History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907, Part 35

Author: Williams, Carolyn White, 1898-
Publication date: 1957
Publisher: Macon, Ga., J.W. Burke Co.
Number of Pages: 1142

USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 35

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).

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Stella Blount, b. July 19, 1839 m. Hockley C. McKee. (9) Helen Roulhac b. Feb. 15, 1841 at Penfield, Ga. m. John P. Lindsey. (10). John Henry b. Jan. 11, 1843 killed in Civil War. (11). Fanny Blount, b. May 31, 1845 d. Apr. 29, 1848.

Anne Blount, who mar. Thomas B. Slade had a sister, Lavinia E. Blount, born in Jones County who mar. Simri Rose of Fort Hawkins, editor of a paper which became the Telegraph, also Rose Hill Cemetery is named for Simri Rose.

Records show that Slade sold his home and lot to Samuel Griswold Dec. 20, 1838, adjoining Mrs. Samuel Lowther, Mary George, S. Griswold, and John Fannin. Described as the dwell- ing and school called Clinton Female Seminary containing seven acres.

See account of the Clinton Seminary for full account of the school. (Dates from Mrs. Broadus Willingham, Jr.)

DR. PALACIA HARRISON WILSON STEWART

Palacia Harrison Wilson Stewart, known as Dr. Polly Stewart was one of the first woman doctors in Georgia. She was a de- scendant of the Harrisons of Jamestown, Va., and her mother was Mary Cabaniss the daughter of George and Palacia Har- rison Cabiness. Her father was Wilson Larkin from Va., born in 1770.

Palacia H. W. Stewart was born April 2, 1805 in Jones County, Ga., on a large plantation two miles east of Bradley. Her home still stands, and has recently been restored by a de- scendant, Mrs. Doris Hungerford Fraley. In front of this home at the time when Polly was growing up were the drill grounds for the Militia. Later she lived not far away at the home built by Thos. Ware Stewart, now known as the Joseph Glawson Place, built in 1842).

Polly Harrison Wilson grew up on the plantation and was an attractive brunette. Her eyes were large and gray with heavy lashes, she had black hair, an exquisite complextion, regular fea- tures with a full lower lip (which the artists called an Egyptian nether lip). She was strong, healthy and very active. At sixteen, she married a man twice her age. On June 22, Thomas Ware Stewart took his girl-bride to his small plantation near Fortville. There Thomas and Polly brought their strength and knowledge

Dr. Pallie Stewart - Palatea Harrison Wilson Stewart - (Mrs. Thomas Ware Stewart). One of the first women doctors in Georgia. (Courtesy of Mrs. Valentine B. Blair)

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to bear, and soon they had two thousand acres and many slaves and were successful planters. Polly had thirteen children. When the thirteenth child was six weeks old her husband, Thomas Ware Stewart suddenly died. Polly faced life with thirteen chil- dren, a large plantation and almost one hundred slaves.

Polly had studied and managed to get a fair medical educa- tion, and one May 13, 1848 she had passed examinations and was given a diploma in Medicine by "The Botanico Medical So- ciety", of Hartford, Conn. This diploma is now in the possession of Miss May Stewart, (granddaughter) at Gray, Ga., and is signed by H. A. Archer, M. D., Pres., J. J. Jacques, M. D., Vice-Pres., T. S. Sperry, M. D., Sec.

Her services to the counties of Baldwin, Jasper and Jones during the Civil War was a heroic effort. She was constantly called to the bedside of the sick, and gave of her time, means and efforts. She was practical and when the occasion demanded, could use her temper. She was reared an Episcopalian, later joined the Presbyterians and after marriage was a Baptist. She attended church as much as her time would allow, but when she was absent she was distributing alms or caring for the sick. No man in Jones County did more for the Confederacy than Dr. Polly Stewart. Her six sons were in the Confederate Army, and all returned after the war except Polk who was killed and buried in Savannah. It was during the terrible war days that her execu- tive abilities counted most for her county and community. Other women whose impulses were equally generous and patriotic did little or nothing because they were without means, but Polly Harrison W. Stewart provided the means for her purposes. She had her farms producing at a maximum during the war, with all of the drawbacks and difficulties of that period. There were no grown sons at home to help, but she had great managerial ability and her slaves were faithful and worked hard. The many bales of cotton were ginned, the droves of sheep were shorn, the corn and wheat gathered and her spinning wheels, looms and dyeing went on six days a week. She used the bark of the sumac as a dye and could turn out the beautiful shade of Confederate gray used for the soldiers' uniforms.

