USA > Georgia > Greene County > History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786-1886 > Part 4
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"The summer season now rapidly advancing, the air at mid-day, about this region, was insufferably hot and sultry. We set off from Augusta, early in the morning for the Great Buffalo Lick on the Great Ridge, which separates the waters of the Savannah and Altamaha, about eighty miles distant from Augusta. At this Buffalo Lick the surveyors were to separate themselves, and form three companies, to proceed on different routes. On the evening of the second day's journey, we arrived at a small village of Little River, a branch of the Savannah, this village called Wrightsborough, was founded by Jos. Mat- tox, esq. of the sect called Quakers. This public spirited man having obtained for himself and his followers a district, com- prehending upwards of forty thousand acres of land, gave the town this name, in honor of Sir Wright, then governor of Georgia, who greatly promoted the settlement."
"After four days of moderate and pleasant traveling, we arrived in the evening at Buffalo Lick." A full description of the location of this Lick, was fully described at the beginning of this article. Bartram goes on to say that, "We were detained at this place one day, in adjusting and planning the several branches of the survey. A circumstance occurred during this time, which was a remarkable instance of Indian sagacity and nearly disconcerted all our plans, and put an end to the busi- ness. The surveyor having fixed his compass on the staff, and being about to ascertain the course from our place of departure, which was to strike the Savannah at the confluence of a certain river, miles distant from us; just as he had determined upon the point, the Indian chief came up, and observing the course
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
he had fixed upon, spoke, and said it was not right; but that the course to the place was so and so, holding up his hand, and pointing."
"The surveyor replied, that he himself was certainly right, adding, that the little instrument (pointing to the compass) told him so, which, he said, could not err. The Indian answered, he knew better, and that the little wicked instrument was a liar ; and he would not acquiesce in its decisions, since it would wrong the Indians out of their land. This mistake (the sur- veyor proving to be in the wrong) displeased the Indians; the dispute, arose to that height, that the chief and his party had determined to break up the business, and return the shortest way home, and forbade the surveyors to proceed any farther ; however, after some delay, the complacence and prudent con- duct of the Colonel made them change their resolution; the Chief became reconciled upon the condition that the compass should be discarded, and rendered incapable of serving on this business; that the Chief himself should lead the survey; and moreover, receive an order for a very considerable quantity of goods." (Bartram's Travels)
The survey of the ceded lands known as "The Great Pur- chase", and which constituted the original Wilkes County, ac- tually started in what is now Greene County, at the Great Buf- falo Lick, which is just below Union Point. The treaty of 1775, at Augusta, and which Bartram witnessed, included the lands north of the Ogeechee River and its headwaters, therefore, no dispute could arise as to the southern boundary, as the Ogee- chee is a well defined stream up to the "Great Lick." Bartram went with the surveyors who followed a northernly course, and who established the boundary between the Indians and whites as set fourth in the treaty ; but his interest was only in the trees, shrubs, birds, insects, animals and reptiles, of which, he gave a most interesting account. From Bartram's description of the unpleasantness that took place at the "Lick" over the use of the compass, it will be readily seen how near the treaty of 1775 came to being upset. And, had the officers not used diplomacy, a great Indian war might have preceded the Revolution, in Georgia.
22
How Georgia Looked Under the Original Grant of 1732
E
0
SOU
34
Mississippi -
7
Tombigoce
UCHEET
Brit
R.
A
Yawo
Oconee
Ogeechee
R
R.
R.
also
Allamaha R.
MAP OF ORIGINAL GRANT
chee R.
Mobile
1732.
Okefinokee Swanip!
Pensacola
SPAWISH -
SETTLEMENTS
86
83
87
When colonization of. Georgla first was granted, the borders .of the new territory 'were vastly different from those of the state today. As shown in the above map, the colony occupied a long narrow strip
of land extending as far west as the Mississippi river, bending south- eastward at what now is the Tennessee-South Carolina border, ind ex- tending thence to the Atlantic ocean.
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Natches HONEY
NEW371X35
Pearl R.
