USA > Georgia > Jones County > History of Jones County, Georgia, for one hundred years, specifically 1807-1907 > Part 8
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Rocky Mount is still in use, in Barron's District. This church was built soon after the Civil War, and has been very active as well as Stewart's Chapel on the same road.
Michael Morris Healy
An Irishman, named Michael Morris Healy, born about 1796 in Ireland came to America and migrated to Jones County. He had a cousin here, Thomas Healy, who had probably written him about the rich lands in Jones County and cotton growing, for Michael worked around Clinton, saved his money and bought
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a small acreage about 1818. Through land lotteries and his ef- forts he owned by 1823, 1500 acres of land in counties of New- ton, Houston, Habersham, Fayette, Henry and Early. His lands in Jones County bordered on the Ocmulgee river from several miles below the ferry at Dames to within a few miles of Bibb County. He bought slaves, grew cotton and built a large log house on a rise near the river.
Healy bought a mulatto slave girl, 16 years old named Mary Eliza, presumably from Samuel Griswold, the ginmaker. In a Jones County News of 1909, S. H. Griswold says of her, "Nancy a house servant of ours had a sister, Eliza, who belonged to an Irishman named Healy, who had accumulated a good deal of property and who lived with this woman and she had children by him. These children he sent North and educated and at his death he gave this woman her freedom and sent her north and gave to her and her children all of his property."
The will, now on record at the courthouse was written on Feb. 28, 1845 and one item states, "It is my will and desire that my trusty woman, Eliza, mother of my said children, with those in Ga., shall be removed to a free state when her interest will be best consulted, and that my executor shall pay over to the said Eliza, $120.00 annually during her natural life and the said an- nuity to the said Eliza shall not be bartered or disposed of in any way or manner whatever." They had ten children: James Augustine b. 1830 who became a Catholic Bishop and died in Portland, Maine in 1900, Hugh Clark b. 1832, Patrick b. 1834, Alexander Sherwood b. 1836, Martha, Michael, Josephine, Eliza and Eugene, one died.
By 1845 Healy had 60 slaves and 1600 acres of joining lands along the Ocmulgee river and became wealthy, although he was considered a social outcast by the people in the county. About this time a severe storm did property damage in that section and in several papers the storm in after years was known as the "Healy Storm." As soon as a child would get to be eight or ten years old Healy would take him to New York and under the guardianship of John Manning arrange for his education. By 1845 five children were in N. Y. Two boys were honor grad- uates at Holy Cross, and all of these children became Catholics.
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Two girls became sisters in a convent. The last child, Eugene was the black sheep of the family. When Michael's property was sold he had $8,000, personal property, $10,000 for lands here, he had already sold his holdings in the other counties. His slaves were valued at $30,000. The executors of his will were outstanding lawyers in Jones County ; R. V. Hardeman, Charles McCarthy and William Moreland. The records show that some investments were handled by Mayor of Macon, Hon. Geo. M. Logan.
Across the Ocmulgee river from Holton on Michael Healy's property, today is an enclosure of stone and several unmarked graves are inside. It was here that Michael Morris Healy was buried. Perhaps Eliza died in New York with some of her chil- dren. She had sent money from there to Samuel Griswold to buy her sister, Nancy, out of slavery and she went North. Nancy's husband, George who was the ginmaker's head mechanic, dis- appeared soon after Nancy left, so he probably joined the others in New York.
This Healy property was afterward bought by I. G. English, . and others. Now some of this property is owned by Interstate Imp. Co. and the U. S. Government.
A book, "Bishop Healy; Beloved Outcaste" written by Albert S. Foley, S. J. depicts the life of James A. Healy the oldest son of Michael Healy and Mary Eliza.
CHAPTER VII.
LaFayette's Visit to Clinton-1825
Marquis de LaFayette, the famous French General who aided George Washington and the patriots in the winning of American independence, visited Georgia in March of 1825. The citizens of this state showed him an unsurpassed feeling of respect. General LaFayette arrived at Savannah on March 19, 1825 aboard a steamboat from South Carolina. After a day of festivities at Sa- vannah where he remained for several days he went on to Au-
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The Marquis de Lafayette, Friend of America Made an address on the steps of the Clinton courthouse
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gusta. Gov. George M. Troup left Milledgeville to meet him in Savannah and accorded LaFayette and his party every welcome. At Augusta he was entertained in the most fashionable homes in the city. On his way to Milledgeville he stopped in Warrenton at the W. W. Pilcher home for a ball. There were probably other stops but he came on to Milledgeville where former Governor Clarke as well as Governor Troup welcomed him.