Dr. Polly Stewart sent wagon loads of provisions to Clinton

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Milledgeville and Macon. Not a dollar was paid or wanted, for these provisions. She gave gladly and eagerly and kept no rec- ords of her gifts.

In August of 1864 when Stoneman's Raiders met Iverson's forces near what is now Round Oak, and Gen. Stoneman surrend- ered at Sunshine Church 11/2 miles south of Round Oak, there were many wounded and killed. The old log church and field school called "Sunshine", was filled with wounded Federals, with little or no attention. This was seven miles from Dr. Polly Stewart's home, but she took her daughter, medical supplies, torn up sheets (for bandages), and food and went to that church day after day to care for the sick and wounded. Many people criticized her for doing this, even though she had six sons fight- ing under Gen. Lee and that she was an ardent Confederate. The Federal officer in charge of the base hospital of Sunshine Church was so impressed with her efficiency that he gave her printed notices to post on her land asking that no Federal harm her pos- sessions. When Sherman's forces came through in November plundering and burning, his regular forces did respect the order, but the stragglers and bummers did not, so she lost her property.

Dr. Polly Stewart organized the Jones Co. Soldiers' Relief Society which had as President, Mrs. R. W. Bonner and as Vice- pres., Dr. Stewart, and when Mrs. Bonner died, Dr. Stewart be- came President. Captain Richard W. Bonner, later declared that the Confederate Government should erect a monument in her memory for her devoted services during the war.

She believed in education and saw that all of her children had the opportunity to get an education. She moved to Macon from 1853 to 1860 so that her girls could go to Wesleyan.

Her children were: Thomas Jefferson, Polk, Larkin, Jasper, Joe Day, Mack, Mary Park and Martha, Marion Franklin, Henry J. two children died young. Mary Park mar. Jas T. Fin- ney and her granddaughter is Mrs. Gussie Finney Becking of Signal Mt. Tenn. Jasper Stewart mar. Anne Finney and their children were Henry, Sadie (Mrs. Hunt), Mae, Belle (Mrs. Wooten) and Irene (Mrs. Henry Bonner ). Sallie Louisa Stew- art mar. Calhoun and had Sarah Ida Calhoun who mar. Jackson

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Clay Barron. Martha Mar. Henry S. Greaves of Clinton. Three sons never married and Polk was killed in the Civil War.

E. G. Newton of Forsyth was the bro. of Palatia Stewart. Thomas Ware Stewart's will is recorded at the courthouse in Gray.

Thomas Ware Stewart, b. 3-1-1790, d. 11-18-46. (from Mecklinburgh, N. C. and originally from Ireland)

Samuel Stewart, f. of Thos. Ware came from Scotland. He built (the old Glawson Place) near the old Stewart cemetery and died in Jones Co. 11-18-46.

Dr. Stewart named faithful slaves in her will: Atlas, Alex, Green, Isaac, Tobey, George, Silas, Jordan and Jim.

There are many descendants of this family still living, some in this county. Dr. "Pally" Stewart went to Pulaski County to nurse her son, Jasper and Anne Stewart's children all ill of fever. There, she became ill and came back to Jones Co., to her daugh- ter, Mrs. Henry Greaves (Martha) and died July 11, 1866. so lived and labored Palatia Harrison Wilson Stewart, "a perfect woman, nobly planned to warn, to comfort and command".

