USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 44
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(By Mrs. Rosa L. Lindsey)
532
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
HALL-FREEMAN-HALL
HANSFORD A. HALL-1842-1908
The life history of Hansford A. Hall is most admirable. Shat- tered and poverty stricken as a result of the war but by dint of perseverance, economy and untiring industry he became one of the most wealthy men of the county. Few men have ever had more obstacles to overcome or surmounted them more triumphantly than did he. The opening of the War Between the States found him a school teacher. Upon the organization of Company A of the 49th Georgia, originally known as the Wilkinson County Invincibles, he enlisted, and having been promoted to 2nd Sergeant with this com- mand under Capt. S. T. Player, was in many of the bloodiest bat- tles of the war, being attached to Thomas' Brigade's Army of Northern Virginia. He was in all of the Seven Days Battles around Richmond. At Gettysburg while this Company was supporting a battery he was wounded and for three months lay in a hospital. At the Wilderness, while the gallant Wilkinson County Companies were holding their ground until nearly obliterated, he received a terrible wound in the right hip which disabled him from further service. He was at home, a complete wreck of his former self when Sherman's march through Wilkinson added to the gloom. He was also in love with a wealthy planter's daughter, Mary Elizabeth Dickson, and he had no land, no slaves, no mules. They both prob- ably reasoned that he was in no worse condition than the other elig- ibles of Wilkinson would be if the war continued, so while on his crutches they were married October 23, 1864. He rented his father's old sheep house and some land to cultivate. He and Mary Eliza- beth started housekeeping in this old sheep house. The year fol- lowing they moved near the Dickson home on the north side of Big Sandy. Sherman had left some worn out horses and mules along the route. Our subject collected four of these and as soon as they were able began plowing them, using the plow handles for a crutch. In 1866 he bought on credit the plantation near Stephensville where he made his home for many years. Here his two sons, Willie A. and Isaac Oliver (1875-1913) were born.
Mr. Hall soon began buying other land as it was offered for sale and at his death on Dec. 13, 1908, owned nearly five thousand acres. First of all, he was a farmer and cared but little for poli-
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tics, although he served as Commissioner of Roads and Revenues 1880-1883.
The subject of this sketch was descended from historic ancestors. His father, William Anderson Hall (Nov. 11, 1811-July 12, 1892), was the son of Isaac Hall (Nov. 12, 1788-March 9, 1869) who was Tax Collector and Sheriff of Wilkinson County, a vet- eran of the War of 1812 and a near relative of Lyman Hall, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Family records in the hands of Edgar Adams and family tradition says Isaac came from Clarke Co., Ga., to Wilkinson. The name Lyman is found in every generation among the descendants in this county.
Isaac's wife, the grandmother of our subject, was Susanna Ross (June 12, 1788-March 1, 1860), who was born in Washington County, Georgia, was the daughter of William Ross, Sr. (d. 1842) and his wife Nancy (d. 1843), and was a sister of James Ross, Sen- ator from Wilkinson and of John Ross, the famous Baptist preacher. The Ross family were from Virginia and said to be of the same family as Betsy Ross, the designer of the first flag.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was Edna Paulk (b. Jan. 1, 1816-Sept. 9, 1885), the daughter of Micajah Paulk and the granddaughter of John Paulk, a veteran of the Revolution.
THOMAS MADISON FREEMAN-1833-1895 "THE POOR MAN'S FRIEND"
For more than a century the Freeman family of Wilkinson County has been held in high esteem. Not only is this a family with wide-spread connections but is one in which numerous members in each generation may be found standing out prominently in their communities as leaders-leaders in farming, leaders in the church, in the school and in every line of activity and thought-a con- structive, quality of leadership, which has meant much to Wilkin- son County.
In the history of this family, none deserve to be more highly honored than does the memory of Thomas Madison Freeman, who justly deserved to be called "The Poor Man's Friend." As has been said of him: "He was industrious, careful, economical and yet liberal. He was an earnest man, full of zeal and of good works. His whole life was an inspiration to honest, earnest effort. His
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hands for years before his death were never free from public trust and his private interests multiplied, but he was true to every ob- ligation. He was the man to whom the neighbors went for coun- sel and help. In his domestic and church relations he was equally painstaking and prompt, gently and kindly seeking to discover the right. He was a man that never turned anyone away from his door, who might be seeking shelter or food."
