USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 40
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Sterling Smith lived in this neighborhood and was a man of means and ability. Jeff Stewart married his daughter, and Mrs. Randolph Chiles is his granddaughter, he and his family stood high in Jones County. Col. Moreland once lived near here, the place now owned by Mr. Tom Stripling. Squire Stripling was a man of note, and the father of Tom.
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Mrs. Townsend lived in a two-story white house nearer Clin- ton, she was energetic, had good business ability, and had a good sense of humor. Mr. Harris was another man of high standing, Alex Hunt was a man of large means and lived where the Broach place now is. Croach Farley lived on this Macon road. Mr. Humphries lived beyond Walnut Creek near the Bibb line. The Bazemores were excellent citizens who lived in the McKay neighborhood.
Judge J. M. Gray owned a place near Bibb County which he sold to Capt. Parish. Gen. D. N. Smith lived on the place later owned by John Roberts. He moved to Wilkinson County. Roberts lived at the old home place of Jackson Roberts. He was a man of great energy, left several sons, William, Greene, Jackson and John all of whom were men of means. He was a thrifty man and accumulated a fortune. Calhoun Roberts is his grandson. Mrs. Baker and sons John and James Baker lived near the Roberts'. Judge R. V. Hardeman an able lawyer and former Judge of the Superior Court lived in this neighborhood.
Oliver Morton lived near and was well liked, independent and industrious, he left some fine children, Ed, William and Melvin all active in the county.
Emerson was another family of note, left several children, Mrs. Moring of Gray was a daughter. Mrs. Summers lived nearby and was popular, Green Roberts a level headed and outstanding man. William Roberts also a man of note. Joseph Stiles lived on top of the hill on the Garrison road, he owned large bodies of land and many slaves. His sons were John and Nick. Gene Roberts of Macon married one of his daughters and Col. Hawkins of Milledgeville another.
Jackson Roberts lived at the old Roberts place and was a man of great ability and energy. The Cribb family lived near Griswoldville. Sam Griswold lived at Griswoldville after mov- ing from Clinton to be on the railroad, with his manufacturing of cotton gins and later, guns and pistols. Bryant Balkcom lived near Mountain Spring Church and was a leading man.
Ben James lived near here and was a man of note, sons were George, Lem, Tom, Frank, Able, John and James.
Other outstanding families in this section were, Moores, Eth-
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ridges and Billy Denning, a Primitive Baptist preacher. There were Jerry Lowe, Harry Sketo, Henry Roberts, Thomas Stew- art, William Johnson, and Squire Burden, a Justice of the Peace. His sons were Dick Burden of Macon and William Bur- den of New York. There was William Wood who prospered and had great energy and his son Jernigan Wood. The Farleys, the Slocumbs, Miles Kelly a noted Christian, lived here.
T. J. Stewart lived at Slocumb station and was a pioneer in the peach industry. Buford Stallworth, Ben Bryant, Thomas Woolfolk lived nearby. John Smith moved to Macon on Fort Hill and his sons Thomas and James lived there. James Sim- mons, Owen Moore and Patterson were neighbors.
Peyton Pitts was a county and state leader and lived in a large two-story house on the Garrison Road, half way between Macon and Milledgeville. He built a good Methodist church at the Crossroads called Pitts Chapel. A Mr. Peterson once lived here and took in travelers, Thomas Choate owned large properties, a woolen and gristmill on Flat Shoals on Commissioners Creek Stephen Bivins was a wealthy planter, a Whig and a Union Man. B. F. Finney lived near Salem Church, a wealthy and generous man. Peter Northern once lived at this place and it was here that Ex-Gov. Northern was born. William Whitty lived here and was a very tall, large man, and he lived to be 90 years of age.
Tell Duncan also lived here, ran a wagon and blacksmith shop. Brantley, Chap Cox and Giles Griswold lived here on large plantations. Archelus Jarrett was on of the most successful men of the times. He bought lands from Lamar, Ellis and Da- vidson.
Mr. Clark had a large plantation joining his place and Ben Finney married his daughter.
General Gordon lived in the house in which Mrs. Blount now lives near Haddock, built by Daniel Pratt of the Pratt Gin Co. in Prattville, Ala. Gen. Gordon was one of Georgia's foremost citizens, moving to Texas from Jones County, Thomas Bowen first bought the place and sold it to Mrs. Blount.
