USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 39
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Able bought most of the old Hardeman plantation, and also built railroads, and operated sawmills. His comrades used to tell it on him that he could not get any shoes in the army large enough for him when Lee was invading Maryland, so his officers offered to give him duty indoors as it was very cold. He refused indignantly, saying he would stay with his company barefoot, and he did until he was captured and kept in prison a long time.
Lem was a good soldier and returned and helped Maxwell build bridges and railroads, afterwards bought a large part of the Woolfolk plantation, built there and called it James Station. Able, Tom and James built most of the Georgia railroad near there. Lem built a second large house at James, and owned stock in the Central Ga. Land and Improvement Company.
Lem was a solid man of a sturdy and dependable character and was respected throughout the county. At his death Jones lost one of its most useful citizens.
Tom James, a veteran of the Civil War, also built railroads for different companies, from Macon to Atlanta, from McDon- ough to Columbus and others. He located at Old Town planta-
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tion in Jefferson county. He made money and met Miss Cheat- ham of Bethany and was married. He with his brothers Lem and Able helped to build the Ga. Southern and Florida railroad. Tom had several sawmills and helped to build the town of Ad- rian where he had a big mill.
These James got what schooling they could at the old field school of Alexander Martin, they applied their knowledge, their great energies, integrity and aggressiveness, and were fine and leading citizens wherever they were. I knew them well and also went to the field school with them, and was a neighbor and can say that no better or kinder men ever lived.
Sam Griswold built a church at Griswoldville and Uncle Billy Denning a Primitive Baptist said that Griswold built it for the Methodists, to which Griswold replied, "I built a church, it doesn't belong to the Methodists but to me, they have one Sun- day and you can have one if you like, my folks are Methodists but damned if I ain't sorter Baptist." (Uncle Billy laughed and went to work, to get himself up a Sunday to preach. )
DAVID E. BLOUNT By S. H. Griswold - Jones Co. News - 1909
David E. Blount was one of the Judges of the Inferior court in the early days of Jones County. He was a large, dignified man, usually carried a cane, was most distinguished looking, and very strong in his likes and dislikes. When once he made up his mind he was like the rock of Gibralter. He was a just and able judge. He was a Whig in politics and was an intense partizan.
He was born and reared in Jones County, served in the Leg- islature. His father was a wealthy planter living near Clinton. He bought and inherited 2,000 acres of very fine land. He was a good farmer, for on two acres of land he threshed 80 bushels of wheat. He had the finest hogs, South-Down sheep and improved cattle that could be found. His plantation was kept up to date and few planters had such good crops. He had a fruit orchard of cherries, apples, peaches, pears and grapes.
He had many slaves, which he required to work, but they were treated well, and after the crops were laid by he gave them a
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big barbecue, served with cakes, Brunswick Stew and all the Southern eats. He was a typical Southern gentleman and host.
He was a friend of James M. Gray, although Gray was a leader of the Democrats in Jones Co. and he lead the Whigs, they never let politics interfere with their friendship. Blount was a union man, opposed secession and fought it until the last, while Gray advocated secession. He said to Gray, "If you secede you will have a war on your hands," "Mat, are you willing to should- er your gun and fight"? "No," said Gray, "I am too old and I feel sure there will be no war." "You are mistaken" said Blount, "War will certainly follow secession, and if I advocated it, as you do, I would feel bound to take my gun and go and fight for the cause." (Gray was only 47 years old.)
Although Blount maintained he was a union man, Sherman burned his dwelling house on the plantation and destroyed there as he did anywhere else. Blount married Captain Jack Pitts' daughter and had one daughter. As she grew up he moved to Macon, where he could be near her as she received her educa- tion. He often visited his plantation though and kept it going. I lived on his place in 1867 and was his partner on the farm. The changed state of affairs after the slaves were freed made him very unhappy, he struggled with poor help several years with no profits and finally became so discouraged sold his place to David Slocumb who later sold it to Ed Morton, Billy Lowe and others. I moved to Macon and we used to reminisce about Jones County and its affairs, which he knew well and much of the early history of Jones. He knew the case of Elijah Barber trying to imper- sonate Jesse Bunkley and the facts of the trial. He believed Barber to be guilty, and said that he talked with Barber's broth- er and the brother thought that he was guilty. Blount was a great admirer of Judge Hardeman and they were good friends, and were executors of the will of his father and were guardians of his half brothers Jim and Ed, he was very strict with them and required them to study and bring up good marks. I am sure James Blount owed his success in life to David's influence.
