USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
They were not old enough to die but too old to begin life over again. These are examples of thousands in the south, that died from broken hearts, disappointments and grief, while those who did live grew poorer and poorer and suffered agonies for lack of means and died a death of poverty.
I have seen one of these men go to Clinton in a thousand dollar carriage before the war, and since then I have seen him riding a poor mule bareback with a rope bridle. It was no fault of his that he had been reared under the old regime and was too old to adapt himself to the drastic changes.
Dave Allen and Hannie Mitchell lived in the upper part of Jones County. A Mrs. Ludlow also lived here.
Dave was a great fisherman and knew the shoals and fish traps around Dames Ferry like a book. Dave Allen and Hannie
464
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Mitchell had an interest with Wick Christian and others in these fish traps and they got shad, red horse and flat fish when they were running and some very fine ones. Sometimes the boys from Clinton would come up and fish, and not having enough to cook would get Dave to go out after dark and fish the traps for them.
Dave and Hannie once lived and worked for Tom Beeland at one time until Mrs. Beeland made them take her fourteen- year-old boy with them, when they wanted to see their girls. They tied the boy to a stump about 200 yards from the house and left him. Sometime during the night Beeland heard him screaming and found him, but they had to leave Beelands' employ for playing this joke.
A DESPERADO MEETS HIS DEATH
The killing of Oxford in our neighborhood was very exciting, it seems that Oxford was a bully and a drunkard, and disliked by most.
John Stiles was a son of Joseph Stiles and lived at the well- known Stiles place. He went to vote in Burden's District, and an old man named Cook, also drinking but harmless and always inoffensive, was lying near the fire around which all were warm- ing. Oxford a huge, strong and very overbearing man in his drinking, kept kicking and punching old man Cook. Stiles told Oxford to stop, that the old man could not defend himself and was not harming anyone. Oxford cursed Stiles and dared him to take the old man's part said he'd whip him. John Stiles calmly told Oxford that he did not want any trouble with him but he must not kick Cook again. When Oxford did this he and John Stiles went together and Monroe Stribling, Mike and John Lowe pulled them apart and tried to get Oxford to leave. Stiles quietly stood his ground and as soon as Oxford could get loose from the men he started back to Stiles. Stiles picked up a hickory stick no bigger than your thumb about two and one-half feet long. Oxford's favorite blow to an opponent was to charge him with his head down and hit him in the stomach, as he did this Stiles stepped back and whacked him twice on the back of the neck. Oxford rolled over like a stuck hog. Squire Burden had him carried into the house but no one thought that he was seri- ously hurt, however he died.
465
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Judge Cone was the Superior Court Judge and when the case came up. Bryant was the Sheriff, and when he brought John Stiles in he pleaded self defense. Now Oxford's father was a preacher, Baptist, of the Oxforditeh, he was a fine man and said his son had preached at one time but drink had ruined him. He did not ask for a new trial and said that he felt sure that his son was to blame. Stiles paid one hundred dollars costs and was freed.
Even though everyone knew that Stiles did the right thing, it ruined his life. He left home and traveled around for several years and finally came back, died at a friend and kinman's home, Green Roberts. He lies buried at the foot of his father's grave on the old Stiles place. Joseph Stiles carried food and clothes to the family of Oxford, and told the widow that as long as he lived he would help her and her family, and he did.
The fact of John Stiles sympathy for an old homeless man being imposed on, by a drunken bully, caused him to have to defend his life and then to lose it. He was a sober, energetic and dependable man, but this ruined his life, he only lived a few years and was very restless. Joseph Stiles, the father, was a wealthy planter and a strong man in the county. A daughter married a Hawkins from Milledgeville, another married Gabe Roberts of Macon a prominent man, and their daughter was Mrs. W. G. Solomon. The youngest daughter married John Da- vis, brother of G. M. and Captain W. A. Davis. Nick was the youngest son of Joseph Stiles. The old Stiles home was on top of a hill on the Garrison road seven miles from Macon, with big fruit orchards of plum, cherry, peach and apple. Mr. Stiles was a most hospitable man and his daughters, educated, attrac- tive and talented. Dr. Thomas Gibson lived near and was the family doctor.
