USA > Georgia > Irwin County > History of Irwin county > Part 16
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At the July term, 1868, the following order was taken, that Daniel McDuffie be allowed $3.50 for making a coffin for John McDonald of said county. Also that Abigale McDuffie be al- lowed the price of a saddle for her services for taking care of John McDonald in his sickness and death, which is $8.00.
BONDS.
The first bond on record was that of John Sutton, Jr., as guardian for William R. Adams. The amount of the bond was $300.00. David Calaway was his bondsman and it was re- corded December 13, 1821.
SLAVES.
On February 27, 1865, there appears the following order on the record of official bonds of Irwin County: "We, the jus- tices of the Inferior Court, having assembled by law for the purpose of placing to the best of our knowledge and belief the market value upon slaves of different ages in our county, do certify that we believe the following sums placed opposite age to be the fair market value in Confederate notes of the slaves of different ages in our county, to wit :
"First-slaves under two years of age are worth $800.00; second-slaves from two to six years of age are worth $1,- 000.00; third-slaves from six to twelve years of age are worth $1,500.00; fourth-slaves from twelve to sixteen years of age are worth $2,500.00 ; fifth-male slaves from sixteen to twenty- five years of age are worth $5,000.00; sixth-female slaves from sixteen to twenty-five years of age are worth $4,000.00; seventh-male slaves from twenty-five to thirty-five years of age are worth $5,000.00; eighth-female slaves from twenty- five to thirty-five years of age are worth $3,500.00; ninth- male slaves from thirty-five to forty-five years of age are worth $4,000.00; tenth-female slaves from thirty-five to forty- five years of age are worth $2,500.00; eleventh-male slaves from forty-five to fifty-five years of age are worth $2,500.00; twelfth-female slaves from forty-five to fifty-five years of age are worth $1,000,00; thirteenth-male slaves from fifty-
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five to sixty-five years of age are worth $1,000.00; fourteenth -female slaves from fifty-five to sixty-five years of age are worth $500.00.
"Given under our hand and seal of office, this twenty- seventh of February, 1865.
"George Young, J. I. C., James Paulk, J. I. C., D. M. Hogan, J. I. C., Reason Paulk, J. I. C."
WIVES AND CHILDREN OF VOLUNTEER SOLDIERS.
At September adjourned term, 1861, of the Inferior Court, a tax was levied of forty per cent. on the general state tax for the purpose of maintaining the wives and children of the volun- teers who had volunteered and gone to the war and S. B. Townsend, Zara Paulk and Aaron R. Chandler were appointed a committee to superintend and look after the wants of the wives and children of the volunteers in 982nd district; L. G. Young, William Hobby and John W. Fletcher in 901st dis- trict ; John B. Dorminy, A. McMillan and William G. Dixon in 432nd district; Reason Paulk, James Fletcher and John Hen- derson in 518th district, and Jehu Fletcher and R. D. Sin- clair in 690th district.
At January term, 1862, George Paulk, county treasurer, re- ceived from the Inferior Court for the support of wives of soldiers, who volunteered for defense of Confederate States the sum of $275.50.
At March term, 1862, John Ross was paid $12.10 for sup- plies furnished Mrs. Webb, and John W. Fletcher, $10.15 for supplies furnished Mrs. Howard, and James T. Branch, $7.50 for supplies furnished Susan E. Branch.
At July term, 1862, John B. Dorminy was paid $45.64 for supplies furnished Mrs. Griffin, and Reason Paulk, $16.35 for supplies furnished Mrs. Hunter.
At January term, 1863, A. P. Clements was paid $32.00 for hauling salt from Albany for the soldiers' wives.
At January term, 1864, John Ross was paid $34.50 for going to Milledgeville after the money for the soldiers' wives.
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At January term, 1864, A. P. Clements was paid $125.00 for hauling salt from Albany for the soldiers' wives and children.