David Blount was also the guardian of Pate, John and Noel Pitts his wife's half brothers. He was stern with these boys, kind and good but demanded obedience. John ran off because
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he would not be bossed, and Blount never spoke to him again. Because their uncle Peyton Pitts sided with John, their friend- ship was broken up for many years. He educated his half broth- er Ed Blount and did many things for him, but he married against his will and he never spoke to him again. If you did right he was your staunchest friend but if you did wrong, he was through with you. Albert Blank, Jeff Stewart, Beauford Stallsworth, and Steve Juhan, were his neighbors and friends. His lands surrounded Elam church and he attended this church. Jones County never had a more influential or progressive citizen than David Blount. When he moved to Macon he was also an outstanding citizen there.
EXTRACT FROM MEMORY OF FIFTY YEARS By S. H. Griswold
The following sketch is taken from "The Memory of Fifty Years," by William H. Sparks.
This was the last Governor to be elected by the Legislature. The contestants were Gov. George M. Troup of Laurens Coun- ty and Matthew Talbot of Wilkes County.
At the meeting of the Legislature it was doubtful which party had the majority. Two members for Troup were unable to be present on account of illness and the Talbot side thought this gave them a majority. There was no political principle involved in the contest, both were Republicans. There was no patronage, and the executive was literally nothing, yet there was an inten- sity of feeling involved for which there was no accounting, un- less it was the anxiety of one party to sustain Mr. Crawford at home for the Presidency, and to gratify the hatred of Clark, and sustain Mr. Calhoun. Every means was resorted to before the day of the election, but pecuniary consideration which would have been scorned. All the men were open to reason, to State pride and a sincere desire to do what they deemed best for the state, which was at stake.
The machinery of party was incomplete and individual inde- pendence universal. Each man pled his cause with a passion. The public service of Troup, his stern, lofty and eminently pure character were used by his friends as reasons why he should be chosen.
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The people of the state were clamoring for fulfillment of the contract between the state and general government for the re- moval of the Indians from the territory of the state and Troup was urged upon the voters as being favorable to this policy and possessing the talent and determination to effect this issue.
Finally the day of the election arrived. The representative men of the state arrived, hotel accommodations could not be found for the crowd. The Judges of the different Judicial dis- tricts, leading members of the bar, men of fortune and leisure, prominent church men and ministers of the gospel were there. The distinguished Jesse Mercer was a moving spirit, and a Troup man. Daniel Duffie a Methodist and strong Troup man was present. The Senate came into the representative cham- ber at noon, to effect a joint ballot for the election of governor. The President of the Senate took his seat with the Speaker of the House, and in obedience to law assumed the presidency of the assembled body. (State Capitol was at Milledgeville.)
The members were ordered to prepare their ballot to vote for the governor of the state. The secretary of the Senate called the roll of the Senate, each man walking up to the desk as his name was called and depositing his ballot. The same routine was gone through with the House. The hat containing the ballots was handed to the President of the Senate. Thomas Stock of Greene County proceeded to count the ballots. A deadly silence fell on the huge crowd as he called the name from each ballot. Every bit of the room was taken, the gallery, the windows, committee rooms were all filled and only the excited breathing of the people could be heard. There were 166 ballots and one by one the bal- lots were called and tallied. It required 84 to elect, as the 160th ballot was counted, each candidate had 80 each.
At this point, the feeling was so intense, and even though it was a chilly November day, the people wiped their brows with handkerchiefs. A wag in the gallery sang out. "The darkest time of the night is just before day." The count went on one for Troup and one for Talbot, it was 82-82, then Troup and only one ballot left, the President called out Troup again.
