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A great Orphan House begun in Georgia and never finished

Source: A True and Historical Narrative of the Colony of Georgia in America #173

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From 1741 A True and Historical Narrative
edited by Amy

The Orphan-House is situated about fourteen Miles Southeast of Savannah: This famous Work was begun in March, 1740. During the space of six Months, there were about One Hundred Men, Women and Children, maintained and employed about it. According to their own Calculation, they have expended near 4,000 Pounds Sterling. But ever since Mr. Whitefield left Georgia the latter End of August in the same Year, it has decayed steadily; for, besides those he then carried to the Northward with him, a great many have since left them; and their Money growing short, they were soon obliged to discharge most of the Workmen; besides of late, many Divisions have arisen amongst them: In short, the Design seems to be drawing near a close, although at this Time the House itself is scarcely half finished: It is built upon a low Pine Barren, surrounded on one Side with a large Tract of salt Marsh, extending to Vernon River, to which they have a Passage by Water when the Tides are up for small Craft; on the other Side it is surrounded with Woods; They have cleared about ten Acres of Ground, and have built several Houses and Huts. The Frame of the Orphan-House is up, the Roof shingled, and the Sides weather boarded: It is sixty Feet in Length, forty Feet wide: It has two Stories besides Cellars and Garrets; the Cellars are built Brick, which likewise serves, for a Foundation to the whole Building: It would certainly be a fine Piece of Work, if finished; but if it were finished, where is the Fund for its support? and what Service can an Orphan-House be in a Desert and a forsaken Colony?