USA > Georgia > Clinch County > History of Clinch County, Georgia, revised to date > Part 5
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Lieutenants : Jasper Roberts, Simeon Griffin and John Hall.
Privates :
Mathis, James Touchston, Hardy
Giddens, Matthew
Mathis, Zachary
Touchston, Richard Giddens, Moses
Mathis, Ezekiel
Powell, John W. McCranie, John
Bradford, Clinton
Powell, William'
McCranie, Richard
Bradford, Berry
Knight, George Touchston, Charles
Bradford, Brinson
CO. "K" 29TH GEORGIA REGIMENT.
This company was organized chiefly in Berrien County, and was composed of men from Berrien, Lowndes and Clinch Counties. The list given below consists of only a portion of the company; not all is obtainable. The company was or- ganized in 1861 at Milltown, in Berrien County. After it arrived at the front, it was reorganized and attached to the 4th Georgia as Co. "H." Many changes were made in the personnel of the company before the war closed.
Officers elected before the reorganization : John C. Lamb, captain. James W. Staten, 1st Lieut. Jonathan Knight, 2nd Lieut. Zack Parrish, 3rd Lieut.
Officers elected at the reorganization : Thomas S. Wiley, captain. James H. Carroll, 1st Lieut. James W. Howell, 2nd Lieut. James H. Dasher, 3rd Lieut. Thomas F. Morgan, 1st Sergeant. C. S. Touchston, 2nd Sergeant. Burrill Bailey, Corporal.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Other sergeants were:
Richard Tucker. Robert Chisholm E. A. Carter. Perry Zeigler.
Other corporals were:
J. W. Carter. John L. Tison. William Martin.
Privates :
Arnold, C. W.
Fletcher, Gerry
Mahon, David D.
Allen, Hansford
Findley, A. B.
Nix, John
Alderman, Richard
Griffin, William
Purvis, Babe
Ansley, Joseph
Gray, Jack
Parmer, Alex.
Baker, William
Hightower, Byrd
Parmer, William
Bryant, J. E.
Harper, Jackson
Roberts, William
Byrd, William
Howell, W. T.
Rentz, Artemus Ross, James
Baset, Jackson
Herren, Charles
Sirmans, Harris
Clayton, Malidge
Hewett, John
Sirmans, Hardeman
Clayton, Alford
Johnson, J. S.
Sirmans, Winfield
Cook, Charles
Jones, Thomas
Swilley, Isham
Clements, Walton
Jones, Dr.
Stuart, Thomas
Clements, David
Knight, John W.
Touchston, William
Chisholm, James
Kinard, James
Touchston, C. S.
Carter, N. A.
Lovejoy, J. L.
Tomlinson, James
Carter, Moses
Lightsey, Geo.
Tatum, George J.
Carter, J. J.
Lightsey, Samuel
Tison, Simeon
Collier, Henry
Locke, John
Tison, William
Chandler, John
Money, John A.
Tucker, Richard
Dees, Dan
McMillen, John
Varns, Samuel
Dees, Isaac
McFadden, Isaac
Vining, Jesse
Duff, Mikell
Morgan, E. C.
Vining, John
Duggan, Arch
Moore, Levi
Watson, J. W.
Dasher, Thomas
Martin, James
Watson, Jacob
Futch, Reubin
Miley, Wilburn F.
Waldron, L. O. G.
Futch, John
Morgan, David
Wisenbaker, A. D.
Frazier, Byrd
Moody, Thomas
Wisenbaker, J. S.
Fletcher, Samuel
Moreland, Tige
Youlds, Robert
Bevel, Granville
Hurst, Dan
CO. "H" 29TH GEORGIA REGIMENT.
This company was organized at Stockton in 1861. After it arrived at the front a reorganization was had and new of- ficers elected. This regiment saw much hard service in the battles around Atlanta in 1864, in which numbers of its men were lost.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Officers elected at Stockton :
Francis M. Jackson, Captain. Jonathan Knight, 1st Lieut. L. H. Roberts, 2nd Lieut. D. C. Lancaster, 3rd Lieut.
