USA > Georgia > Greene County > History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786-1886 > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
Rev. Dr. Francis Cummings died in Greene County. With few interruptions by occasional sickness, he had preached the gospel more than half a century. He was one of the oldest and most respectable Presbyterian ministers in the southern states. His native place was Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. After completing his education in his native state, he served for some time in the army in defense of his country. Before the
316
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
close of the Revolutionary War, he was licensed to preach the Gospel in the state of North Carolina, and soon after the peace settled in South Carolina. He afterwards removed to Greene Co. Georgia and preached to the congregation for twen- ty-three years amongst which he died. Having resigned his charge and preached his farewell sermon, he was taken sick on the next day, with influenza, and was unable to go out again. He died as he had lived, in the vigorous exercise of his faculties, intelligently, calmnly, and confidently trusting in the gospel of Christ.
Robert Grier
Robert Grier was born March 8, 1780 in the State of Georgia. He was the uncle of Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-Pres. of the Confederacy. Grier went to school in Greens- boro to his uncle, Andrew Burns, after this he moved to Butts County near Indian Springs, Ga. It was here he made the as- tronomical calculations for his Almanac. He was offered the chair of Mathematics at the University of Ga. which he de- clined, preferring the work that he was doing in a quiet rural life.
He acquired much property but lost it all when Sher- man's hordes swept through the State.
Every household had a Grier's Almanac and it was the most popular publication in the State for a long time. In 1929 the issue of Grier's Almanac Publishing Company of Atlanta, Ga. offered prizes for the oldest copies to be found. More than 1,000 copies for the first year of its publication were found. Some came from Mass., Texas, and almost every state in the Union. Copies of the book for 1810 and 1811 won the most perfectly preserved copies and they were sent in by Mil- ledgeville and Atlanta families. The De Renne Library in Sa- vannah had the first one published in 1807 but would not let it out of the library to win the prize for fear of losing the copy.
ARTIST P. P. CARTER
P. P. Carter who painted portraits, lived in Greensboro for many years. He married the daughter of Dr. H. H. King
317
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
in 1885. He painted a large portrait of Governor Jenkins now hanging in the State Capitol in Atlanta. He also painted portraits of Hon. Evan P. Howell of the Constitution in At- lanta, Judge James Jackson, Col. L. P. Grant, and Rev. H. C. Morrison of the Methodist church.
In Augusta he painted portraits of Hon. John S. David- son, Pres. of the Ga. Senate, Col. C. C. Jones, the historian, Mr. Ferdinand Phinizy and Hon. W. H. Miller.
Many beautiful portraits were painted in Charleston, S. C. by Carter and now hang in the finest drawing rooms. Some of these were: Gen. James Conner, Gen. Johnson Haygood, Gen. John A. Wagner, Dr. A. Simonds, George W. Williams, F. J. Pelzer, Mrs. F. S. Rogers, Mayor Ficken, Mrs. W. W. Simons, and Hon. Wm. A. Courtney.
The Charleston News and Courier on May 25 1893 said, "The contract for painting the large portrait of General G. F. Beauregard, which is to hang in the Council Chamber was yesterday awarded to Mr. P. P. Carter, the Georgia artist . . . he will receive $1,000 for the Beauregard picture.
BENJAMIN FITZPATRICK
From the Planter's Gazette published at Greensboro June 20, 1860 I quote : "We see from our exchanges that Benjamin Fitzpatrick of Alabama, a former citizen of Greene Co. Ga. declined the nomination for Vice- President of the United States, (by the Rump Convention), and that Ex-Gov. H. V. Johnson of Georgia has been nominated by the Douglas Executive Com- mittee, in the place of Mr. Fitzpatrick."
Benjamin Fitzpatrick was born in Virginia and moved to Greene County about the time the county was laid out. His father owned the land now known as the Billups place. He built a fort for the protection of his family against the In- dians. The map made in 1794, called a military map, shows the location of Fitzpatrick's Fort. Fitzpatrick moved to the new state of Alabama soon after it was organized; no Southerner of his day was more highly honored, both by his adopted state and the United States.
