USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 42
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"Wealthy" was not alone in her old age. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren eagerly took turns in staying with her. Very few of these "children" are living today, but sweet memories of "Grannie's" enchanting apple orchard, her well-kept house, deli- cious cooking and gracious kindness, brighten their lengthening days.
The children of Israel Fountain and his wife, Delphia Wat- kins, were: daughters -- I. Keziah, 2. Elizabeth, 3. Hezikah, 4. Mary, 5. Sabrina; Sons : 6. William, 7. James, 8. Job, 9. Jackson, IO. Lewis and II. Mitchell.
I. Keziah Fountain was born in 1799 in South Carolina, and was married to Enoch Garrett in 1820 in Wilkinson County, Ga., (see Garrett family ) .
2. Elizabeth Fountain married Bartley Stevens and their chil- dren were James, Eliza, William, Mitchell, Mary Elizabeth, and Bartley G. Stephens. James Stevens married Elizabeth Lyster (sis- ter of Thomas Lyster, who was second husband of Sabrina (Foun- tain) Batchellar. James Stevens and wife, Elizabeth Lyster, had nine children, Margaret Elizabeth (Pace), Sarah Jane, William, Thom- as, Bartley, Lewis, Mary Anna, and Martha Caledoina.
3. Hezekah (or whatever that almost illegible name may be) evidently married a Darden (from Ramah Church Roll). Her children were William, Bartlett, Elizabeth and Mary.
4. Mary (Polly) Fountain married (I) a Nalus and (2) James Webb. There were children by both marriages, but we have the name of only one, Priscilla Webb.
5. Sabrina, the youngest of the children of Israel and Delphia (Watkins) Fountain, was born in 1820. She married (1) John Bachellar ; their children were John, Richard and Sarah Bachellar. Her (2) marriage was to Thomas Lyster. Names of Lyster children not traced.
6. William Fountain married Elizabeth Budd.
7. James Fountain married (1) a Miss McCarty and had sev-
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
eral children. He married (2) Behethland (Bethel) Jones. It is through this marriage that the distinguished Judge Rigsby of Cairo, Georgia is connected with the Fountain family. James Fountain and many of his descendants are buried at Ramah Church.
8. Job Fountain, not traced.
9. Jackson Fountain married Rebecca Batchellar and they had several children.
10. Lewis Fountain married Elizabeth Pickren and had several children. Some of their descendants live at Sycamore, Ga.
II. Mitchell Watkins Fountain married (1) a Miss Pattisall (2) Mary Hannah Patterson, by this second marriage he had seven children ; William Oscar, Lewis Jerusha, Dalonega Wilson, Martha Caroline, Mary Elizabeth, Columbus and Ivy Ann Sabrina. Of these, Lewis J. Fountain married (1) Blanche Fountain, and they had three children. He married (2) Martha or "Mattie" Patterson, a descendant of Thomas McGinty, Henry Castleberry and Benja- min Cooper, pioneer settlers of Wilkinson County. Rose, daughter of Lewis J. Fountain, married Thomas Dennard and they have a daughter.
With the exception of Keziah, wife of Enoch Garrett, and Lewis Fountain, both of whom moved to Taylor County, Ga., about 1847, these children married and settled in Wilkinson County not far distant from the old home. Today their descendants are scattered over the entire United States, but many still remain as good citizens of their native county.
Israel Fountain is buried in Ramah Church yard and Delphia, his wife, is buried in the Fountain cemetery about two miles from Gordon.
As the South grows older, it treasures these fragments of informa- tion concerning its first staunch settlers, and so we add a thread to this tapestry of the past woven of fact and bits of folklore-the history of the Georgia branch of the Fontaines-Fountains.
GARRETT
The name Garrett is of Norman extraction, and we find it in England as early as the Ninth Century. We know that even then the Garretts were of a religious turn of mind for we find six of them being canonized as Saints ; others took part in the reformation and in the Holy wars.
Later we find that they have spread into all the British Isles. It
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
is from the Irish branch that the Wilkinson and Taylor County Garretts are descended.
The present day descendants run true to type to an amazing de- gree, being very blonde with typical Irish-blue eyes, genial natures, ready wit, and they give every evidence of having kissed the "blarney stone."
Sometime during the years 1809-1820 Jeremiah Garrett, with other members of his family, came into Wilkinson County, Georgia, from South Carolina. The family was, prior to that time, probably in North Carolina.