Officers elected at reorganization :
Reubin Y. Stanford," Captain. W. H. O'Neal, 1st Lieut. Matthew Roberts, 2nd Lieut. Colonel W. Corbitt, 3rd Lieut.
Privates :
Burkhalter, James
Higgs, Robert*
Permenter, James*
Booker, James*
Higgs, Jasper*
Permenter, L. A .*
Byce, John*
Harnage, Guilford
Permenter, Wright*
Byron, J. W.
Hall, Jesse
Roberts, Thomas*
Corbitt, Monroe
Henderson, Jim
Roberts, Sherod
Corbitt, C. W.
Johnson, William*
Roberts, Steve*
Corbitt, Reubin*
Johnson, Bryant*
Reddish, Joshua*
Carson, Thomas
Johnson, Joseph
Stewart, Joshua
Cartledge, Wiley*
Jones, J. H.
Staten, Samuel
Clements, Lewis
Johnson, W. P*
Sherley, Jesse G .*
Cameron, E. L. F.
Johnson, James*
Storeman, John
Cameron, Dr .*
Jacobs, John*
Stanford, Mitchell*
Carter, Jesse W .*
Kinard, George*
Sirmans, Abner
Corbitt, Newsom*
Lightsey, C. B.
Sutton, Moses Tomlinson, Moses
Daugharty, Arthur
Lastinger, Charles*
Tomlinson, Guilford*
Dame, James W.
Lastinger, Andrew*
Tomlinson, Levin
Daugharty, James
Lancaster, Acy*
Tomlinson, John G.
Dunaway, Zephaniah*
Lovejoy, Nathan*
Tomlinson, Aaron
Dorminy, John
Lieman, Lewis*
Tomlinson, Sherod
Douglas, Millender*
Lefler, *
Touchston, Steve Timmerman, John*
Fiveash, George
Mims, James
Vining, Judson*
Fiveash, John*
McGill, Peter*
Vining, James*
Green, Solomon*
North, Ephriam*
Watson, John
Green, Henry* Goff, James*
Nicholson, William*
Wandle, John
Hart, Jesse
Newbern, Ashley*
Walden, Sylvester
Hilliard, John*
Newbern, Berry*
Waldron, L. O. G.
Harnage, E. M .*
Oliver, Charles*
Wilson, John
Higgs, Elisha
co. "G" 50TH GEORGIA REGIMENT.
This company was raised at Homerville and organized March 4th, 1862. It was attached to Mercer's Brigade, and saw much service at Chancellorsville, Boonesboro, Freder- icksburg, Gettysburg and other battles that Lee's army was in.
Daugharty, Henry
Lastinger, James*
Dawson, Cornelius*
McCardle, Randle
North, Caliph*
Worth, Wm. W .*
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Captains :
John R. O'Steen,* Isaac Burkhalter .* Quarterman B. Staten.
Lieutenants :
Quarterman B. Staten. Jacob Watson.
Lyman A. Sirmans.
William Roberts.
Augustus Brack. John Sirmans .* Jacob S. Lightsey.
Sergeants :
Isaac Burkhalter .*
Enoch Tomlinson.
C. W. Curry.
Mark Henderson. Augustus Brack.
Guilford T. Lastinger
William M. Austin.
Martin S. Corbitt.
Corporals :
Joseph Tomlinson .* Guilford A. Register. David Lastinger. John Sirmans .*
Privates :
Arnold, Henry*
Corbitt, William*
Leggett, George
Moore, William N.
Minshew, Jacob
Baxley, William R.
Griffis, Eli*
Mizell, William*
Brady, John*
Guthrie, James*
Nipper, Hiram Nipper, Joel*
Brady, Thomas A.
Griffin, Enoch
Brady, Robert N.
Hunter, Madison*
Register, S. W.
