USA > Georgia > Greene County > History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786-1886 > Part 36
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
It is hereby ordered by this Court that the Clerk issue Bonds to the amount of FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS in sums of not less than ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS nor more than FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS each, one half payable first of January 1862, and one half payable January 1, 1863, bearing interest at 7 per cent per annum; said Bonds to be signed by the Clerk, and filed in his office subject to the order of this Court.
Ordered also that Rev'd H. H. Tucker, William B. Johnson and John G. Holtzclaw be appointed a disbursing committee to disburse the funds which may be from time to time placed in their hands for the benefit of needy members of the "Dawson Grays."
Ordered also that Thomas N. Poullain, William L. Strain and John E. Jackson be appointed for the same purpose in relation to the "Greene Rifles."
Ordered also that Yelverton P. King, David Howell and Charles A. Davis be appointed for the same purpose in relation to the "Ste- phens Light Guards."
It is further ordered that the sum of FIVE HUNDRED DOL- LARS be appropriated for each of the Volunteer Companies in this County which are ordered into service, or which may hereafter be organized and ordered into service for outfit, and that the same be placed in the hands of the several committees."
Ford.
Following after and in connection with the above orders, appears the following :
"We, the undersigned hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators to become security to the Bond holders for the payment of the before mentioned sum of FIVE THOUSAND DOL-
443
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
LARS, said Bonds when issued by the Clerk in accordance with the foregoing order to be numbered and recorded in this book."
Here, the following signatures appear, not merely the written names, but the genuine signatures of patriotic citizens, most of whom were too old to be subject to military duty :
Y. P. King, John A. Curtwright, J. K. Perkins, W. A. Florence, W. H. Blythe, W. H. McWorther, J. W. T. Catchings, William W. D. Weaver, John E. Jackson, Thomas Stocks, J. P. Harris, H. G. Moore, John C. Mer- ritt, W. L. Strain, Samuel R. Walker, William T. Merritt, William Rowland, Sr., David Leslie, J. N. Copelan, John G. Holtzclaw, John Robins, Wm. S. Jackson, William N. Williams, Willaim Armor, John G. Oliver, Thomas H. Smith, A. A. Jernigan, R. C. Bowden, Geo. O. Dawson, James N. Armor, W. B. Johnson, E. C. Bowden, H. H. Tucker, M. W. Lewis, T. N. Poullain, Jr.
Wilkinson & Fargo paid $5,000,00 for the Bonds; and the three Com- panies named-Dawson Grays, Greene Rifles and Stephens Light Guards-re- ceived $3,000.00 from the committees appointed to disburse the funds. Other Bonds to the amount of $2,000.00 were issued.
This latter issue was in denominations of $5.00, $10.00 and $20.00, and, the presumption is that they were bought by local citizens.
On September 20, 1861, the Inferior Court issued the following order:
"It appearing to the Court that two members of the committee appointed to attend to suffering the necessities of life to the indigent families of the Stephens Light Guards-It is therefore ordered that James F. Hall and Charles A. Vincent be, & they are hereby appointed, to act in connection with Col. Y. P. King as a committee for the above named purpose.
The committee is authorized to furnish said indigent families, with Bacon or Beef or other fresh meats, corn meal or flous, & in case of sick- ness sugar & coffee, or tea. The Clerk will serve each committman with a copy of this order.
Signed; Isaac R. Hall, Clerk.
On November 12, 1861, the following order was issued:
"Ordered by the Court that, the Clerk, issue a County Bond for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS, payable to James F. Hall or order, to defray his expenses to and from Virginia, to carry clothing and other supplies to the Greene Rifles."
JUDGE SAMUEL H. SIBLEY
In addition to the great number of Judges of the Superior and Supreme Courts of the State, Greene County furnished Judge Samuel H. Sibley of the United States District Court of Appeals. Judge Sibley served as United States Federal Court Judge for the Northern District of Georgia for a number of years; and was promoted to the U. S. Court of Appeals with headquarters in New Orleans.
