USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 7
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Captain Ham Ridley, Captain Charles Hamilton, John Brad- ley, the Hollands, Sam Barron, Wilkes Gresham, Joseph White and many others had the best fox hounds to be found in Geor- gia. The pedigree of these dogs was known and carefully kept. Descendants of old July, Birdsong and Maryland fox-hounds could and did catch the wily red fox. These men loved the sport, loved their dogs and had many exciting chases after the fox. The gray fox had been caught until there were few left, but these dogs had been so thoroughly and perfectly trained that they could count on catching a fox about every time. Before this, dogs seldom ever caught a red fox. These hounds had won a considerable reputation over the state and men from all over Georgia came to visit these kennels.
This particular hunt was to start from Clinton. Red foxes, the best and fleetest abounded in Jones County hills and woods. Rules governed these races and a silver horn was offered as a prize for the owner of the dog that could catch the fox. The date was set, the hunt was advertized and invitations were sent out to the most prominent hunters with the best dogs in the state.
Every arrangement was made for the visitors to have every- thing they needed for sleeping, eating and for visiting all of the kennels in the county.
On the day set, the hunters came from every direction over the state. There were Monroe Felton and his brother from
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Marshallville, who brought a pack of fine hounds, Mike Council and others from Americus were there with their hounds. There were parties from Upson, Harris, Talbot, Monroe, Jasper, Twiggs and Wilkinson Counties. All brought their pedigreed dogs, slicked up for the hunt. Entering dogs from Jones were Ham Ridley, Charles Hamilton, Barrons, Greshams, Hollands, Whites, Jerry Loyd and Bill Brooks, Bryant's, Bradleys and others. Captain Ridley and Captain Hamilton were masters of ceremonies, being the best posted and having the best kennels. There were groups of men on the street corners in Clinton talk- ing dogs, trading and buying dogs and telling tall tales about previous hunts. They made a colorful picture in their hunting clothes and boots.
They told interesting stories of how Mr. Red Fox and Mr. Gray Fox would outwit the dogs and hunters. They told of how a fox would race to the summit of a steep cliff, then abruptly swing off to one side, on the very lip of the abyss and the hounds running pell-mell would go right over the cliff. Foxes were full of guile and tricks and sometimes were smarter than men or dogs.
Fox hunting was no tame chase. They sped over hills and ra- vines, jumping fences with the horses' hoofs pounding through the woods, with the hunter sometimes coming a cropper right in the middle of an icy stream. The sport of a good horse, a good ride, of watching trained dogs work in a run for a fox is all any hunter asks.
Charles Ridley, the young nephew of old Capt. Ridley and young Hamilton were handsome and enthusiastic hosts, looking after the guests and dispensing hospitality. The Barrons were excellent sportsmen and added to the occasion. Old Col. Hamil- ton, tall, erect, handsome and polite, with his brother, enter- tained the visitors heartily. John Bradley with his wit and humor made everyone feel welcome.
The night before the hunt the taverns and bars did a big business. The fiddlers played nearly all night. Games of seven- up were going with stakes on the side. The gaiety went on until morning and then a hearty breakfast was served.
In the pre-dawn blackness the forest echoed with the impa-
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tient bark of the fox hounds. The horses tied to trees, while the men were loosing their yelping dogs, were neighing and kicking and rearing to be off. As the sky in the east turned to a cold orange hue, the horn sounded and the hounds were turned out, milling around excitedly as their noses smelled the air. They sped into the woods and soon there was a burst of hound music; the pack was off; hot on the trail. The yell by Gresham, "Tally- ho" (there goes the fox) was heard. Some sharp-eyed hunter had spied a flash of red. For miles the hunters rode to the hounds as they ran, doubling and circling, the wily fox trying to outwit his pursuers. Over hills, across valleys, through briars and marshes, over fences and into the thickets. A red fox usually runs in a more or less straight line in the pine forests, but a gray fox runs in wide involved circles, through swampy places and thickset undergrowth. A real fox hunter knows every trick of the fox as it holes in, or weaves inside a matted tangle of honeysuckle vines, wild grapes or muscadines, or climbs a sap- ling. He knows to hunt very early in the morning or on moon- light nights, and uses his horn often in long weird calls to the hounds.