Judge James B. Park Jr. Judge of the Ocmulgee Circuit for many years.
James Cranston Williams, Owner and Editor of the Herald-Journal. (1906-1936) .
Senator William C. Dawson, law- yer, soldier and statesman (See Personages) .
Louisa Mae Alcott, teacher in the Greensboro Female Academy and author of "Little Women."
319
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
PHILLIP CLAYTON
From the "Greensboro Gazette of May 11, 1859 I quote, "Phillip Clayton Clayton of Greensboro, Ga. has been appoint- ed Acting Secretary of the United States Treasury, during the absence of Secretary Cobb of Georgia."
Mr. Clayton was the father of our fellow townsman, George Clayton. After the Civil War Mr. Clayton entered the diplomatic service of the U. S. A. and was Minister of Peru. He died of yellow fever. His son, Robert was his Secretary and succeeded him as Minister to Peru. Mr. Robert C. Town- send is a grandson of Phillip Clayton and was named for his uncle, Robert.
JAMES CRANSTON WILLIAMS AND SONS
"Uncle Jim" Williams was the editor of the Herald-Jour- nal of Greensboro and published it from 1906 to 1936. He was courageous, humorous and keen. The people liked him. He wrote encouraging and helpful articles during the depres- sion when the people on farms and about everywhere had lost hope. When the boll weevil destroyed cotton crop after cotton crop "Uncle Jim" plead with his folks to turn to cattle and dairying, to live at home and conserve the soil.
When the Ku Klux Klan was active in Greene County he was anti-Klan to the core and he never let up on them, he said that they were undermining the foundation of American govern- ment. He stood steadfastly in the face of threats, and he often said, "If you want to be missed when you're gone, you had better get busy and do something for humanity." He pled for re- forms in prison camps, the repeal of the poll tax and he was steadfast against capital punishment.
People living now remember how tragic the struggle for a livelihood grew in the 1929's and early thirties. They did turn to shipping sour cream and to cattle, growing peanuts, sawmilling and bootleg whiskey. The Union Point and Greens- boro mills employed around 900 people although the wage was not high, it helped. "Uncle Jim" was always optimistic when it was needed most.
320
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Carey Williams, son of "Uncle Jim" or James Cranston started writing short and witty sayings for his father's paper when he was still in High School along about 1930. He showed an awareness of current events and humor and philosophy of a more mature mind than most boys at his age.
His column was called "Sense and Nonsense" and it was nationally recognized by many periodicals. We quote two of his sayings, "An old-timer is one who can recall when map-mak- ers didn't specify that the map was subject to change without notice." "When posterity inherits all the debts, we imagine it is going to be the end of ancestor worship" When retirement pensions were proposed for veteran Congressmen many years ago, Carey quipped, "After eating at the public trough, it is hard to get on another diet."
He is now the editor of the same Herald-Journal and has an outstanding paper in Georgia.
Cranston Williams, the older son of James or "Uncle Jim", also worked first with his father then became editor of the Americus-Times Recorder. He served in France in World War I in a machine gun company and was made Captain. He was private Secretary to Senator William J. Harris for six years and then became manager of the Southern Newspapers Association. He has lived in New York since 1939 when he was made General Manager of the American Newspaper Publish- ers Association.
Both brothers as well as their father are listed in Who's Who in America. (Father died in 1936)
DR. THADDEUS BROCKETT RICE
Dr. Thaddeus Brockett Rice, was born August 13, 1865 in Prattsville, Ala. and died April 18, 1950 in Greensboro, Ga. He went through the county schools and on to Atlanta where he received his license in pharmacy in 1889. He studied under Theodore Schuman, a German chemist. He opened a drug store in Greensboro on Sept. 1, 1889 and operated it until 1913.