George Washington (LaFayette's son), Sec. Col. Lavoisier, and others accompanied LaFayette. Georgia was only a part of a tour which he made through the United States. At Milledge- ville there was a great reception and a public dinner on the Capi- tol grounds for the General and his party. A stone marks today the site of this bountiful dinner near the entrance to the old Capitol grounds. Many of the great Georgians of that day were present and many toasts were given in the General's honor as well as a military salute, a ball and general gaiety. It is said that the son's head was bald but the General wore a wig. The Inde- pendent Blues from Clinton were present at this dinner and dur- ing the meal Major James Smith of Clinton discovered that his pocketbook had been stolen with $5,000.00 in it. The record says that he fainted. Another incident occurred causing great excite- ment. A man firing the cannon as a salute to Gen. LaFayette, caught his shirt sleeve on fire and when he put his hand in the cartridge box the powder caught fire and thirty pounds of powder made a terrific explosion, killing the man and injuring several others.
On the way to Macon the General and his party stopped at Clinton, March 29, 1825 (Tuesday). They had received the in- vitation earlier and the whole county was excited over his coming. Mr. Jesse Glawson has the old courthouse steps on which Gen. LaFayette stood as he spoke. Red white and blue bunting decor- ated the building and the old grizzled veterans who had fought in the Revolution, some under the General's command, were there to shake his hand. The word has been handed down that LaFayette walked down the line shaking hands and laughing with them and as he came to one old peg-leg he embraced him as tears came in the old fellow's eyes. General LaFayette held a child in his arms and kissed her, this was none other than Jane
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Thigpen of Clinton who later became a poetess and published several books of poems. It is told that La Fayette and his entour- age went to the old Parrish House to refresh themselves. This house still stands and is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Greene in Clinton.
Clinton was crouded with people that day and the Independent Blues drilled and marched to the drum beats. A cannon was fired to announce the approach of the entourage. A marker at Clinton indicates the route which the party took. I can almost hear the rumble of the stage coach wheels and see the horses pawing the red dust as they stood hitched to a huge iron ring in the old cedar tree near the courthouse. The marquis being a Mason was tend- ered all of the Masonic honors of the Sincerity lodge at Clinton. He was the illustrious guest, the friend of our struggling repub- lic, of liberty and of men. La Fayette recalled the time that he was wounded at Brandywine and told of his friendship with Washington. After this he left for Macon. He was escorted by Henry G. Lamar and Thaddeus G. Holt, aides of Gov. Troup. At Macon Hon. James S. Frierson gave the official welcome and the national salute was fired.
In Macon he was entertained by the ladies and brothers of Macon Lodge No. 24. An address was given by Dr. Ambrose Baber of the Masonic Lodge, to which the General replied. At the site of the old Macon Hotel, a dinner was given. This was at the corner now of Mulberry and Fifth Streets. None of the two hours and a half in Macon was wasted. With a final gun sa- lute the party was on its way toward the west. They spent the night at the old Creek Agency on the banks of the Flint river, having made rapid progress in that day of travel. As he left the agency he traveled westward and northward before leaving Georgia. Records show that he was greatly impressed with the Creek lands of western Georgia. They reminded him of his own rural estate in France called La Grange. In 1828 the county site of Troupe County was named La Grange, for the General's es- tate. La Fayette, site of Walker County, and LaFayette square in Savannah, as well as Fayetteville were named in honor of this General.
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Americans have continued their respect and admiration through the years. It is unlikely that any other citizen of another land attained such a high place in the estimation of Americans during the early years of the republic.
CHAPTER VIII
JESSE BUNKLEY TRIAL The BENCH AND BAR OF GEORGIA Volume I. Philadelphia J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 1858
Pleadings and Evidence in the Trial of Elijah Barber, otherwise called Jesse L. Bunkley, for Cheating and Swindling Tried in the Superior Court of Jones County, Georgia, before the Hon. John G. Polhill in December, 1837 Printed at the Federal Union Office Milledgeville, Georgia 1838 SUMMARY
As the case which is developed in the following pages, is one of rare occurrence, it will not only be interesting to the reader to give a sketch of the parties who are the subjects of it; but it will aid him very much in a clear understanding of the facts brought out upon the trial.
