Israel Keech Tefft

[6] Tefft fell into heavy debt by December 1818, a month after becoming a father, having had several planned business transactions fail.

[7] With his friend Henry J. Finn,[7] Tefft became joint editor and manager of Savannah daily newspaper The Georgian and Evening Advertiser in 1821,[8] albeit briefly.

He sold his share in the business to George Robertson Jr., who restored the paper's name to The Georgian,[7] and started a new career with the Bank of the State of Georgia in 1822.

[10] Tefft was a first corporal with the Chatham Artillery; he resigned after losing out to William Turner for the role of fourth sergeancy.

In 1867,[10] William Gilmore Simms arranged a sale in New York City of Tefft's autograph collection for the benefit of his widow.