Brady, Lewis J.
Hall, Fleming
Register, John T.
Brady, Samuel E .*
Hart, Berrien
Register, G. A.
Brady, Samuel*
Harnage, George
Roberts, James
Bennett, William
Harnage, Jerry*
Roberts, Moses*
Bennett, James
Harnage, Jacob
Roberts, John*
Bostic, Jesse S.
Hughes, Isaac*
Roberts, Mark*
Brown, William
Holland, Redding*
Roberts, Isham
Bass, Archibald* Bass, David Brack, Washington*
Johnson, W. A. P. Johnson, William Johnson, John Johnson, Riley Johnson, Thomas
Riggs, William Smith, A. N.
Chancey, Samuel
Clemmons, James Cornelius, George
Jewell, Reubin
Sears, James
Cowart, Kindred Corbitt, Manning*
Tones, Abner*
Starling, Tharp*
Kirby, William
Starling, Raymond
Arnold, Madison
Douglas, James
Alcox, Jesse
Griffis, Samuel
Register, Miles
Royals, William
Sears, Hiram*
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Sirmans, Lewis* Tomlinson, Nelion* Whitehurst, Jackson
Stalvey, Moses Tomlinson, Thomas Weaver, Peter*
Smith, Sirmans*
Vining, Jasper
Waters, James
Thomas, Colon
Walker, Henry
Waters, Mack
Tomlinson, Harris
Walker, Joseph
CO. "I" 4TH GEORGIA CAVALRY.
This company was organized at Homerville, January Ist, 1863. It was attached to the 4th Georgia Cavalry under the command of Col. Duncan L. Clinch, Jr., of Camden County. This command was in the battles around Atlanta and also participated in the battle at Olustee, Fla.
The following were its officers :
John C. Nichols, Captain. Ezekiel J. Sirmans, 1st Lieut. George W. Newbern, 2nd Lieut. Harrison Jones, 3rd Lieut. John G. Tomlinson, 1st Sergeant. F. M. Jackson, 2nd Sergeant. Peter Williams, 3rd Sergeant.
Privates :
Aldridge, C. Aspinwall, Matthew
Dryden, B. C.
Kight, Cuyler
Dyal, Aldridge
Kight, Henry
Aspinwall, A. J.
Dyal, David
Lee, James
Bailey, B. H .*
Dickerson, J. R.
Murray, Isaac
Byron, Charles Byrd, Jesse
Fulwood, J. W.
McDonald, Jerry
Burch, Charles
Faircloth, W. M .* Griffis, Elias
Mathis, H. P. Morgan, Lemuel*
Bowen, William Box, John Box, William
Griffis, William
Morgan, Alex.
Bennett, Wm. M .*
Guess, Crawford
Morgan, Thomas C.
Byrd, W. M .*
Harris, G. W.
Martin, James*
Byrd, Parker Bland, Timothy*
Hall, Seaborn
Martin, L. D.
Cornelius, Edward*
Meeks, W. M.
Carter, W. M.
Hargraves, William
Meeks, H.
Cook, Charles Cox, James Cohen, W. M.
Hargraves, Sidney
Norman, Richard G.
Courson, John Carter, John
Hargraves, John C. Harris, James Higgs, Elisha
Nail, J. Ryals, Robert
Crawford, Reubin
Herndon, Isham
Rich, G. B. Roberts, S.
Chancey, G. W. Carver, Gabriel R.
Jones, John
Petty, John B.
Johnson, William*
Stone, John
Cribb, Riley Dryden, Aldridge Dryden, Arch
Jewell, Levi Johnson, Robert
Sikes, Joe
Smith, J. H.
Chancey, W. H.
Murray, S. E.
Griffis, Joel G.
Morgan, Joseph*
Gale, Thomas Herren, Jackson
Morgan, J. T.
Hargraves, Hope
Meeks, M.
Rich, John
Johnson, Riley
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Smith, Willis
Starling, Wm.