The scene that followed was indescribable. The two parties occupying separate sides of the chamber. The side voting for
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Troup raised up with one loud cry of exultation. The lobby and the gallery joined in the shout. Members and spectators rushed into each others arms, kissed, wept, shouted, kicked over desks and for ten minutes this demonstration suspended the business of the day. Finally the presiding officer got the floor. Duffie with his Irish brogue said, "Lord, we thank Thee, the state is re- deemed from the rule of the devil, John Clark." Jesse Mercer left the chamber waving his hat above his bald head and shout- ing, "Glory, glory," until he was out of sight. General Black- shear a very reserved gentleman, had made no demonstration, he rose and with tears streaming down his face said, "Now Lord I am ready to die," as order was restored, it was announced Troup 84 and Talbot 82. President Stock proclaimed George M. Troup as duly elected Governor of the State of Georgia. Next time Troup was elected over Clark by 700 votes.
This should be remembered as the last election of a governor for Georgia by the Legislature, 1825.
A GENTLEMAN OF THE OLD SCHOOL- September 24, 1908
Major Ben Barron was one of the leading men of Jones County, a man of sound judgment, business ability and integrity. He owned large bodies of the finest land situated on the tribu- taries of Cedar Creek. These were strong red lands with a heavy timber growth. He was raised in this section and really knew good land when he saw it. He made investments in land instead of seeking new country as some planters did. He owned a good many Negroes, and used the same judgment in buying them. He had some of the ablest and strongest in the county.
He demanded a good steady day's labor, treated them humane- ly, fed and housed them well. He saw that the sick had care, and that they had a preacher to teach them. He maintained disci- pline with a kind hand. An ordained minister of the Methodist church came out on Sunday afternoon and preached. F. L. Brant- ley was sent by the Methodist church as a missionary to the Negroes, and a regular appointment was at Major Barron's place. One Sunday he had the little Negroes in line asking ques- tions from the catechism. He asked one, "Who made you?"
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"God," he answered. "What did he make you for?" He hung his head and couldn't answer; as did one after the other, finally one little boy rolled his eyes and answered, "He made us to make cotton for Mars Benjamin."
Major Barron's grandfather came from Maryland and settled in Hancock County, Ga., in the first settling of the new country. Here Major Barron was born on July 3, 1802 and came with his parents to Jones in 1810 when eight years old, and they lived near where J. M. Hunt now lives, on lands now owned by John Creigh. To his parents were born seven boys, and three girls. The girls all lived to be grown, two of his brothers and one of his sisters are buried in Jones County. The others moved to Monroe, Macon and Bartow counties. All are dead. Major Ben Barron's brothers and sisters were, Sally, James, Wylly, William, Nancy, Rebecca, Jonathan, Willis, Thomas Green, and Abington.
Benjamin Barron married three times, his first wife the daugh- ter of one of his nearest neighbors Martha Washington Cabiness daughter of Harrison Cabiness and a sister of the late Judge Cabiness of Forsyth. They had six sons, only three growing to manhood. The oldest, Harrison C. Barron died near Richmond, Va. in 1862 being a First Lieut. in Co. F, 45th Ga. Regiment. He died after being wounded, at the house of a Mr. Wattes. The writer of this article was a member of his company at the time, and visited him while sick and helped to bury him at the corner of Wattes's garden, and if things have not changed too much, I could go there now and locate his grave. His cousin, Jack Barron who died there was buried by his side. Harrison was a fine officer, beloved by his comrades and the South lost a fine soldier when he fell. The next son was William better known as "Bub." He went to the army early in the 60's with the Jones County Volunteers which became Co. B, 12th Ga. Regiment, was a Lieutenant in this company and was killed in Richmond, Va. soon after entering the service. His third son was Sam Bar- ron who is an honored and well loved citizen of this county, liv- ing at the home place of his father and is truly a Southern gen- tleman of the old school.
Major Barron's second wife was Mary Anne Shropshire, daughter of Captain Jim Shropshire of Jasper County, one son
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Ben Barron, Jr. The third wife was a sister of the second wife, Sallie F. Shropshire who survived her husband several years and was a most estimable lady. By this marriage was born, Joe Walter Barron, Round Oak, Mrs. Sallie B. Smith of Round Oak and Mrs. John T. Williams of "Four Oaks," Jones County.
Dr. James Barron, W. W. Barron, Capt. Bob Barron, Jack Barron, Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Morris were his nephews and nieces.