Pascagoula
Alabama
CREEKS
CAROLIN
Savannak'
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
The fact that, many of the chiefs and warriors who met at Augusta did not want to surrender such a vast tract of their lands that the traders and merchants demanded in payment of debts, no doubt had much to do with the Indians' attitude to- ward the whites who bought these lands through Governor Wright's Land Court. And, the bitter feelings that the Indians exhibited toward the whites after the Revolution was from the same cause.
A MAP SHOWING HOW THE STATE OF GEORGIA APPEARED IN 1732
Many changes have taken place in Georgia since the above map was published in 1799 both as to area and development. The names and spelling of many rivers have been changed; but eleven of the twelve towns shown in what is now Georgia are still in existence. The cities and towns that were of sufficient importance to appear on the map were, St. Marys, Brunswick, Sunbury, Hardwic, Savannah, Elberton, Waynesboro, George Town, Louisville, Augusta, Washington, and Greensburg (Greensboro). Elberton was a port of the Ogeechee
River between Savannah and Waynesboro; and probably about where Rocky Ford is now located. With the exception of George Town, all of twelve towns listed are still in existence, and have played an important part in Georgia's history and development. From 1786 to 1802, Jefferson, Washington, Greene, and Franklin Counties were "buffers" between Indians and the civilized portions of that vast territory that was known as Georgia; and these counties bore the brunt of the Indian uprisings that necessitated every able bodied man to be a sol- dier; and his trusted rifle was within easy reach both day and night. Forts were built along the north bank of the Oconee and Altamaha Rivers for the protection of settlers against the Indians. Compounds and forts were built in the interior where the women and children could be protected during up- risings.
Greensboro was burned by the Indians in 1787; and some thirty citizens were killed and quite a number wounded and taken prisoner. Governor Mathews ordered out 3,000 troops
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
to capture and punish guilty Indians, and appealed to the Pre- sident of the Congress of the United States for soldiers and supplies.
The only barrier between Greene County and Creek In- dians was the Oconce River; and as it is a small stream and casily crossed, Indian raids (were frequent. Elijah Clark's "Trans-Oconee Republic" did not help matters in Greene County. In fact, it made them worse, as his outfit was composed largely of desperate men who were bent on acquiring land and power. They used every means to get Greene County men to join them; and when persuasion failed they used force. Some of those who refused to join them were whipped, and several were shot. The activities of the Clark forces across the Oconee and in what is now Morgan and Putnam Counties, were report- ed to Governor Mathews by Thomas Houghton a citizen of Greene County. His orginal letter is now in the files of the Department of Archives and History in Atlanta, and affida- vits of Greene County citizens concerning the methods used are also in the files.
General Elijah Clark was a fine soldier: but his ven- ture beyond the Oconee was a great mistake, and no doubt had much to do with Greene County citizens opposing the Clark faction in politics in the 1820's when the battle raged between John Clark and George M. Troup. Thomas Stocks a Greene County citizen, was president of the Georgia Senate when the joint ballot of the House and Senate resulted in a tie vote for Governor. And while John Clark was not a candi- date, his friend Mathew Talbot was; and everybody knew that the issue was-Clark against Troup. When it became necessary for the President to cast his vote and break the tie, Thomas Stocks cast his vote for Troup, and pandemonium broke loose in the old Capitol at Milledgeville. However, Clark's friends in the House constituted a majority and used their voting power to defeat every Troup man that came before that body for re-election. Augustus B. Longstreet went down in defeat for re-election as Judge of the Ocmulgee Circuit. He was a citizen of Greensboro at that time, and was an anti-Clark man.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
The writer of this article can view the Clark family from an unprejudiced standpoint, as his great-great grandfather was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War under General Elijah Clark. And when Gen. Clark was stricken with smallpox he was placed in command and fortified and defended Augusta. After the British were defeated they were neighbors and friends; and one of his daughters married his son John Clark, who after- ward became Governor of Georgia, and were it not for the fact that, he is the historian for Greene County, he might leave the comrade and friend of his ancestor (Col. Williamson) entirely out of the picture.
GREENE COUNTY'S INDIAN MOUNDS
About 1837 the Indians were sent to the west, and although they had given the white people trouble, the country was theirs to begin with.