321
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Thaddeus Brockett Rice and Maymie Bowen Rice (Made at their golden wedding anniversary)
322
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
He was Pres. of the Pharmaceutical Association in 1910, and a member of the U. S. Pharmacopial Convention in Wash- ington, D. C. in 1910.
He was one of the first members of Gate City Lodge Free and Accepted Masons in Atlanta, Ga. transferring his membership to San Marino Lodge F. & M. in Greensboro. He filled all of the offices in that lodge and was Master many times. He organized the Greensboro Chapter Royal Arch Ma- sons in 1916 and was its first High-Priest and also he organiz- ed the Select Masters and became its illustrious Master. He was a member of Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery at Athens, Ga., and a member of the Yaarab Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Atlanta.
Dr. Rice was District Manager for the Southern Bell T. and T. Co. for Greensboro territory from Oct. 1, 1898 until Sept. 1, 1930 when he was retired. He organized the Bank of Greensboro in 1926 and remained its President for many years.
He was a Baptist, and deacon and Treas. of his church for many years, a Democrat, and was Chairman of the Wel- fare Board of Greene County.
Dr. Rice wrote for the Greensboro weekly newspaper a column on history of the county. He was Chairman of the Red Cross Chapter and Mayor of Greensboro several times. Judge Park appointed him historian of Greene County while he was Judge and Dr. Rice gathered data for this book over a period of ten years and it was his wish that some day Greene County would have a history.
Dr. Rice was known for his varied interests, diligent per- formance of duty, a willingness to spend and be spent in the service of others. He was a dynamo of vital energies. and has not been known to fail at anything which he undertook. He was genial and obliging, a man of unsullied integrity and Christ- ian character. He was modest to a fault and disposed to ques- tion his success, but no one else did. Greene County is justly proud of its adopted son.
323
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Dr. Rice's father was a Confederate Soldier, William Thornton Rice, born March 13, 1882 in Autauga, Ala. and his mother was Julia Rebecca Williamson, born March 1836 in the Republic of Texas, Wharton Co. She was the daughter of Judge Robert M. Williamson, known as, "Three-legged Willie," because of a crippled and bent leg to which he also wore a wooden peg. You may read of this interesting man in Yoacum, Bancroft, Coryell and other early Texas histories. He was the grandson of Col. Micajah Williamson a Col. of the Revolution of Wilkes Co. and a cousin of L. Q. C. Lamar of Miss.
Dr. T. B. Rice married Maymie Bowen, born June 8, 1866 in Greene County. She was graduated from Mary-Sharpe College in Winchester, Tenn. For 40 years she was Pres. of the W.M.U. of the Baptist Church and Supt. of the Primary Dept. of Sunday School. She was the daughter of Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen, born Jan. 2, 1814 in Heard County, Ga. who died in Nov. 24, 1875 in Milledgeville, Ga. He was a Capt. in the Seminole War and a Capt. in the Texas-Mexico war of 1837.
Rev. T. J. Bowen went to Africa as a Pioneer Missionary in 1849 and charted the Youraba country in Nigeria for the British government. He wrote the Youraba language and his word-book and grammar are still in use there, and a copy of his books may be found in the Smithsonian Institute and the Con- gressional Library in Washington. He married Miss Laurina Davis of Greensboro and both served many years in Africa where they lost their only child. Later after surviving many fevers and illnesses they went to Rio de Janerio, Brazil as mis- sionaries until the Civil War cut off the funds for this work.
Two daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bowen after their return to Georgia; Mrs. J. H. Moncrief and Mrs. T. B. Rice.
Maymie Bowen Rice, no doubt with her varied interests, religious faith and zeal for living a full and active life, greatly influenced the life of her husband. Greene County citizens will long remember their hospitable and charming home, rich in
324
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
treasures of historic mementoes and quaint heirlooms recalling many a spicy romance of the ante-bellum days.
So to Thad and Maymie Rice, Greensboro is thankful for your lives so busy and so useful and the great example you set for others to revere and follow.
"Two lives beautifully blended, as the rays of the setting sun, lighting and purpling the crystal clouds, until sun and clouds are mingled in one mass of crimson beauty."
