History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907, Part 5

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

USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 5

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These wagons were especially built of seasoned hickory and oak woods for this journey and they were large and roomy. Each one had a canvas tightly stretched over bent oak splints which had been well coated with beeswax to keep out the rain.

These settlers had heard of the rich virgin lands of middle Georgia with woods filled with game, streams filled with fish, and abundant new lands to grow crops; the picture was not over- drawn. After the Revolutionary War ended in 1782, there was a period of restlessness; the people were eager for new experi- ences and adventures. Some Virginians had lost what they had when the British had come in before Cornwallis had surrendered to Washington's forces at Yorktown. To these people the thought of making a fresh start in a new country made a strong appeal. They had heavy taxes to bear at that time, too, and perhaps this was one motive for moving. This is a quote from a letter written by a Virginia minister to his uncle in Scotland: "The taxes seem to be increasing and lie very heavy upon men of property. Besides the land tax, everything they have is taxed ad valorem. Every negro slave from 16 years onward is taxed 20 shillings annually, and 10 shillings for children from the moment they are born."

No wonder, when they heard of the virgin soils in Georgia where crops could be grown at a profit, the mild climate and the lands which could be had for little more than the trouble of stak- ing them out, this fever to emigrate spread through eastern Vir- ginia, and North Carolina.

At the head of the caravan rode the guide, who had already scouted out a route for the party, and the safety and the success of the expedition was his responsibility.

About three months was spent on the way, for traveling was slow. In rainy weather the roads were impassable and the cara- van camped until the roads had dried. There were very few

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

bridges, the rivers were crossed on flat-bottomed ferry boats, pushed by men with long poles. It required a long time to make a crossing. If streams became flooded, another long wait had to be endured to let the floods subside. The men would fish and hunt at this time to augment their food supplies. If they came to an inn at dusk they would sleep there, but most of the time they slept in the great strong wagons with the horses picketed around, and two men keeping watch with their dogs.

These sturdy travelers knew what hardships, fatigue and privation meant. The men had been soldiers in the recent Revo- lutionary War and were used to hardships, but the women and children must have been martyrs.

In the swampy places the road was laid with logs crosswise, side by side and this was known as the "corduroy road." The wagon wheels went over this and rough going it was. Progress was slow and cautious, as an animal might easily step in a hole where logs were broken or decayed and sustain a broken leg or a wrenched shoulder. This would have been a serious conse- quence for the success of the party. Some roads were only prim- itive trails marked by wheel tracks of preceding emigrants, and there were many obstructions, but the caravan pushed on until it reached the new counties of Middle Georgia. Often the young people came and many times the older members of the family came, too.

Most of the settlers in Jones County came from Virginia and North Carolina, however the records show that Maryland, Con- necticutt, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and South Carolina people settled here, too, in the early years.

(Excerpts from "An Intimate Family History" by Hutchings.)

Many families settled in Hancock, Washington, Wilkes and older counties, and as Jones, Jasper, Twiggs and Wilkinson were organized they came in and settled here.

Growth

As step by step the Indians were pushed back the speculators, outlaws and undesirables began to move on to newly opened lands the law-abiding settlers set up the county government.

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

Land lotteries were held in which the Revolutionary soldiers or their widows could have one draw. The soldier with a wife and children could have two draws.

Many of the early comers to the county were men of small property, although there were from the first a few families of means. Now wealthy slave owners from the Carolinas and Vir- ginia began to move into Jones County and build fine homes. These planters bought up the small farms and soon owned thousands of acres of land and many slaves. The big house was always in a grove of trees, and back farther were the slaves' cabins. There were the hostlers, cooks, waiting maids, personal attendants and the busy mistress of the household in her crisp taffetas. Afar off could be seen a herd of cows grazing in the pastures. There was a dairy house in the yard, the big garden for vegetables, the border of boxwood and the flower garden. Cotton was king and the slave-time aristocrat came into being. At the gate was the family carriage with the ebony driver. There were spinning wheels and candle molds. The smokehouse held a year's supply of meat. There were the wine cellars and the tester beds, the mahogany tables and the highboy.