At July term, 1864, the Inferior Court proceeded to dis- tribute $10,937.00, it being a portion of the state funds for the soldiers' wives and children of this county and upon calcula- tion the court "finds there is due $25.00 each child and woman, which money is distributed accordingly and paid George Young, $64.00 expenses laid out in going after the money due this county."
COLORED PERSONS' MARRIAGES.
The first colored couple to be married in Irwin County was Joseph Sears to Ellen Paulk, married on January 20, 1867, by Moses J. Tucker, J. P. The second couple to be married was Elias Paulk to Martha Paulk by James Paulk, Judge of In- ferior Court on October 13, 1867.
DIVORCES.
The first divorce case brought in Irwin Superior Court was at the October term, 1850, thirty years after the county was organized and the case appears upon the record as Jemima Green vs. James Green. An order was taken stating that defendant did not live in county or state and that rule be pub- lished in one of the public gazettes of the state once a month for three months, then case would be considered in default and plaintiff allowed to proceed. The next two divorce cases were placed on the docket at the October term, 1857, to wit: Sarah Powell vs. Craton Powell, and John A. Tayler vs. Susan Tayler. In the latter case the following verdict was ren- dered by the jury : "We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of the charge, October term, 1857." Signed Thomas J. Brant- ley, Foreman.
ROADS.
An act of the Legislature, approved December 15, 1857, pro- vided that it shall be the duty of commissioners and overseers of the roads of Irwin County to have the several roads in said county cut out fifteen feet in width in lieu of twenty feet as is now provided by law.
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SHERIFF'S BONDS.
An act approved December 19, 1829, of the Legislature pro- vided that persons elected or appointed sheriffs of the counties of Irwin, Carroll, Early, Randolph, Rabun, Appling, Campbell, Screven, Lowndes and Lee, shall be required to give bond and security in the sum of $10,000.00 only for the faithful dis- charge of the duties of sheriff's office of said counties : any- thing in the forty-sixth section of the judiciary act of 1799 to the contrary notwithstanding.
An act approved December 2, 1841, provided that all sheriffs hereafter elected for county of Irwin shall give bond in the sum of $5,000.00 only.
TAX RECEIVER AND COLLECTOR.
An act of the Legislature, approved December 25, 1837, pro- vides that the office of tax receiver and collector so far as respect of the county of Irwin, are hereby consolidated and the persons elected respectively to discharge the duties of said offices shall receive as compensation for their services the fees now allowed by law for both offices.
At the January term, 1850, the Legislature passed an act repealing the act of consolidating the offices of tax receiver and collector and provided that on the first Monday in January next a receiver of tax returns as well as collector be elected for Irwin County.
On February 9, 1854, the Legislature passed an act con- solidating the offices of tax collector and receiver.
February 26, 1856, the Legislature passed an act providing that all laws heretofore passed consolidating the offices of tax receiver and collector be repealed.
December 2, 1859, the Legislature passed an act providing that the offices of tax collector and receiver shall be held by one and the same person.
IRWIN FACTORY COMPANY.
An act of the Legislature, approved December 24, 1840, pro- vided that William Bowen, Solomon H. Kenyon and Joseph Roberts, with all such persons as may hereafter become in-
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terested in said company, are incorporated by name of Irwin Factory Company.
CENSUS.
At the July term, 1824, James Allen was appointed to take the census of Irwin County.
TAX.