FRANCIS ORRERY TICKNOR - POET

Francis Orrery Ticknor was born at Clinton, Jones County, Ga. in 1823, and his widowed mother moved to Columbus in his youth. She gave him a liberal education in one of the leading schools in Massachusetts; thereafter he studied medicine, al- though he later attended lectures in New York and Philadelphia and was graduated from a medical college in Pennsylvania.

He married Miss Rose Nelson, the daughter of Thomas M. Nelson of Virginia, Pagebrook, Clark Co. She was the great- granddaughter of Colonel Byrd of Westover, Va. She loved to tell of her old home where she spent her childhood and it was in memory of this home that Francis Ticknor wrote the poem, "Virginians of the Valley".

"The knightliest of the knightly race, That since the days of old Have kept the lamp of chivalry Alight in hearts of gold. Who climbed the blue embattled hills

Against uncounted foes,

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And planted there in valleys fair, The Lily and the Rose. Whose fragrance lives in many lands, Whose beauty stars the earth ; And lights the hearths of happy homes With loveliness and worth."

Dr. Ticknor loved literature, but he loved also the culture of fruits and flowers, and after his marriage he bought a farm called "Torch Hill" in Columbus, Ga., so that this taste could be gratified. While driving back and forth to call on his patients he would write poems on prescription blanks, and some of his best poems were written this way. While engaged in conversation with a planter concerning agricultural matters, he jotted down his poem "Peruvian Guano".

The doctor was so afraid that this love of literature, books, music, plainting flowers and fruits would set a poor example to his young sons whom he was anxious to have grow up strong, sturdy workers, that he always wrote poetry under protest. One evening as his wife tried to get the youngest child, who was not well, to sleep, Dr. Ticknor sitting near, wrote the poem with this exquisite ending :

"Sing of that glory So simple the task, The easiest story Childhood can ask!

Not the harp that rejoices,

Not the seraph that sings,

Not the shouting of voices,

Not the shining of wings; But the Peace and the Rest And the Love-light that smiled In the eyes of Christ On the soul of a child."

Dr. Ticknor's poems are all about familiar themes, so that they have a local and pathetic interest. The circumstances under which he wrote "Little Giffen", will be interesting, for it is a true story. Columbus, as so many cities of the South was filled with sick and wounded soldiers, brought in after a battle there. The

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ladies of the place were caring for them in any place they could put them. Mrs. Ticknor noticed a little fellow, Isaac Newton Giffen, who was scarcely more than a child, for he was not yet fifteen, he was so sick, emaciated and pale. She raised his head to give him nourishment and her mother-heart went out to the sick boy so far from home. She begged to take him to her country home where she could give him better care and her request was granted. He grew stronger, as she nursed him for seven long months. He was able to walk on crutches, and tried to help her about the house, so great was his appreciation for the help she had given him. Mrs. Ticknor taught him to read and write, for which he was very grateful. The news came that Gen. Johnston was being pressed by the enemy. "I must go", he said, "but I will write, if I am spared".

He left and time went on, the battle was over but nothing was ever heard from Little Giffen. One of Dr. Ticknor's best poems is "Little Giffen of Tennessee". I quote :

"A tear, his first, as he bade goodbye, Dimmed the glint of his steel blue eye, I sometimes fancy that were I king Of the courtly knights of Arthur's ring With the voice of the minstrel in mine ear, And the tender legend that trembles here I'd give the best on his bended knee, The whitest soul of my Chivalry, For Little Giffen of Tennessee".

NACOOCHEE "The Evening Star"

Child of Our Chattahoochee, Hid in the hills afar; Beautiful Nacoochee ! Vale of the Evening Star !

Smile of the tender Maiden- Song of her soul's release- Lingering in their Aidenn, Blending with all thy peace.

Clasp in the mountain shadows,

The May-dew on thy breast-

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Thy balm is the breath of meadows- Thy name is a hymn to "Rest !" The voice of a carol, calling The wings that have wandered far- Return! for the night is falling ;- Rest! with the Evening Star .*

*From Burches Magazine for Boys and Girls- 4-1871-p. 151, by Dr. Francis Orrery Ticknor.

