USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 36
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Another tavern was directly in front of the courthouse on the northside of the square. This was also burned several years ago. The other was a block from the courthouse and was known as Mrs. Gibsons tavern, and was the place where Dr. James Bar-
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ron lived so long and which he called, "the old Castle" it was torn down a few years ago.
The population consisted of some of the most prominent men and women in Georgia. It had a noted Girls High School at one time conducted by Mr. Kellog and later by Mr. Waterman, from which was educated some the finest and most refined ladies of the state. This school building was a large two-story one, suitable for its purposes and was situated on the hill above the spring and branch back of where Mrs. Pope now lives. It was surrounded by large shade trees amongst which were a few large pear trees, the largest I have ever seen, but bore heavily small fruit which had the best flavor I have ever known. Among the citizens were Chas. J. McDonald, Gov. of Georgia at one time. He built and lived in a white house situated on a rise back of the Lowther place, now owned by Mrs. S. Pursley. The George family bought the place from him, resided there for some time, and it is still known as the George place. This family moved to Mississippi and became very prominent in the affairs of the state. One became a Senator of U. S. General Iverson was also one of Clinton's citizens, and lived on the hill toward Gray (it is still there owned by Willingham) Mr. Alex Juhan lived there once but moved to Macon. R. V. Hardeman was another prominent man who lived here but afterwards moved to his plantation called "Sleepy Hollow," two miles from town. He was one of the ablest lawyers of Georgia, a man of the utmost integrity, commanding the highest respect not only of Jones County but the entire Ocmulgee Circuit, of which he was the presiding Judge. He loved Jones County, lived here most of his life and died a respected and loved man.
Joseph Day another able man prominent in Georgia affairs, being several times speaker of Georgia's House of Representa- tives, lived in Jones at the Day place bought by Maj. Ben Bar- ron. James Blount lived here in his young days and moved to Macon, and served his district for 18 years in the U. S. Con- gress. Isaac Hardeman lived here, he was 1st Sergeant of the Jones Co. Volunteers to Richmond, Va. was placed in the 12th Ga. Reg., served through the war with the army of Northern Va., came out at the close as Colonel.
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Sylvanaus Hitch lived over on the hill toward Gray and with him, lived John C. Nichols, they went to South Georgia and Nichols was sent to the U. S. Congress. The sons of Hitch were all prominent in the states affairs. Dr. Flewellyn lived and built the main body of the house where Judge Johnson now lives. I think he came from Virginia but I have heard North Carolina. On his way to Georgia he stopped by a peach orchard and wanted to buy some of the fine peaches, the owner refused to sell them, but gave them all they could eat. One of his boys had some of the seeds in his pocket and Flewelyn planted them and for a long time this was a famous peach known as the "Flewelyn Peach." He moved to Upson County after many years.
Dr. Hamilton once lived here, he married Peter Clowers daughter, moved to Cass County and was a prominent man in North Georgia affairs. Col. James Smith a lawyer of prominence moved to Macon from Clinton.
Major Williams once lived where Judge Barron now lives moved to Newton, Baker County where he was prominent in Southwest Georgia affairs. J. H. and W. W. Williams of Macon are his sons (Jewelry store) .
Samuel Griswold lived on the Macon road at the top of the hill, in a large two-story house facing the town. Capt. R. W. Bonner, his son-in-law afterwards lived there and the house was burned by Stoneman's raid. In front and on the other side of the roads towards town stood the large gin shop, barns, etc. of Mr. Griswold. This was the first shop to make gins alone and upon a large scale. Mr. Peter L. Clower lived nearly opposite to where Judge Johnson now lives and which is now owned by Mrs. Swanson, whose first husband, Col. Hamilton, was Mr. Clower's grandson. He was a man of energy and ability and owned large bodies of land in the county and many slaves. Speak- ing of the house, it, with others of the town was papered inside with most beautiful wall paper representing, in large size char- acters, scenes of classic times of Rome, Greece, etc., and in the parlor of Judge Johnson can now be seen in a perfect state of preservation a specimen of this work of art.
Mr. Clower left 3 sons, Stephen, Green and Lee, neither of which ever married. Stephen lived in Clinton, and was fond of
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display and bought one of the carriages of that date, to which he hitched 4 horses. He had a negro coachman and footman. This carriage was mounted with silver and furnished with fine bro- cade and silk inside. Its body was swung up high on great leather springs and had folding steps which had to be let down in order to gain entrance. This old carriage was one of the curiosities to be seen a few years ago. It was then moth-eaten and decayed. I suppose by this time it has disappeared. Stephen Clower died and left his property to his two brothers, Green Clower died next and left it all to Peter Lee Clower, who most of us recollect as one of the noblest and best men ever produced in our county. He was at this time the wealthiest man in the county.