Caswell Haddock lived where Haddock now is. Jordan Bar- field lived where Mrs. Chambers lives, he moved to Wayside and John Finney bought his place. After Finney's death, his widow
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married William Chambers, a man of note. Capt. Jack Pitts owned a plantation here and his son Dauphin Pitts was killed when a horse kicked him. Taylor Morris was a very fine man, and sons Nathan and William.
Robert Brown lived at Fortville and owned considerable land and negroes and ran a public shop. Col. Moughon also lived at Fortville and had an elegant home, he also owned the place called Walnut Level. His son afterwards owned this property. Robert Hutchings and sons Robert, Rufus and Elbert lived on a large plantation and owned many slaves. Warren Lowe lived nearby, afterwards sold to Jim Middlebrooks.
The place that Gus Pitts sold to Mr. Davis of Macon, was the place that Hon. Mark Blanford had lived on. He moved on to Columbus and became a Judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia.
Dennis and Dave Lester lived on fine lands here and their sons David and Rhode lived and died at Fortville. John Lamar owned a fine place here as did Gibbs Wright, the father of Col. A. P. Wright of Thomasville, a leading banker there.
John Farrar owned a large place near here and his descend- ants still live there. Freeman lived near here on a large place, he moved to Cass County after the war and his son Frank sold it to the Jenkins boys.
Dr. Wm. Little, a physician of note lived near Blountsville. Col. Tufts lived in a large white house at the Crossroads at Blountsville and was a man of note.
Hiram Warner taught school here, afterwards moved to Meriwether County and became Chief Justice of the State Su- preme Court. He was a great man and beloved by all.
Other well-to-do and prominent families were the Millers, Dumas's, and John Smith. There were John and Tom Williams, the latter, the father of John T. Williams, who now lives at the old home, a daughter, the wife of Gov. Allen Candler and sev- eral other handsome and noted daughters.
Mr. Ethridge lived at Ethridge, had an elegant home and a fine family. He moved to Savannah and a son was Dr. Ethridge of Savannah. The Comers of Alabama are relatives of his. Edmund Dumas bought the place and died there. The Wards, Ross, father of Roland Ross, Ordinary for so long, lived near
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the Putnam County line. The Wilcoxon family, Judge W. T. Mccullough lived between Blountsville and Tranquilla. He married a daughter of Mr. Tufts, an educated man, being rep- resentative from the county in the Legislature once.
Robert Woodall lived near Blountsville and was a man of means. John Mercer and his brother owned large lands on Hog Creek, John Middlebrooks and his brother lived on Hog Creek and were fine citizens. T. W. Stewart lived on place Mrs. Joe Glawson now owns. He had a fine house and lands; his children : Jeff, Jab, Lark, Polk Stewart, Mrs. Greaves and Mrs. Calhoun. Mr. Stewart with the help of his wife noted for her brains and ability built a fine fortune. Judge Gray once owned this place but later moved to Clinton, he was the father of James M. Gray for whom Gray was named, an outstanding man and a leader in the county for many years. He lived where Mr. Calhoun Roberts now lives.
Hearndon Patterson lived near here, he was one of the Judges of the Inferior Court and a man of note. Dick Blow, one time Sheriff of Jones lived here. James Finney once lived on the Pine Ridge and was as good a man as Jones had. Henry and Jim Finney are his sons and also a credit to the county. The Morris family lived on the place owned by Jab Stewart. Leroy Singleton lived here but moved to Fortville. Frank Pepper moved from here to Calhoun County and was active in developing that coun- ty. James Godard one of the best and noblest men of that time lived near Gray. Capt. Seabrook lived where Clark Middle- brooks now lives and was noteworthy. The Hart family as well as David E. Blount, his father was an early settler and one of the wealthiest men of his time. The older Patterson lived where Gray is now located and was a man of means.
Billy George, Woodall, Jonathan Holmes, Buck Maddox, Butch Gresham, Bill Brooks, Jerry Loyd, Henry Christian, Al- lens, all good men, lived in the upper part of the county (where Wayside now stands ) .
John Towles lived at Five Forks, a noted man, Nat Glover who afterwards lived there in his day was the leading man in that section. He was the father of Dr. Glover and next to J. M. Gray was the most useful man in the county at that time.
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The Cards, Walkers, Greens, Griff Smiths were all good cit- izens of this section. Ben Finney, known as Little Ben, lived above there. Dr. Ben Holland was prominent in this section. Green Clower comes from this section and was a man of means. Lee Clower owned large lands in the Walnut Creek section and was a leader. There were others that I do not recall at this time as I am writing from memory. It is enough to know that a splen- did citizenry was here and from such people Jones County cit- izens descended. I daresay there is none superior in the state. The Comers lived on the lands now owned by Joe Glawson on or near Hog Creek. H. M. Comer late President of the Central Railroad was born there.
