Eli Whitney had always wanted to attend college. he worked as a farmer and a school teacher as a means to save money for College. He would eventually enter Yale in 1789 and wanted to study Law. However, he fell short of funds and ultimately decided to work as a private tutor.
He was supposed to arrive at South Carolina to work as a private tutor. However, he decided to change his destination and head to Georgia. A state who was attractive for people from New England due to the fact that it was seen as a place to make profitable businesses. There, he met Phineas Miller, who would become his business partner in the invention of the Cotton Gin.