Taylor Gibson was at one time a citizen. He was a man of energy and ability and had a lovely family. He moved to Craw- ford county. Mrs. Gibson owned the tavern and had with her Real and Henry Gibson, her nephews. They moved to Crawford county before the war. Mrs. Lowther built the handsome home where Mrs. Sam Pursley now lives. She was a woman of won- derful energy and business capacity, and had been married to Bunkley, Billingslea, and Samuel Lowther and was a widow when I recollect her. It was her son, Jesse Bunkley who disap- peared for several years, leaving a nice property in the hand of Capt. Parish, his guardian. A claimant appeared, saying he was Jesse Bunkley and demanded the estate. Mrs. Lowther refused to recognize him and so did his guardian, upon which he had brought suit against them for the property which he lost, after a long trial, and he was prosecuted as an imposter and sent to the penitentiary, as such, witnesses from Gwinnett county, proved him to be Elijah Barber, though he always claimed, even after he came from the penitentiary that he was Jesse Bunkley, and so marvelous were some things which he told to those who knew of them, that many believed he was Bunkley. Mrs. Lowther was also the mother of Mr. Gus Billingslea, who was well known in Clinton and who died there when comparatively a young man. Her daughter, Miss Carrie Billingslea, married Tonani Lomax and moved to Alabama. The Mitchell's of Alabama, are also her descendants. She owned large plantations and many negroes and was next to the largest tax payer in the county.
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Capt. and "Madame" Parish lived where Mr. Sam Childs now lives. They had large plantations and many negroes in the county, but had no children. The Madame was a sister of Mrs. Lowther, and like her, was a smart business woman; having her own plantation and managing her own business. She used to give table board to the young men in town. She had splendid servants, was a fine housekeeper, grew vegetables to perfection in her garden, raised hams, mutton and poultry on her plantation, had fruits, butter, milk, from her own places and what a table she did set! It was noted far and wide. In after years I heard one of her boarders say that he had taken meals at most of the noted places in the United States, but had never seen a dinner equal to hers. Her price was $10.00 per month, payable the last day of Dec. each year. Ten young men put down on her table $120 in gold, each making $1,200, one December day. This she paid for a Negro girl for a house servant and who was immediately called "Gold Dust" by the boarders. She and the Capt. both died at Indian Springs, nearly at the same time. Dr. Horatio Bowen lived where Judge Barron now lives. He was a man of ability and stood high in the community, owning large bodies of land and many negroes. He grew grapes successfully on his plantation and made a fine wine. Mrs. Swanson is his daughter.
F. S. Johnson, Sr. lived where his son now lives. He was for years the leading merchant of the town, and very popular. Chas. Hutchings was also a man of means, a leading merchant and liked by all .
Joseph Winship lived here at one time, and married the daughter of Robert Hutchings. He moved to Atlanta and founded the Winship Gin Co.
Elbert Hutchings was the first boy born in the town. He was at one time clerk of the court, and lived a long and useful life in the county. Capt. Jack Pitts lived in a big two-story house, back of the Methodist church and was a planter of large means, and a leader in the county. He had a large and splendid family, admired by all.
Dr. James F. Barron lived his life here. He was of great mental capacity, prominent in all state and county affairs, a learned doctor and an able counsellor, for he was often sought
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by people to work out their problems. He loved Clinton and Jones County, had great faith in both, as much as any man I have ever known.
Dr. Kingman lived where Henry Bonner lives, he was a per- fect Chesterfield, a learned and refined gentleman, an eminent physician, trusted and loved by all. His sons Robert and Sam still live.
Richard Hutchings lived in the Parish house, and represented Jones Co. in the Legislature at one time and was a good mer- chant.
Henry Dorsey was a fine business man and citizen who died in 1856.
Daniel Tye lived where Mrs. Holsenbeck now lives. A man of sterling character and had a lovable and popular family.
W. E. Morgan and his sons, John and William lived where his family now lives. They ran a thriving business with their tan yard, located on the branch below their place.
James Barnes, Henry Christian, Mr. Gantt, Alex Juhan, Mrs. Locket, Hurricane Jack Jones, Charles McCarthy, Clerk of the court, Jeff and Flew Williams and Jim Caine are some of the old citizens that I remember.
