Eleazer Early

Eleazer Early (1779 – June 29, 1840) was an American hotelier. In 1821, he built the first hotel in Savannah, Georgia, to a design by noted architect William Jay. In 1984, the significance of the building was recognized by the Historical American Buildings Survey. That same year, architectural students of the Savannah College of Art and Design determined that Jay was the building's architect. was born in Orange County, Virginia, in early 1779, to Joel Early and Lucy Smith. Eleazer's brother, Peter, was a future governor of the State of Georgia. Their sister, Lucy, later married Charles Lewis Mathews.

The family had moved to Wilkes County, Georgia, by 1790.

After being declared bankrupt in 1802, the following year he married Jane Meriweather Paterson in Richmond County, Georgia. The following year, Early is listed as having paid $23.25 tax on three slaves, a carriage and building on two lots in Savannah valued at $7,000. With his class standing having improved markedly, Early sent Jane Louisa to boarding school in Philadelphia, to which the family moved.

City Hotel

In 1821, Early built City Hotel, the first hotel in Savannah, Georgia. It was designed by William Jay, and was built on land purchased by his wife four years earlier. By this point, the Earlys held eight slaves, five of whom were younger than fourteen.

In October 1820, Jane Early transferred the property into her husband's name. of 1823:

In 1822, Early petitioned to have the elevated bridge built across Bay Lane to a building facing Bryan Street. An ill-advised hotel venture on Tybee Island eventually led to Byrd falling behind on his rent to Early. As a result, in 1825, the Savannah sheriff advertised the sale of hotel furnishings. Although Byrd foundered, the hotel survived.

In April 1825, the hotel was sold, "at public outcry", in front of the Savannah Cotton Exchange. Early had lost the property to the Bank of Darien.

Later life

In 1822, Early began a tour of the United States in support of William H. Crawford's run for presidency.

After his labors in support for Andrew Jackson, Early became the second librarian of the House of Representatives, formerly of the State of Georgia, in 1834. According to his obituary in The Baltimore Sun, "he was rarely seen in the Hall of the House of Representatives, and was generally found in his office, leading a life of seclusion."

Early was living in Jackson County, Florida, in 1830.

Death Early died in 1840, aged 60 or 61, while in Washington, D.C. The funeral was held in the home of an Ann Sprigg, widow of Benjamin Sprigg, on June 30. He was interred in Congressional Cemetery in the capital. His wife predeceased him by fourteen years. Their foster child, Jane, to whom Early's wife had left her entire estate, died in 1834, two years after marrying George Sydney Hawkins.