THE INDIANS LAMENT by Christine Park Hankinson
I must leave the Georgia valleys where the laughing waters run. I must leave the silent forests, I must find the setting sun. No Paleface knows the sorrow that fills the Redman's heart; And none shall know my soul-cry when moccasins depart.
Perhaps, again, my arrow will find the buffalo, The brave may find the warpath; may vanquish hostile foc; But I shall still be yearning for lovely Georgia mounds, And singing Georgia waters, and Georgia hunting grounds.
The rising sun will call me, and I shall say "Farewell", And journey to the westward, To the westward I must dwell. And none who sees me going, shall sense my soul's unrest, Unless, perhaps, some Paleface who, too, is moving west.
Very few of our people are aware of the fact that we have a number of pre-historic mounds in Greene county; and very few of those who know of them have ever seen them, or even know where they are located.
The Smithsonian Institute, or rather its officials are aware of every mound in the entire country and their exact location.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Most of us who know of their existence credit them to the In- dians who inhabited this country just prior to the Revolutionary War; but, the Smithsonian authorities claim that the Cherokee and Creek Indians were not mound builders; and their oldest traditions credit them as being here when these Indians came, therefore, we must conclude that these mounds were built by a race of people who preceded the Indians.
This writer made his first inspection of one of these mounds yesterday. The one he visited is near the Oconee river, and some two miles above the bridge across the Oconee river on Route No. 12; and is on the land of Mr. C. H. Dyar. This mound is some three hundred feet in circumference, at the base, and some fifty feet or more in height. At the top, it is some twenty-five feet in diameter and somewhat concaved. It is cov- ered with trees on both sides and top. It is situated in a vast swamp and several hundred yards from the river. Years ago, there was a large pond between the mound and the river, and was known as "Mound Pond." This pond was supposed to have been formed by the removal of the dirt to build the mound, and contained many fish, although, it was subject to overflow from the river. However, this pond has been filled with silt from the river, and aside from a slight depression, it looks like the rest of the swamp.
Some years ago, some one made an excavation near the center of the top of the mound, but the fact that it was aband- oned after reaching a depth of a few feet indicates that noth- ing was found. Within the past year, Mr. Byar's sons have made a considerable hole in the side of the mound about half way between the base and top. Their efforts were rewarded by some bits of broken pottery, a few shells, bones and bits of charred wood. Recently, an earthen pot was uncovered and seemed to be intact, but when removed it fell to pieces. This pot was some twelve inches in diameter, judging from the depres- sion made by it, and the fragments show an indistinct design. Among the bones, the boys found a bone needle, or a part of one. This needle was about half the size of a cedar pencil, was well pointed and made of solid bone, and a neat groove was cut in the side, and presumedly, this groove held the thong or
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
skin that was used in sewing. The groove terminated about two inches from the point, but unfortunately, the other part of the needle was not found. The groove in this needle was evidently cut with a metal instrument, and reveals skilled workmanship.
These boys must have struck the burial place of some great chief or leader, as the pot, bones etc. were central be- tween four upright posts that were evidently charred before being set up. The posts were about four feet apart, while the length of the grave was about eight feet. The boys did not dig to the bottom of the posts, therefore, it is impossible to estimate how far down they extended, or what is contained beneath.
The four upright charred posts very probably, supported a canopy of some description, and poles may have been attach- ed to the sides to keep the dirt out of the grave. The dirt that forms the mound is not clay, but seems to be a sort of dried muck. This seems to have been put on in layers of some eigh- teen inches and then burned. There is a charred streak between each layer that seems to support this idea, and the concave surface on top of the mound is probably due to the giving away of the timbers inside and the gradual settling of dirt into the graves beneath.
The burning of the various strata seems to have render- ed the mound moisture-proof; and the walls are almost as hard as brick, and for that reason, no one except an expert could hope to recover any article without crushing and thereby de- stroying its historic value.
Just a few hundred yards from this mound, and just across the Oconee, there is a much smaller one. This mound is very near the river, and from its appearance, one would judge that repeated efforts had been made in the long ago to make it give up its secrets. Less than one mile north of this latter mound, on top of quite a hill, there are many evidences of a large In- dian settlement. Many perfect specimens of elaborately carved pipes and pottery have been found during the past fifty years, and a few during the past ten years. Erosion has moved many feet of dirt, and no doubt the present surface is eight or ten
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
feet below the original surface; yet bits of pottery and arrow- heads are to be found after every rain.