Mr. Tippett, Mr. Barrow, Eugene Mitchell, Z. D. Harrison, were some of the teachers of the boys school, and many are the stories told of them by their old scholars. They were educators of merit. Z. Thigpen called "father" or "dad," by most, a man as true as steel, generous, noble and firm as a rock, but honored by all. Dear old Clinton when I look back over the days of your departed glory, we rejoice in the knowledge of the ones whom you have given to the world, and their example to posterity.
You are finished, completed, the railroad sealed your fate. Peace unto you. . .
CLINTON IN THE LONG AGO
Amongst my earliest recollections of Clinton was seeing the men sitting in the shade of the old mulberry and China trees playing backgammon in front of Charles Hutchings store.
Mr. Hutchings was a large fleshy man, a lover of games and a master in the art and science of playing them. Dr. Barron al-
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though a much younger man, was a foe worthy of his steel, and played with him often. These were games of skill and required much thought and there were always many onlookers.
Shed and Earl Slatter were two elderly men who lived in New Orleans and Mobile and spent a part of their summers in Clin- ton visiting their sisters Mesdames Parish and Lowther. They were great lovers of backgammon and would play in front of Hutchings store for hours. They were intelligent gentlemen, owned considerable property in several large cities, and were most entertaining. The St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans was owned by one of them. They were handsome in white linen suits, full bosomed white lawn shirts with ruffles down the front, a white Panama hat and low quarter shoes with silver buckles. Each carried a gold headed cane and a snuff box made of gold.
They talked well and to emphasize a point they would bring down the point of their canes with a thud. But no topic was too interesting for them not to take out their gold snuff boxes and take a sniff in the nose. They would play backgammon for hours, take a pinch of snuff and would sometimes suspend the game in order to go across to the bar and get a mint julep. They were sociable and invited the crowd to join them. These two were the typical southern gentlemen of New Orleans and Mobile before the war. Both died before the end of the Civil War.
Shed and Hull, Jr. were sons of one of these, I think Shed Slatter, Sr. As boys they came to visit their aunts Madame Par- ish and Lowther. Hull, Jr. drifted to Washington, D. C. after the war where he got into some trouble with a fellow and shot him. I was in Emory College at Oxford with these two boys early in 1861.
The only other place of amusement in Clinton at that time was the bowling alley of Sam Morgan, where the younger set congregated. Real Gibson, Jeff and Flew Williams, Dr. Abb Bowen, Gus Billingslea, George Cook, Abb Barron, Perry Fin- ney, Bud (William) Barron and many others had games and fun galore at this old place. The bowling alley was a wing built on the Sam Morgan grocery and was on the Main Street or Macon Road. Many a gay and frolicsome time was had there, and oc- casionally a fight. There were many practical jokes played,
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among them, putting a charge of powder in a fellow's pipe which would blow up when he smoked, if a man exaggerated a statement too much he had to treat the crowd or be bumped.
The old three-story brick house on the west corner of the square had a cellar under it with two flat doors opening up on the side walk opposite the courthouse. Old man Sharp and Jim Rowland got drunk, and the boys blacked them as black as could be and laid them opposite each other on these doors, when they woke up each thought the other was a Negro who had played a trick on them so they fought until the jokers separated them.
This old brick house had been occupied by some of the best families in the town and was the scene of many of the biggest social and literary entertainments. It was a well built and hand- some house, and one of the landmarks of the town. Dr. Barron bought it at a public sale for the Masons whose hall was on the third floor. When Dad Thigpen was Tax Receiver Dr. Barron attempted to give in the building at $600.00 but Thigpen said, "Be d - - - if I will take it at that. The matter was finally left to arbitration and the doctor won. Thigpen's refusal to accept the doctors valuation, because the man who built the house, a Mr. Jones, said the brick in the building cost $10,000.
Mr. Holly of Mobile, Ala. a relative of Mrs. Lowther, also visited here and was a part of the social life of Clinton. He was on the order of the two Slatter brothers, but not so brilliant and entertaining. I recollect what big legged pants he wore. He was at Mrs. Lowthers when Sherman's army came through and much to his disgust they made him act as butler while they occupied the house. He had to bring the wines from the cellar and serve the officers.