Teston, James
Smith, C. H.
Skinner, Randal
Thomas, Dave
Sirmans, B. J.
Strickland, C.
White, G. W.
Swain, Joel
Skinner, M.
Williams, Elias
Stewart, Wm.
Thomas, T. E.
Walker, F. S.
Sears, John
Thomas, J. D.
Walker, W. M .*
Stephens, John
Thomas, W. M.
Walker, J. C .*
CO. "K" 26TH GEORGIA INFANTRY.
This company was organized of men from Clinch and Ware Counties, in 1861, and saw service in Virginia. The first captain was William A. McDonald, while Cuyler W. Hilliard was later elected. Both were residents of Ware County, while Thomas J. Ivey, the last captain, was at this time a resident of Clinch. Captain Ivey is buried in the old cemetery at Waycross.
Captains :
William A. McDonald. Cuyler W. Hilliard. Thomas J. Ivey.
First Lieutenants :
Cuyler W. Hilliard.
Thomas J. Ivey.
John L. Morgan, Jr.
John T. Harris. B. L. Mclendon .*
Second Lieutenants :
William Miller. Vinson A. Hodges.
Privates :
Alcox, Jesse*
Booth, Jesse
Griffis, Joel Goette, Allen
Alcox, Henry*
Bennett, Tom
Goette, Jeff
Agee, John
Bennett, Randall
Hodges, Vinson A .*
Box, Allen
Bennett, John
Hodges, Francis M .*
Box, Richard A.
Bennett, Martin
Henderson, Andrew J.
Agee, Andrew
Carmichael, John
Henderson, J. T. Holt, Greenberry
Bailey, Aaron
Courson, Pliney W.
Harris, Joseph Hall, Bill
Bailey, Tharp
Courson, John T.
Bailey, Joseph
Cason, B.
Hall, Hiram
Boatright, C. J. D.
Chauncey, John M.
Howell, Joe*
Booth, James
Chauncey, Samuel
Inman, James M.
Booth, William*
Chauncey, Mark*
Johnson, Benj.
Agee, William
Bennett, D. H.
Box, Joseph
Carmichael, D. C.
Treist, Samuel
H. J. PEAGLER Mayor of Homerville President of the Bank of Homerville and benefactor of the Homerville Methodist Church. Died 1913.
R. G. DICKERSON Elected Representative 1914 and Elected State Senator 1916.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Jones, John*
Nunez, W. P.
Smith, Alfred
Joyce, William
Nunez, Cole
Stephens, James
Jefferds, J. M.
Riberon, David M.
Sears, Hiram, Jr.
Kight, John
Roberts, Gray*
Sweat, Farley
Kight, James M.
Rowland, Bill
Sweat, John F.
Miller, James*
Strickland, W. J.
Sweat, Rowland
Moore, Elias L.
Smith, William
Sauls, Holliday
Morgan, Martin Z.
Smith, Harrison*
Sauls, O. J.
Morgan, Thomas F.
Smith, Lawrence
Summerlin, Payton
Morgan, Hampton
Smith, Moses
Summerlin, Julius
Morgan, Lemuel*
Smith, Manning
Summerlin, John
Mclendon, Ephriam
Smith, Lewis
Sweat, John, Jr.
Miller, Tom
Smith, Benjamin
Tooten, Alex.
Miller, James M.
Smith, James M.
Williams, H. P.
Miller, John H.
Smith, Daniel
Williams, J. S.
Murray, S. C.
Smith, Wade
Williams, Bill*
Nettles, James
Smith, Allen
Wilkerson, Jack
Nettles, Thomas
Smith, Charles
White, Tom*
JOHN R. O'STEEN.
John Riley O'Steen was one of Clinch County's ablest men and had he survived the war, it is probable that he would have achieved renown other than military honors. As it was, he gave his life in the interest of the Confederacy.