Commemorating the Golden Anniversary of Dr. and Mrs. T. B. Rice, Greensboro, Ga. Tuesday January 6th, 1942.
There is a man in our town; His name, why it is "Brockett"! He makes the wheels of time go round; In fact he is it's Sprocket; What shall we do, when he is gone;
This man who has no vices?
In secret, lets mold a Golden Crown;
And-all will say 'tis Rices!
-by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Lamb.
DR. T. B. RICE'S GRANDFATHER
Dr. T. B. Rice's grandfather was Judge Robert M. Wil- liamson "Three-Legged-Willie"' of Texas and his daughter the mother of Dr. Rice was born there. The following inscrip- tion was copied from his tomb at Austin, Texas.
"Robert McAlpin Williamson, "Three-Legged Willie", Born in Georgia in 1806; came to Texas in 1826, died at Wharton, Texas December 22, 1859. His life was consecrated to his country. Erected by the State of Texas. On the reverse side:
1832. Opposed Mexican despot, Bradburn at Anahuac.
1835, Delegate from Bastrop to the "Consultation".
1836, Major in Rangers, Fought in the battle of San Jacinto.
1837-40, Member of the Supreme Court of Republic of Texas.
1840-45, Served in Congress of Republic of Texas.
1846-50, Served in the Legislature of the State of Texas.
He also held the first court ever held in the Republic of Texas, under a spreading liveoak tree in the town of Colum- bus, Texas and there is a bronze tablet attached to the tree
325
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
which still stands. Judge Williamson was born in Washington, Wilkes Co. Ga. His grand-father was a Colonel under General Elijah Clark, his aunt married Gov. John Clark, his uncle married Elijah's oldest daughter, another aunt married Dun- can G. Campbell and their son became a Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. Another aunt married Judge Charles Tait, U. S. Senator from Ga. 1809-19. Another aunt married Dr. Thompson Bird and their daughter was the mother of L. Q. C. Lamar who became another Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. His father was a Col. and fought the Spaniards under the French flag in Florida and rendered military service along the Ga. frontier in the 1790's. He picked up the trail of the ma- rauding Indians who pilfered, burned and murdered citizens at Skull Shoals, Greene Co. Ga., followed them to Little Ocfuskee west of the Chattahoochee, destroyed their town, killed a num- ber of Indians and delivered eight Indians to the Greene Co. authorities. (See Pickett's History of Ala.)
This old patriot, Peter B. Williamson is said never to have discarded knee pants, cocked hat nor other dress of Colon- ial days. He moved to Ala. and was the first Judge of Mont- gomery Co. Ala. He died there at China Grove, Pike Co. Ala. on May 6, 1849.
TWO NOTED SENATORS - COBB AND DAWSON
In the town cemetery of Greensboro rest two distinguished Georgians, both of whom were members of the United States Senate. They also served on the Superior Court Bench. These two were, Thomas W. Cobb and William C. Dawson. Count- ies in Georgia were named for these two illustrious sons. Judge Dawson married first in 1820 Henrietta, daughter of Dr. Thomas Wingfield and second in 1850 Eliza M. Williams, a widow of Memphis, Tenn. His son William Reid Dawson died while a Junior at the University of Ga. The second child Henry lived three years. George Oscar Dawson became a lawyer of Greensboro and was a Representative in the legis- lature. A fourth child, Henrietta Wingfield, became the wife of Joseph B. Hill of Columbus. A fifth child, Edgar Gilmer Dawson married the only daughter of Dr. Wm. Terrell, of
326
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Sparta and lived in Columbus. Emma Caledonia, married Ed- ward W. Seabrook of S. C. Lucien, the last child and a lawyer married Eliza Dent of Athens.
William Crosby Dawson, lawyer, soldier and statesman was born June 4, 1798 in Greene County, which at that time was on the frontier. The family came from England by way of Virginia. He grew up amid the hardships and privations of a frontier settlement.