It has been said by good authority, that no decision of Judge Sibley had been reversed by the higher courts during his long career as U. S. Judge.
444
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Judge Sibley was prominently mentioned for a place on the bench of the United States Supreme Court; and if he lives a few years longer, no doubt that honor will come to him. Judge Sibley will go down in history as one of the greatest lawyers and Judges of the United States. 1941).
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1789.
This convention was held in Augusta and was presided over by William Gibbons, President, and D. Longstreet, Sec- retary.
The personnel of this convention is not shown; but section 5, shows that members of the house of representatives shall be elected annually, on the first Monday in October, and shall be composed of members from each county, in the following pro- portions :
1. Camden, two;
2. Glynn, two
3. Liberty, four
4. Chatham, five;
5. Effingham, two;
6. Burke, four
7. Richmond, four
8. Wilkes, five ;
9. Washington, two;
10. Greene, two ;;
11. Franklin, two.
Of these 11 counties, Washington, Franklin and Greene were the younger, and Greene the youngest.
Washington and Franklin were created in 1784; and Greene was formed out of the northern portion of Washington in 1786.
The first eight named counties were created under one act, in 1777, during the Revolution, Wilkes was named first, and in this way claims to have been the first county created in Georgia.
The eleven counties name above, included all of civilized Georgia, the rest of the state was held by the Indians under
445
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Treaties, except, the territory around what is now Natchez, Miss., and at their request, the County of Bourbon was created. This county included all of what is now Alabama and Georgia, the largest county ever created. However, both France and Spain claimed that Georgia had infringed upon their territory, and in consequence of this complication Georgia recinded the act creating Bourbon County and turned the territory over to "Uncle Sam". This became known as "The Mississippi Terri- tory."
General Elijah Clark espoused the cause of France, held a Commission as General under the French government at a sal- ary of $10,000, per annum, and invaded Florida and West Flor- ida. During his campaign he conceived the idea of establishing a Republic in the Indian lands west of the Oconee River, that became known as "Clark's Trans-Oconee Republic."
GEORGIA'S CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION OF 1798
The delegates appointed to the counties of Georgia were as follows :
1. Camden, two; 2. Glynn, two; 3. Liberty, four; 4. Mc- Intosh, two; 5. Bryan, two; 6. Chatham, four; 7. Effingham, two; 8. Scriven, two; 9. Montgomery, two; 10. Burke, three; 11. Richmond, two; 12. Columbia, two; 13. Wilkes, three; 14. Elbert, two; 15. Franklin, two; 16. Oglethorpe, three; 17. Greene, three; 18. Hancock, three; 19. Washington, three ; 20. Warren, three.
This convention was held at Louisville on May 13, 1798, and in the twenty-second year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Signed by, Jared Irwin, President.
Attested by, James M. Simmons, Secretary.
446
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
The names of the delegates from the various counties are not given in Watkin's Digest of Georgia Laws.
John Gorham ; Middleton Woods ; Neil Cleveland, Esq.
Certified to by, Jesse Walton, Peter Williamson.
There is a notation to the effect that Jonas Fauche of Greene County, introduced a resolution covering section 8, in article III, that was adopted by the convention. Jonas Fauche and Davis Gresham were both members of the Legislature at that time; and Nathaniel Christmas was a citizen of Greene County as early as 1791, therefore, in all probability, these three constituted the Greene County delegation.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS OF 1788-9.
Robert Christmas was a member of the Constitutional Con- vention that met in Augusta in 1788; but the record does not show where he was from.
"Smith's Georgia", p. 119.
The 1795 Convention.
The Greene County delegates to the 1795 Convention were: David (Davis) Gresham; Phil Hunter; William Fitz- patrick.
William Fitzpatrick was the father of Benjamin Fitzpat- rick, who was the most distinguished Southerner of his day. He moved to Alabama when that state was organized; and some years later, he declined the nomination for the presidency of the United States.