JOHN BRADLEY
The late John Bradley was one of the best beloved men in Jones County to my notion, a man that spread cheer and sun- shine whereever he went. He had a commanding presence, tall, big framed, with the most magnificent beard that you ever saw. He was a brainy man, attractive and friendly as they come. He
466
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
was a leader in the county and not only in politics but in land development.
He was reared in the upper portion of the county and later the town of Bradley was named for him. He married a daughter of Wiley Franks and moved to Texas before the Civil War. Here he was connected with the enrolling department of the Confederate government and in the discharge of his duties he had to shoot and arrest. In arresting some deserters who were very desperate men, about the ending of the war, they got to- gether and Bradley heard that they would kill him the next night.
There was no law or order at that time to appeal to, so John Bradley saddled his best horse, left arrangements for his family to follow later, and he rode from Vanzant County Texas back to Jones County. His family joined him later. He left several hun- dred acres of good land in the care of another Jones Countian, Tom Towles. Bradley bought the land of his father-in-law, Wiley Franks, and though the times were hard and little labor he worked hard and paid for this land. He farmed different from most in that day, by deep plowing and constant plowing and his crops were better than his neighbors.
He was elected Sheriff and served in that capacity for a long time. He was jovial and liked to frolic, was always first in any mischief that would make fun. He was fearless and loyal to his friends.
He would sometimes deal in cotton futures, and often told this. On one occasion he bought a contract and the market went against him and soon he was out of $1,200.00 as he kept losing he said he kept his gun in a closet at the foot of the stair and also a jug of whiskey. Whenever he would go to kill himself he would see the whiskey and take a drink and change his mind. He finally closed out what he had, but had lost everything but his land. He would tell this, and laugh about it later and his merry eyes would twinkle.
He was a good neighbor, always kind and helpful to those in distress. He was fond of sports and fox hunted with the men who organized them. There will never be but one John Bradley and he was a true Jones Countian.
He is buried in the family graveyard on his place in a brick vault. Peace to his ashes.
467
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
JIM ROLAND AND OTHERS
Jim Rowland was a well digger by trade but a bright wit, full of humor and loved whiskey too well for his own good. He said, "I might have more money, if I had my life to live over but I don't see how I could have as much fun and enjoyment on less money."
Old John Robinson's Circus came to town every spring and gave an exhibition, and this was a great day of fun and excite- ment and Jim Rowland was the ring leader. He enlisted as a private in the Jones Volunteers which became Co. B 12th Ga. Regiment. and served throughout the war. He was the best forager, and could always find whiskey, and kept the boys go- ing, when things were bad, with his wit and humor.
He was cleaning out a well for Albert Blanks who had three boys just as full of mischief as could be. Now Rowland was real careful when he went in a well, he could not stand any dirt knocked in or carelessness. While he was in Blanks' well he saw dirt falling in and looking up he saw the three mischievous boys walking on the windlass over his head. Well the air was blue with Rowlands profanity he demanded that Blanks get him out and he never finished the job, although Blanks took them over to Judge Singletons house at Fortville. When Blanks went to bring them home, they were walking the tip ridge on top of Singleton's house.
These same boys used to go to the Georgia railroad which ran through their place and stand until a train came along and jump on the cowcatcher and ride a ways and jump off, of course the road was new and the train was making only 15 miles an hour. Again they would get into a small drain under the track, stand up straight when they saw the train coming, and just be- fore the train got there they would duck their heads down under and let it pass over. This at first frightened the engineers almost to death, but they got so, when they saw them, they just put on full steam and said "It's them Blank's boys you couldn't hurt them if you wanted to." They always managed to duck in time, it will always be a mystery to me, that the pranks they pulled they ever lived to grow up.
468
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
OLD TIMERS IN JONES By S. H. Griswold
One of the most remarkable women in Jones was Mrs. Town- send, who lived on the Macon road two miles from Clinton on a high hill in a two-story white house, the place where Jack Brooks now lives and who is her grandson. She owned several hundred acres of land, negroes and stock. She had great energy, perseverance and looked after her business herself, and went to the fields and saw that the negroes worked. She couldn't tolerate laziness in anyone. She made money and prospered. She raised a family, mostly girls. She had one son Dennis, who lived with her, one daughter Mrs. Brooks who also lived with her. One daughter married Carstarphen and lived on her Bibb county farm. The two Carstarphen boys of Macon are the sons of this daughter. Jasper Greer who used to run a grocery business a long time in Macon, married one of her daughters, then moved to Green Cove Springs, Fla.