He was born in Ware County, about 1825. His educa- tion was such as could be acquired from his parents or neigh- bors, as schools were practically unknown to this section. He grew up to be a fearless young man, energetic and industrious. By hard dint he accumulated several lots of land and other property. He married Miss Jane James about 1850, and had the following children : Eliza (Monk), Benjamin, Jon- athan, James A., Mariah (Bass), Bryant and Daniel O'Steen. All these sons grew up to be among the county's best citizens. In 1858, Mr. O'Steen was narrowly defeated by John Wil- liams for representative from Clinch County.
The Civil War coming on, Mr. O'Steen joined himself to the cause with great fervor. In 1862 he joined Co. "G" 50th Georgia, and he was elected captain of his company. This regiment took part in all the important battles of the Army of Northern Virginia. At the battle of Boonesboro, Md., Sep- tember 4th, 1862, Mr. O'Steen was wounded quite seriously, and died on the 23rd of the same month. His service in the
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
army was limited by death to six months and nineteen days. He was survived by his wife and seven children, the oldest of whom was hardly in her 'teens.
REUBEN Y. STANFORD.
Reuben Y. Stanford was a son of David Stanford, and was born in 1831. He was a brother-in-law to Hon. S. W. Reg- ister. He was commisisoned a justice of the peace of the 1058th district, then of Clinch but now of Echols County, April 4th, 1855, and re-commissioned Jan. 15th, 1857. In 1852 he was defeated for State senator by Benjamin Sir- mans, by seven votes. Mr. Stanford ran a store at Mag- nolia for a few years previous to the war.
In 1861 he joined the company of troops which was being organized at Stockton. At the re-organization of the com- pany, Mr. Stanford was elected its captain and served in this capacity until 1864. At the battle of Franklin, Tenn., he was seriously wounded in the leg and according to some, was captured and taken to a Federal hospital, where he died. Other versions are that he was not captured, but dis- appeared very mysteriously. He has never been heard of since and the account first given is regarded as the more probable of the two.
ISAAC BURKHALTER.
Isaac Burkhalter was a son of Hon. Richard H. Burk- halter and was born about 1830. He came with his father to this county about 1845, and in 1857 was elected Justice of the Peace of the 586th district. He served four years. In 1862 he joined Company "G" 50th Georgia, of which John R. O'Steen was captain. In 1862 he was elected captain of his company following the death of Captain O'Steen. He was captain of his company at the battle of Gettysburg, and was killed. Thus another distinguished son of Clinch County was given up on the altar of Southern rights.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
OTHER CAPTAINS.
The other captains who were citizens of this county, viz. : John C. Nicholls, Quarterman B. Staten, Francis M. Jack- son, served the people in various public offices, and their lives are treated elsewhere in this book. Captain Thomas J. Ivey resided at Homerville for a few years following the war, but at his death lived in Ware County. He is buried in the old cemetery at Waycross.
THE SURRENDER.
On April 9th, 1865, General Robert E. Lee, commander- in-chief of the Confederate Army, surrendered his army to the Federals, and was followed a few days later by General Joseph E. Johnston. By the first of June all the Confed- erates had surrendered, and thus the great war came to a close, leaving the whole South destitute and exhausted.
IMMIGRANTS.
During the war and for a few years following, there was a steady influx of new settlers. This county escaped the ter- rors of an invading army, which may account for the new citizens to some extent.
Robert B. Crum removed to Clinch County and settled near Homerville in 1862. He came from Camden County. He and his wife were devoted members of the Methodist Church, and soon after their removal here organized about the earliest Sunday School in the county.
Abraham Mallette was a relative of Mrs. Crum's, and came here from Camden County during the war. He was station agent here awhile.
Thomas D. Hawkins also removed to this county during the war, from Camden County, and settled at Stockton. He was appointed ex-officio J. P. there in 1872, and held that office two terms, after which he removed back to Camden County. He was subsequently Mayor of St. Mary's a few years.