JANE THIGPEN

Jane Thigpen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zachariah Thigpen of Clinton, Ga., attended the Clinton Female Seminary. She had three brothers, Gilbert, a brilliant young lawyer-to-be, died young, Alexander Thigpen, a minister in the North Ga. Confer- ence, one brother killed in the Civil War, and two sisters, Car- rie and Frances Anne (Mrs. John H. Houser of Perry, Ga.) Zachariah Houser, a nephew now lives at Scott, Ga, and a niece, Mrs. Bill Edwards lives at Perry. The Thigpen family came from Scotland to North Carolina and then to Clinton, Jones County.

Jane taught school at Clinton and at Rome and spent her leisure writing poems. Some of these she published in a book called "The Lover's Revenge". She autographed a copy of this for Captain R. T. Ross, then a political leader in the county. The book was published in 1876 by the J. W. Burke Co., of Macon, Ga. The book is dedicated to her mother and father. A note by the publisher reads: "The fair authoress who gives this delight- ful volume to the public is not unknown as a poetess. The read- ers of the "Home Circle,' published at Nashville, Tenn., before the war will remember some beautiful poetry that appeared over the signature of 'Jessie Linn', the nom de plume of Jane Thig- pen. These articles were highly esteemed, and won golden opin- ions for the young writer. We give her poems to the world, be- lieving they will be appreciated by all lovers of genuine poetry."

Jane sent copies of her book to Henry Wadsworth Longfel- low and James Russell Lowell. Longfellow's reply in a beautiful script is given below. Jane's poems reflect the times in which she lived, the days of war, heartaches, despair, the loss of her brother and unrequited love. She was deeply in love with a Union

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soldier, but could never bring herself to marry him although she never forgot him or married anyone else. Jane would never tell her age as she grew older, but most of her friends and relatives could always date it because of the fact that when the great Gen- eral Lafayette visited Clinton in 1825 he took her at two years on his knee and kissed her. Her parents always told of his speech from the old courthouse steps and of the kiss for their daughter. After retiring, she lived at James and was the correspondent for the Jones County News.She died at the home of her niece in Perry about 1914 and is buried there.

She is remembered as being a dainty, small and vivacious woman with gentle and charming manners.

This is a copy of the original letter which Henry W. Long- fellow wrote to Jane Thigpen when she sent him two copies of her book of poems, one to be given to James Russell Lowell.

Cambridge, Mass. Jan. 8, 1877

Dear Miss Thigpen :

I have this morning had the pleasure of receiving your charm- ing Christmas present, the copy of your poems which you were kind enough to send me and hasten to thank you for this mark of your consideration and regard.

I shall read the volume with much interest and sympathy, being curious to hear what the song-birds of the South are sing- ing and am sure of taking pleasure in their songs.

But it will take a little time, for only newspaper critics can read a volume of verse in half an hour.

Meanwhile please accept my best thanks for your kindness, and believe me, with all good wishes.

Yours very Truly, Henry W. Longfellow

P. S. Mr. Lowell's copy shall be sent to him without delay.

This letter is in possession of Mrs. Marvin C. Carter of Scott, Ga. copied by Lucile Ethridge (of Gray). I quote two of her poems taken from the book, "Lover's Revenge".

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SPRING

Earth has risen from her slumbers, Fresh and fair in morning light, Throbbing with new vigor, nourished By the restful winter's night. She is culling for her vesture, Finest fabrics, tenderest hues, She is sprinkled with sweet odors, And bathed in morning dews. For the sun, her lover, cometh, From his journey far away; And his ardent missives tell her He is nearing day by day. Ah, her beauteous cheek is flushing, And her heart beats quicker still ; For she feels his eye upon her And its beams her pulses thrill. Lovely in her soft robes floating Round her form of wondrous grace ; Lovely in her tints of beauty, And the smile that lights her face ; On the soft blue ether resting, With the bending heavens above, As a bride in sweet expectance She awaits her coming love.