After studying under Dr. Cummin he entered Franklin College and graduated in 1816. He then studied law under Thomas Cobb of Lexington and then went to the famous law school at Litchfield, Conn. and after completing his courses there he came back to Ga. and was admitted to the bar. He was Clerk of the House of Representatives twelve years, com- piler of the laws of Ga. from 1820-30, a Rep. and Senator in the State legislature, Captain in a volunteer company in the Creek war of 1836; Representative in Congress 1836-41 ; Judge of the Superior Court of the Ocmulgee Circuit and a United States Senator from 1849 to 1855. When he left Washington he was presented with a silver pitcher and two silver emboss- ed goblets from the city in token of his services as city chairman of the committee of the District of Columbia. He died on May 5, 1856 in his 59th year, in Greensboro.
Crawford was picked and trained for Jeffersonian party leadership by Albert Gallatin and during his rise to power in Ga. his main opponent was John Clark. Crawford's home was called "Woodlawn". In a duel Crawford killed Peter Van Allen. As Sec. of the treasury he won fame for wiping out the national debt. When Crawford ran for Pres. of the U.S.A. there were only 24 states in the Union. His chances to win the presidency were crushed when he suffered a stroke from the wound he received in the duel with Van Allen.
REDMOND THORNTON
Redmond Thornton and wife, Sarah Alford Thornton of Va. were early settlers in Greene County about 1786. They had four children, three sons and a daughter. He was the great
327
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
grandson of Matthew Thornton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
He was an educated man and it is thought that he designed and directed the building of the house recently bought by the Atlanta Art Association. The story of the house and restoration will be found under "Homes," Chapter VIII, also the picture before it was restored. The home and much of the original lands remained in the hands of the Thornton family for over 100 years.
Thornton had many slaves and lived the life of the country gentleman, growing cotton and fine horses and cattle. He edu- cated his children and his name is found on many of the records.
Harry Thornton and Miss Lola Richards of Atlanta are descendants of Redmond Thornton and no doubt there are many others unknown to the writer.
DR. JOHN E. WALKER
Dr. John E. Walker was a beloved physician and trained many young men to become doctors. He took them into his office and directed their course of study, such as materia medi- ca, chemistry, Latin, and Dungelson's medical dictionary. They would also accompany him on his trips to see his patients and would learn to diagnose illnesses, watch his procedure and the remedies that he used. These boys would look after the office and after several years of study the Doctor would recommend them to a Medical College. A diploma from a High School or college was not a prerequisite for admission to Medical College. After two or three years in this college, he stood examination and if passed he was given a diploma to practice medicine.
Dr. Walker owned a drug store with Torbert in 1886, and his hobby was collecting metal scrap of which he had tons on his land. He also preserved tumors and growths which he had removed from his patients. He set a date to die when he became very old, and called in three of his brother Masons; Judge W. M. Weaver, Martin Markwalter and T. B. Rice and told them just when he would die and to give him a Masonic funeral. He died near the time he had set and his wishes were carried out.
328
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
His daughters were: Mrs. J. E. Tolbert, and Mrs. L. H. Branch.
JULIUS SAUNDERS (Sanders)
Mrs. Fletcher King of 3801 Jackson Blvd., Birmingham, Ala., a granddaughter of Robert Leroy Saunders sends in infor- mation that Julius Saunders her g.g. grandfather was shown on indentures in Greene County in 1792-97. In the 1830 census in White Co. Tenn. he is listed with son Robert Uriah Saunders. Julius died in White Co. Tenn. and his wife Catherine Pound Saunders with son Robert migrated to Marshall Co. Miss. and also a daughter, Sarah. Robert had a son David Crockett Saun- ders. The children of Julius and Catherine Pound known are : Susan b. 1793 in Ga. mar. William J. Harlowe, had ch. Barney, Nancy and John.