Dr. Asbury Kingman was a leading citizen before the war. He was reared and educated in Charleston, S. C. practiced med- icine in Monroe County, Ga. then moved to Clinton. He was well educated, intelligent, faultlessly dressed, neat as a pin and a perfect Chesterfield in manners. He was handsome, a tall man and a great favorite with the ladies. He was a well read and gifted conversationest, besides being an excellent physician. He was an excellent backgammon player. His genial disposition and the customs of the times finally led him to drink too much at
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times. He was truly a favorite and as witty as they come, well beloved by all.
He lived to be old, suffered with hay fever, a victim of the terrible conditions after the war when all of his property was destroyed, social life that he loved destroyed. He contented himself with reading and studying in his home, and was a veri- table fountain of information. He had pious parents and had a reverence for the church, in later years was a pillar in the church giving his time and means and a devoted Christian. Few men stood higher in Jones County than Dr. Asbury Kingman.
FORTVILLE-MORE JONES COUNTY HISTORY
S. H. Griswold
Among the landmarks of Jones County is Fortville, first called old Fort. It is supposed that a fort or blockhouse was built here when the county was being settled as a protection for the settlers. There was a large mound opposite the old church there that bears out this theory. The mound was very large when I first saw it but in later years as it was plowed over it was not as large and I daresay some day you can't find it at all.
This place Fortville was the center of some of the finest cit- izens of Jones county as well as the state, before the war. It is situated on a high sandy ridge, springs on the north side of the ridge form a main prong of Fishing creek, while those on the south side form a main prong of Commissioners creek. Those springs on the west go into Hog creek. This drainage and high formation make it an ideal place for a frontier settlement and a fort.
There was a strong Methodist church here for as long as I can remember one of the best in the Clinton circuit. It was the church that the Morris, Moughons, Stewarts, Hutchings, Les- ters, Pitts, Mercers, Gordons, Browns, Lowes, Lamars, Jarretts, Blanfords, Wrights, Tufts, Woodalls, Millers, Bonners, Moores, Singletons, Barfields, Bullingtons, Blows, Goddards, Clarks used to worship. Some were members of other churches but they went to Fortville.
The 4th Sabbath in each month was regular preaching day, and many able ministers filled the pulpit and I daresay no coun- try church in Georgia was attended by more cultured and in-
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telligent people. The church was known for its hospitality far and wide, and many the basket dinners where hundreds ate and worshipped, at old Fortville, were held.
Col. Moughon had a palatial residence in a large oak grove with big boxwoods up the driveway. In the flower garden were gardenias, crepe myrtle, roses, star jasmine, lilies, verbena and about any flower you can name. His main farm was on Walnut Level, bordering Beaver Run, Hog Creek and the Eatonton road. He also owned large plantations in southeast Georgia. Thomas, William and Henrietta were his children. Thomas moved to southwest Georgia when a young man. William moved to Macon and sold the Fortville place to Mr. and Mrs. William Chambers. Henrietta married Joe Bond who lived in Macon on top of a hill in a large Colonial house built by Jerry Cowles. She was a belle, pretty, refined and very popular. Old Colonel Hartwell Tarver from Twiggs County was one of her suitors. She declined to marry him and as the story goes old Ben a slave would care for Tarver's horse on these visits. Ben would bring the horse around when Tarver left, being careful to have every- thing just right and as Tarver would get in he would feel in several pockets and say "Well Ben, I can't find a quarter, but I'll remember you for two, the next time I come." After this happened several times, Henrietta rejected Tarver and as usual the servants knew about it too. When Tarver left he said again, "Ben, I declare I forgot those quarters but I'll sure remember it next time." Old Ben looked up significantly and said, "Marse Hartwell, I spec you better find it now, cause I'se feard you ain't goin' to be comin' this way again."
Major B. F. Ross bought this place in 1877 from the Cham- bers and after that the Clarks bought it and still live there.
Mr. Bob Hutchings lived near here in an attractive home, there were large trees covered with ivy and many sycamores. He had a store there too. His children were, Bert, Rufus, Rich- ard and Mrs. Brown, Singleton, Winship and Lowe all of whom reared families and many of their descendants live in Jones now.
Ellen Hutchings Singleton and Judge lived in the old home and continued to entertain their many friends and to support the old church, until the war broke them.
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Mr. Bob Brown was another citizen who ran a blacksmith shop and was very prosperous. After his death his widow mar- ried Buck Singleton a son of Judge and Ellen Singleton. Later they moved to Florida and the Clarks now own it.
Daniel Pratt, the architect, builder and gin man lived here. He built the house for Col. Moughon and the one for General Gordon later owned by the Blounts.