"The culture of Georgia was intensely English as was that of Virginia whence it was derived. Cotton and slaves were the measure of wealth. Slaves had been brought to Jamestown by the Dutch and later by the New England ship Captains and the trade went on with Africa for more than a hundred years. In the North it was never profitable; the negro was not by tem- perament suited to the northern climate or to do skilled work in shops and mills. The agricultural south suited him admirably. The work was mostly manual, uncomplicated and routine ; plow- ing, planting, cultivating and picking covered a period from Feb- ruary to December. It was then believed that there could never be enough cotton grown for the world. The ships were anchored in the harbors waiting for the white bales." (Dr. Hutchings, "Intimate Family History.")

Social gatherings to the "infairs," and to the christenings ceremony were looked forward to. There was the church con- ference where the brother was tried for breaking the rules of

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

the church. Not only was he dismissed but was given a lecture, there before the congregation, to take with him.

Clinton was growing steadily and along about 1840 she could boast of a three-story brick courthouse, a stone jail, a tailor shop, photo gallery, livery stables, several bars, two big frame hotels, Masonic lodge house of brick, stores and shops for mak- ing gins, farm wagons, tools, and the widely known Slade's Female Academy, a boys' school, a Methodist and a Baptist church, a bowling alley and skating rink.

Daguerreotypes and tin types made in this photograph gallery in Clinton are still in the possession of many families in Jones County and some of the pictures in this book are reproduced from these.

Small communities sprang up at the crossroads in different parts of the county, at which place a church, a school and store came to be located. Some of these were, Blountsville, Fortville, Grab-all and others.

These settlers were not afraid of work, and while some had been to college, they didn't value words for charm as much as for the simple honesty and truth which they contained. Culture grew slowly, but it came with the years, the churches and schools.

The first courts were held in the William Jones house which is about five miles northwest of Clinton in Finney's District. This house built in 1803 is still standing and in good condition.

In the beginning Albany was just a crossroads and in 1809 named Clinton, which was just a red dusty country village, with rambling and spacious houses. There were smiling darkies, the preachers, the gamblers, the drunkards and later the aristocratic planters.

In a few years Clinton was a place of culture and trade, with her excellent Female Seminary and Day's Boys' School. The homes were the typical ante-bellum home with white columns and the boxwood gardens, surrounded by groves of large trees. The new brick courthouse on a square in the center was the center of the town's activities. These grounds had many shade trees, and an iron fence. In the summer afternoons men often sat under the shade of these trees and played backgammon and

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

discussed politics and farming, horse racing and the problems of that time.

There were the offices of three doctors around the square, and several lawyers, some outstanding. One, Alfred Iverson, Sr. became a Senator of the United States. James H. Blount was a member of Congress for twenty years and the Comers, James, Anderson and Hugh M. were all progressive leaders in the new county. Some of the famous speakers in the old courthouse were : Robert Toombs, Alexander Stephens, Mark Cooper, Colquitt, Benjamin Hill and others. In 1825 the Marquis de Lafayette and party came to Clinton. (See account in another chapter.) There were many red letter days and not the least of these were the circus, the theatrical players and musicians who came an- nually.

The land on which the first court house stands was purchased by Joshua Davis, Sr., about 1795 and sold in part to William Jones, Sr., father of Col. William Jones, b. 1799 d. 1822, and buried at the family graveyard. His brother James Jones (1774- 1828) also buried there, and William Davis, brother of Joshua Davis, Sr., owned part of this land. (Finney's District, G.M.D. 299).

The house was built in 1803 by William Jones, Sr. and Wil- liam Davis (bro. of Joshua Davis, Sr. and father of Joshua Davis, Jr.).

The place was sold to Abner H. Flewellen and wife Nancy Davis Flewellen (1802-1832) after the death of Col. William Jones in 1822.

On July 4, 1837 Flewellen's sold the house to Joshua Davis, Jr. Joshua Davis, Jr. sold it to James Green August 23, 1837. Other William Davis lands were sold to James Davis on Mar. 15, 1827. These include lands of James Pleasant, Pelinnie (dau. mar. Bolden Morris, Sylvania, Ga.), and Elizabeth (Betty) who mar. Joshua Davis, Jr. III as well as Thomas Jefferson Green (Wiley Green's grandfather), and Benedictine, Sam Green's father as well as Perry's, George's, and Frank's father.

William Green sold the Jones Place to J. B. Green, Jan. 17, 1905. J. B. Green sold the Jones house to his bro. Col. Samuel Gordon Green October 25, 1920, the present owner.