The 1798 Convention.
The Greene County delegates to this Convention were: George W. Foster; Jonas Fauche; James Nisbit.
447
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
All of them were distinguished men, and lived in Greens- boro. This, and previous conventions denied the right of min- isters to serve on the Legislature.
Jonas Fauche and Davis Gresham both became involved in what was known as "The Yazoo Fraud," and were severely criticised. Fauche was an impetuous Frenchman and could not stand criticism, so he challenged his accuser and fought a duel, in Greensboro, that resulted in the death of his opponent, and he too, was wounded. Fauche died in Greensboro in 1835; and lived in the home now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. W. C. David- son.
Referring to ministers of the Gospel not being allowed to serve in the Legislature, the records show that they did much lobbying, and due to their powerful influence and presence, John Clark's powerful political machine was destroyed when Thomas Stocks, President of the Senate, voted off the tie that elected George M. Troup, Governor of Georgia. This was in the early 1820's. The records show that the Baptists and Meth- odists forgot their bitter hatred for each other, clasped arms and shouted when Stock's vote was cast; and that the shouting shook the walls of the old Capitol at Milledgeville. Mathew Talbot was the candidate who opposed Troup; but he repre- sented the Clark party, therefore, this good man met defeat simply because he ran with the wrong crowd.
HISTORICAL TID-BITS GLEANED FROM OLD RECORDS
Commissioners for the various militia districts were ap- pointed each year; and these commissioners looked after the roads and bridges in their respective districts. Almost with- out exception, whenever there was a request for a new road, land owners tendered the right of way free of charge. When it was necessary to build a bridge bids were advertised by post- ing a notice on the bulletin board in front of the Court House, and in order to secure a good job, the successful bidder had to
448
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
give bond guaranteeing the bridge for seven years. Ferries and flats were numerous and expensive to operate. Flats had to be renewed every two years; and the average cost of flats was $150.00 The operation of ferries was let by contract and the average price paid by the county was $150.00 per annum. This was after ferries were made free to citizens of the county, but non-residents had to pay. The presumption is that the ferryman was entitled to ferry fees collected from non-residents.
In January 1859, a new board of commissioners make their appearance under the following order issued by the Jus- tices of the Inferior Court:
"Ordered by the Court that the following named persons be and are hereby appointed PATROL COMMISSIONERS for the year 1859:
137th Dist. Alias B. Moody, William Daniel and T. W. Watts;
138tl Dist. William Edmondson, J. M. Cox and W. R. Wilson;
140th Dist. Hugh Mitchell, William Heard and James A. Thornton;
141st Dist. Wm. A. Moore, Isaac Williams and S. P. Arnold.
142nd Dist. Miles Lewis, Wm. D. Jackson and John C. Merritt;
143rd Dist. Wm. L. Strain, J. E. Jackson and Greene Moore;
144th Dist. S. Jernigan, James Moore and B. C. Alfriend;
Hinton Crawford, James Perkins and W. D. Maddox;
145th Dist. John T. Broughton, Thompson Malone and W. W. Mayo;
146th Dist.
James T. Finley, John Colclough and Lindsey Jacks;
148th Dist. Thomas P. Janes, James L. Tarwater and W. N. Williams;
149th Dist. Moses F. Foster, William Neal and R. Peoples:
160th Dist. William Hudson, Wm. F. Thompson and A. Kimbrough;
161st Dist. Col. R. H. Ward, Col. J. N. Armour and James M. Kelly;
162nd Dist. L. W. Lundy, R. A. Credelle and James Smith; 163rd Dist. John Robins, J. F. Wright and James J. Rowland.
The duties of these men are not defined, and no report of their activities appear in the minutes. All of them were men of highest type, therefore, they must have served a useful purpose.
