The Story of Georgia's Boundaries: A Meeting of History and Geography

by William J. Morton

Georgia's boundaries are more than mere lines on a map. They reflect centuries of wars and treaties, political maneuvering and litigation, heroic actions and human error. From the arrival of Europeans in the New World through legislative resolutions in 2008, this book recounts the landmarks, events and people that have shaped present-day Georgia. "Dr. Morton has written a well-researched account of the development of the colony and state of Georgia with particular focus on how its boundaries were determined and measured. His attention to detail provides hitherto little-known facts presented in a straightforward manner. This book will be useful to scholars as well as lay readers interested in what could be a mundane topic, brought to life with personalities and anecdotes. He also discusses the legal activity involving Georgia's boundaries for the past two centuries, including the recent brouhaha with Tennessee prompted by the drought. I highly recommend this informative and enjoyable book. Jamil Zainaldin, president, Georgia Humanities Council TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Maps & Illustrations Introduction Setting the Stage Important Dates I Georgia, the Thirteenth Colony Important Dates II The Birth of a State and a Nation Important Dates III Defining Georgia Important Dates IV Georgia's Boundary Disputes Important Dates V Epilogue About the Author Acknowledgements Bibliography Index

Genres: History

198 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2009

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boundary disputes exist between many states, and some of them are long-standing. Georgia's boundaries with North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee are all included in this volume. The boundaries with the Mississippi Territory before Alabama was formed and with parts of the current United States owned by countries such as France and Spain in the colonial period are treated as well. Since the book was written, Georgia tried to reassert a claim to a strip about one mile wide which would give them access to the Tennessee River. So far the land remains part of Tennessee. While it was an interesting read, it lacks the depth of treatment some volumes of this nature provide.The volume appeals more to the layman than the historian or geographer.

[Biosyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. It is amazing that just 200 years before my father was born, Georgia was being settled by the English.