No more gallant soldier fought under the Stars and Bars than Thomas M. Freeman. In the early part of the war, he, with Henry K. Byington and others, organized the Company which was later to be known as Company D of the 57th Georgia Regiment. Bying- ton was elected Captain with our subject First Lieutenant. He went with his command on the expedition into Kentucky and thence through Tennessee into Mississippi. At Baker's Creek when Grant's terrific assaults had broken Pemberton's lines and the enemy was pouring through the breach, his Company together with the others of the 57th Georgia covered itself with glory in their irresistible charge which drove back the enemy and restored the line.
Mr. Freeman was in the siege of Vicksburg and with the Com- pany was captured and under parol was permitted to return to Georgia pending the exchange. As soon as the exchange was per- fected, Sherman's Army approaching Atlanta, Mr. Freeman with his command was sent to reinforce Johnston.
On May 25th, 1864, at New Hope Church his Company went into action "in the midst of a heavy storm, vivid lightning and peals of thunder mingled with the cannon's roar and the muskets' sheet of flame." (see Georgia and Georgians) Sherman's hosts were being hurled against Johnston's thin gray lines, but Lieutenant Freeman's Company was successfully maintaining its portion of the line. While encouraging his men and exposing himself wherever danger was greatest, he received a severe wound through the shoul- der from which he never fully recovered. Though the battle was raging in all its fury from man to man down the line the word was passed "Lieutenant Freeman is wounded." The wound proved so serious that he was totally disabled from further service.
For years he was a Steward of Poplar Springs Methodist Church where his membership was. Although he attended and took an active part in the services of other churches. He was also a member of Toomsboro Masonic Lodge. In 1873 he served as Sheriff, complet-
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
ing the unexpired term of Matthew Deason, later serving as County Commissioner for a number of years. At his death he was one of the wealthiest planters of the county.
Our subject was the son of John Freeman, Sr. ( March 30, 1796- August 6, 1867) and Elizabeth (Cawley) Freeman (d. May 25, 1862), they having married in Wilkinson County July 3, 1822, although she was born in Lenoir County, North Carolina, and moved to Georgia one year after her birth. Other children of John Freeman, Sr., were: John D .; Jacob M .; James H .; Harve M .; Polly, m. John Freeman; Ann, m. Enoch Miller; Miriam, m. Ivey L. Davis.
Our subject was first married to Eliza Nancy Davis, the daughter of Oren Davis (see J. C. Bower sketch). Their children were Tem- perance Elizabeth, Leonard Hascal, Emma, and Thomas Elbert.
After the death of his first wife, he was married in 1865 to Celia VanLandingham (1842-1925) the daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Dean) VanLandingham, this family being one of the oldest families of the County and of German descent. The children by his last wife were: James Lee, m. Lada Hooks; Loomis Oscar, m. Emmie Castelow; Lillie Elizabeth, m. Willie Alford Hall; Wil- liam Harvey, m. Lorah Branan ; Attie May, m. R. F. Deese ; Clara, m. Isaac Oliver Hall, who died Oct. 2, 1913, and she is now Mrs. J. T. Bush ; E. B., m. Etta Sanders ; John Ernest, m. Gradye Thig- pen.
WILLIE ALFORD HALL
Willie Alford Hall was born Nov. 7, 1865, the son of Hansford A. Hall and Mary Elizabeth (Dickson) Hall (1844-1926). His mother was the daughter of William ("Buck," 1814-1873) and Frances (Paine) Dickson (1829-1909). William having been born in Hancock County and migrating to Wilkinson with his father Thomas Dickson; Frances was the daughter of Joseph and Sennia (Mitchell) Paine, the latter being the daughter of Isaac Mitchell, all of whom were early settlers of the county. Mr. Hall ever spoke in the highest terms of his grandmother Dixon, she was his "buddy," and whenever "in a tight" she never failed to come to his rescue.