With all of her push and energy she was full of rich humor. Jim Jordan used to overseer for her and also Ike Newton.
She rode everywhere she went on horseback, often riding to Macon to transact her business, her name was (Mathilda Brooks). She left a valuable estate after the war. She died around 1870. (It is said she owned all of Shirley Hills at one time. )
Ike Newton and Jim Jordan were in my company of state troops during the war, I have listened to their stories while we were camped near Rome, and the anecdotes they told on Mrs. Townsend for hours. Ike Newton ran a grocery in Macon and said his greatest ambition was to get as big and talk as big as Gus Sparks.
Speaking of overseers, James Carroll was overseer for my grandfather Sam Griswold when I was a boy. He was smart, and a good business man. One day an oxen got hurt badly and my grandfather told Carroll to kill the oxen. However Carroll doctored the animal and he got well. So very proud of the fact he called Grandfather's attention to the nice looking oxen. To his surprise he got a scolding for not obeying him, as that was what he was paid to do.
469
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Some time after that he had a very fine cow to get hurt. He went with Carroll to see her and in a hasty way said, "Kill her." Carroll knew the cow was not hurt bad enough to be killed, but remembering the other occasion, did so. Later the old gentleman rode out to the farm and asked to see the cow. "I killed her" said Carroll. "The Hell you did, didn't you know better than to do that"? Caroll reminded him of what had happened before and Griswold had no more to say.
Carroll's mother was Mrs. Stubbs who called him "Jemes Henry," she was the kindest and best mother to him and they were as happy as could be.
SOME OLD LETTERS By S. H. Griswold
More than twenty years ago when I lived at Juhan's place in Clinton, an old letter written by my father E. C. Griswold to Sanford Tippett was picked up in the mud in front of Dr. Kingman's. This letter was written in Vicksburg, Miss. Oct. 19, 1842, where my father had gone on business for Griswold Gin Factory. Mr. Abraham Massey the Uncle Abraham spoken of in the letter ) was with him and also employed by the gin factary. He was I believe a local Methodist preacher. He was the father of the late Wm. and W. O. Massey of Macon. Sanford Tippett lived in Clinton and taught the boys school there for many years. This letter was written on three letter sized pieces of paper and folded into another sheet and sealed with a wafer and on this blank side was written, Sanford Tippett, Esq., Clinton, Georgia. Near the address was stamped, Vicksburg, Miss. Oct. 20, 1842. On the upper corner in blue ink was marked 25 cents. Then there was no envelope or postage stamp used.
Dear Tippett : I am once more safe and sound, after 14 days of hard riding a distance of 517 miles, expenses $17.00 and not a drop of rain while enroute. Came a different route from Macon. Through Thomaston and the Valley in Talbot county and West Point is not so pleasant a route, as through Columbus. Tell Dash, at West Point I saw the first boy by the name of Tee. I had the blues most miserably bad. You can form no idea of my feeling, the day I left Clinton. I felt that I was bidding
470
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
adieu forever to everything that I held dear on earth, then I realized the truth, that this life is not made of flattering dreams. The fountain of my tears laid shallow and that I will never set clear of this depression of spirit, for nothing I have seen can bring back my wanted gaiety.
For the first four days, nothing worth noticing appeared. On the fifth night we stopped with a Hardshell Baptist, and we had hardly gotten into the house before Massey and he were in an argument on the scriptures, first Massey has the best of him but he falls back to a stronger position. When I went to sleep they were still at it, and when I got up in the morning they be- gan where they had left off. Next night we stayed at Howards, Miss C. B. was there, a doctor cousin of Gordon Howards. We spent two days at Mr. Daniel Pratts very pleasantly, there was a party and all the wealth and beauty of Alauga was present. I spent Monday in examining Pratt's improvements on the gin. His shop is better arranged for doing work quickly and cheaply than any I have ever seen. He has the best merchant mill I ever saw, and one of the finest and most convenient dwellings that I have ever seen. He had built more than twenty buildings, most of them occupied by his workmen. It is a monument to industry and perseverance. When he moved here in 1838 he was not worth $10,000, now he has expended $1,000,000 on improve- ments. Tell Wornam, that I stayed one night with his friend Therman, and saw his girl.
Here parts of the letter are obliterated but says to congrat- ulate J. M. Gray, then he says to write him and tell him every- thing about everyone and especially the girls. I can't help but think about them, God bless them.