The sounds of the hounds' music was a sweet symphony to the hunter's ears. He could tell by the pitch when the dogs picked up that foxiferous smell and hit the trail; the pitch changed as they went jumping along, and again when a fox was treed. Dogs thus kept their master informed of their progress. A good hunter can tell his dog's voice, and knows there are three differ- ent tones or pitch to the barking.
At last the dogs gave a mighty shout as they threw their heads back, and the victory sounds went echoing through the woods as the fox was caught. The riders were not far behind and their far-flung shouts rang out with the challenge of the hunter's horn. Capt. Hamilton's dog caught the fox first and the prize of the beautiful silver horn was awarded him.
There was a hunt each day for three days, so there were other races and other foxes were caught, and there was more fun and excitement. Theodore Bryant's dogs won the second day, although Wilkes Gresham contended that his dogs won. Mon-
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roe Felton carried off the third prize, and was as proud as the proverbial peacock.
One can see now the picture of that hunter, with his trousers tucked in his boots, a bright kerchief at his throat, a colorful coat and a rakish hat with a horn swung to his side. He looked gay and his spirit was gayer still. Those were great days that will never come again.
Old Barns
The old-time barn had a wide long hallway and on each side the stables of good fresh hay, with the smell of sweat and harness oil. There was a feeling of peace and honest toil. There were birds' nests in a row along the hand-hewn loft's beam edge, where fat gray spiders spun their silver webs. To a child that loft was a magic play land; dim and filled with sun-cured hay, cradling a nest of new-born kittens in a dark tunnel and hidden crickets chirping here an there. As the slanting rays of the sun peeped through the slats of a window, one could see the pigeons strutting back and forth on the rafters overhead cooing in pigeon talk. A flighty wasp overhead and a falling feather and a child could almost see a friendly witch with whom to play.
When our old barn was torn down after a hundred years of use, as each peg was removed and the few blunt hand forged nails taken out and the heavy timbers, hewn out by hand with the dove-tailed joints, I wondered how the homesteaders had such strength; and I am sure such building is now a forgotten art.
For all the scanty means of these days there were freedom and joy. What if the only sweetening for winter was a barrel of sorghum molasses? There were those who slept on feather beds and those who slept on straw; there were those who drove ox- teams and those who drove blooded horses. There were children who went barefoot all year and there were those who enjoyed such freedom only in summer. There were those who had corn- bread, a sweet potato and syrup in their school buckets; and there were those who had wheatbread and an apple.
There were in the old days these subtle graduations of pov- erty, in the vain way of men everywhere; yet they had no sting.
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In the land of equal opportunity men prospered more or less according to their skill and energy. Land was plentiful and cheap. The woods awaited the axe and saw of all who cared to come. The low, if they hustled, could rise. The high, if they did not watch their step, would fall. The support of neighbors was part of their security, as well as their being able to get directly their own food, clothing and shelter.
It was a scanty life as we know it now, but it was free. Today we dream of ways to keep that freedom, and yet escape that scantiness. There were lessons learned of self-reliance, the worth of simple things; today's children will never know these same things.
Corn Shuckings
Corn shuckings were light-hearted frolics that made work seem play. As soon as the cotton was ginned in the fall, the ripened corn was hauled to the barn lot and heaped on the ground outside of the crib. Word was sent around that Farmer John would have a corn shucking on a certain night. Riding in buggies, bow-topped wagons, and on horseback, all of the neigh- bors came early. Everybody "howdied," shook hands, and went to work; soon the corn was piling up and the shucks flying. It is said that the first one finding an ear of corn with blue grains got a drink of cider and the one finding a red ear of corn got to kiss the girls. Usually they were divided into two teams and the corn divided into two piles. The side that finished first got a prize.
As soon as the corn was finished, a bountiful supper of de- licious food was served. A square dance always followed the shucking, with the fiddles, guitars and sometimes banjoes or a mandolin making the music. Uncle Bob called, as he had done for twenty years. The young and the old sashayed around the floor, some cutting fancy steps, while music and laughter filled the house.