Washington Kelly lived at Lite and Tie, his only daughter married Gus Roberts, W. C. Roberts was their son. After Kel- ly's death his widow married Luke Smith and they had several children. Washington was the brother of Miles Kelly.
John Smith lived near Pitts Chapel, the father of Clark, Luke, John, Layton and Mrs. Abe James. He married a sister of Bill Roberts.
Uriah Kitchens lived in the southern part of the county, John Kitchens, his oldest son and with cousins, Henry Kitchens live in Twiggs County, both Confederate veterans.
On top of the hill near Lite and Tie lived Abe James, on Feagins Hill. The Feagins moved to Houston County near Well- ston. Old Feagin was the father of Henry and George Feagin. Henry Roberts lived where the Irwinton and Griswold roads forked at the school of Alexander Martin, his daughter Lizzie married John Kitchens. Henry Roberts was noted for his fine peach brandy and sweet watermelons.
Lem and Garry Sketo were citizens of this community and a Mrs. Haskins, a noted midwife, kind, efficient and much in de- mand, she had a record of being the best in Georgia.
Dave Allen and Hannie Mitchell lived in the upper part of Jones and were great fun makers, always teasing Mrs. Ludlow who owned a goat. They were big fishermen and had fish traps around Dames Ferry. Wick Christian lived on the Monroe side
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of the river, and caught fine fish, such as shad, red horse and flat fish, and had traps all around. Tom Beeland lived in these parts too.
OF MEN THEY HAVE S. H. Griswold-Nov. 25, 1909-Jones Co. News
There were two brothers, Mike and John Lowe that lived on the Garrison Road near the 10 mile branch and a mile from the Cross roads toward Milledgeville. Mike lived right on the road but John lived on a neighborhood road in the rear of Mike's place. Mike had a good farm, some slaves, and his wife was the daughter of Jim Simmons and sister of Mrs. Belle Roberts, they had one son and one daughter. John was a very peculiar man, and some thought mentally unbalanced, he wore a tall silk hat, a blue cut-a-way coat with smooth brass buttons and always carried a crooked handle walking cane. The first time and the last time I saw him he was dressed in this manner. He was al- ways giving advice about curing diseases, he would say, "Take a pinch of salt often," for almost any trouble one had. For indi- gestion he would say "Swallow three pediculosis alive." He sang and made extravagant motions, frequently, and disliked his brother Mike very much. He called him "Marse Mike" sarcasti- cally. After slaves were freed he lived alone on his place and needed help, a neighbor, Dave Slocumb seeing his condition helped him and was a true friend to him. His relatives tried to place him in the asylum, but Dave helped to keep him out and watched after him. When John Lowe died, he left Dave Slocumb his property.
The Felps family lived near Slocumb Station, and Mrs. Felps and son Bob could remove any wart, by touching them, and had quite a reputation. Mr. Felps made wool hats, and many people, white and black wore them, they outlasted any hat that could be bought. Bob and another son went with the Gray Infantry to the Civil War and died in Virginia. A grandson William ran against R. T. Ross for Ordinary once, later he became a Bap- tist preacher, married a daughter of Moses Wilson near Roberts Station.
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Joe Glawson was a big strong man of great energy and was the overseer for Mrs. Lowther before the war, also on the Free- man place when he left for the war. He could get more work out of slaves than any man in the county, he was very positive but never cruel. He made good crops and was well liked. He bought a large plantation on Hog Creek from the Stewart fam- ily. He owned some fine lands and made money on them. Once I lived near him and had an infant daughter very ill, he and his good wife came over and nursed and helped in every way they could. I shall never forget their kindness. Joe Glawson was a splendid citizen.
THOMAS W. STEWART AND FAMILY
The descendants of Thomas Ware Stewart are many and among the foremost and best citizens of the county. With their own hands Mr. Stewart and his wife carved out almost a for- tune and were the leaders in home and farm improvements. They had a very fine home for that day and time, good fruit orchards for home use. Educated their children not only in the schools but in practical things on the farm, cooking and housekeeping and sewing.
Dr. Polly Stewart was the leading spirit among the ladies making clothing and getting supplies for Confederate soldiers. There never were two more perfectly mated people in Georgia. They pulled together in everything they did and made a success of their farms and home and family life.