Major Ben Barron loved Jones County and her people. He tried hard to teach his children his way of thinking. He never took much stock in politics though he was chosen to go to the Legislature in 1862, without opposition, both Whigs and Demo- crats voting for him. He was an old line Whig, and a strong union man before secession. He used all of his influence to stave off the split, but when Georgia seceded he had nothing more to say. He gave his energy, his produce and his sons to the cause of the South. He believed in gradual emancipation for the slaves, and that this would not have left the South broken, and the period of reconstruction would not have caused such bitterness.
He rode to Macon, 25 miles, on horseback as that was the market place, I have often seen him ride through Clinton with a heavy blanket around him on a cold day, even in his old age, he had great energy and ability. Major Barron died in Nov. 3, 1872. His plantations being in the very path of Sherman's march to the sea, he lost all of his slaves, his cotton, gins and buildings, and nothing was left. He did not give up as some did, but went to work with a will to restore his property, help his community and county and rebuilt his fortune. He was re- spected and honored and left a record to be remembered.
CONCERNING OLD CITIZENS By S. H. Griswold - 1909 - Jones Co. News
Jones County had some outstanding citizens in the past. One of the eldest was Horatio Bowen; he was a man of great energy and character but eccentric and irritable. He made good money, owned fine lands in the county and many slaves. He lived in Clinton the place where Judge Barron now lives. His plantation house and quarters were on the Eatonton road, his land extended
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on both sides from near the Milledgeville road on the south to Briar Lane on the road to Half Acre, near Bradley on the north and from Gray to the top of Pine Ridge on the east and west. It had much of the original timber on it of which he was very careful only cutting the dead trees and selecting firewood. He had a fine vineyard of grapes, Catawbas, Delawares and others, and his wines were known over the country side. His favorite treatment was to cut and bleed his patients and put leeches on them and use his lancet for drawing the blood out. When the Dr. asked the Postmaster Mike Sullivan for mail in his gruff way, Mike would answer in the same vein. They liked to fuss and the on-lookers enjoyed it. He raised a large family, his only daughter was Mrs. Swanson. "Miss Sallie" who lived in the house in front of Judge Johnson's. Dr. Bowen was a power in the social and political life in Clinton. He lived to see all of his children grown up and he gave them all of the advantages of that day. He left a large estate but his sons like others could not manage it with free negroes, and lost most of their inheri- tance.
Dr. Asbury Kingman also came to Clinton and practiced be- fore the war. He was an educated gentleman and Chesterfield in his manner.
Dr. James F. Barron was a resident and physician in Clinton. He was born, lived all of his life, worked here and loved Jones County ; no one worked for the soldiers and their families during the war and the dark days of reconstruction more than he. He was a man of brains and strong will, he was sought for advice and guidance. He was plain, a loyal Democrat, scorned a dude, and was sincere as could be. He was a capable physician. His father had a large family and after James finished at Clinton his uncle loaned him money to go to New York and study medi- cine. This he did, graduating there returned to Clinton to prac- tice. Dr. Barron was strong in his likes and dislikes and had his faults but all in all he was a good citizen and stood by Jones County well, in her hour of need. He represented the county in the Legislature during the war. He was a very potent factor in politics in the county.
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Dr. Ridley of Graball was also a man of ability and strong will power, I think he came from North Carolina, was well edu- cated and a good doctor. He was a large man and one of cour- age. He was a Whig, taking a great interest in politics, opposed secession, was a union man candidate for the state convention in which the secession ordinance was promulgated, but was de- feated. He could not endure competition. It is said that he and a young doctor that was encroaching on his practice had a fight and Dr. Ridley was cut badly. He lived to be an old man and was a fine citizen. Ham and Charles Ridley were his grandsons.
Dr. Wm. Little lived in the eastern part of the county near Blountsville, he was a man of character and a good physician. Dr. George Pursley a doctor at Clinton who moved from Louisiana after the war. He was a good man, a respected citizen, married a daughter of James Godard, one of the outstanding men in the county.
Dr. Ben Holland lived above Dames Ferry, and had a large practice, was popular and a good citizen. He was a large fleshy man, and had a great deal of influence in his part of the county. He was a brother-in-law of Capt. Ham Ridley and like him was fond of fox hunting and kept a large pack of fox hounds. He was kind and hospitable, had many friends. Ben Holland was a leader in his day and can well be placed on the roll of good citizens of Jones County. Dr. Anderson moved from Monroe to Graball after the war. He built a fine practice, was a com- petent and energetic man and doctor. He accumulated good property and was an influential citizen and now has sons in Jones County.