Another New Board
On January 10, 1859
The Justices of the Greene Inferior Court issued the following order:
"Ordered that Rev. Homer Hendee, Rev. H. H. Tucker and Col. R. H. Ward be and they are hereby appointed a board of examiners, to examine and decide upon the qualifications of teachers who may apply under the law passed Dec. 11, 1858 known and designated as the Educational bill. And that said board of examiners be required to take the oath prescribed by law before entering upon their duties. And that the Clerk cause each member of said board to be served with a copy of this order."
147th Dist.
449
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Greene County Takes her own Census in 1856 The Justices of the Inferior Court, acting under an act passed by the Georgia Legislature in 1858, appointed William T. Doster census taker for the 17th Reg. G. M., and William Morgan for the 18th Reg. G. M., and the oath prescribed by law was administered to them.
Greensboro Builds a Callaboose and Market
Monday, Feb. 1, 1858
"Upon the petition of the City Council of the City of Greens- boro, it is hereby ordered that they be allowed to build a brick build- ing and cover it with tin, on the South side of the Court House square, in a North & South line with the Jail-to be used as a "Calla- boose", Market & Council Room-free of ground rent for all future time-provided they keep it so as that it does not become a nuisance, and that the Clerk serve Walter Griffin secretary of Council, with a copy of this order."
The building was erected and used for the purposes stated for many years. The old bell that was used as a signal to open and close the stores in Greensboro, was presented to the Market and City Council by the merchants of Greensboro; and was used for the three-fold purpose of announcing to the housekeepers that the Mar- ket was open, calling the City Council together and ringing the fire alarm.
The old building served a useful purpose for many years, but was finally abandoned. It became a rendezvous for crap shooters and drunks. However, the City Council soon broke this up, and the upper room was converted into sleeping quarters for tramps. Finally, it became the sleeping quarters of (Judge) Charles J. Doherty who was a son of one of Major Jonas Fauche's Greene County Dragoons, and rendered valuable service to the early settlers of Greene County. (Judge) Doherty was a brilliant, well educated neer-do-well who died a pauper. After Doherty's death about 1910, the old building was torn down.
ISAAC R. HALL SUCCEEDS VINCENT SANFORD, DEC'D AS CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT, IN 1858.
Judge Isaac R. Hall, the diminutive, efficient Clerk of the Greene Superior Court for many years, was a little more than three feet tall, but no more efficient Clerk ever served the county. He was as pe- culiar as he was short in statue; and no one ever knew his abiding place. Some say that he slept on a round table in his office, but no one ever. caught him in bed. As he began to grow feeble, he took Mr. Jesse P. Wilson in the office as a helper. Mr. Wilson succeed- ed him as Clerk and he, too, was a most efficient Clerk for many years. He died in Atlanta, but his body was brought to Greensboro for burial. And here, a most fitting tribute was paid this faithful of- ficer. His body lay in state in the office where he had worked so long, and from there his body was tenderly removed by his friends and laid by the side of his wife in the Greensboro cemetery, with Ma- sonic honors.
450
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
In July 1823, Judge Thomas W. Cobb, formerly a citizen of Ogle- thorpe County, found it necessary to transfer his records as the exe- cutor of the will of Robert Toombs, Sr. of Wilkes, from Oglethorpe to Greene County. Judge Cobb became the guardian of that distin- guished son of Georgia, General Robert Toombs. When young Toombs was expelled from the State University, at Athens, Judge Cobb was present, and with a heavy heart he brought his ward to Greensboro where he remained until he could arrange to enter him at Princeton, where he graduated with high honors. Tradition says that, had it not been for Judge Cobb's kindly interest in that brilliant student who had been so humiliated by the University of Georgia, he might never have reached the pennacle of fame that came to him in later years. Toombs spent many days in humiliation in the Cobb home in Greensboro, now the home of Miss Mae Townsend.
This tradition was handed down from William W. D. Weaver to his son Judge W. M. Weaver, and from him to the writer.