Jeremiah's first wife, Annie Miller, died in South Carolina, leaving ten children. All of them accompanied their father into Wilkinson County, where several of them married and lived for many years. Their names were: I. Enoch, born 1795; 2. Elijah; 3. Elisha ; 4. John Israel ; 5. Mary ; 6. Tabitha ; 7. Samuel ; 8. Nancy Ann ; 9. James ; 10. Robert.
Jeremiah Garrett did not live long in the county after his second marriage, which occurred August 15, 1822, to Mary King; he, with his wife and younger children, moved to Alabama, settling in Pike County on the Pee river. Several of his descendants are still to be found in that locality.
In 1820 his eldest son, Enoch, married Keziah Fountaine, daught- er of Israel and Delphia (Watkins) Fountaine.
Enoch lived in Wilkinson County until 1847, when he moved his family to Taylor County, Georgia. Noteworthy is the fact that he was given a land grant of 252 acres in Curry's District, by Governor Troup. Tradition says this was for his services in the Indian war (Photostats of the original land grant are in the pos- session of his descendants).
Mary Garrett married Jesse Brown. Samuel Garrett married Isabella Anderson in Stewart County near Weston (which was formerly called Hardmoney). James Garrett married Mary An- derson (sister of Isabella) and settled in Eufaula, Ala. Nancy Ann married John Brooks. These two lived in Alabama, but later moved to Texas. Their son, Rev. Jasper J. Brooks, is now living in Grap- land, Texas. Although nearing the century mark he distinctly re- members hearing his mother say that her father, Jeremiah Garrett, was killed by the Indians on the Pee River in Pike County, Alabama.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
The story goes that "Jerry," leaving his plow-stock and pair of horses in the field, returned later to find them gone. Suspecting this to be the work of Indians, he obtained the assistance of neighbors to join in a search. The Indians, however, who were lying in am- bush, overpowered them. Jeremiah was scalped and his body pinned to a tree.
The Garretts belonged to Myrtle Springs Primitive Baptist church in Wilkinson County. Enoch once acted as clerk in this church, and his wife, Keziah Fountain, joined it in 1841. The name Garrett occurs often on the old church records. Later, when Enoch and Keziah moved to Taylor County (about 1847), they moved their membership to Bethel Church, on whose rolls today we find many of their descendants, firm in the faith of their fathers. Others have, through intermarriage, affiliated with other denominations.
Quoting from Mr. J. T. Garrett, of Charing (Taylor County) , Georgia (1930) :
"The proof I have of these statements concerning Jeremiah Gar- rett and his family is this : Dates, etc., are to be found in our family Bible ; many things I have remembered, and others were told to me by my cousins, Rev. Jasper J. Brooks and Lura Garrett (daughter of Samuel Garrett and his wife, Isabella Anderson). Lura, who is doubly kin to me (having married my elder brother, Isaac Wil- liam), lived with her husband in Taylor County near her father- in-law and uncle, Enoch Garrett (my grandfather). Naturally she learned a great deal about the Garretts from both sides.
Enoch and Keziah (Fountaine) Garrett's children were: I. John Israel Garrett married Gracy Stephens, daughter of John Stephens and his wife, Elizabeth Matthews, who were pioneer set- tlers of Wilkinson County (John Stephens was a Revolutionary soldier ; also a veteran of the war of 1812. He and his wife are buried near Toomsboro, Georgia).
John Israel and his wife, Gracy Stephens, moved to Taylor County, where John Israel served on the first jury drawn in the County. Their children were Keziah Elizabeth, who died young; Isaac William, who married Lura, daughter of Samuel Garrett; Marzelia, who married Frances Marion Purvis (deceased), lives in Taylor County now. James Thomas, who married Georgia Vir- ginia Woodall, lives in Charing, Georgia. John Enoch, who died young ; Robert C. (deceased), who married Mary Stewart (she lives
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
now in Taylor County, Ga) ; Henry Jasper, who married Lalah L. Woodall and lives at Charing, Georgia.
John Israel Garrett was killed in the War Between the States and his widow, Gracy Stephens Garrett, married Toliver Daniel.
2. Martha Keziah married Cornelius Bradley in Wilkinson and later moved to Taylor County, where they died. Of their eight children (all of whom lived in Taylor County) only two are now living : Matilda (Bradley) Grimes and Harriet (Bradley ) Grimes.
3. James Garrett married Elizabeth Hogan. He was killed in the Civil war, after which in 1870 his widow moved from Taylor County to Meridian, Mississippi, accompanied by her sons, Thomas, George, Henry and William Franklin.
