St. Mary Parish, Georgia

Before the American Revolution, the state church of Georgia was the Church of England (the Anglican Church, or Protestant Episcopal Church). Besides keeping parish registers, the church kept many records of a civil nature in their vestry books. The Vestry was as much a political body as a religious one. The wardens and commissioners were responsible for the roads, education, the poor and orphans, voting and collecting taxes in addition to their church duties.

Founded
St. Mary Parish (location, GA) was officially created in 1765 as an original colonial parish.

Boundary
Borders: St. Thomas Parish, and Florida. For a map, see: Map of Georgia's Colonial Parishes (courtesy: GeorgiaInfo).

Areas Served: St. Mary Parish served: FIX
 * part of Berkeley (1682-1768) County 1706-1768
 * part of Charleston District 1768-1800
 * and survives to the present

Modern equivalent: The original parish covered part of what is present-day county.