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

The first court in Jones County was held in the left back room first floor. Judge Hugh Moss Comer was the Judge.

All of the timbers in the house were sawed by hand with a jack-saw and the framing is all mortised and pinned with wood-

Top left-Green Roberts House built in 1820.

Top right-End view of the first courthouse in Jones County, the William Jones House built in 1803, now owned by Col. Gordon Green.

Bottom left-Front view of the same house.

Bottom right-The second post office in Clinton built in 1809, known as the McCarthy and Pope House.

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

en pegs. The original weather boarding, walls, ceiling, floors, doors and windows are now in use. The nails that are in it were made by hand in a forge shop. The brick for the basement and chimney were all made and kiln-dried on the place. The roof of cedar shingles put on with pegs lasted one hundred and eight years. The granite steps were hewn out of native granite near Clinton. The first courthouse of Jones County still stands and is in good repair, the picture shows it as it is today.

It was in this house that the plan of the Battle of Sunshine Church was made and no doubt, Gen. Alfred Iverson and Col. Breckinridge were present, and also Gen. Joe Wheeler.

From this old house, men have gone out to fight in every war.

When Sherman came through in Nov., 1864, J. B. Green, Sr. then a boy of six or seven, frightened at the noise and approach of the enemy, got an old gun with two hammers and a battered broken barrel and crawled back of the stone steps. Several Yan- kee soldiers saw him and walked up with bayonets, to arrest him, but then seeing that he was only a child said, "Come out you - - - rebel." The boy stood defiantly and held to the old gun, that wouldn't even shoot and said, "I will keep my gun, sir." And he did, much to the amusement of the Yankees.

Strange to say the very first courthouse is still sturdy and durable, now occupied by the J. A. Smith family, relatives of Col. J. B. Green the owner, and the two other courthouses built have entirely disappeared, one of brick and one a frame building both built in Clinton. The present courthouse at Gray was the fourth one used and is in use at present (built in 1905).

Col. S. G. Green of Alexandria, Va. says that the William Jones of this house was related to the James Jones for whom Jones County was named. He was also a relative of the late Dr. Jones of Clinton and Macon (Mrs. Lamar Jones' husband), and related to William Davis. This line of Jones came originally from Warren County, N. C. and later of Wilkes, Elbert, Green and Baldwin counties. This line was also closely related to Col. James Jones who died in 1777 at Warrenton, N. C. and of James Jones and Col. Wm. H. Jones who are buried at the Davis-Green homeplace (first courthouse). (Records of house

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

recorded at the courthouse Deed Book N, Folio 301, and Vol. ZZ Deeds, pp. 334-338.)

This house was occupied by William Jones from 1803-1823. In Book "D" 1824 an inventory of the Wm. Jones estate gives many interesting items, such as: five dozen sitting chairs, sofa, piano, carpets, a watch valued at 250.00, clock, $100.00, silver, pewter, china and fifty-one slaves.

CHAPTER V. WAR OF 1812

Jones County was barely five years old, and the Indians were still on the outskirts of the county, when the fear of another war loomed on the horizon.

"The people in the counties between the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers were thrown into great excitement. Word had come that the runaway slaves and the Seminoles from Florida were aiding the British against Georgia, and that they were ravishing the coastal towns. Napoleon and his armies were spreading fear and consternation in Europe, which seemed to spread on to the colonies in the West. Fear seemed to permeate the Creek nation and they would fall for any cult presented to them. Britain realizing this, stirred up troubles among the Indians through Tecumseh. Tecumseh came down from the Great Lakes region into the Creek nation with the Shawnee tribe. He tried con- verting the disgruntled Indians and some of their leaders to join his war party. It is said that about nine-tenths of the Indians were against the Americans." (History of Wilkinson Co. by Victor Davidson. )

"Fresh from the battlefields of Europe the red coats came into Georgia through the Gulf ports as well as Atlantic ports. British troops were landed on Cumberland Island and rumors were flying that Mobile and New Orleans were under attack. David Blackshear and reinforcements were sent to Darien and to Sapelo Island. The Indians grew impatient and civil war

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

broke out among the Creeks before the English arrived and hundreds of braves rallied to the British side. Georgians realized the peril which confronted them and Gov. Mitchell hastily con- structed forts along the Ocmulgee river." Nearest forts in Jones County were, Camp Hope and Fort Hawkins. (History of Wil- kinson Co. by Victor Davidson. )

Major Andrew Jackson was in command of the southern states. At this time Gov. D. B. Mitchell resigned and Judge Peter Early holding court at Clinton, was informed that he was elevated from Judge of the Ocmulgee Circuit to the Governor- ship. Clinton and western Jones County was one of the most exposed frontiers in all Georgia.