In November, 1864, the news of the approach of Sherman's Army arrived. It was not believed the enemy would cross Big
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Sandy Creek, and it was thought advisable for Mary to be sent across the creek for safety. Her father concealed everything of value and drove the mules and horses off. When the Yankees arrived at the Dickson house no one was there except Mrs. Dickson. The loot- ing of the house began, even the piano cover being taken for a saddle blanket and the music thrown away. They shot the chickens and anything else they could find. Mrs. Dickson appealed in vain to the officer in charge to prevent the taking of the property. Her husband being a member of the Masonic fraternity and a prominent officer in his Lodge she went into the house and put on his Masonic apron and official insignia and returned, whereupon an order was issued and the Yankees departed.
Our subject grew up in the terrible Reconstruction period and experienced the hardships and privations of those never-to-be-forgot- ten days. His father still suffering from the wound received at the Wilderness was unable to give him every advantage he would have liked but managed to give him as good an education as the schools of the county afforded and then sent him to Emory College, Ox- ford, Ga., where he would have finished at the age of sixteen but did not return in his Senior year. He now took an active interest in the operation of his father's farms, part of the time clerking at Baum's store in Toomsboro and assisting in guano sales, etc., all of which was giving him excellent preparation for later life. His farm management was a decided success. He changed the methods of farming from an all cotton crop to a diversified plan, growing all food crops necessary to supply the farms and then growing what cotton he could.
In the fall of 1890 Mr. Hall was planning to study law at the University of Georgia but changed his mind and was married to Lillie Elizabeth Freeman, born 18702 daughter of Thomas M. and Celia (VanLandingham) Freeman (See Thomas M. Freeman Sketch).
After his marriage he purchased the old Brazeall farm near Irwinton and moved to it and here he continued his modern farm- ing methods. Each year as his income warranted he invested in more farms until he soon became one of the largest landowners of the county. Those who know Mr. Hall best ascribe one of the secrets of his success to his ability to manage his labor. The loyalty of those in his employ was unexcelled anywhere. No farms pro-
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
duced more per plow than did his. He possessed that rare quality of leadership which inspired his employees to do their best.
In 1904 Mr. Hall moved to Toomsboro and began a general merchandise business with his father and brother under the name of H. A. Hall & Sons. His family now owns the same business and operates it as The W. A. Hall Co.
Mr. Hall has always taken an active interest in advancing the cause of education. For several years he served as a member of the County Board of Education. When he moved to Toomsboro, school facilities there were so meager that he went to work and succeeded in building a new house near the Methodist Church which was the fore-runner of many other improvements which finally resulted in the new modern brick building. In the efforts to provide funds with which to operate the schools, Mr. Hall was one of the original advocates of local taxation.
As a mark of the esteem in which he was held by the people of the county, on most occasions when Mr. Hall has served on the grand jury he has been chosen Foreman. He was also recognized as one of the county's most consistent prohibitionists.
When the Methodist Church at Toomsboro was built he was very active in furthering the work and served on the building commit- tee at the same time being a Steward and Trustee. His wife and family are likewise members of this church.
One of the undertakings in which Mr. Hall threw himself whole- heartedly into and of which he is justly proud, was the organiza- tion of the Wilkinson County Bank of which he is Vice-President. At the time there was no bank in the town and the operation of a bank was something new in which no one at Toomsboro had any experience. However, its success has proved the excellent foresight of its organizers.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hall are as follows :
Willie Mae; Murray Hansford; Mary Frances and Lillie Free- man. Mary F. was married Sept. 1922 to Lamar M. Ware, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Ware of Marshallville, Ga., and their children are: Lamar M. Jr. and Mary Elizabeth. Murray H. mar- ried Geraldine Collins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Collins of Toomsboro, Dec. 1926 and their children are Clara Mae and Willie Alford.
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
The subject of this sketch died March 18, 1930, and was buried at Poplar Springs Cemetery.
