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Ockstead Plantation
Ockstead was located on St. Augustine Creek, on Causton's Bluff, near Savannah.
Thomas Causton was one of the first settlers to come with Oglethorpe to Georgia. In 1733, he petitioned for a tract of land which
lay approximately six miles east of the town of Savannah. He built a home and the first plantation on 260 acres
St. Augustine Creek. He became a powerful figure in Savannah politics, being made keeper of the store in Savannah, which
deals continuously came under question by other settlers. In May of 1737, Oglethorpe gave him 50 pounds to begin the
settlement of his land. Ockstead's mulberry orchards were known to be one of the four largest in the colony. He also planted
a large garden, and in during a bad year of drought (1738) planted grape orchards. For many years the plantation prospered, but had
to put Ockstead up for security when ordered arrested by Oglethorpe (for defalcation of the stores) and had to take up
residence in Savannah until the case was settled in court. In the meanwhile, England's war with Spain was ongoing, and Oglethorpe
was fight the Spanish in the Georgia colony. When Causton's case went unsettled, in 1744, he left for England to
take up his case with the trustees. From 1745 to 1750 the plantation was operated by the trustees at their own expense. On a
return voyage in 1745, Causton died onboard the Judith, and William Williamson (his nephew-in-law) became administrator
of his estate. But Williamson was not given title to the plantation until 1764. Ockstead began to lose its appeal when
rice planters began making huge profits along the Georgia coast. Williamson resided in South Carolina, and used
an overseer to run the affairs, until he sold it in 1792.