4. Elizabeth Garrett married (1) Joshua Cone; (2) Joshua Ellis.
5. Nancy Caroline Garrett married (1) Anthony Lavender ; (2) Nicodemus Ellis.
6. Jesse Garrett married (1) Sarah Hilton; (2) Polly
7. Sabrina Garrett married James Pearson.
8. Enoch Garrett, Jr., married Mary Waters.
9. Robert M. Garrett married Julia Barfield. He served throughout the War Between the States.
10. Mary Ellen Garrett married George Knight (see Knight family ).
II. Samuel Garrett (died young).
12. William Garrett (died young).
CHART OF GARRETT FAMILY
The succeeding generations are designated by Roman numerals. I-Jeremiah Garrett, born about 1774, probably in North Caro- lina, married (1) Annie Miller in South Carolina about 1794. He married (2) Mary King August 15, 1822, in Wil- kinson County, Ga. He died in Pike County, Alabama. Issue by first wife :-
I. Enoch Garrett (q. v.).
2. Elijah (not traced).
3. Elisha, lived in Alabama (n. t.).
4. John Israel (q. v.).
5. Mary (q. v.).
6. Tabitha (not traced).
7. Samuel (q. v.).
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
8. Nancy Ann (q. v.).
9. James (q. v.).
IO. Robert, lived in Texas (n. t.).
II-1. Enoch Garrett, born 1795 in South Carolina, died October, 1872, Taylor County, Ga. Married April 7, 1820, in Wil- kinson County, Ga., Keziah Fountain, born 1799, South Carolina; died 1876, Taylor County, Georgia. Issue :----
I. John Israel.
2. Martha Keziah.
3. James.
4. Elizabeth.
5. Nancy Caroline.
6. Jesse.
7. Sabrina.
8. Enoch, Jr.
9. Robert M.
10. Mary Ellen.
II. Samuel (d. y.).
12. William (d. y.).
II-4. John Israel moved from Wilkinson County, Georgia, to Mississippi. Nothing further known of his family.
II-5. Mary Garrett married Jesse Brown. Issue :--- Not traced.
II-7. Samuel Garrett married Isabella Anderson of Stewart County, Georgia. They died in Taylor County, Ga. Issue :--- Lura.
Eugene (he and family live at Lumpkin, Ga.).
Warren (deceased-his family lives at Forsyth, Ga.). Samuel (deceased-his family lives at Fitzgerald, Ga.). William (he and family live in Florida).
II-8. Nancy Ann Garrett married John Brooks, probably in Pike County, Ala. They died in Texas, where their descendants now reside.
Issue :-
Rev. Jasper Jeremiah Brooks of Texas.
Martha, married Richard Cook. Robert, married.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
William.
James, married.
A daughter, married Barnum.
A daughter, married Ghee.
II-9. James Garrett married Mary Anderson of Stewart County, Ga. They lived in Eufaula, Ala.
Nothing further known.
III-1. John Israel Garrett, born June 10, 1823, Wilkinson County, died May 26, 1863, Taylor County, Ga. Married in Wilkinson County, December 24, 1846, Gracy Steph- ens, born March 5, 1825; died March 23, 1904, Taylor County, Ga.
Issue :-
I. Keziah Elizabeth (d. y.).
2. Isaac William.
3. Marzelia.
4. James Thomas.
5. John Enoch (d. y. ).
6. Robert C.
7. Henry Jasper.
Gracy Stephens Garrett married (2) July 29, 1865, Toliver Daniel. Issue: Mary E., born May 14th, 1866, married W. T. Cochran and had eight children, two of whom are Mrs. W. E. Elliston and Mrs. A. F. Harvey; both live at Rupert, Ga.
IV-2. Isaac William Garrett, born Dec. 14, 1850; married his cousin, Lura Garrett.
Issue :- Dr. Eli Garrett, married Belle Gill, two children (VI) Mildred and Marie.
Anna Belle, married E. B. Adams, three children (VI) Eugene, Raiford and Lucile.
IV-3. Marzelia Garrett, born April 11, 1853, married Frances Marion Purvis, Jan. 14, 1870.
Issue :-
1. John William Purvis (deceased ) .
2. Feston R. Purvis.
4. Leonard Lee Purvis.
5. Paris W. Purvis.
6. Walter Purvis.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
V-I. John William Purvis married Texas Virginia Moore. Issue :-
Leila Mae, married (1) Wilson Hall (2) Dan P. Jones of Columbus, Ga.
