The petitioner is requesting approval to erect a historical marker commemorating Mary Musgrove to be located in Lafayette Square, at Abercorn and Harris streets. This marker is proposed in partnership with the National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Georgia.  

The proposed marker text reads:

Mary Musgrove

Mary Musgrove was the daughter of an English trader and a Creek Indian mother. In 1717 she and her husband, John, established Cowpens trading post near the Savannah River, which became the center of 18th century English-Indian trade for deer hides. After the colony’s founding in 1733, Musgrove became principle interpreter between Yamacraw Chieftain Tomochichi and Gen. Oglethorpe. Serving as Oglethorpe’s interpreter for ten years, she helped foster peace between the British and the Creeks. For her assistance she received financial compensation, political prestige, and lands from the Creeks making her the wealthiest Georgia landowner in the 1700s. The Georgia colony refused to grant Musgrove’s property rights to the Creek lands of St. Catherines, Sapelo, and Ossabaw islands. After much dispute, Musgrove received the English title to St. Catherines Island in 1760, where she died c.1765.

Erected by the Georgia Historical Society and the National Society of the Colonial Dames in the State of Georgia

The Georgia Historical Society has secured funds of $5,000.00 for the total cost of the historical marker. The Georgia Historical Society, as administrators of the Georgia Historical Marker Program, take responsibility for the repair and replacement of the submitted historical marker.

The Historic Site and Monument Commission recommends approval of the proposed marker with the following conditions:

1. Revise “principle” in the fourth line to “principal.”
2. Coordinate with all appropriate City departments on the exact location within the southwest quadrant of the square.

Approval