Thomas W. Stewart was born March 1, 1790 in Mecklen- burg County, N. C. and came to Jones County when he was fourteen years old, with his grandfather, Samuel Smith. His father William Stewart and his mother Jane Smith were both born in Ireland and were of sturdy Presbyterian stock. He had a fair education and knew the trade of a brick mason. He became a manufacturer of brick and contracted for brick work. By the age of thirty he had acquired nice property and several slaves. He married Miss Polly Harrison Wilson, also of Jones County. Their first home was on a farm about two miles north of Fort- ville, now occupied by Matt Blount, colored. There, most of the children were born. In 1842 he bought 1,800 acres of fine land
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from James Gray, father of Matt Gray and four miles north- east of Clinton, built a comfortable dwelling on it, which is still there and now owned by the widow of Joseph Glawson.
Here the Stewarts lived and prospered. He died Nov. 18, 1846. He was noted for his unshakeable honesty and morality, modeled on the Presbyterian creed. His wife Polly Harrison was the daughter of Larkin and Mary Cabiness Wilson, also of Jones County, but later of Monroe County. She was born April 12, 1805 and was married at the age of sixteen. At forty- one years of age she was left a widow with twelve children, the thirteenth died.
Polly Harrison Stewart being a woman of superior mental and business ability assumed the responsibility of her husband's estate with heroic firmness and managed it with success. She was a member of the Baptist church, brought her children up kindly but strictly. She gave of her means and provisions to help the Confederate cause and was President of the Jones County Soldier Relief Society. She was an excellent nurse, and doctor and helped with sick friends, neighbors or anyone in need. She died in 1866 at the home of her son-in-law Henry S. Greaves in Clinton. She and her husband sleep in the quiet graveyard on the old plantation.
The six sons living at the time of the Civil War were, Jeffer- son, Larkin, Henry, Jasper, Mack, Polk and Joe Day served in the Confederate Army. H. J. and Joe Day Stewart and Mrs. Park are the only survivors as I write this (1908). Mrs. H. S. Greaves died at her home in Clinton only a short time ago. Lar- kin Stewart moved to Houston County after the war. Mack Stewart had married and moved to Houston County also. Jasper Stewart lived at Gray. His was an honorable and useful life, respected by all. His children were likewise respected and out- standing in the community life.
Mrs. Park, one of the daughters is living in Haddock, she is a noble woman having taught many of Jones County's children in school, and by her precept and example has made polished ladies out of the girls.
Jeff Stewart was the first man in Jones County to grow peaches
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and apples for market in Jones and had a beautiful orchard. He was well posted in horticulture.
Polk Stewart was killed in the trenches in Savannah by Sher- man's army. This was a terrific blow to his mother who was at home working for the cause and praying for his return.
Mrs. Henry Greaves another daughter, was a most excellent and accomplished lady, kind, patient, a Christian, no matter what happened she met it calmly and living in the turbulent times of our county, she had much to try her soul and patience.
The descendants of this couple were of superior mold and good citizens ( all that I have known).
CLINTON-HOW THE BOYS PLAYED JOKES
Clinton was noted for the fun and practical jokes played by the young men. All one had to say if his buggy or horse looked unusual was to say, "I've been to Clinton," One of the favorite and noisy practices of the time I write was the belling or sere- nading of the bride and groom, when a couple married in the community or even if there was a couple staying overnight, woe to them.
Col. Thomas Hardeman of Macon married Miss Jane Lams- den in Eatonton in 1848, and as there was no railroad he had gone through in a carriage and brought his bride with him back to Clinton. His sister Mrs. E. C. Griswold lived in Clinton and there they planned to spend the night. His uncle Judge R. V. Hardeman lived nearby and he knew Clinton well enough to know what to expect, and just before getting to the place he told his bride what to expect and not to get frightened.
After their arrival the boys got together and plans were made. Tom Hardeman had studied law in his uncle's office and was really one of the boys, hail fellow well met kind. By twelve o'clock they had all gotten together and formed a line, marched around the courthouse square, some blowing horns, some with cow bells, some with long tin bugles, some with dinner bells, tin pans, guns and pistols loaded with powder, just anything that would make a loud noise.