For the years, 1824, '25, '26, '27, '28, '29, '30, '31 and '32 a tax was levied for county purposes at 121/2% on state tax ; for 1833, 614% was levied on the state tax; for 1834, '35, "36, '37 and '38 a tax was levied for county purposes of 25% on the general tax for county purposes; for the years, 1839, '40, '41 a tax of 50% on state tax was levied for county pur- poses and for the years, 1839, '40, '41, '42, '43 and '44 a tax of 10% on the state tax was levied for the poor ; for the year, 1845, a tax of 121/2% on the state tax was levied for the poor ; for the year, 1846, a tax of 12% was levied for county pur- poses and 8% for the poor; for the year, 1847, 25% was levied for county purposes; for the year, 1848, a tax of 25% was levied for county purposes, 8% for the poor; for the years, 1848, '49, a tax of 17% was levied for jail purposes, 8% for poor; and 25% for county purposes; for the years, 1850 and '51, a tax of 50% was levied for jail funds, 25% for county purposes and 5% for the poor; for year, 1852, a tax of 85% was levied for all purposes; for year, 1853, a tax was levied, 20% for county purposes and 30% to build a new courthouse ; for year, 1854, 25% was levied for county purposes and 25% to build new courthouse; for year, 1855, 70% was levied for county purposes and 10% for jury pay ; for year, 1856, a tax of 125% on state tax was levied for county purposes ; for year, 1857, 50% was levied for county purposes, 10% for the poor ; for year, 1859, 10% on general state tax was levied for coun- ty purposes and 10% for educational purposes ; for year, 1860, 40% on state tax was levied for county purposes and 25% for school purposes ; for year, 1861, 40% was levied for wives and children of volunteers and 15% for school purposes; for year. 1862, 25%, was levied for county purposes and 5% for school purposes ; for year, 1863, 50% for county purposes ; for year,
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1866, 20% for county purposes ; for year, 1869, 50% for build- ing a jail; for year, 1870, 75% for county purposes ; for years, 1871 and '73, 50% for county purposes; for year, 1874, 25% for county purposes ; for year, 1875, 20% for county purposes ; for year, 1877, a tax of 15% was levied on each $100.00 worth of property ; for year 1878, 25% on each $100.00 worth of prop- erty ; for year, 1879, 15% on each $100.00 worth of property ; for year, 1880, 17% and 13% for courthouse; for year, 1881, 16% on each $100.00 worth of property ; for year, 1882, 20% and 11% for courthouse; for year, 1883, 151/2% for county purposes, 16% for courthouse and 31/2% for poor; for 1885, 20% for county purposes and 4% for poor; for 1886, 35% for county purposes ; for 1887, 48% for county purposes; for 1888, 40% on each $100.00 for county purposes and 5% for the poor; for 1889, 25% for county purposes and 6% for the poor ; for 1890, 27% for county purposes and 16% for build- ing jail and 4% for poor; for year, 1891, 18% for county pur- poses, 11% for jail, 3% for the poor; for 1892, 20% for coun- ty purposes, 3% for poor; for 1893, 15% for jury, 5% for jail, 6% for county court, 3% for bridges, 4% for the poor and 12% for county purposes.
LIQUOR INSPECTOR.
At January term, 1859, of the Inferior Court, Doctor G. E. White was appointed liquor inspector for Irwin County.
THREE DAYS' ELECTION.
A three days' election was held December 20, 21 and 22, 1870. J. Z. Sutton was sheriff and was paid $9.00 for his attendance. R. W. Clements, George Young and George Whitley were managers and James Paulk, Isaac Young and T. T. Mauldin were clerks and each were paid $9.00 for said service.
INQUEST.
At July term, 1854, of Inferior Court, David L. McCall ad- ministrator of Abram L. McCall, was paid $10.00 for said deceased's services as coroner on the body of Joseph Smith, deceased.
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At April term, 1855, Stephen Bowen, coroner, was paid $14.50 for holding inquest over body of James Johnson.
The first inquest I find any record of was in 1837. Daniel M. Luke, coroner, was paid $16.25 for holding inquest over body of Benjamin Powell.
On May 16, 1839, Daniel M. Luke, coroner, held an inquest about one half mile below Poor Robin Bluff on Ocmulgee River upon the body of Joseph Miller and jury returned verdict that deceased came to his death by intoxication and drowning. George R. Ried was foreman of the jury.
At October term, 1870, David Branch was paid $10.00 for holding inquest upon John W. Chandler.
At August term, 1877, Dr. D. F. McCrimmon was paid $10.00 for holding post mortem on body of Luke Merritt who was killed on November 18, 1876 by Joshua Welsh who escaped jail.
COMMISSIONERS OF PATROL.
At the July term, 1857, the following were appointed com- missioners of patrol.