GENERAL ELIJAH CLARK'S GRAND-DAUGHTER MOVES TO GREENE COUNTY
When William W. D. Weaver became administrator of the estate of Thomas Greenwood in September 1825, he assumed res- ponsibility for the property and welfare of his sister-in-law Ann Leonora Greenwood-Mounger and her children. Thomas Greenwood married Ann Leonora Mounger on March 9, 1819. Her father was Ed- win Mounger who married General Elijah Clark's daughter. William, W. D. Weaver married Caroline M. Mounger on April 8, 1824, and she was a sister of Ann Leonora Mounger.
Ann Leonora remained a widow until she married Bishop James O. Andrew on Jan. 13, 1844. And, it was the slaves that came into his possession through his wife, that caused him to become unfrock- ed as Bishop just a few months later. However, the organization of the M. E. Church South followed soon after, and James O. Andrew immediately became a Bishop of that body.
Two years later, Dr. H. H. King of Greensboro married Caro- line M. Greenwood, daughter of Ann Leonora now Mrs. J. O. And- rew and Bishop Andrew performed the marriage ceremony. Thus did the descendants of Dr. H. H. King and William W. D. Weaver become descendants of General Elijah Clark the old Revolutionary hero.
OLIVER CROMWELL
Can it be that the old English Dictator whose act of mercy in- spired the story "Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight" had descendants in Greene County?
Be that as it may; we find where one Oliver Cromwell owned land in Greene County in 1823. His land is merely mentioned as being one of the boundaries of a piece of land in litigation.
Minutes of Ordinary's
Court, 1816-1828, p. 254.
451
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
CLERK ORDERED TO OPEN THE COURT HOUSE FOR LOTTERY AND PREACHING
Minutes of the Ordinary's Court 1816-1828, p. 173, reads: "On the petition of sundry persons it is ordered that the Clerk open the Court House for the drawing of the Lottery authorized by the last Legislature for the benefit of the County Academy, in Greensboro, on cemetery hill; and further that said Clerk use his sound discretion in opening the Court House for preaching, presuming that he will admit all decent and orderly clergyman."
Almost as bad as buying free school books with beer tax in 1937.
JAILED FOR DEBT
Minutes of the Ordinary's Court 1816-1828, p. 211, reads :
"Upon the application of John Chew, Jailor, showing that Samuel Greene of Morgan County, is confined for debt in the common jail of this County, and that there is no bond to secure the payment of the lawful fees to the said Jailor for the confinement of the said Greene. Ordered therefore that the said Greene be released instanter."
When the Ocmulgee Circuit was created on December 10, 1807, Peter Early was the first presiding judge. The following outline of the Ocmulgee Ciruit is complied from information published in the 1931 Official and Statistical Register, by the Department of Archives and History :
OCMULGEE CIRCUIT (Created Dec. 10, 1807)
Baldwin, Dec. 10, 1807-date (Clayton, p. 359) Greene, Dec. 10, 1807-date (Clayton, p. 359) Jones, Dec. 10, 1807-date (Clayton, p. 359)
Laurens, Dec. 10, 1807-Dec. 19, 1818; Dec. 9, 1882; Dec. 23, 1884; Nov. 26, 1890; Mch. 1, 1908 (Clayton, p. 359; Lamar, p. 361; Acts 1882-83, p. 152; Acts 1884-85, p. 107; Acts 1890- 91, v. 1, p. 88; Acts 1807, p. 70) Morgan, Dec. 10, 1807-date (Clayton, p. 359)
Putnam, Dec. 10, 1807-date (Clayton, p. 359)
Randolph, Dec. 10, 1807-Dec. 10, 1812; name changed to Jasper (Clayton, p. 359; Lamar, p. 199)
Telfair, Dec. 10, 1807-Dec. 19, 1818 (Clayton, p. 359; Lamar, p. 361) Wilkinson, Dec. 10, 1807-Jan. 1, 1912: Jan. 1, 1913-date (Clayton, p. 359; Acts 1911, p. 81; Acts 1912, p. 101)
Pulaski, Dec. 22, 1808-Dec. 19, 1818 (Clayton, p. 359; Lamar, p. 361) Twiggs, Dec. 15, 1809-Dec. 19, 1818 (Clayton, p. 574; Lamar, p. 361) Monroe, Dec. 24, 1821-Dec. 23, 1822 (Dawson, pp. 120, 122) Hancock, July 24, 1909-date (Acts 1909, p. 102)
452
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
THE FIRST FILIBUSTERING IN GEORGIA