JOHN MARVIN HALL
Among the leaders of Wilkinson today, John Marvin Hall is found in the front rank. In every form of activity tending towards the upbuilding of the County he takes a prominent part, the church, the schools, good roads, the development of new industries, the improvement of agricultural conditions, etc.
Mr. Hall is the son of William Alfred and Permelia (Vanland- ingham) Hall, and grandson of William Anderson and Edna (Paulk) Hall, and of William and Elizabeth Vanlandingham (see Hall-Freeman sketch). His father, Alfred, was a most remarkable man, well deserving the tribute yet paid to his memory by those who knew him best. After a most creditable record of service through the four years of the War Between the States, serving in Co. D, 57th Georgia, he returned home to face the Reconstruction discouragements. In spite of this, however, by untiring energy, economy and good management, aided by his devoted helpmeet, he amassed what was considered by his contemporaries as a com- fortable fortune, he being one of the largest land owners in the county at the time of his death. Both he and his wife were members of Red Level Methodist Church. They were strong believers in education and gave every possible advantage to their children, to- wit: Cora, Alma (Mrs. J. R. Frink), Leila (Mrs. J. E. King), Maxa (Mrs. L. M. Stanley), Ira m. Eva Adams and died Feb. 11, 1910, John Marvin and Ethel.
John Marvin was born 1886 at the country home built by his father, eight miles southeast of Irwinton. After attending the local schools and Talmage Institute he spent two years at the South Georgia Methodist College at McRae, later attended G. A. B. His father's death made it necessary for him to assume the care of his widowed mother and unmarried sisters, as well as to manage the plantation owned by his father. In this he was successful, in spite of his youth, and has been constantly adding to the size of his plantations. A few years ago seeing the possibilities of his own timber tracts as well as others which he could obtain, he entered this busi- ness, purchasing a planing mill and saw mills and since then has been actively engaged cutting, dressing and marketing lumber, and
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
is now regarded as a successful lumberman in Middle Georgia.
Mr. Hall believes in utilizing the cut-over lands by planting them in permanent pastures and fattening cattle for the market. He has some of the finest pasture lands in the county which he is using in this manner.
The vast mineral resources of this section is also attracting his attention and he is putting his plans into execution which gives promise of another mining plant in this vicinity in the near future.
As an enthusiast on the question of good roads, Mr. Hall is at all times ready to lay aside all other business and appear before county and state authorities and urge road improvement. He has served as the Wilkinson County delegate at all meetings of the Woodrow Wilson Highway Association since its organization. When the county and state officials agreed to build the Irwinton- Dublin portion provided the right of way was furnished he spent a great deal of time getting the landowners along the route to give this without cost to the county.
He is a Mason, a Democrat, takes an active interest in both the Sunday School and in the Methodist Church of which he is now a member. Prior to his joining the Church, he had the unusual dis- tinction of serving for several years as a Steward of Red Level Methodist Church where his ancestors for nearly a century had been leading members.
Mr. Hall was married December 21, 1918, to Miss Ruby Cul- pepper (see E. Johnson sketch) and they have one daughter, Helen Lillian.
Mrs. Hall was born in Thomasville, Ga., moving to Irwinton in 1909. After attending Talmage Institute and G. N. I. C. at Milledgeville, she taught for two years at Jenkinsburg and in the schools of this county. In 1919, when the statewide campaign to eradicate illiteracy was inaugurated she was chosen the Director of the campaign for Wilkinson County. So well did she perform this duty that she received the hearty commendation of the state officials.
In addition to being an efficient homemaker and a most capable and devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Hall helps her husband in his business interest, acts as his book-keeper and performs general office work for him.
In civic affairs she is likewise very active ; is a member of the Ir- winton Methodist Church, a teacher in the Sunday School, Presi-
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
dent of the Methodist Woman's Missionary Society, member of the Robert Toombs Chapter U. D. C. and other organizations.