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THE POET

God giveth the poet to live in dreams, And though they fade away, They are still renewed from immortal streams, Like the glorious flood of day. His way may be thorny and rough and bare, And clouds o'er his sky be rolled,

But the hue of the rose is everywhere, And the clouds are tipped with gold. The arrows are keen that pierce his heart, But their point is dipped in balm ; In conflicts deadly his soul has part, But he leaves them with crown and palm. The path of life is above to him, And he treads it with purpose high,

And with heavenward brow, that the world may not dim, The light of his glorious eye. Though forbidden to ask or to hope too much Of sympathy here below; Though the fountains of joy, unsealed by his touch He never on earth may know. He feels that his mission is holy and grand, A boon by the Holiest given- And he scatters the fruits with a liberal hand, That grew on the trees of Heaven.

Jane Thigpen

CHAPTER XXII.

Life and Letters of S. H. Griswold S. H. GRISWOLD

The articles in this chapter were written by S. H. Griswold and published in the Jones County News in 1908 and 1909. M. C. Greene, a worthy citizen of Jones County was the owner and publisher of the Jones County News at this time.

S. H. Griswold was the grandson of Samual Griswold and his wife Loisa Forbes Griswold who came to Clinton from Burling- ton, Conn., and were outstanding citizens of the county. Samuel Griswold was the gin maker and industrialist of that time. S. H. Griswold who wrote these articles was the son of Elisha and Anne Hardeman Griswold. He had brothers, Daniel Pratt, Char- lie and a sister Ellen who married R. V. Hardeman. He joined the Confederate Army when seventeen and was in the 45th Ga. Regiment, Co. F. Volunteers. Thomas Hardeman was the Col. and S. H. Griswold participated in many important battles.

S. H. Griswold married Miss Laura Brown of Brown's cross- ing in Nov. 1866, the Rev. Wesley P. Arnold performing the ceremony. He attended school at Emory at Oxford after going to Day's School for Boys in Clinton.

The many articles which S. H. Griswold wrote, gives wonder- ful information on the past of Jones County which otherwise would have been lost, and to him we give credit for this past record. As an old man he lived in Macon but he came back to Jones County at frequent intervals and always loved the county. He will be remembered as a foremost citizen, a soldier, a writer and most of all a true Southerner.

S. H. and Laura Griswold's children are : Samuel Sidney Gris- wold in Macon, Julia (Mrs. S. J. May), Ada (deceased) and Nelle Brown Griswold who married Peyton T. Anderson of

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Macon and had two children; Peyton T. Anderson, Jr. owner of the Macon Telegraph and News and Mrs. Laura Nelle O'- Callaghan.

LETTERS OF S. H. GRISWOLD Copied from the Jones County News-1908-9 Odd Characters and Old Ways-S. H. Griswold

Before the country west of the Ocmulgee river was purchased from the Indians, and before East Macon was built, or the river used for navigation, Fort Hawkins was occupied by a Garrison of U. S. soldiers and was a trading post for the Indians. The nearest city and market for Jones county was Augusta. The cotton was carried there by wagons, and brought back supplies for the next years crop, coffee, sugar, shoes and blankets and other things.

The getting ready for the annual trip was a big event in the lives of the planters and their families. Wagons were over- hauled, tires shrunk, greased, and put in complete order. The harness was mended, greased, mules were shod and their manes and tails roached. Long bows of white oak splits were bent over the wagon body and heavy pieces of homespun cloth stretched over the bows to protect the load. Six big mules were hitched to the load and the driver riding the left hand wheel mule had a small leather line attached to the ring in the bit of the bridle on the left hand front or lead mule as he was called. When he wished to go to the right he pulled this line, when to the left he gave several short jerks. A lead stick was tied from the hames on the lead mule to the ring in the bridle bit of his mate, and as he went to the right or to the left he would pull by this stick or shove it so as to guide him.