433rd district, C. M. Powers, Samuel D. Fuller, L. McCall; 982nd district, Jonathan Smith, A. P. Clements, Manassa Henderson; 901st district, B. B. Ransom, R. R. Ransom, L. M. Colberth, 518th district, Charles Roberts, Thomas King, John J. Henderson; 690th district, Jehu Fletcher, Jesse J. Luke, James T. Branch; 432nd district, Archibald McInnis, Thomas L. Will- cox, John B. Dorminy.
At the January term, 1860, the following were appointed :
432nd district, William J. Mathews; 901st district, John Lyons.
At the July term, 1862, David Watkins was appointed for the 432nd district.
BRIDGE ACROSS HOUSE CREEK.
At the March term, 1876, of Inferior Court, Simon Stanley was paid $100.00 for building a bridge across House Creek in 1855.
INQUEST.
February 10, 1882, an inquest was held over the body of .James Fletcher, Jr., Dr. P. H. Hall was the physician. James
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L. Alexander and James Gibbs were committed to jail charged with murder. Jacob C. Young was employed to guard the jail.
In 1885, an inquest was held over the body of Adam Paulk. Paulk was shot in the legs and one leg was removed but he died, therefore an inquest was held.
LUNACY.
The first lunacy trial I find any record of was at the June term, 1877, of the Ordinary Court, when William Roberts was tried and committed to the asylum.
On June 18, 1880, Jacky Paulk, wife of Warren Paulk, was tried and committed to the asylum as also was Thomas Ellis.
May 1883, Jane Gill was also tried and committed to the asylum.
1884, John Willis was adjudged an imbecile from old age and infirmity.
In July 1884, Sarah Boyed was tried and committed to the asylum.
In 1889, Sam D. Eason was committed to the asylum.
May 20, 1891, Virgil Williams was also committed to the asylum.
July 11, 1891, Mrs. M. T. Green was committed to the asylum.
November 18, 1893, Francis C. Luke was adjudged insane and committed to the asylum.
August 27, 1893, Reubin Grice was committed to the asylum.
January 17, 1895, Lucy Mobley was adjudged insane and committed to the asylum.
February 24, 1894, Willie Lawton was adjudged insane and committed to the asylum.
February 18, 1896, Iscaten Hatten was adjudged insane and committed to the asylum.
FERRIES.
At the January term, 1842, an order was passed by the In- ferior Court establishing a ferry across the Alapaha River at a place known as Marshes Ferry. The rates were fixed as follows : man and horse, twelve and one-half cents ; man, horse and cart,
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twenty-five cents; two-horse wagon, fifty cents; four-horse wagon, one dollar; pleasure carriages, one dollar; gigs, fifty cents; jersey wagons, thirty-seven and one-half cents; mules and horses, 3 cents per head; cattle, 3 cents per head, sheep and hogs, one and one-half cents per head; foot persons, free. Rates to be advertised at ferry.
At same term of court a ferry was established across the Willacoochee where Coffee road crosses said creek and the above rates shall govern said ferry.
At January term, 1856, Cornelious Tyson was granted au- thority to erect a ferry on Alapaha River on the Coffee road and he is allowed to charge the following rates: man and horse, six and one-fourth cents; horse and cart. twenty-five cents ; four-horse wagon, fifty cents ; horse and buggy, thirty- seven and one-half cents.
At same term of court the bridge at same place across the Alapaha River was condemned.
At July term, 1856, a public ferry was established on the Alapaha River known as the James T. Branch ferry, it being opposite his home and the following rates were fixed : man and horse, twelve and one-half cents; horse and cart, twenty-five cents ; two-horse wagon, thirty-seven and one-half cents; four- horse wagon, fifty cents ; peddler wagon, twenty-five cents; ox cart, twenty-five cents; horse and buggy, twenty-five cents.
POOR.
At January term, 1826, John Fitzgerald was appointed over- seer of the poor in McCall's district and Daniel McDuffie in Dixon's district.