Those old days at Fortville are full of the best memories of my life. How the young men and women rode their horses to church and how we helped them off at the old block made for that purpose.
The old church was torn down some time after Mr. Frank Ross moved there, and was replaced by a smaller but neat little chapel, which a few years ago was moved to Haddock, and left nothing but a memory. The dinners and the Singletons, Cham- bers and many others and their wonderful hospitality, I can never forget. Mr. John Finney bought the Moughon place, after he died his widow married Bill Chambers, a fine man, soldier and citizen as ever lived.
The Fortville Academy was one of the foremost in the county an account will be given in the chapter on education.
THE OLD INFERIOR COURT S. H. Griswold-1909
In the long ago there was in Georgia a court known as the Inferior Court, whose judges had charge of all county affairs as do the County Commissioners of today. It was usually com- posed of the best men in the county, and there are many of these I will not mention but just now these men stand out in my mem- ory. James Godard, who lived about a mile from Gray whose lands joined Major Jones along the road to Milledgeville near Pine Ridge on the lands of Dr. Bowen. Godard lived in a large white two-story house set in a grove of fine oak trees, his plan- tation was a typical ante-bellum one. He made a good judge and was respected by all. He and his wife reared several children, boys and girls who have descendants in Jones County. After the war I bought 400 acres of land joining him, and found him to be a splendid neighbor, and advised with me on many problems. The war had left him almost destitute, in his old age. His oldest
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son was Joshua Godard who lived on the old Lowe place after- wards owned by Jim Middlebrooks. He died young, but left a family, of whom Mrs. Bayne of Milledgeville and the first Mrs. Jim Finney and Willis Godard, James, Jr. who married the daughter of Luico Moore, the next son was Joel. One of his daughters married first Mr. Stewart, the mother of Frank and Gus Stewart and after Stewart's death she married Dr. Pursley. She was a fine woman and much beloved in the community. An- other daughter married Daugh Pitts and was the mother of Gus Pitts, Mrs. Sam Pursley and Mrs. Jim Middlebrooks, after Pitts death she married Jeff Stewart, a noble and fine woman she was. Another daughter married John Hunt and reared a large family.
Another daughter married John Finney and after he died married William Chambers. The children by the first marriage were Mrs. Henry Bonner and Mrs. Chambers. Charles Middle- brooks married one of those. Chambers was Capt. of Co. G. 45th Ga. Reg.
The youngest daughter of James Godard married Melvin Morton and reared a family. Judge Godard was outstanding in Jones County.
Another judge of the Inferior court and a neighbor to the Godards was Herndon Patterson, a strong character, good judge, energetic and a fine citizen. He was a deacon in the Pine Ridge Church for years. He had several sons and daughters, one daughter married first Frank Moore and second Ed. Morton, Mrs. Holmes Johnson is her daughter. Another daughter mar- ried Jerry Lowe, Bill Lowe is a son. Another daughter married John Baker, another married Tom Bragg, two of their sons were Bill and Henry and they lived at the old Judge Patterson home.
Dr. James Barron was one of the other Judges of the court, of which I have written elsewhere.
Anderson Middlebrooks of Graball in upper Jones was also a Judge and a good one, a son Tom Middlebrooks lives in that section, a daughter married Bill Patterson a son of Judge Pat- terson and lived near Haddock. Judge Moreland was another well thought of Judge of this court. Leroy Singleton was also
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a good judge and lived at Fortville. Mrs. John Pitts and Mrs. James Turk were his daughters. Other Judges were Peyton Pitts, and David Blount both well known and honorable men. There were many others that I did not know.
AMAZING THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN THE COUNTY YEARS AGO-
S. H. Griswold
Opposite the old Sam Morgan Grocery and the house where Dr. Sam Pursley lived so long once lived Henry Glover, an Eng- lishman, who followed his trade as a tailor and up to the be- ginning of the Civil War did a good business. He was a devout Catholic, going to Macon to Mass and to confess to the priest. He was a religious man in all of his dealings and well liked by the people. He was tall and lean with a ruddy complexion, he had the largest and kindest eyes I ever saw. He was a non-com- batant, did get in the state militia during the war, but claimed to be an English subject and through Savannah he got released from duty. Before he was released, a storm blew down the tents one dark night and he was frightened almost to death. He prayed with a loud voice and great zeal to all of the saints in his calendar. He thought the whole Yankee army was on him and that was the end of the world.
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