Many a courtship started at these corn shuckings, and more shoe leather was worn out than one cobbler could stitch to- gether in years ; but it was a grand old custom.
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Quilting Bees
From the pioneers need for entertainment came some of our enduring institutions. The whole family usually went to the corn shuckings, the quilting bees, the cane grinding, and the cider mak- ing. Candy pullings were another way for the young people to have fun.
The men always had the crossroads store, the bar, the tav- ern, or the trading post, where politics and news could be dis- cussed; but the women would share their neighbors' work, and one of these occasions was the quilting bee.
The quilting frame was hung from the ceiling. The women gathered early in the morning and began to sew. The quilt, which was carefully pieced up from scraps of cloth left from dresses previously made, and was made the size of a bed, would be fastened to the large frame. This was covered by carded soft cotton; then a cover of white or colored cloth was basted down over the layer of cotton. Then the women seated at intervals around the frame began making the intricate patterns of thou- sands of very tiny stitches required for a single quilt. They talked warm and friendly, as their needles flew. Each guest brought her own thimble, needle and thread, (for they were hard to get). Along about midday the husbands came on foot or horseback and ate the hearty meal prepared by the hostess. After dinner the men left, and the quilt was finished, even to binding of the edges. Some women were famous for their de- signs and dainty stitches in making these quilts. These were some of the popular quilt patterns used : the Double Irish Chain, the Lone Star State of Texas, the Pineapple, the Love Apple, the Rainbow, the Wheel of Fortune, the Ohio Rose, and Tulip.
In early times most of the people lived on small farms. The wealthy people lived on large plantations and their houses were spacious and elegant. They were usually painted white, with green window blinds and in front were wide porches with large white columns. The house was usually surrounded by large oak groves or magnolia trees, and was so placed as to overlook the plantation.
The plantation owners lived in profusion and plenty attended by many servants. They drove to town or to church in a hand-
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some family carriage, and their hospitality was unbounded, not only to friends, but to strangers as well. No traveler in distress was ever refused a meal or a night's lodging; rich or poor, he was a welcome guest.
The sons and daughters were educated in the best schools in the country, and their homes were refined and cultured. There was music, literature and art in these plantation homes.
Negroes
The Negroes before the Civil War worshipped in the same buildings with the whites in the country churches. They were brought up in the same principles of good citizenship as were the sons and daughters of their masters and they tried to ad- here to these principles throughout their long and useful lives. They also tried to pass on to their children the things, they themselves had been taught. In every community today may be found descendants of these old families who stand high in the estimation of the Negroes as well as the Whites. No complete Georgia history can ever be written without giving the rightful place to the faithful "mammies" and the slaves whose muscle and mind changed a wilderness into a cultivated land. The Negro mammy of slavery days was an important member of every Southern plantation. She took care of the children by day and rocked them to sleep at night, singing queer chant-like melodies. Often she told them tales of ghosts as bed-time stories and then Mammy would get frightened too and sit for hours nodding before the fire, a dupe of her own realistic narratives, afraid to go to her own room.
Good cooks, housekeepers, maids, and laundresses were found with all families, and practically no one could make beaten bis- cuits, pies, fried chicken, and light bread like old "mammy."
In the South in the old days the word slave was not used. The negroes were called by their given names when they were young but after middle age they were addressed as "Aunt," and "Un- cle" by the white children and grown ups too. The children were taught to speak to the negroes as, "Good morning Aunt Matt" or "Good morning Uncle Cater." If a white child should be impudent to the negroes he was rebuked by his parents as if it had been done to a white person.
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Scenes on the Hunt Plantation in Barrons District
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When the negroes were at work in the fields there was always a negro woman left at the cabins to care for the babies, children and pickaninnies playing around the cabins. She fed them and cared for them and kept them out of mischief and usually had a switch handy for the naughty ones. In the summer evenings when supper was over the negroes would sit on the cabin porches or in the yard, sing, and sometimes have prayer meetings. As it grew dark the lightwood knots made a gay bonfire and the children played hide and seek.