Andrew Jackson with Cocke, east and west Tennesseeans were sent to help Georgia against the Indians. Had the Indians waited to join with the British forces, history would perhaps have a different story to tell. Gen. Jackson with about one thousand men came down through Georgia, passed through Jasper Co. (Jackson Springs, there is named for him), on down through what is now Round Oak and Clinton to North Highlands to a place still known as Jackson Spring Road, where he camped.

In the summer of 1812, Major Gen. Floyd's army of 950 men and 400 friendly Indians assembled at Camp Hope (in Jones County ) and crossed the river and drove the Indian allies of Britain northwest, joined by Gen. Jackson and Gen. Coffee, two battles were fought in west Georgia and Alabama. During the latter part of 1814 the English were expected to attack on the south at several points. Gen. Jackson was appointed in com- mand of forces at New Orleans and on August 4, made his headquarters at Mobile. Gen. Floyd was stationed at Savannah. The state frontier was defended by Gen. David Blackshear who had been holding the hostile Indians in check with his army. In October the Secretary of War ordered Gov. Early to organize, arm and equip 2500 militia to join Gen. Jackson at Mobile. The regiment detached from Major General Daniels' Division, com- manded by Col. E. Wimberly, including two companies from Brigadier Gen. Lee's Brigade in Jones County and a company of artillery commanded by Captain James Saffold of Clinton, Ga., Jones County. They were furnished arms and provisions

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

by the U. S. contractor, Farish Carter, at Camp Hope. Major Phil Cook inspected the detachment and Major General McIn- tosh and Brig. Gen. David Blackshear were appointed com- manders.

Jones County's troops went on to join with Jackson's forces and to garrison the frontiers to hold the savage Indians in check. They were dressed in coonskin caps with the tails hanging in the back and the coon's face as a sort of visor in front. They had on leather hunting shirts, home-woven jeans trousers with leather boots and moccasins made of soft deer-skins. Each man carried a long flint-lock rifle with a powder horn, a bar of lead and a bullet mold. His rations consisted of dried deer meat and rockahominy (beat up and parched Indian corn). The settlers had learned from the Indians to carry this food, for when In- dians were on the warpath they invariably carried this. Each soldier carried a flask of corn whiskey, which was used for med- icine.

These were tough men for they were used to privations and they were deadly shots with those old muzzle loaders. They were lightly equipped and could travel many miles in a day. These were the men who rallied to Georgia's defense against powerful England with her mighty army and navy. This was their first war for independent America. Those were exciting days. There were troops on the march, prancing horses, the music of fife and drum and couriers galloping from Milledgeville and Fort Hawkins to carry news. As the troops came toward Clinton they were cheered on by the thought of warm suppers and dry clothes. Dr. Bowen and Dr. Hamilton cared for the sick, and the old veterans of the War of 1776 came out to see the youngsters off. These old men knew what war was, and they prayed for an early victory. Jones County's farmers had supplies of deer meat, dried, pounded and parched meal, warm skins and other supplies which they rode in to Clinton to offer to those going away. The wives sewed far into the night so that the de- fenders might have warm clothing.

From the Department of Archives and History in Atlanta I found this incomplete list of spies. (Ga. Military Records- 1779-1814 by Hays, p. 188.) Spies employed by Major Patton,

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

Jones County. Fort Pinckney, Jan. 4, 1814: Daniel Wattley, Hillery Pratt, Littleberry Champion, Seth Williamson. A muster roll of a troop of Calvary under Capt. John R. Gregory of the Fifth Regiment on the frontiers of Jones County in pursuance of orders from Lt. Col. William Jones, August 1813. "Each man furnish his own horse, arms and provisions for four days."

