Heard’s Fort became Georgia’s seat of government on February 3, 1780, and the Executive Council met there and conducted the state’s affairs in this temporary capital until early 1781. The Governor and Council, meeting at Augusta, made this designation because Augusta was in danger of capture by British forces who were practically in control of the state. The fort was a stockade built by Stephen Heard about 1774 when he settled in the area, and Stephen Heard served as President of the Executive Council of Georgia from February 18, 1780 to 1781.