William Ewen

William Ewen (April 15, 1720 – January 24, 1777) was the first president of the Council of Safety of Georgia during the American Revolution. He is considered the state's first chief executive, although the first chief executive under a proper constitutional government (the "Rules and Regulations" of 1776) was Archibald Bulloch, and the first person to hold the title of (non-royal) "governor" was John A. Treutlen.

Believed to have been born in England in 1720, Ewen came to Georgia in 1734 as an indentured servant and worked for Thomas Causton, chief magistrate and storekeeper in Savannah, in the Trustee store for the term of two years. A former potter in England, Ewen left his position at the store when that controversial establishment closed, bought goods at discounted prices, and ventured out on his own as an auctioneer in Savannah.

In 1741, he worked in the private store of John Bromfield, and became one of the so-called "Malcontents" who opposed the Trustees of the colony. Trustee secretary William Stephens wrote about Ewen: "There is not a more virulent little mischief maker among ‘em, this Ewen". Ewen was elected to the Commons House of Assembly on March 25, 1761, working under provincial governor Sir James Wright. Ewen was elected president of the Council of Safety on June 22, 1775 and served until December 11, 1775. He served alongside other famous Revolutionary War heroes of Georgia including Seth John Cuthbert, Joseph Habersham, Edward Telfair, William LeConte, Basil Cowper, Joseph Clay, George Walton, John Glenn, Samuel Elbert, William Young, Elisha Butler, George Houston, John Smith, Francis H. Harris and John Morel.

...
Wikipedia