SOME OF THE EARLY CITIZENS OF JONES COUNTY S. H. Griswold-Jones County News-May 28, 1908
Joseph Day was a man of prominence in Georgia affairs, be- ing speaker of the House of Representatives two or more terms of the State Legislature. He owned large plantations and lived where Maj. Ben Barron now lives.
Robert Brown was another prominent man who lived where Mr. John Stewart now lives, he was the father of Mrs. Sam Barron, he moved from Jones to Houston County.
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Thos. Hunt was also a leading citizen and lived where J. M. Hunt now lives. He was the father of a large and respectable family, some of whom still live in the county.
Col. Moreland lived where Sam Hungerford now lives and moved to Coweta county but held his property in Jones and his daughter inherited his Jones County place. She first married Norwood. He was a fine gentleman and was killed at the front gate of the yard to this place by Sherman's men. He was a young man at that time. His widow afterwards married Hungerford and the present owner was their son, Samuel Hungerford.
Wiley Franks was a leading man, very shrewd and leader of the whites in the county. He lived where Mrs. Mulligan, his granddaughter now lives. Mr. Smith owned the place where the late John Bradley died. He was a man of wealth and his son, Gen. D. N. Smith was active in the affairs of the county. Old Squire Barnes as he was called lived on the place now owned by Mrs. Bob Bradley, his son Squire Jimmie lived there once. Mrs. Bradley the present owner was his daughter. This was a well known family, Wiley Barnes of Macon, Mrs. W. H. Burden of New York, and Lee Barnes were his children, his wife was a daughter of Wiley Franks.
Mrs. Lowther owned large plantations in this section.
Major Ben Barron lived at the Day Place and was a man of great energy and business ability, one of Georgia's most pro- gressive citizens. He left a large family of children among whom are, Sam Barron, Joe W. Barron, Mrs. J. T. Williams, Mrs. Sallie B. Smith, Ben Barron.
Joseph White was a planter of large means, and lived in the northern part of the county near Round Oak. His first wife was Martha Butts, a son Joseph White was killed in Virginia (1st Manassas) in the Civil War, children of the second wife, Adeline Alexander, are Dr. T. A. White, Frank White, George B. J. White, Mrs. Dan Redding.
Anderson Middlebrooks, was a good citizen and the father of Tom Middlebrooks.
Dr. Ridley was a prominent physician, and took a leading part in county affairs. His son, Capt. Ham Ridley also lived in the northwest section of the county and was a foremost citizen.
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He loved hunting and kept the finest dogs to be found, he rep- resented the county in the Legislature once. His father, Dr. Chas. Ridley also represented the county in the Legislature and was a Union candidate for the secession convention but was de- feated, but stood loyally by his state after secession.
Of this section of the county are some old and worthy fam- ilies, Childs, Jacksons, Greshams, and Mitchells, good and re- spected citizens. Clark Butler served as Tax Receiver several terms. Beelands also good citizens lived here.
Rev. John Jarrell lived further on down, a man of great energy and ability, he was a Primitive Baptist and was honored by all. His son, Rev. Joseph Jarrell, after being educated at Emory College, became one of the leading ministers of the Ga. Methodist Conference.
Col. Bell lived there and was a man of means and influence.
Healy, an Irishman had a large plantation on the river and was wealthy. When he died he willed his property to children by his housekeeper (a slave).
John and Tom Byrd lived near Dames Ferry. The Dames fam- ily owned a place on the river and the place and ferry still goes by that name. Hiram Vanzandt also lived in this neighborhood.
Capt. Robert Lundy owned a large plantation here and was a popular citizen. The Pippins family lived near here, Hugh and Jack Gordon, all good citizens. Hugh and George McKay, were popular and prominent citizens, and it was a son of George that became our second School Commissioner, Alex Mckay.
Elbert Hutchings, owned and lived at the Hutchings Hill on Walnut Creek, a large man and a useful citizen. Mr. Johnson owned the place before Elbert married his widow. She was the daughter of a leader, Mr. Phillips who lived at the Clinton cross- roads to Macon. He left a large family, Mr. W. K. Phillips of Macon was a son.
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