These repudiators here are getting their eyes open, nothing but gold and silver passes, they sell their cotton for nothing else. The crops are fine and very healthy.
Your friend, E. C. Griswold.
Miss C. B. was Carrie Billingslea, Howard was a son-in-law of Mrs. Lowther. Worman was a Mr. Billy Worman who lived in Clinton.
471
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Another old letter, I have read.
Dear Master, I have been in your service as a regular hand in the gin shop, but of late my eyesight begins to fail consider- able, so much so that I am unable to do the work as it should be done, and I do not suppose that you have any other use for me but to do such work. Kind master you have promised me that you would sell me at the close of the year. Please let me know what amount of money you will ask for me at the close of the year? These lines are from your very humble servant, George to his Master, June 2nd, 1860.
George belonged to Sam Griswold and was a large yellow man, of fine character, good sense and a splendid mechanic, re- liable, trustworthy and had been sent all over the country, to repair Griswold's gins. George had a remarkable mind and mem- ory and often preached. He could not read but had others to read to him and could repeat verbatim most of what he heard. His wife Nancy was above the average and they had a large family, most of whom could read and write and one of them wrote the letter for George. Nancy had a sister who belonged to an Irishman named Healy who had much property and he lived with his servant and had children by her. He sent these children north to be educated and at his death left his property to her and their children. She sold it and went north and sent money to Mr. Wood in Macon to buy her sister Nancy for her. George wanted to go with his wife and did.
The Irishman Healy lived on the river in Jones County, later his plantation was bought by the I. B. English estate upon which Mr. Byrd lives.
T. R. TURNER AND SOME OTHERS OF LONG AGO By S. H. Griswold
There used to stand on the hill going from Clinton to Gray, on the right and opposite to the Hitch Hill, a large two-story white house. The Cook family owned it and lived there when I first knew it. Several tall Lombardy poplars were around it and it looked pretty from Clinton as one drove out. George Cook, reared here, married Miss Winship and moved to Atlan-
472
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
ta. The next owners were Jeff Cox, Mrs. Lowther, and next Radford J. Turner bought it, tore it down and moved it to his home place near Gray, and built onto the house in which he lived.
Rad Turner, came from Wilkes county, was first a manager of Widow Godard's plantation. Widow Godard was a sister of Judge Hearndon Patterson, and was raised on the spot where Judge Johnson's house at Gray now stands. Rad Turner mar- ried the Mrs. Godard. He was a tall loose jointed man, with very dark skin and black eyes and hair, and even white teeth. He had a large mouth and I liked to see him laugh heartily. He re- minded me of pictures of Abe Lincoln.
He hadn't had as much education as some, but had a great deal of native ability, common sense and energy. He and his wife prospered and he always had money to lend to those he trusted, and many stores in Clinton borrowed from him and many young men starting out in life who needed money, made loans.
Turner had a gristmill. I used to drive my oxen team to take corn to his mill there where I met Henry Roberts and others. Turner's first wife died. He used to give big dinners and a dance on a platform in the woods about once a year. He enjoyed the dances and dinners as much as anyone. People came from far and near, there was always a big crowd. He use to distill good peach brandy, and gave his guests a drink before the barbecue.
He was a good farmer, and in addition to his own, he ran the Seabrooks plantation which belonged to the Johnson children in Floyd county. Clark Smith later bought the place. After the first wife's death he married Miss Humphries, daughter of a prominent Jones county family. He had several children. After her death he married a Miss Elliott. Rad Turner should be remembered as a substantial Jones County citizen, thrifty and a worker, a leader in his time.
Sam Middlebrooks bought the Dr. Bowen plantation from Dr. Jim Bowen who moved near Prattville, Ala. Turner later got this because Middlebrooks defaulted his note. The lands proved to be very valuable in later years. There were three brothers, Silas, John and Isaac Middlebrooks who owned lands
473
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
on Hog Creek. They were good citizens and well-to-do men. Silas left Mrs. Bill Nevins, Mrs. Mercer (married John Brad- ley), Bert, Dave and Silas all of whom were known to many Jones County people. Dave, Bert and Mrs. Nevins moved to Ocilla. Mrs. Bradley and Silas died. Mrs. Nathan Morris and Mrs. John Thompson were children of Isaac. Sam died in Louis- iana (a preacher). Mrs. Morris is dead. John Middlebrooks had no children. He gave his property to his wife and at her death it went to nephews Dave Middlebrooks and Major Jim Jones, both wounded and disabled during the Civil War where both had made a record as gallant soldiers.