The maiden name of the mother of Jesse L. Bunkley, was Elizabeth Slatter. Her first husband, the father of Jesse, was William D. Bunkley. After the death of Mr. Bunkley, who left a large estate, his widow married Mr. Billingslea; after the death of Billingslea, she married Samuel Lowther, Esq., a law-
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yer of considerable distinction and most exemplary character.
Capt. Jonathan Parrish married the aunt of Jesse L. Bunkley, by the mother's side, and in the year 1815 was appointed guar- dian of the person and property of Jesse. The estate left to Jesse by his father, was considerable, and had been managed by pru- dent and highly respected persons. It must have been very much increased by the fidelity and good management of Capt. Parrish. At the time when it was claimed by Elijah Barber, who person- ated Jesse L. Bunkley, it is supposed it would have amounted to between thirty and forty thousand dollars.
Young Bunkley, having ample means to educate him in the best style usual in our country, was, from five years old, sent to the best schools and academies in the vicinity ; was prepared for College, and entered the University of Georgia as a scholar. Our readers are aware, that, in order to enter College, the elements of good English education, and a competent knowledge of the Greek and Latin languages must have been previously acquired by the student.
As is too common with young gentlemen of fortune in our sec- tion of the country, Jesse L. Bunkley did not feel the necessity of personal exertion to get him through the world. He is còn- sequently described as wild and rude, though talented; and his habits did not long permit him to remain a student in the Uni- versity. He made frequent excursions to our large cities and elsewhere, to indulge in amusements more congenial to him than the strict rules of a College life.
After he left College, in order to indulge his disposition for roaming and amusement, he determined to make a trip to the westward and to New Orleans. At this time, 1825, his mother lived about three miles from Clinton, Jones County, Georgia. She testified that he left there on the 17th day of May, 1825, aged nineteen years and six months. She heard from him oc- casionally by letter and otherwise for little more than two years. After this it was generally reported and believed in and about Clinton, that Jesse L. Bunkley had died in New Orleans. And this report was so much confided in, that his guardian paid out his estate to his brother, William D. Bunkley, (generally called familiarly Bob Bunkley ), who was entitled to his brother's estate
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upon his death. William D. Bunkley has since died and his estate descended to his widow and children, residing in Alabama.
The following description is given of Jesse L. Bunkley, when he left Georgia. Light complexion, a little inclined to be swarthy -light hair-yellow eyes-face full and round-a deep dimple in the chin-full jaws-thick lips, the upper one inclined to turn up when he laughed-nose large and a little turned up at the end-large hips-large thighs and legs-a full body, but slim round the waist. The middle finger of the left hand was bitten off above the nail, the nail entirely gone-a scar on the right side of the neck immediately under the jaw bone, which grew up into a ridge-a scar immediately under the left knee pan, directly across the leg. A mark is also described on a private part of Bunkley by Mr. Williams, who was present when he got the wound.
We collect from the history of the case, that from about the middle of the year 1827 till about the year 1830 or 1831, noth- ing was heard of Bunkley; but the belief of his death generally prevailed among his relatives and acquaintances in Georgia. About this time counter reports began to reach them, that he was dead and that he was alive. Rumors reached Clinton that he had been seen chained to a block, working on the streets and the levee at New Orleans.
About 1832 or 1833, the report became current, that he was confined in the calaboose in New Orleans. About this time a cor- respondence was commenced between a person in the calaboose, and a respectable gentleman of the bar in Clinton, in which the former represented himself to be Jesse L. Bunkley, and wrote to latter under that name, with a view to procure money to aid him in his difficulties, from the estate left to his son by William D. Bunkley. The individual in the calaboose was visited by Major Wynn of Columbus, who knew Bunkley, but who identi- fied him to be the Prisoner on his trial. He was convicted and confined in the calaboose under the name of Elijah Barber, of having forged bank notes in his possession. He afterwards open- ed a correspondence with the mother of Bunkley; but failed to satisfy her of his identity. This individual is well known to many in Georgia, who had known him for years. Many of the citizens
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of Gwinnett and other counties, knew him well as Elijah Barber. He was known by that name about Macon, Milledgeville, Au- gusta and elsewhere. His father, mother and family were known by many. He had been seen as late as the year 1828 in Milledge- ville, and 1829 in Augusta, Ga. three or four years after Bunk- ley had left the State. He was a wild, dissipated, intemperate man, extremely illiterate, so much so, that he could not write his name; and was frequently arrested for breaches of the laws.
