George Handley

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This page is about the American politician. For the English footballer, see George Handley (footballer).

George Handley (February 29, 1752September 17, 1793) was an American politician.

He was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, in 1752 and moved to Savannah, Georgia in 1775. During the American Revolutionary War, Handley served in the 1st Georgia Regiment of the Continental Army, rising to the rank of captain. He was taken prisoner at Augusta, Georgia on 18 September 1780. At the conclusion of the war he was brevetted a major.

Handley served as the Governor of Georgia from 1788 to 1789 and was instrumental in the drafting of Georgia's state constitution.

Handley died near Rae's Hall Plantation near Savannah in 1793. His burial place is now unknown but is presumed to be in Savannah.


Preceded by
George Mathews
Governor of Georgia
17881789
Succeeded by
George Walton


George Handley was a Freemason and member of Solomon's Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. at Savannah, Georgia. Solomon's Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M. was established on February 21, 1734 by the renowned Freemason and founder of the Colony of Georgia James Edward Oglethorpe. Solomon's Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M. is now the "Oldest Continiously Operating English Constituted Lodge of Freemasons in the Western Hemisphere".