Unfortunately, these evidences of art that existed in an- other civilization have been scattered to the four winds, and nothing remains to tell us what these people did and thought. There are a few fine collections of arrow-heads, battle- axes, and a few pipes and other relics still in the county, but few of their owners, if any, can tell where they came from. Some col- lections have been built up by hiring Negroes to scour the hills along the Oconee after every rain therefore they cannot be associated with any particular locality.
Would it not be fine to lend these treasures of the past to some organization that would take care of them? I think it would.
Everybody cannot go to Washington and visit the Museum of Natural History; but, many Greene county citizens could learn much of the early history of this section, if the owners of these relics would put them in cases where they could be seem, and have them displayed in some safe place. Please ponder this suggestion.
ANCIENT CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SPANISH GOVERNOR OF EAST-FLORIDA
That Greene County officials had much to do with estab- lishing, and maintaining peace with East-Florida when the rebellious Spanish subjects sought to form an Axis with General Elijah Clark and his followers, and is clearly proven by the cor- respondence between the Spanish Governor of East-Florida and Captain Jonas Fauche and others.
History tells that, some ten years after the American Re- volution, Elijah Clark was given a commission as General, by Genet, the French General who was in charge of French inter- ests in this part of America; and that said Clark raised an
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
army of U. S. citizens, without the knowledge or consent of the Washington Government, and corralled as many Indians as he could induce to join him and, together with as many of the re- bellious Florida Spaniards as he could find to join him, he waged war against the Florida Spaniards who were loyal to Spain.
Clark's campaign was short-lived and proved an utter failure; but during that period he conceived the idea for estab- lishing his "Trans-Oconee-Republic"-which also proved a fail- ure and cast a shadow over the brilliant career that he gained for himself as an officer in the American Revolution.
The following is an exact copy of the English translation of a letter written and directed to Captains Abimeal Nichol and Jonas Fauche by the Governor of East-Florida as annexed to the Spanish original. (The letter is not dated, but Fauches' reply proves that it was written on October 9, 1795).
THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER
Gentlemen,
"Captain Andrew Atkinson has inform'd me of the civilities with which you behand to him and good Disposition you manifested in your conversations towards contributing to the extermination of the pro-, jects of General Clark and his followers in association with the rebel- lious Subjects of the king my master, against this territory of his Dominions, that has been entrusted to my care-these evident proofs of your honorable and upright proceedings and mode of thinking; and those Just Shewn by his Excellency the Governor of your State, by commissioning you, Captain Fauche, with fifty Dragoons for that pur- pose constitutes me in the obligation, after returning to you due thanks, of assuring you that you may rely on my gratitude, desires of Serving you, and of contributing on my part to the preservation of that good harmony which has hitherto Subsisted in consequence of the Superior orders of my court and Congress, between the Subjects of his Catholic majesty and the citizens of the United States upon this occasion, I have the honor of offering myself at your disposal with lively wishes of rendering you Services, and I am persuaded that
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
you will continue to accede as far as your forces will permit you, to the prosperous issue of our mutual desires and the maintenance of the pacefick Disposition of the Governments of the two Powers-god pre- serve you many years."
(Signed) John Mepomuche de Quisada.
Fauche's Reply
A letter written and addressed to the Governor of East Florida by Jonas Fauche-
Sir
"I am Just gratified with the honor of your Excellencys commu- nication of the 9th inst. and take the liberty to inform you that the objects of my command, from orders of his Excellency Governor Mathews, are to aid and assist the civil authorities of the County of Camden, in order to inforce the laws of this and the United States; particularly in preventing their neutrality to be commited; checking the improper conduct of our citizens in that respect, and preventing the citizens of the United States to afford Succor to the revolted Subjects of his Catholic Magesty. My duty to my country and my regard for my nation with which we are at Peace, will stimulate me to make use of my utmost exertions in my Subordinate conjunction with the Majistrates of Camden County, to obtain the above objects; and my inclinations and love of good order, will still Strengthen these my Sacred obligations-be persuaded, Sir, that it is my sincere belief, that one of the favorite wishes and cares of this and our General Governments, are to maintain the good harmony and under- standing which has Subsisted between them and his Catholic Magesty.