There was always a "parson" in the neighborhood who could preach, and they took their religion seriously. He would exhort them to repent and seek salvation, and sing "Where Oh Where Am the Hebrew Chillun." On other evenings there would be a banjo or a harp, but the harmony was there, and it was good without any kind of instrument. The negroes were lighthearted and it was natural for them to sing, and they would sing at work or play, rolling logs or picking cotton. Any one could join in any time, and the melody went right on.
Negroes were proud to belong to a family with things of which they could boast, such as their social prominence, or fine horses. They held the poor whites, the overseer class and those who had no slaves in great scorn. Until emancipation the negroes had no surnames, though often they used their owners. After freedom they did, on most occasions adopt the family name of those with whom they had lived.
"Those who are unfamiliar with the South will never under- stand or comprehend the relationship that existed at that time between the family and the servitors. The white children were carried in the negroes' arms until they could walk, and often when circumstances made it necessary they were nursed at black breasts. As the children grew up the relationships remained cordial but not intimate. A distinction, elusive of description, existed which was tacitly recognized by all. Each boy in the family had given to him an older negro boy to go with him everywhere, to protect him from harm or wait upon him, when necessary. The negro boy taught him woodcraft, how to fish, to make and set traps for turkeys and quail, to find bird nests and identify the eggs. Although they were comrades the differ-
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ence in social status was not lost sight of by either. The negro boy enjoyed a standing among his fellows, by reason of his posi- tion, in which he took great. satisfaction. He came into the big house on rainy days and cold days and there he learned many things of the white folks that helped him, their stories, songs and lore. When the Civil War came many of these negroes went with their young masters, not to bear arms, but to be of service. They went with them and many of them came back with them, or came back to tell his folks of his dying on the battlefield and where his last resting place was. Many of them when freed, dis- regarded it. Perhaps they could not comprehend a mode of life different from what they had always known, or perhaps it was their attachment to the family or both." (An Intimate Family History," by Hutchings.)
When the Northern troops occupied Clinton it is said that no one was more indignant at the robbery and pilfering that went on than the Negroes, or more concerned than they, as to hiding the silver and valuables in safe places.
It is true that many Negroes left the plantations when Sher- man's Army passed through the State, but they were enticed away by promises of high wages and an easy life. For several years before the war, hired emissaries of abolitionists were se- cretly working among them to foment discontent, and the under- ground railway was an easy escape to the North which was pictured to them as paradise. It was not uncommon for masters to liberate their slaves. I have found on record in the county wills where the slaves were given their freedom. Tolerance and peaceful measures could have brought about emancipation within a dozen years. This is not an attempt to argue that slavery was a good institution, it definitely was not, but to say that the ne- groes were treated well on the whole and lived comfortably.
There were many attempts to instigate insurrection among the negroes against the whites by emissaries from the North while the war was in progress. The time was favorable, for the men were away in the army, and only a few old men, women and children were on the farms. It is noteworthy that not an instance of racial disorder occurred in the county during the entire war. The negroes cultivated the fields as usual, raised the
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food which fed the Confederate army, wove the cloth for the uniforms and carried on without masters or overseers, except one of his own, who directed the work.
In more than one instance, a woman would be left alone on a plantation and had to stay there to keep it going while her hus- band was with Lee. As the Federal raiders neared, the negro house-man in the time of danger, would sleep on a pallet on the floor in front of her locked bedroom door with an axe by his side and swore that no one should molest his "Young Missie" except over his dead body.
The negro regiments came chiefly from cities like Philadelphia and New York where there was a considerable population of free Negroes before the war. Through here not many were too concerned with the conflict and life went on as usual.
The cooks before the war cooked on the roomy hearth of the kitchen where the heat from the glowing coals of hickory and oak wood were just right and there was no smoke, but only bright embers just the right size to be taken on the shovel and placed around the pots and oven to maintain an even heat for a long time. The oven was shaped like a deep pan of iron on four- inch legs. The cover or lid could be lifted off with the poker through the top. It was concave on top so that coals could cook from the top as well as the bottom. When well heated it was drawn to the front and filled with either biscuit, corn pones, pies, cake, rolls and whatever needed the oven heat. When pushed back into the coals and covered with coals there was no peeping, it took experience to know when to take it off. You may not be- lieve that these meals were palatable but they were. Madame Parish at her boarding house in Clinton cooked even Christmas dinners this way.