Capt. John R. Gregory

Peter Dubose

Sgt. George Cruthers

Right Powell

2nd Lt. O. K. Barell

Stephen Eiland

Sgt. Simeon Durham

William Walker

Cpl. Solomon Whatley

John Hobson

Pvt. William Hicks

Alexander Nelson

Pvt. Rimketham Hawkins

Ezkeil Hawkins

Joseph Vines

Robert Brown Elisha Dubose

Jeremiah Baker

It was a sight to remember to see the Indian Chiefs followed by fiercer looking warriors in full war paint and feathers coming to a council meeting at Fort Hawkins with our leaders and offi- cers. Finally the news came that the British were bringing a force by boat up the St. Mary's river plundering and killing. Our men had hidden in the moss draped swamps and they poured their deadly lead into the boats until the British with- drew. As soon as the Indians heard of this and similar victories they quieted down. After the British were driven from Georgia, our men toiled painfully up from the coast sick from fevers contracted in the swamps. Some came home on furlough to rest and plant crops, but they could not be mustered out as the war dragged on, as wars do, and it was 1817 before they could settle down to a peaceful life again.

In the War of 1812 the Battle of New Orleans was fought two weeks after the war was over, Jan. 8, 1815, because news traveled so slowly. News reached Fort Hawkins by a line of runners from Mobile on Jan. 26, 1815 and 19 guns were fired at the fort in celebration, these guns were heard in Clinton and there was great rejoicing. This victory showed the British that American riflemen were among the world's best shots. A sabre factory had been set up at Milledgeville, the capital, during this war.

HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY

In 1817, Gen. Andrew Jackson was ordered to take his Militia into Florida and to end the Indian menace. He seized the Span- ish Capitol at Pensacola and killed two Indian leaders. He had the noted munitions leader, Arbuthnot hanged. English adven- turers got out of Florida and Pres. Monroe bought Florida from Spain. In 1819 Gen. Andrew Jackson was named the first military Governor of Florida. At this time John Clark was the Governor of Georgia.

About this time the center of the Creek government was lo- cated at Indian Springs. Alarming reports came in that the Creeks were on the warpath. There were rumors of raids over on Jones County's side of the boundary and the cattle were being driven off. The Governor sent Gen. Everard Hamilton and a strong body of troops to Clinton and soon the danger was re- duced. At this time Clinton was the last outpost and when a traveler went west and passed the Johnson House, he saw no more stores, towns or churches until he reached the Gulf or the Mississippi river. Clinton was the last post office in the south- western portion of our country. Here trading and farming flourished and the days were very busy. From 1821 to 1826 Macon and Columbus started on their way up, and Clinton was no longer the last outpost.

These Indian trails across Jones County, "Tom's Trail," "Old Horse Trail," "Cheehaw Trail" and "Old Indian Path," were constantly being used by whites and Indians as that was the only way to move merchandise. Men in Jones County with energy and ability made money fast in that period.

Now that the War of 1812 was over, the people in Jones County began a period of growth, the land was cleared and the planting of crops expanded. More and better homes were built, roads and bridges were made for easier traveling and the people looked forward to peace. The only cloud on the horizon was the fact that the Indian problems were far from settled.

CHAPTER VI. PEACE AND PLENTY 1820- 1860

Prices for products grew better; cotton growing was on the increase and more and more slaves were brought in. There was more trading and a great demand for labor and overseers for the plantations. There was also an increased demand for more and better services. The saloons grew, new taverns opened, stores, grocery stores and there was a great need for leaders in every phase of development of the county and state.

As in all periods of boom, spiritual development did not keep pace with the economic development, and preachers were calling the people to come back to church and to fulfill their obligations as Christians, but the plea went unheeded by many. The Vir- ginians and Carolinians who settled in Jones were most inter- ested in educating their children and until academies were estab- lished every home had a tutor. Because of their interest and their belief in education most of these settlers held important positions in the county.

Family life was a community interest as was the custom in colonial life. After a "house raising," the young couple opened their new home for a "house warming." It was a time for cele- bration. There was hard liquor for the men and wine for the ladies. They all brought presents for the couple. These gifts were skillets, powder horns, coonskin caps, knitted woolen socks and gloves, buckskin moccasins for the bride, a leather shot- pouch for the groom, a tinder-box, flint and steel, a three-legged spider, a saw, a broad axe, adz, a froe, chisel, plane, coverlets, quilts, and many other useful articles.

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History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907, Part 5

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

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