AS early as 1716 Savannah Town, subsequently better known as Fort
Moore, was located on the east bank of the Savannah River, only a few
miles below the Fifth Street bridge and the site of the village of Hamburg. Its establishment and maintenance were favored by the Carolina authorities in order
that a profitable trade with the Creeks and Cherokees might be facilitated.
To this point goods were transported from Charles Town, both by land and
water.
The first agent in charge of the storehouse erected at this place was
Captain Theophilus Hastings. He was assisted by John Sharp and Samuel
Muckleroy. This settlement derived its name from the Sawannos, or Savannahs, a native tribe dwelling upon its banks and giving name to the river
which flowed by.
So rapidly did the traffic with the Indians increase, that before the
close of the year, Hastings applied for three additional assistants to aid him in its conduct. At Savannah Town a laced hat then readily commanded eight
buckskins; a calico petticoat