Barber first demanded his estate of the guardian of Bunkley by power of attorney, purporting to have been written in the State of Arkansas. The guardian suspected some unfairness, as he did not recognize the hand writing, and believed Bunkley to be dead. He therefore refused to settle with the agent who pro- duced the power of attorney.
A short time after this, the person representing himself as Jesse L. Bunkley, made his appearance in Jones County, and after remaining there two or three weeks, demanded of Capt. Parrish, the estate of Jesse L. Bunkley. He passed by the name of Bunkley, and this personation and demand gave origin to the case here reported.
Elijah Barber, (the man convicted) is about the ordinary stature, perhaps a little over it, said to be taller than Bunkley when he left Georgia-spare made-very little bow-legged- somewhat thin visaged, face rather long-complexion ruddy- hair quite black and black whiskers-deep blue eyes-sharp chin without any appearance of a dimple-nose long and sharp, a little aqueline or turned down. On his left leg, about an inch and a half below the knee, is a scar made obliquely up the leg. He shows a very small spot for a scar on the side of the neck under the right jaw bone. A very peculiar mark on a private member is proved. He has not lost any of his fingers-the nails are all on them and perfect. He has never been seen to write any- thing but Jesse L. Bunkley, and that very badly.
One of the witnesses had described a scar or scars on Barber's leg from the bite of a snake. Barber exhibited himself before the jury, and the scars were found on his right leg, very much resembling the description of the wounds from the bite of a snake.
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Hope H. Slatter and Shadrack Slatter were uncles of Jesse L. Bunkley.
We deemed this brief sketch necessary to a full and clear un- derstanding of several parts of the evidence. As there is no de- scription of the person of Barber given in the testimony, and from his presence none was necessary, the description of him was essential, that the reader might be enabled to draw the contrast in his own mind between him and Jesse L. Bunkley.
In the testimony were found two letters, one written by the genuine Jesse L. Bunkley, the other by Barber, or some person for him, from the calaboose in New Orleans, and the reader could see the great difference between the language and the spelling of these two letters.
It is also worthy of remark that the witnesses were generally persons of high respectability. Among them were some of the first men in Georgia in point of character, standing and intellect -gentlemen who have held and still hold some of the highest offices of the State.
Two objections were named by the prisoner's counsel when the indictment was about to be read. (1) "That the prisoner had not been served with a copy of this indictment." (2) That the indictment had been amended by adding to it the name of a new prosecutor, the former being dead, that the statue of jeofails extends to civil and not criminal cases." These objec- tions were overruled by the court, who ordered the indictment to be read. Ninety-eight witnesses were sworn in for the state, and thirty-nine in behalf of the prisoner. The jury was out but a few minutes, and return a verdict of guilty. The prisoner was sentenced for five years imprisonment at hard labor in the penitentiary. The Solicitor General, William G. Smith, Harde- man, Colquitt and Reid for the State with James Smith and E. Y. Hill for the prisoner.
Now after Elijah Barber served his term, he came back to Clinton and threatened to sue Mrs. Samuel Lowther for the estate which he claimed, however he never did this, as he was told by many that his next punishment would be greater than the first. Most people of Jones County felt that Jesse Bunkley had died in New Orleans, and this fellow Barber was with him and
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knew of his family and their business affairs, so when Bunkley died, Barber decided to impersonate Bunkley in order to collect his inheritance. To this day there are those who believe that the man was really Jesse Bunkley. (Data by Wyatt Bonner.)
WILLIAM S. C. REID (Lawyer of Jessie L. Bunkley Case)
For the benefit of the younger members of the profession especially, the endowments of William S. C. Reid, and a few passages in his short career, are here set forth in the twofold light of encouragement and warning. From what the author has been able to gather from those who were acquainted with his gifts, his traits of character, the elevation of soul he possessed, and the rich oratory which rolled from his lips, it has fallen to the lot of very few persons to excel Mr. Reid in these respects. He rose with sudden light, maintained his brillancy, and then closed his earthly prospects by sad indiscretions, which will be noticed from no motive to reproach the dead, but as a salutary admonition to the living.