Lula Irene, married Carl Cato Colbert of Columbus, Ga .; two children (VII) Katherine Virginia and Ralph Cato.
Eva, married Ulric F. King, three children (VII) Jim- mie, Anne Virginia and Leah Marie.
Marion Eugene.
James Munroe, married Elizabeth Wilson, two children (VII) Elizabeth Wilson and Ben Anderson.
V-2. Feston R. Purvis, married Jessie Watson.
Issue :- Frances, Lorenza, Estelle, Mary, Mildred.
V-3. Lessie Purvis, married Walton Watson. Issue :- Several children (not traced ).
V-4. Leonard Lee Purvis, married (1) Mrs. Texas Virginia M. Purvis (brother's widow) ; no issue. Married (2) Alice Morgan. They live in Columbus, Ga.
Issue :- Minnie Lee, Elizabeth, Leonard, David.
V-5. Paris W. Purvis, married Docia Moore. Issue :- Wilmer, Douglas, Gracy, James, Marvin and Lillian.
V-6. Walter Purvis, married Dora Weeks. Issue :- Several children (not traced ).
IV-4. James Thomas Garrett, born Sept. 3, 1855, married Dec. 22, 1878, George Virginia Woodall, born July 23, 1863, in Marion County.
Issue :---
I. Dr. John Abner Garrett of Meigs, Thomas Co., Ga.
2. George Oscar Garrett. .
3. Robert Lester Garrett.
4. Simms Garrett.
5. Mary Elizabeth Garrett.
6. William Riley Garrett.
7. Gracy Jewel Garrett (deceased).
8. Luther Garrett (deceased).
V-I. Dr. John Abner Garrett, married Muriel Eva Fauche. They live in Meigs, Ga.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Issue :-
Earnest Garrett (married and has two children (VII) Ann and Earnest, Jr.).
Claudia Garrett, married Jasper Williams of Sylvester, Ga., and has one child (VII), Jasper Williams, Jr.
V-2. Oscar Garrett married Ouida Fouche. They live in Al- bany, Georgia.
Issue :- Lenwood and George.
V-3. Lester Garrett married Jane Terry.
Issue :- Leelius, James, Billie, Willis, Emily.
(VI) Leelius Garrett married Effie Kilcrease and they have one child (VII), Norma Gracie Kilcrease.
V-4. Simms Garrett married Chary Adell Lucas. Issue :- Simms, Jr., and Myrtice.
(VI) Myrtice Garrett married Joe Carter Burgin. They have a son (VII) Joe Carter Burgin, Jr.
V-5. Mary Elizabeth Garrett married her distant cousin, Rob- ert Lee Fountain.
Issue :- Luther, Hoke, Jack, Robert.
(VII) Jack Fountain married Jewel Moulton and they have one child (VII) Mary Virginia.
V-6. William Riley married (1) Ruth Stewart, (2) Ruth Jordan. They live at Charing, Ga.
Issue by first marriage :-
Sarah, who married Bernice Alexander Brigman.
IV-6. Robert C. Garrett, born Feb. 14, 1860, married Mary F. Stewart, Dec. 2, 1878.
Issue :- Eight children and sixteen grandchildren.
IV-7. Henry Jasper Garrett, born Nov. 25, 1862, married Jan. 14, 1886, Lalah L. Woodall. They live in Charing, Ga. Issue :-
I. Oriska Lorena.
2. Thomas, born Aug. 6, 1888, died Jan. 19, 1889.
3. Mamie C.
V-1. Oriska Lorena Garrett married Robert Fouche.
Issue :- (VI) Oriska Christine married Harvey Lee Mc- carty.
V-3. Mamie C. Garrett married Lee S. Mills. Issue :- (VI) Verna Lee Mills.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
III-2. Martha Keziah married Cornelius Bradley. Issue :-
Elijah (killed in war) Rebecca (married - Gray). James (killed in war) Keziah Eunice (married Robert Anglin (killed in war). Eli (killed in war) Matilda (married Grimes ) . Caroline (married Jesse Harriet (married Grimes ) . Shinholster ) .
III-3. James Garrett married Elizabeth Hogan.
Issue :- Thomas (n. t.); Henry (n. t.); George (n.t.); William Franklin (n. t.).
III-4. Elizabeth Garrett married (1) Joshua Cone, (2) Joshua Ellis.
Issue :- Fannie (deceased ) .