The second child Sarah born in Ga. 1805, unmarried. (3) Uriah Robert, b. Ga. 1810 mar. Mary - ,ch. William C., 1830, Angela, 1832 White Co. Tenn. mar. Rufus B. Ragan in Miss. had dau. Mary C. b. 1850 Tenn., David C. b. 1835 called "Crockett" had dau. Mary. (4) Julius C. b. 1812, Ga. mar. Susan Hudson, Apr. 17, 1837 Miss. d. 1850's in Hind's Co. Miss. (5) Elizabeth, b. Tenn. (6) Martha, b. 1820, Tenn. in 1860 was in Marshall Co. Miss. mar. John Hensley, ch. Sally, Mary, Mary Mann (Merriman ), John M., Alexander, Thomas.
REDDS AND OTHER PROMINENT FAMILIES
Charles and Elizabeth Redd were prominent landowners in Greene County. They were members of the Shiloh Baptist church and sold the land where Mercer University was built.
Nicholas Lewis was a prominent lawyer and speculator in Greene Co. lands and lots. He built the home where Dr. and Mrs. T. B. Rice lived in 1797 and Lewis lived there until 1833.
Oliver Porter Daniel the grandson of Major Oliver Porter was at one time Greene County's foremost citizen and a wealthy planter.
Archibold Scott was an eminent educator and taught George Foster Pierce. He was the father of Dr. William J. Scott who founded and edited Scott's magazine of Atlanta during the 70's.
329
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Judge John C. Hart, a distinguished former Attorney- General of Georgia was born near Union Point.
Nathaniel G. Foster, was a member of Congress and a Baptist minister as well as his brother Albert G. Foster a law- yer, of that period.
William Bird and his wife Catherine of Warrens County lived in Greene Co. in 1804. Other members of this family are listed in deed books as: Mark Bird from S. C., Job and Judith Bird, George Bird, Zachariah Bird, Price and John Bird, Phile- mon and John Bird. Michael Bird married Susanna Lovern, Wm. Bird mar. Nancy Hudson, Fitzgerald Bird mar. Eliza B. Springer in 1825, Joseph Bird mar. Lucretia Watson in 1825. Dr. Thompson Bird mar. Susan Williamson and moved to Powellton, Hancock Co. He built the home which he sold to Alexander Stephens.
The Blanks family is found in old deed and marriage books in Greene Co. William Blanks mar. Jane Hill in 1799, and Nancy Young in 1819. Other names found are : James, Nancy and William, Jr., Joseph, Henry and Jefferson Blanks.
William and Mary Lee left a will naming their children : Nathan, Elizabeth Jett, Moses Lee, Stephen and David. (Will Book F)
Jonathan Haralson married Jane Huston in 1782 in N. C. but married Clara Browning Culberson in Greene County. Wil- liam Browning Haralson was born in 1799 in Penfield. Jonathan had brothers, Abner, James, Herndon (Rev. Sol.) d. in Tenn., Vincent d. in Ga., Major d. in Texas. Clara Browning Haralson died in LaGrange, Ga. and is buried there with her son Gen. Hugh Anderson Haralson for whom Haralson Co. is named and the town of Haralson. Several of this familys' wills are on record in Greene Co.
THE FIRST JACKSON DAY DINNER WAS HELD IN GREENSBORO, GA.
On May 31, 1820, Major General Andrew Jackson come to Greene County, Georgia. in his old high-wheel sulkey for the
330
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
purpose of having a settlement with his uncles, Alexander, John and William Allison. All three of them had been Revolutionary soldiers and had received land grants in the State of Tennessee. Like many others of that day, they failed to look after their grants and "squatters" settled on their lands When they learn- ed of the "squatters claim" they employed their nephew, An- drew Jackson, to run them off and clear the titles to the pro- perty ,which he did, and his visit to Greene County was for the purpose of having a settlement with his uncles. His pre- sence was not known to others than his kinsmen; and it was by accident that Col. Robert E. Martin, in passing the Allison home, discovered the distinguished guest. He came, post haste, to Greensboro and spread the news which resulted in the following correspondence :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.