in honor of the city of Plato"s Academy. After retiring from the United States Senate, Milledge returned home, to live out his final years at his plantation near Augusta, Georgia. He died there, February 9, 1818,and was buried in Summerville Cemetery in that same city.
Served with Continental Army in defense of Savannah, seige of Atlanta and assault to retake Savannah during Revolutionary War. Member Georgia General Assembly. Member United States House of Representatives from Georgia, 3d-5th, 7th congresses, 1793-1799, 1801-1802.
Member commission to choose site for U. Georgia, 1800 (site chosen outside of state grant, Milledge bought it for $400,000 and gave to University).
Member United States Senate from Georgia, 1806-1809, president pro tem, 1809.
Married Martha Galphin. Married second, Ann Lamar.