From six to eight bales of cotton was a load with the bedding and provisions for the master, the drivers, cooking utensils, and food for the mules.

All was bustle and excitement as the wagon trains departed. The master rode his best horse or mayhaps a gig. The roads were poor and it took about four days to get to Augusta, and about as many to return.

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There were no cotton presses in those days and the bales were round and weighed about 350 lbs.

The return of the wagons were looked forward to with great eagerness by the lady of the house, children and the slaves and their children. They usually returned in the night, and when the click of the wheels, and the rumble of the wagon was heard, down the road the youngsters black and white would rush shout- ing and laughing.

How glad everyone was, a hearty meal and hot drinks awaited them, the children received gifts and the madam was delighted to get, a sack of coffee berries, loaf sugar, a bolt of cloth or a dress. The next day life went on as usual and there was no more contact with the outside world until next fall.

After the country west of the Ocmulgee was bought from the Indians, David Flanders with a whip saw, cut lumber and built flat boats and barges and floated cotton to the sea down the Ocmulgee and polled them back up with goods of different sorts. This started the commerce of East Macon and Jones county, turned to it as a market. Flanders became one of the largest merchants of Macon and lived to be an old man seeing Macon outstrip Clinton.

Sol Humphries, Negro, traded for cotton and sold supplies in East Macon and became very wealthy.

There were those who made it a business to haul freight for the public. Among these was John McKissack from the north- east part of Jones. He had a son named Bill and they had a long strong wagon with a deep body with the ends turned up. Over the wagon a huge frame was covered with heavy cloth. He drove six fine mules, himself, and over the lead mules was a frame with small bells hanging which jingled sweetly as the mules went along. McKissack was a large man with a thick beard, and he was as rough as the life he led. He was a skillful driver and came on a regular schedule. Under the wagon trotted a large brown cur dog and from the back axle swung a tar bucket and paddle. It was said that he stayed on the road so much and camped, that he often struck camp when in sight of his own house.

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The negro drivers on the plantations in Jones took great pride in having the best looking mules harness and wagon anywhere. The mules were brushed until they shone like satin, and silver ornaments were on the harness. The negro sat on the wheel mule as proud as a peacock with his whip to crack in the air. As he passed others on the road he wouldn't even speak to them, but only others who had teams as fine, would he call to as he passed.

In 1859 I lived at Griswoldville and Will Griswold and I wanted to go over to grandfather (Sam Griswold's) plantation near Haddock and meet the wagon at the Stiles place and ride home. I shall never forget that night. The sky at midnight was lighted by a strange glow, not so bright as the sun but brighter than the moon. I lay in the wagon in wonder and awe at the sight of the large star with an immense tail, at least fifty feet spread like a huge fan, and so brilliant that you could see almost as well as day. This one we could see each night for several weeks and was such an awe inspiring sight that I shall never forget it. (Probably Halley's Comet. )

SOMETHING ABOUT CLINTON AND ITS INHABITANTS

S. H. Griswold - May 14, 1908 - Jones Co. News

At one time before the country west of the Ocmulgee was settled and when Macon was a very small place, Clinton was quite a flourishing town, with 36 stores and places of business with three large taverns and as many stables. These places of business were on the four sides of the square, in the center of which stood the courthouse. There was one brick house of three stories on the west corner, the lower rooms were used for stores, the middle story for family living rooms and the top story for the Masonic lodge. One of the taverns stood on the southeast corner of the square across from the jail. This tavern was burned years ago, and the site was used afterward for a blacksmith shop.

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History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907, Part 35

Author: Williams, Carolyn White, 1898- Publication date: 1957 Publisher: Macon, Ga., J.W. Burke Co. Number of Pages: 1142

Author: Williams, Carolyn White, 1898-
Publication date: 1957
Publisher: Macon, Ga., J.W. Burke Co.
Number of Pages: 1142