III-5. Nancy Caroline Garrett married Anthony Lavender. Issue :---
I. Keziah Elizabeth Savannah.
2. Alice Susan Augusta.
3. William Charleston.
4. Wiley Rabun New Hampshire.
5. Frances Harriet.
6. Emma Ann Marzelia.
7. Louise Ellen (d. y.) .
8. Mary Ann Rebecca.
IV-1. Keziah Elizabeth Savannah Lavender married Solomon DeLoach.
Issue :- Seven children (not traced ) .
IV-2. Alice Susan Augusta Lavender married William Thomas Gilbert.
Issue :- An adopted son, Robert Morgan.
IV-3. William Charleston Lavender married Elizabeth Sophronia Campbell. Issue :-
I. Charles Leonard Lavender.
2. Wiley Preston Lavender.
3. Nancy Augusta Lavender.
4. William Horace Lavender.
5. Florence Eldora Lavender.
6. John Thomas Lavender (d. y.).
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
7. Clifford Leo Lavender (d. y.).
V-1. Charles Leonard Lavender married Cuni Graham.
Issue :---
Nita Leo (deceased).
Harma Rexford married Kathleen Pate (one child (VII) Kathleen ).
Gladys Lavera married Jack Gaylord.
V-2. Wylie Preston Lavender married Mary Ellen Hicks. Issue :----
Hicks Rexford (deceased ).
Lorenza (deceased).
Verna (deceased ) .
Goldie (married Sarge Plant) issue (VII) Denton, Katherine, Jack, Mary Ellen, Robert Plant).
V-3. Nancy Augusta Lavender married Manuel Faulkner. No issue.
V-4. William Horace Lavender married Minnie Lee Gresham. Issue :-
Paul Anthony (deceased), Curtis, Clyde, Vera Beatrice, Ruth.
V-5. Florence Eldora Lavender married Thomas Henry Poyner. Issue :----
Lena Augusta (deceased), Florence Ottis, William Theodore (deceased), Frances Elizabeth.
IV-4. Wiley Raburn New Hampshire Lavender married (1) Nettie Jernigan, two children; (2) married Cassandra Taylor, nine children; (3) married Mary Elizabeth Pep- pers, two children.
Issue by first marriage :-
I. Alice Lavender.
2. Pearl Lavender. Issue by second marriage :-
3. Robert (deceased).
4. Myrtle Lavender.
5. Goldie Lavender.
6. Verna Lavender.
7. Kate Lavender.
8. Maud Lavender.
9. Walter Lavender.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
IO. Frances (deceased ).
II. Durwood Lavender. Issue by third marriage :-
12. Mary Emma.
13. Curtis Lee.
V-1. Alice Lavender married Alex Roberts. Issue :- Roscoe, Fay, Pearl, Lena.
V-2. Pearl Lavender married Thomas Moore. Issue :- Thomas, Jack, Nell, Perry, Ruth (deceased), Eunice (deceased ).
V-4. Myrtle Lavender married Veto Giglio. Issue :- Paul, Louie, Roy.
V-5. Goldie Lavender married Andrew Howell. Issue :- Thurmond Howell.
V-6. Verna Lavender married Thomas Lane. Issue :- Ruth, Ralph, Sarah, Myrtle, Frank (deceased), Maude, Kate.
V-7. Kate Lavender married Charles Webb. Issue :- Harry, John, Veto, Alto.
V-8. Maud Lavender married Joseph Abner. Issue :- Douglas Abner.
V-9. Walter Lavender married Flora Levy. Issue :- Wallace and Joseph. They live in New York.
IV-5. Frances Harriet Lavender married Dude DeLoach. Issue :- Bessie and Jessie (twins), Frances, Charles.
IV-6. Emma Anne Marzelia Lavender married her step-father's son, Nicodemus Ellis.
Issue :- Gracy, Edward, Susan (married Dan Copeland ) . .
IV-8. Mary Anne Rebecca Lavender married (1) Freeman Young, (2)- - Howard. Issue by first marriage :-
Lorenza, married and has two children (VII) Freeman and William. Mary Anne (deceased ).
III-6. Jesse Garrett married (1) Sarah Helton, (2) Polly Issue :- Jesse (deceased ) Albert (deceased ).
III-7. Sabrina Garrett married James Pearson. Issue :-- Augusta, married Berry Edwards and died with- out issue.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Dora (deceased ) .
Emma, married (1) William Newsome, (2) William Quick.
Mittie, married William Preddy and had three children (V) William, Margaret and Emma.
III-8. Enoch Garrett, Jr., married Mary Waters.
Issue :---- Etta (n. t.). Clifford (n. t.). John (n. t.).