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Henry H. Tullis "refugeed" to this county during the war, and settled in the vicinity of Homerville. He, like the other settlers, brought much property into the county, such as slaves, etc. He was born September 23rd, 1818, and his wife's name was Miss Rebecca Isabella Ferns. They had several children, three of whom, E. M. and W. L. Tullis and Mrs. William Saunders, now live in this county. Mr. Tullis died in 1892.
Alexander, Lewis and Robert S. Holtzendorf also came here during the great struggle, and settled at Stockton. They likewise came from Camden County. Alexander Holtzen- dorf was born in 1808 and died in 1887 at Stockton, where he is buried. His son, Robert S. Holtzendorf, was born in 1839 and was ex-officio J. P. at Stockton a few years prior to his death in 1892. James A. Holtzendorf, a son of R. S. Holtzendorf, is now and had been for many years railroad agent at Stockton.
Daniel H. Stewart came to this county about 1863 and settled near Homerville. He served as deputy clerk under Clerk David O'Quin, and about 1867 removed back to Chatham County, where he shortly afterwards died. His wife, Elendor, survived him.
William Gaines removed here about 1864, and settled in the Magnolia district. He lived on the lot of land whereon Mr. M. S. Eason now lives. Mr. Gaines was a native of Ireland, and served as county surveyor three years. He removed to Savannah about 1875.
John G. Norton settled at Stockton about 1865, and engaged in the mercantile business, later in the saw-mill business. He was for many years a deacon of the Mis- sionary Baptist Church at Stockton.
In 1865, John L. Courson removed to this county from Charlton County, and settled in the Magnolia district. Next year he was commisisoned a justice of the peace of the 970th district.
Joel L. Sweat came to Homerville in 1866, and the next
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
year was elected a justice of the peace. He was admitted to the bar in 1869, and lived here about twenty years. He married a daughter of Sylvanus Hitch, of Homerville.
Also about the same time E. T. Dukes located at Homer- ville and entered the mercantile business. In 1874 he re- moved to Quitman, Ga. He served one term as clerk of the Superior Court.
Also about the same time, George Dame, Sr., and George A. Dame, his son, settled in this county. The elder Dame died in 1867, while the latter was subsequently elected Sur- veyor of Clinch County.
John J. Drawdy removed to Clinch County in 1869 from Charlton County, and settled about three miles from Homer- ville. In 1914 he removed into town, where he is now living, at the age of 86. His first wife was Elizabeth, daughter of James Patten, of Berrien County, and a grand-daughter of Joshua Lee, an old settler of Clinch County. His sons, C. C. and S. L. Drawdy are prominent citizens of Homerville.
James Dampier and his family removed to this county about 1866 and settled several miles above Stockton. They came from Brooks County. A son, James O. Dampier, is now living, while a daughter, Angie, married George D. Gibbs, later J. J. Drawdy. The elder Dampier was born August Ist, 1823, and died July 15th, 1880.
William W. Griffin, a Methodist minister, came to Homerville during or very soon after the war. He was sub- sequently elected Ordinary of Clinch County. He died in DeKalb County in 1879.
Peter A. Herviant came to DuPont or Lawton as it was then called, shortly after the war, and served as station agent there for about forty years. He married the widow of J. P. A. DuPont. Mr. Herviant died in 1907. He was a native of Macon, Ga.
In 1867 Thomas Jones settled in this county. He was the father of John C. Jones, for many years tax receiver of
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
Clinch County, and of Thomas N. Jones. They were natives of Sampson County, N. C.
Malcolm C. Futch came to this county from Berrien County about 1871, and settled in the Magnolia district. He married Amanda Smith, a daughter of Peter Smith, and had several children. He is yet living at the age of 80.
In 1869, Solomon Mobley removed to this county and settled on the Suwannee River. He came from Appling County, where he was born March 13th, 1822. His wife was Mary Mann, and they lived in Appling County at Mann's Ferry on the Altamaha River. At the time Mr. Mobley removed to the Suwannee River, it was a wild, un- developed country, and no roads. He took the old trail established during the Indian war and built a log house down there to live in. It was not supplanted with a frame house until the advent through that section, about 1900, of the G. S. & F. R. R. Mr. Mobley raised eleven children, eight of whom are living. He died May 4th, 1907, and is buried at the North cemetery.