The Mammy of the house always wore a white turban on her head, and knew how to have things right. The younger negroes thought she was bossy, when she made them toe the mark. She would act as if she would shake and thrash the white chil- dren but the blows she rained on them were as feathers, the children would pretend to be frightened but would in the end get the teacakes they were coaxing for.
If Mammy came from Virginia, when a child, she would tell
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tales of howling wolves and terrible Indians in early Georgia days when she was young. In the household Mammy was re- spected and appreciated for her worth and fine qualities. She was usually an expert seamstress and a good practical nurse. The old Southern Mammy is a blessed memory who occupied an important place in the family circle.
Jones County has had a predominant colored population and most of them are good citizens. Emma C. W. Gray born May 9, 1892 daughter of James Seman Gray and Frances Blount received her education in public schools of Jones County, then Paine College A.B. degree in 1912, then her Ph.D., University of Chicago in 1930, and M.A. there in 1934. She taught at Paine College until 1939 and perhaps longer. She taught summers in S. C. State College. She is the author of the following plays : "Marching On," three acts depicting the history of the Negro that was presented by Paine College on the 50th Anniversary and by six other institutions. She wrote "Unto Their Labors," a Pageant showing the growth of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgia (colored). She traveled in England, Scotland, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and France in 1937. In 1940 she was Sec. of the Executive Com. at Paine College, Alumni Association, Sec. to Deans of Women and Advisors to Girls in Negro Schools, Sec. of Asso. of Teachers of English in Negro Colleges. This is an example of what work and perseverance may attain, in any race. This information was sent to the D.A.R. Historian in 1939 by Emma Catherine Ware Gray.
There are many other Jones County Negroes who have done as well but on this one, I have specific information.
Maggie Califf was a noted teacher in Jones County, and has the new large Senior High School in Gray named for her.
Colored Churches
There are only a few records of the colored churches avail- able. These are the following: Holt's Chapel A.M.E. church was organized Feb. 20, 1874 by Rev. Augusta Jones, Pastor. Early pastors were: Rev. Rutlea, Hills, Frank Battles, Eliza Pennmann, Homer Shaw, H. B. Battler, Jordan, J. C. Andrews, Westley, West, H. Stone, J. S. Mercer, R. T. Jones, J. R.
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Moses, G. H. Dunn, L. C. Carey, J. S. Samples. The first church was made of logs, the second was a frame building and the third a white frame building with a bell. There are 160 members.
Friendship church, near James, Ga. was organized in 1870. There were two previous buildings. The last is a white frame building with a bell and belfry. There are substantial seats and a piano. The first pastor was Rev. Frank Ford who served from 1870-71. The land and first building were given by Madison Gray. The present church was built in 1911. The trustees are : Ausbin Pitts, Julia Cleveland, David Pitts, Hull H. Gray. Some charter members were: J. C. Cleveland, David Pitts, Sr., Solo- mon Wheeler, Nelson Pitts and Jim Gray.
Turner Chapel A.M.E. had as charter members : A. L. Pitts, G. P. Pitts, Milas Towles, Alice Solomon, Frances Pitts, Delilah Pitts. The first Pastor was G. H. Solomon. The materials were donated by the community and the church named for T. Rad Turner who made a donation. They have a Sunday School' and thirty members. The Trustees were : Geo. Brown, Henry Wood- all, Milas Towles, Laz Pitts.
Holiness Church was built on a lot bought from J. H. C. Ethridge. Pentecostal meetings last ten days. The church Sec. was Mary Miller of Bradley. (See list of churches, in Chapter on Churches. )
Sammons Chapel Baptist at Round Oak; which building has disappeared was on lands of Rev. E. W. Sammons and at one time a large church. White's Chapel, one mile above Round Oak has had three different buildings. The last one is in need of re- pair but is still used and at one time was a strong Methodist Church and had as many as 100 members.
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