Rad Turner and his three wives are buried at Gray in the old Patterson burial ground.
HARDY CHRISTIAN AND DESCENDANTS By S. H. Griswold-1908
At Hayward, N. C. in the early part of 1800 lived Hardy Christian. He was a sturdy, hardy old fellow. It was told that Uncle Hardy would go to Raleigh, N. C. occasionally and take too many drinks and that he would come home and sail his hat in the front door, and that unless his wife came to the door and invited him in, he would climb into the oak tree and stay until she did. He had a large family some of whom came to Jones County and settled. I remember Lewis, Henry and Ruch. They were Whigs in politics, had a peculiar accent as they talked and were good citizens.
One day Tom Whidby was imitating Lewis's manner of talk- ing over in Clinton and had the crowd laughing when Lewis Christian quietly walked up. on the outside of the crowd and heard it all. He picked up a big stick and walked up to Tom, who turned as white as a sheet. Lewis said "I ought to break every bone in your body," the crowd yelled to let him off and Lewis continued, "If I hear of you again mimicing me, that will be the last time." Tom apologized and it was settled.
Lewis lived in the upper part of Jones in 1875, and was in the tract of a cyclone, which blew down houses and killed two or three on his place. Lewis joined the church and was faithful for several years but then he back-slid and his family was much
474
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
concerned so they held a prayer meeting for him, and they all prayed for his return to the fold. Lewis's son-in-law said, "Lord send another cyclone and blow him back." Now Lewis was standing outside in the chimney corner listening, grabbed a stick and walked in taking the son-in-law in the collar and shaking him saying, "I draw the line at cyclones, I can't stand that, if you ever pray for another cyclone, I'll beat you, so help me."
Henry Christian was a remarkable man in many ways. He was as fearless as a lion, witty as could be, would fight for a friend as quickly as for himself. He ran a barroom in Clinton for many years and also had property near there and had a good farm. He never went back on a friend and never let an enemy think that he liked him. He used to say when he was serving on the jury and the lawyers would strike a jury to try a case, "Just look now they won't have me on that jury but one of these bee- martined-headed fellows, that they can pull around to suit them, they won't take me or a man that has his own will," they knew that no one could influence Henry.
Henry came to our camp in Virginia to see his wounded son, in the Civil War. Capt. Johnson had been kind and attentive to young Christian, and never was there a more grateful man to another than Henry was to Capt. Johnson. As long as he lived woe to any man who spoke ill of Johnson before Henry Christian. The son died in Virginia at that time.
Ruch Christian was the most powerful man physically that I ever saw. He went with the Jones County Volunteers to the war and was in the 12th Regiment. Col. Ed Johnson said if he had 1,000 men like Ruch Christian he would march into New York. He was a gallant soldier, losing his left arm at Cedar Mountain, but he could do as much work with one hand as any man could do with two. His sons were, Hardy, Hill, Robert and Tom. Mrs. Mitchell (mother of Mrs. Tom Duffy), Mrs. Sam Kingman and Mrs. Mike Byrd were his daughters.
Hardy was a veteran of the 45th Ga. Regiment, Hall and Robert were fine fellows and dependable citizens. Mrs. King- man lives in Macon, and has several children, refined and edu- cated.
475
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Mrs. Mitchell died some years ago but her daughter Mrs. Duffy still lives at James and has a fine family of splendid cit- izens. Mrs. Byrd has several children and are all good Jones County citizens.
BENJAMIN JAMES, HIS SONS AND WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED By S. H. Griswold
Benjamin James lived in the lower part of the county on the Clinton and Irwinton road where that road crosses the Central Railroad. He was a good citizen and raised a family mostly of boys. I recall Able, Buck, Lem, Tom and George, and the young- er ones, Frank and Ben. Able, Buck and Tom served in the army of Northern Virginia in Co. B, of the famous 12th Ga. Regi- ment. Lem was in Co. F, 45th Ga. Reg. There were no better soldiers than these men. Buck was killed and the others returned to Jones County. They went to work without money or negroes, or help and made their way, and have been leading factors in the county and state.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.