CHATHAM COUNTY. 171 



In December of this year, 1819, departed this Ufe, in the 

 fourteenth year of his ministry, and in the midst of his useful- 

 ness, Henry Kollock, D.D., the esteemed and eloquent pastor 

 of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Savannah. Dr. 

 Kollock was indeed " a burning and a shining light," and faith- 

 fully fulfilled the arduous duties of pastor and teacher to his 

 large congregation. 



In January, 1820, occurred the largest fire whichever rav- 

 aged the city. It commenced on the east side of Old Franklin 

 ward : 463 buildings were destroyed, besides out-buildings. 

 Loss upwards of $4,000,000. 



In March, 1825, General Lafayette visited Savannah. He 

 was received with every demonstration of regard as the na- 

 tion's friend in the time of need, and as the nation's guest. 



Name. — The celebrated Earl of Chatham, after whom this 

 county is named, was the son of Robert Pitt, Esq., of Boconnock, 

 in Cornwall, and was born on the 15th of November, 1708. 

 At the age of twenty-seven, he was chosen a member of Parlia- 

 ment. His talents and eloquence soon opened his way to the 

 highest distinction. In 1757 he became prime minister, and 

 by his vigorous exertions raised his country to a higher degree 

 of prosperity and glory than she had enjoyed at any former 

 period. In the difficulties between Great Britain and her 

 American colonies, he boldly advocated the rights of the lat- 

 ter. His last efibrt in public was made on the 7th of April, 

 1778, when the subject of American affairs was before the 

 House of Peers. Bending under the weight of years, and en- 

 feebled by disease, he entered the House supported by his son and 

 Lord Viscount Mahon ; upon which every nobleman arose to 

 manifest their respect for one who had contributed so much to 

 the glory of Great Britain, His pale and emaciated counte- 

 nance, his enfeebled limbs, wrapped in flannel, formed a melan- 

 choly contrast to the fire which still lighted his eye, and which 

 this day's exertions were doomed to quench for ever. As soon 

 as the House was recovered from the emotions which his en- 

 trance had excited, the Duke of Richmond rose to move an 

 address to the King on the state of the nation. The Earl of 

 Chatham, in reply to the Duke, exerted himself with so much 

 energy, that he fell exhausted into the arms which were held 

 out to support him ; and after lingering a few weeks he died 



