Cannon House

Daniel Cannon, a carpenter who built many of the houses at Frederica, did not stay long himself.

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

James Oglethorpe’s military background had not prepared him for the siege. To succeed, he had to block Spanish supply lines and bombard the Castillo until Montiano surrendered. For three weeks, he kept up his cannonade. But his troops were scattered, and Montiano showed no sign of weakening. With no end in sight, Oglethorpe gave up. He had squandered men and money and had failed. Disgraced, exhausted and ill, Oglethorpe returned to Frederica to take up a different battle—a verbal skirmish with South Carolina over blame for the disaster.

The first house after you pass Cross Street belonged to Daniel Cannon, a carpenter who built many of the houses at Frederica. The odd zigzagging shape of these foundations may result from additions to the original structure. Like Samuel Perkins, Cannon left Frederica, seeking wider opportunities in Charleston.

CANNON: “Look around you in any direction—a dozen houses I built, but why build a town for Florida to burn? In Charleston they say General Oglethorpe is dangerous!

Continue along Broad Street. The next house labeled, “A New House,” probably was built later in Frederica’s history, when the war with Spain had faded into memory. Keep walking past it to the next exhibit titled “Tavernkeepers”.

Oglethorpe’s experiment was on the verge of crumbling. Settlers were leaving for better economic opportunities, Oglethorpe’s military strategy was questioned, the trustees halved his civil authority dividing Georgia into two counties. But Frederica’s greatest challenge was yet to come.

Georgia’s spies reported that Manuel de Montiano was preparing to invade Georgia. Oglethorpe sent warnings to Savanah, Carolina, and England that unless help came soon, Fort Frederica could not survive. After months of futile petitions for aid, Oglethorpe wrote to the Duke of Newcastle: 

OGLETHORPE: “…it is too late now to ask succors: before they can arrive the matter will be over. I hope I shall behave as well as one with so few men and so little artillery can.”