William S. C. Reid, son of John Reid, was born in Hancock Co., Ga., on the 20th day of October, 1802, and received his principal education at Mount Zion, under the care of Nathan S. S. Beman and his brother, Carlisle Beman, two of the most noted and successful instructors of youth in the Southern coun- try. He completed his course at Mount Zion in the spring of 1824, and proceeded immediately to the North with letters of high recommendation from his teachers. He pursued his legal studies at New Haven under the direction of Mr. Stapler, a lawyer of established reputation. In the fall of 1825, he returned to Georgia, and was admitted to the bar at Augusta. He located for practice at Clinton the ensuing year, and continued to reside in that village until his removal to Macon, six or eight years afterwards. In the meantime he had given evidence of great abilities, and had become a source of joy to his relatives, especial- ly to his widowed mother and his affectionate sisters, all of whom looked up to him as their greatest earthly comfort.
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The author heard Mr. Reid speak only on one occasion at the bar, and that briefly to the court, in 1827, at Clinton. He distinctly remembers the tall, erect, and graceful figure of Mr. Reid, his strong mellow voice, with great harmony of inflec- tion, and the chaste language which delighted all hearers. His future was then auspicious in the highest degree. No advocate had greater natural advantages; none better could scarcely be desired. Whatever contributed to render public speaking success- ful was at his command. True, it was not claimed for him, young as he was, that his legal attainments were very profound,-that he was master of Coke upon Littleton, or could lay open Shelly's case so as to be intelligible. No such capacity did he pretend to possess ; nor was he bold enough to insinuate that Fearne on Remainders was as agreeable to him as the most popular ro- mance, and as easily understood,-a taste which has been some- times avowed by members of the profession who, from an excess of intellect or of vanity, seemed anxious to appear thus capti- vated. But in the province of an advocate, where the passions could be influenced, where the hearts of men might be reached, even to the controlling of their judgments,-in this relation Mr. Reid was most effective.
As a proof of his qualification, it may be remarked that he was associated with Col. Robert V. Hardeman and the Hon. Walter T. Colquitt in the prosecution of Elijah Barber, alias Jesse L. Bunkley, who was indicted in Jones Superior Court, at April term, 1837, for cheating and swindling. This was a singu- lar case, and occupied much time in the investigation. More than one hundred and thirty witnesses were examined, ninety-eight of whom were on the side of the prosecution. The testimony was conflicting,-many witnesses believing the defendant to be the genuine Jesse L. Bunkley, who was entitled to an estate of forty thousand dollars; and perhaps a still greater number of wit- nesses and disinterested persons considered him an artful im- postor, who had perhaps learned the story from the rightful heir before his death. The particulars of this trial have been published in pamphlet form. They are mysterious, to say the least. Barber was convicted and served out his term in the peni- tentiary. Some persons honestly believe to this day that the ac-
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cused was the veritable Jesse L. Bunkley, who suffered wrong- fully. But the greatest number believe-what is no doubt the truth-that Barber and others had conspired to obtain this large property by the course that was attemped.
Among the witnesses introduced by the prosecution were Rob- ert Dougherty, now a judge of the Circuit Court of Alabama ; Hugh A. Haralson, late a Representative in Congress, since de- ceased; Henry G. Lamar, formerly a Representative in Con- gress; and the Hon. Charles J. McDonald, since Governor of Georgia, and at present a judge of the Supreme Court. The tes- timony of these gentlemen is here copied in the order in which it was delivered :-
Eighty-sixth witness, Robert Dougherty .- I knew Jessie L. Bunkley at school at Athens. I entered college and left him in the grammar school. I do not know how long he remained there. At that time, to enter college, a young man must have known arithmetic to the rule-of-three, English grammar, have read Cornelius Nepos, Caesar, and the Bucolics and first book of the Eeneid of Virgil, and the four orations of Cicero, and have read in the Greek Testament the book of John. From my recol- lection of Jesse L. Bunkley I cannot speak distinctly of him. I do not think Bunkley had as dark hair. I had a conversation with prisoner, and should say from that conversation he is not Jesse L. Bunkley. I asked him several questions which he did not answer satisfactorily. I think Bunkley could have recollected and retailed some of the circumstances I inquired of.
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