At the May term, 1838, James Paulk was appointed overseer of the poor.
At March term, 1841, James Paulk was appointed commis- sioner of the poor.
At January term, 1846, James D. Brown was appointed overseer of the poor.
At the January term, 1847, Manassa Henderson was ap- pointed overseer of the poor.
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CLERKS OF SUPERIOR AND INFERIOR COURTS.
An act of the Legislature approved December 17, 1847, pro- vided that clerks of Superior, Inferior and Ordinary courts shall be compelled to hold their offices at the courthouse.
TERMS OF COURT.
An act of the Legislature approved December 25, 1847, fixed the time of holding Superior Courts for Irwin County on Thursday after third Mondays in March and September.
An act approved February 11, 1850, provided for Irwin Superior Courts to be held on Thursday after Fourth Mondays in April and October.
An act approved February 28, 1856, provided for Irwin Superior Courts to be held on fourth Mondays in April and October.
FISH.
An act of the Legislature approved December 2, 1859, pro- vided that if any person in Irwin County used any poisonous substance for the purpose of killing fish, he should be fined not less than $50.00.
SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
An act of the Legislature approved December 23, 1843, con- stituted the eleventh district which was composed of the counties of Irwin and Telfair. Later the state was redistricted and the fifteenth district was created composed of the counties of Irwin, Telfair and Montgomery. In the creation of new counties other counties were added to the fifteenth until there were seven counties in the district. Later the state was redistricted and the fourty-fifth district was created composed of the counties of Irwin, Ben Hill and Telfair.
ADVERTISING.
An act of the Legislature approved February 21, 1850, pro- vided that it shall be lawful for clerks, sheriffs and coroners for the county of Irwin to publish sales, orders and other proceedings requiring publication in any public gazette in
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the city of Milledgeville, or Macon, in the Town of Albany in the county of Baker. From 1872 to 1883 county printing was done in Hawkinsville Dispatch. From 1883 to 1888 Haw- kinsville Dispatch, also Hawkinsville News and Abbeville Times.
The first reference I find to publication of court. proceedings was at December term, 1829, in case of George M. Troup, Governor, on information of William B. McGee vs. Charles B. Tabor. The following order was taken: "It appearing to the court by the returns of the sheriff that the defendant Charles B. Tabor is not to be found in the county and that there is no tenant in possession, it is on motion ordered that the defendant Charles B. Tabor be and appear personally or by attorney at the next term of this court to answer to said scire facias and that a copy of this rule be published in one of the public gazettes of this state once a month for three months before next term of this court."'
The next reference to publication was in case of Hamilton Sharpe vs. James A. Knight, foreclosure of mortgage; an order was taken to serve copy of rule on defendant personally or be published in some public gazette of this state once a month for some months.
At March term, 1849, the Grand Jury recommended that their general presentments be published in the Federal Union. At the April term, 1856, the Grand Jury recommended that their presentments be published in Thomasville Watchman; at the April term, 1858, that their presentments be published in the Wiregrass Reporter ; at the October terms, 1858, '59 and '60 that their presentments be published in Pulaski Times at Hawkinsville.
MAIL ROUTES.
A resolution approved by the Legislature December 24, 1840, provided that our Senators and Representatives in Congress be requested and earnestly solicited to procure the establish- ment of a mail route from Irwinville in county of Irwin by John Henderson's thence by Mrs. Parish's in Lowndes County, on to Troupville in Lowndes County ; and also from Irwinville in county of Irwin, on by Joseph Surrency's to Pindertown in county of Lee, to be carried on horseback or otherwise as may
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suit convenience of contractor at least once a week from each one of the aforementioned places to the other.
Resolution approved December 17, 1859, requested represent- atives in Congress to use their influence to have mail routes through Worth, Irwin and Wilcox counties changed so as to facilitate the transmission of mail as the condition of mail routes through said counties are in a wretched condition.
A resolution approved December 22, 1857, requested our Representatives and Senators in Congress to have a weekly horse mail route established from Waresboro in Ware County to Irwinville in Irwin County.