I have the honor to be, Your Excellency's Most humble and obedient Servant (Signed) Jonas Fauche Captain malitia Dragoons-"
Saint Mary, Fort Gunn October 14th 1795.
Note: Spelling, use of capitals and punctuation, are copied just as they were written. Captain Jonas Fauche was not only a brave man and splendid officer, but was a Past-Master at diplomacy.
Forward-
Governor George Mathews sent Captain Jonas Fauche on this delicate mission just one year after the fall of Elijah Clark's "Trans-Oconee-Republic." History gives full credit to
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
Generals Irwin and Twiggs for Clark's undoing ,and does not mention Jonas Fauche. Governor Mathews knew of Fauche's part in the destruction of Clark's strongholds-Forts Advance and Defiance-and commissioned him to go to the Georgia- Florida border and straighten out the mess that Clark had stirred up among the revolting Spaniards. He knew that Jonas Fauche was capable of doing a good job and deserved recogni- tion for the prominent part he played in securing Elijah Clark's bloodless surrender. Fauche was further rewarded by being made Georgia's second Adjutant General. Fauche lived to see the Floridas-East and West Florida-become a part of the United States. He died in 1835.
THE GA .- TENN. LINE.
The northern boundary of Georgia was not fully settled until 1818, and a Greene county citizen was the Boundary Com- missioner for Georgia. A photostat was made from his original diary while engaged in establishing the line between Georgia and Tennessee. Thomas Stocks was Georgia's commissioner and General John Coke was commissioner for Tennessee. Judge Stocks left Greensboro on May 5, 1818 and "set out" for Nick- ajack on horseback, and reached there on May 12th. On May 17th the Tennessee delegation arrived, to wit: General John Coke, commissioner on the part of Tennessee, James S. Gaines mathematician, and Joseph Cobb surveyor. May 18th, Mr. Gaines took his first observations with the equatral Theodolite and made this place (Nickajack) Dr. 35-11. At 12 o'clock Mr. Gaines made his second observation and found this place 12 miles south of the 35th degree, differing from his yesterdays observation 22 miles, in consequence of which we concluded to dispense with the further use of his instrument. At 40 minutes after 9, Mr. Camak took his first observation on Spica and Arc- turus. Both of which correspond with the one taken on the 19th, and determined this place (Nickajack) to be about 2 miles north of the 35th degree. (Arcturus is not visible before May 18th) Mr. Camak again took observation on Arcturus on May 25th, and this observation made Camp Cokesouth of the 31st degree.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
They continued to "scrap" and gaze at the fixed stars until June 1st., and planted a rock marked on the north, Tennessee June 1st 1818. Variation 6 degrees east. And the south side Georgia, latitude 35 north. June 2nd was fair and they ran five miles to near "Broken Canoe." On the 4th they ran 13 miles and 30 chains, and camped at the foot of Look- out Mountain. They rested on the 6th and took observations and found they were correct.
June 7th was Sunday, and they rested from their La- bours" and visited the missionary, heard two sermons and re- turned to camp. Set out early on the morning of the 8th and ran 4 miles over poor level land to Chickamauga crossing equal distance from Goody's and the Missionary school and one mile further and camped. The distance covered from the 7th to the 10th was over a poor and broken country. On the 10th they crossed the west branch of the Connisauga and camped near the home of an Indian by the name of Tom Man- ning. Here is said to be the best body of land in the Cherokee nation. They passed near the widow Wolff's house, and on to Betsey Watkins on Hiawasse river.
On the 18th they reached the town of Ellsciely and hired an Indian to pilot their horses through the mountains, nobs, rocks and cliffs. Mr. Camak's horse was bitten by a snake and very much injured that day. On account of the loss of his horse, Mr. Camak was forced to leave the party and proceed to McTours'. His having to leave the party was much regretted by all. From the 18th to the 27th of June, they experienced many hardships on account of the almost impenetrable moun- tain country. They made a corner on the Unicoy mountains, called by the Indians; The Indian ford mountains.
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