As the signal was given by the leader, everyone made as much noise as possible, marched on to the Hardeman house and sur-
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rounded it, and made several noisy marches. The fife and drums played as they sang, "The Girl I Left Behind Me," The leader commanded the dogs' serenade and the baying at the moon, by men, that sounded like the smallest fice to the deepest hounds, it really was a grand imitation of dogs. Then the dance of the cats where they meowed, howled, and cried as if thousands of cats were fighting. The leader called for a serenade of the imps of the infernal regions, and this sounded like the rebel yell com- ing from hundreds of throats. Gabriel's trumpets were commend- ed to blow and all the tin trumpets gave forth a mighty blast. The music of the wedding bells was announced and the bells from the largest to the smallest rang out. Then the command for the blowers of the rams' horns to march around the house seven times. This went on until the groom and bride could stand no more, they called out the window that they had enough and to go to Sam Morgan's bar and the drinks would be on him. So off the line marched with loud hurrahs and laughter, with every instrument blasting forth, and to the bar where they drank to the health of the bride and groom.
Col. Hardeman had probably partaken of one of these affairs himself, and he knew if he came out they would take him off for the whole night and keep him. Whoever married in the village or came there was sure to have a "belling" as they called it. The police force never interfered unless things got too rough, and this celebrating was by the best men in the town. The older crowd would look on and smile, but the poor bride and groom were frightened almost to death.
When July 4th came round this was a great day of celebra- tion. Anvils were loaded with powder and fired. Powder was buried in the ground and exploded, and all the noise makers let loose. Once they had a cannon, and Charles McCarthy who was for a long time clerk of the Superior Court and Ordinary of Jones County had his arm so badly shattered by the premature explosion of this cannon while celebrating the 4th of July that his arm had to be amputated above the elbow. He lived a num- ber of years after this accident, and still held the same office
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when he died. It was he who brought Roland T. Ross to this office and trained him. Ross succeeded McCarthy and held the place until he died.
PINE RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH By S. H. Griswold
On a high ridge on the road from Clinton to Milledgeville near the Morton's place is the Pine Ridge Baptist Church built, I don't know the date, but the building was old when I was a boy, and now in 1908 I am an old man.
The general meetings held in this old church were great affairs and well attended, by visitors as well as home folks, elders, and great crowds were there for all day meetings and dinner on the ground.
This church was built of heavy timbers, strong and well put together. It had no ceiling, a large box pulpit was built a little to one side. The long benches in front for the whites and those in the rear for the Negroes. The ladies sat on one side and the men on the other. The general meeting lasted through Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each one vied with the other to bring the best and biggest basket and invite everyone to eat. Servant as well as master feasted, with some to spare. There were bar- becued mutton, pig, kid, chicken pies, fried chicken, breads, cakes, custards, pickles, milk, butter, cordials and numerous other things produced on farms from Jones County and cooked by the best cooks to be found.
There was the rich planter with a fine carriage, then came the more moderate farmer with a nice buggy and team, then the poorer ones in ox carts and wagons and some on foot. Young men and their girl friends rode horseback. They came until the woods around the church was alive with horses and mules.
The singing was indulged in by all from the deep bass voice of Brother Ben to the high shrill voice of Sister Jolly. Uncle Jimmie Stewart of Jasper County was the preacher in charge, elders were Hitchcock of Putnam Co., John Fields of Bibb, Dick Bassett of Houston, William Denning of Jones. There were others I can't recall.
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Some there as I recall were, James Finney, Hearndon Patter- son, R. J. Turner, Taylor Morris, the Godards, Middlebrooks, Johnsons, Capt. and Mrs. Jolly, Browns.
Sam Johnson had been wounded in the elbow at Chancellors- ville, hoping to save the arm, the blood vessels had been taken up and tied, and he came to church with his arm in a sling. As Sam jumped from the buggy to the ground, the jar broke loose the tied blood vessels in his arm and he nearly bled to death before they could get him home, and did die two days later. He was the son of F. S. Johnson, Sr. and the brother of Frank and Dick Johnson.
Old Si Brown, a slave was a member, and belonged to Robert Brown of Fortville. Brown gave Old Si to his daughter Mrs. Cox. Old Si was a faithful member, loved and respected by all, was always in his seat when services opened. After slaves were freed, he still was the same, he was faithful to the end. Captain and Mrs. Jolly lived nearby, their son William was killed in the Civil War and they had a hard lot in their old age, there was no one to help, help was gone, they sat desolate mourning the loss of their boys and had lost all of their property. I am sure if there is ever a general meeting of Pine Ridge members in heaven that Captain and Mrs. Jolly will be there and sing sweeter and praise God with more zeal than anyone else.
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