JURORS' PAY.
Pay of jurors and bailiffs was first nothing but was later made one dollar per day up to October term, 1887, when it was increased to two dollars per day.
LAND PROCESSIONERS.
At the May term, 1899, of the Ordinary's Court the follow- ing land processioners were appointed :
For 1421st district : S. E. Coleman, J. L. Mixon and Frederick Tucker; for 901st district : David Clements, J. J. Fountain and Marcus Luke; for 518th district: Daniel Tucker, J. W. Henderson and William Grantham; for 432nd district: Wiley Whitley, D. T. Paulk and R. L. Paulk; for 690th district : James W. Whiddon, Sr., John Sumner and John Smith; for 982nd district: John Walker, J. J. Fountain and W. J. Clements.
At the February term, 1899, of the Ordinary's Court the following were appointed :
For 432nd district: M. Dixon, Jacob Dorminy and John McMillan; for 518th district : S. A. Burns, Lucius Luke and Luke Harper; for 690th district: B. B. Sumner, George W. Fletcher and J. J. Baker; for 901st district: Marcus Luke, William Rogers and David Clements; for 982nd district : W. J. Clements, R. E. Smith and John Walker; for 1388th district : W. M. Barnes, George P. Young and W. T. Whitley ; for 1421st district : D. J. Hogan, D. J. Henderson and H. T. Fletcher; for 1529th district: Daniel Tucker, E. J. Young and Albert
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HISTORY OF IRWIN COUNTY
Sutton; for 1537th district: J. B. F. McCall, Eli Cutler and S. D. Walker; for 1550th district: Jacob Hall, J. W. Paulk and Henry Sutton.
At the February term, 1899, of the Ordinary's Court, the following were appointed :
For 432nd district: L. Robitzsch, George J. Harper and James Luke ; for 518th district : S. A. Burns, Lucius Paulk and Luke Harper.
LOTS OF LAND NUMBER TEN AND ONE HUNDRED.
By virtue of the law passed by the Legislature in 1890, lots of land number ten and one hundred in each district of Irwin County which were never granted but were set aside by the state for educational purposes were sold at public outcry before the courthouse door and were bid off by the following persons :
Lot number ten in second district to Betty Paulk, for $234.00; lot number ten in the third district to Joseph Fletcher for $238.00; lot number one hundred in third district to John Clements for $1001.00; lot number one hundred in fourth district to T. B. Young for $150.00; lot number one hundred in fifth district to William Grantham for $105.00; lot number ten in sixth district to T. B. Young for $1500.00; lot number one hundred in sixth district to George Young for $75.00.
DEPUTY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT.
Miss Mattie W. Moore was appointed deputy clerk Superior Court, January 10, 1919, which position she still occupies, filling the same efficiently and creditably. She was the first lady in Georgia to be honored with this position.
WOOL CARDING.
About the year 1870, R. W. Clements purchased and erected about one mile west of Irwinville a wool carding machine which was operated by water power. There were two machines, one of which the wool was carried through called the picker which picked or tore the wool all to pieces or separated it into small particles or strands. The wool thus separated or picked as it
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was then called was taken up in baskets and carried to a much larger machine called the carder where it was manufactured into rolls. When the machine finished the operation the rolls of wool would fall into a box or trough at one end of machine which was about three and a half feet long. The rolls when completed would be about the size of the index finger of a man's hand, about three and a half feet long already to be spun into thread upon the old fashioned spinning wheel. If the person having the wool carded desired to make white cloth the wool was brought to the machine well washed and only white wool was used. If they desired black or brown cloth the wool was dyed at home the color desired, if they desired gray cloth the white and wool dyed black was mixed at the machine and from these mixed rolls would be spun into thread and woven into cloth upon the old fashioned loom by the ladies of the household, making as pretty gray jeans cloth as could be found. This wool carding machine for a number of years did an enormous amount of work, being patronized by many families for many miles in the county as well as all the neighboring counties as wool carding machines in those days were very few and long distances apart.
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