(By R. J. Massey)
Greene County Court was in session, before which a very important case was being tried, and Hon. A. B. Longstreet was for the defense. Longstreet was afterwards better known as the author of "Georgia Scenes" and he was an able divine. At this time, however, he was one of the most prominent law- yers in the state. The case was called at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. To his horror, be it said, he found that a very im- portant paper was missing. His recollection was that he had left it at Eatonton, a distance of some twenty-two miles. He held his hand very wisely and did not let the plaintiff know the paper was missing, but announced himself ready for trial. In that day there were no livery stables, nor couriers ready to hand, so Mr. Longstreet met with some little trouble to find a man who would undertake the trip to Eatonton, and back in as short a time as possible ; but he found one man, sent him in post haste for the missing paper; went into the trial, fili- bustered every point taken by the plaintiff, so as to gain time. He caused the plaintiff's side to delay until late in the evening, so that court was adjourned before the defense was required to show its side. In the meantime the courier went to Eatonton. arriving there 8 o'clock at night, obtained the paper, came several miles back that night, arriving in Greensboro early the next morning, having made the ride of forty-four miles before it became necessary for Judge Longstreet to present the side for the defendant.
Tradition has it that this was the first case of filibuster- ing known in Georgia and the knowing ones wink at the idea that Longstreet was the originator of the filibustering method so often adopted since by parties of the weaker cause in many instances "
COURTHOUSE BURNED
"On the night of Thursday, August 1st, the Courthouse and Jail in Greensboro, Georgia, were burned down; it is sup- posed that the destruction was occasioned by a runaway Negro
453
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
who relieved his former comrade by breaking open the Jail and then setting fire to the building."
Augusta Herald, Thursday, Aug. 15, 1805.
Note: This refers to the burning of Greensboro's second Court- house; the first was destroyed by the Indians in 1787. The third Court- house was built in 1806, and the old Rock Jail was built in 1807-8. The present Courthouse was built in 1848-9, and is Greene County's fourth temple of justice.
As to what records were lost in this fire no one knows; but it is quite certain that many were saved, but badly damaged. This assump- tion is bourne out by the fact that, in 1811 the Greene County Infer- ior Court employed Benjamin Jourdan to transcribe the original re- cords in bound books; and. the original contract is still in existence and in the handwriting of Mr. Jourdan. The beautiful penmanship that characterizes the records up to that time, was supposed to have been done by Ezekiel Park and other Clerks of the Court, but not so; their handwriting can be identified, but Benjamin Jourdan was the master-penman who deciphered and re-wrote the early records.
DUELS
Southern Watchman, June 14, 1860: L. A. Nelms, of Warrenton and Dr. Wm. R. Holmes of Waynesboro fought a duel. Nelms was injured and Holmes not hurt. William M. McIntosh of Elbert and John D. Ashton were seconds.
Greensboro-Herald Journal, Oct. 5, 1888 : General Jack- son fought two duels with Governor Sevier in 1803 and one with Charles Dickinson, all three were over his wife.
This paper also tells the story of General Isaac Putnam being challenged by a young officer. The General proposed that each should sit on a powder keg with a lighted fuse. Put- nam would accept no other weapon. The young man ran when the flames neared the bunghole. Putnam yelled to him, "Hold on there the keg's filled with onion seeds". The duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr is related in the issue of July 11, 1804.
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.