John W. Langdale was a prominent citizen and early settler of the 1219th district. For many years this section of the county was very sparsely populated, even after the Civil War. The country was very wild, but of late years has been wonderfully developed. Mr. Langdale was born in Echols County in 1860. He came to this county in 1884, and settled near where Council, Georgia, now is. His wife was Miss Nancy Burnsed; they had eight children. His son, John J. Langdale, is now a member of the Board of Education of Clinch County, and another son, Harley Langdale, is a prominent lawyer of Valdosta, where he was in 1916 elected recorder of the police court. Mr. Langdale, Sr., died June 14th, 1911. He had accumulated much prop- erty and was a highly esteemed citizen. His family was originally from South Carolina and settled first in Cam- den County, later in Echols County.
CHAPTER VI.
Condition of the County Following the Close of the War .- Politics .- Condition of the County Treasury .- Burning of Court-House .- New Jail .- The History of DuPont. -The History of Stockton .- Temperance.
A FTER the great war closed, it left this portion of the South like the rest, desolate. But the people soon set to work with vim and energy to rebuild their burned homes and reclaim that which was lost and destroyed. The husbands and fathers lost in the war were replaced by growing sons, and the women took hold of the plow-handle and strived to earn a livelihood for the family with as much determination as the men.
Clinch County shared in the desolation brought on by the war. Although there were no battles fought here, nor any armies encamped here, still the keenness of the war's desolation was felt.
It was with the hardest difficulty that the people managed to pay the taxes for several years following the war. In many counties the time for collecting tax was extended for nearly a year beyond the regular time. In this county the grand juries at different terms of the Superior Court recom- mended that grand jurors receive one dollar per day for their services. At one term of the court it was recommended that no jury scrip be issued at all on account of the condition of the treasury.
In 1860, the value of property in Clinch County was, ac- cording to the tax books, $1,304,429. In 1868, the value was $448,257, a decrease of 65 per cent. The County had not fully recovered from it in 1884, for the value of property that year was only $792,484. The tax digest of Clinch County for 1915 showed that the total value of all property in the county was $2, 146, 107, exclusive of the railroads and
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History of Clinch County, Georgia
telegraph lines which amounted to $1,265,051 in addition to the other. The figures show the comparative condition of the county.
POLITICAL.
Following the close of the war, came the effort on the part of Northern schemers and renegade Southerners to get con- trol of the negroes and their votes, disfranchise the native Southern whites who participated in the war, and thus gain control of the country.
The "Ku-Klux" clan, which played such an important part in other sections, was not operated here on an extensive scale,-indeed, no traces of it are found at all in Clinch County.
Stringent orders were issued by the military authorities of the State, all aimed at those who aided the Confederate cause. In 1868, Rufus B. Bulloch, Radical candidate, was elected governor of the State, defeating John B. Gordon, the Demo- cratic candidate. Clinch County in this election gave a ma- jority for Bulloch, due to the preponderating vote of the negroes. Echols County went Democratic by a nice majority, while Lowndes went for Bulloch. In Valdosta, negro police- men, sworn in for the purpose, patrolled the streets during the three days of the election. At this same election, New- som Corbitt was elected State senator, Guilford Lastinger representative from Clinch County, and Martin S. Corbitt, tax collector of the county, on the Radical ticket.
It is found from the records of the legislative session of 1868 that our senator and representative voted for the four- teenth constitutional amendment, which was so particularly odious to the Southern people. But to have voted against the bill would have been hazardous and might have meant the loss of their seats. Moreover, there was a large number of negroes and northerners who served in this legislature, and Clinch County was very fortunate to have her own sons to represent her there.
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