III-9. Robert M. Garrett married Julia Barfield.
Issue :- Jeremiah (d. y. ) . Other children not traced.
III-10. Mary Ellen Garrett married George Knight. (See Knight family).
KNIGHT INTRODUCTION
The word brings to mind the colorful panorama of the middle ages with its brilliant tournaments, pageants and wars in which each Knight displayed his valor courageously for his sovereign and his lady. Verifying somewhat this picture which suggests the ro- mance of the past we quote the following from English Surnames, by Charles Wareing Bardsley, page 199:
"The name Knight is Anglo-Norman, and takes us back to the time when sons of those 'Knights' bore, as the name implies, their shields. By the time of Henry VI, however, it had become adapted by the heirs of the higher gentry. Those who are so surnamed may comfort themselves at any rate with the reflection that they are lineally descended from those who bore the name when it was an honorable and distinctive title."
The first representative of the family of Knight in Wilkinson County was Robert. We find that in 1821 Robert Knight was the administrator of the estate of John U. Shinholtzer, and, as in later years we find sons of John Shinholtzer addressing George, son of Robert Knight as "Uncle George," we suppose that their mother was a daughter of said Robert.
We depend almost wholly upon family tradition for our informa- tion regarding Robert Knight. The story goes that Robert, his wife
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Ailey, and his brother, George, came from North Carolina and lived for a time in Wilkinson County where Robert, who was a skilled gold and silver smith, owned and operated a metallic shop. Later Robert, his wife, Ailey, and his two daughters, Ailey Jenifer or "Jinsy," and Nancy returned to North Carolina leaving his two sons, George and Thomas and his brother, George, in Wilkinson County, Ga.
George Knight was born 1820 and married 1845 in Wilkinson County, Mary Ellen Garrett, daughter of Enoch and Keziah (Foun- tain) Garrett. They were members of Myrtle Springs Primitive Baptist Church. About two years after their marriage, they, with many of their relatives, Fountains, Garrets and Thomas Knight (bachelor brother of George), moved to Taylor County, Ga., where George lived on his plantation which adjoined that of his father- in-law, Enoch Garrett, until after the close of the civil war (about fifteen years) ; here George built his home and school house, often conducting the school himself. These were the happiest days the little family ever knew surrounded as they were by friends and relatives. Bethel Church, which was built in the primeval forest, was just one-half mile from their home. The Fountains, Garretts and Knights were devout members of Bethel Church, and George, being an elder, took an active part in the work of this church.
George and his brother Thomas served in the confederate army, enlisting almost at the first of the war. Thomas was killed in battle; George was wounded in his right leg (which later had to be am- putated) and was sent home on sick parole. He served the confed- erate cause later by running a ferry and a grist mill.
After the war a period of hard times was experienced by the family. George, being crippled, was unable to carry on farm labor after the slaves were freed, so he sold his home and plantation to Jim Bartlett and lived for a time in each of these counties, Crawford, Munroe and back to Taylor. His last move was into Upson County, to be near his son, James Thomas, who was a planter and general merchant at Pound, Ga.
George Knight was an honest, earnest Christian, honored by all who knew him. He and his wife are buried in the Flint River Cemetery in Upson County, Georgia. They had three daughters and three sons, namely: 1. Martha Ann Missouri; 2. Nancy Keziah Ellender; 3. Ailey Elizabeth; 4. James Thomas; 5. Enoch Iverson; and 6. Jesse Bartow. 4. James Thomas moved to Columbus, Georgia, the year of the gold panic (1892). Here he and his son, James Bar- tow, later engaged in the scrap material business. Since the father's death in 1911, the business has been carried on by his sons, James
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Bartow and Enoch Jacques under the original name of "J. T. Knight and Son." Today it is the largest business of its kind in the South operating plants in Columbus, Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia and Birmingham, Alabama. The Atlanta branch is under the manage- ment of Hardin Thomas Herndon (husband of Jewel Estelle Knight) and his partner, Gary Luttrell, under the name "Knight- Luttrell Iron Company." The Savannah branch is run by a younger son, Walter Douglas Knight and his associate, Murray Bailey Hoff- man, under the name of "Knight Scrap Material Co."
6. Jesse Bartow, after his marriage, lived in Columbus, Georgia, for about twenty years. He studied law, then later gave it up and went into partnership with his nephew, James Bartow Knight. Afterwards he moved to Birmingham where he operated the branch of business known as "Knight Iron and Metal Company." Since his death in 1924, the business has been under the management of his son, Jesse Thomas.
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