MAJOR JOHN HATCHER AND HIS DESCENDANTS
Of all the historic families of Wilkinson County, none more justly deserves the love, respect and honor, felt by the people for more than a century past, than that of Major Hatcher, Revolu- tionary patriot, Senator, political, civic and church leader of the county. So deeply did he make his impress upon the minds of the people that, though he has been dead almost a century, traditions of him are still handed down from father to son and for a stranger to claim descent from Major John Hatcher is an open sesame to the hearts of the people of Wilkinson County.
Major John Hatcher was born on his father's plantation on the James River in Henrico Parish, Virginia, about 1750. His family had been residents of that section since the progenitor William Hatcher came over from England in the year 1636. The parish church records show that William Hatcher was a member of the house of Burgesses for a period from 1646 to 1674.
John Hatcher, according to the family record, was a lineal de- scendant of this early colonial settler. He married, about 1772, MIiss Mary Brady of his home state and came to seek his fortune in the newer colony of Georgia.
He enlisted and fought through the Revolutionary War from Georgia, having served in Colonel William Candler's Regiment, attached for a time to the command of General Nathaniel Greene. For both of which commanders he named one of his sons, William Greene.
During the years following the Revolution, we find him living, first in Columbia county, later in Warren. The Indian troubles, which were drenching the Oconee frontier in blood, made it neces- sary for every able-bodied man to arm and equip himself and be ready to perform military service. His quality of leadership was such that he was chosen Captain of the 12th Company of the Columbia County Regiment of Militia. In 1800 he was commissioned Major of the Georgia militia.
His services in the Revolution entitled him to county lands in Washington County and in 1785 Governor Elbert issued him a
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
grant for 28712 acres. ( His great grandson, A. S. Hatcher, of Ma- con, Georgia, is now the proud possessor of this proof of his ances- tor's service.) Major Hatcher for some reason never moved to this. land but continued to own it to his death.
A BELIEVER IN EDUCATION. Major Hatcher was ap- pointed as one of the Commissioners of Warren County Academy in 1801. Again, in 1810 the year that he moved to Wilkinson County, we find him appointed one of the commissioners of the Wil- kinson County Academy which, since the division of the county, had not yet been reorganized. Within a short time we find this academy functioning and being advertised among the leading newspapers as. one of the most desirable academies in the state.
AS A LEGISLATOR. In 1805, we find where he was elected to the Legislature from Warren County and served through 1809.
Major Hatcher moved to Wilkinson County in 1810 and settled in Passmore District near the Oconee River on what is still called "The John Hatcher Plantation"-near the present home of M. G. Smith. Here he lived the entire remainder of his life and here in the old family cemetery he lies buried with several. members of his family.
SELECTING THE SITE FOR THE COUNTY. When John Hatcher first arrived in Wilkinson, the county had just been through the excitement of selecting one county site, the county pre- viously comprising both Twiggs and Wilkinson, and the result of this struggle was that the county of Twiggs through the leadership of Arthur Fort was cut off and formed, making it necessary for a new county site to be selected. There prevailed a spirit of suspicion and criticism of those entrusted with the duty of selecting a site which meant so much to the county. We can appreciate therefore the trust that the people of Wilkinson County must have had in Major Hatcher by reason of the fact that he was immediately put on the Commission to select this site. This body had almost unlim- ited power. It was unusual that a man who had just come to a new county should be so trusted. However, Wilkinson County was filled by men, veterans of the Revolution, who had fought with this old soldier, who had lived in Warren County with him, who knew him to be every inch a man and worthy of trust.
Service on this commission required a man of courage, one who would do his duty under all circumstances, who would lean to no
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
faction to further political schemes, and Major John Hatcher was believed by them to possess these requisites.
AS SENATOR FROM WILKINSON COUNTY. In 1812, Wilkinson County sent Major Hatcher to represent her as State Senator, the highest office within her power to bestow even though he had been in the county only two years. So well did he serve his constituency that they kept him there until 1820. After that he would not again accept the office.
IN PRIVATE LIFE. After his return to his plantation, Major Hatcher took a great interest in politics, because a man of his na- ture could not long remain inactive. Upon his son, Robert, then practising law at Irwinton, later fell his political mantle, as we find him serving as Representative, 1828-29-30-31-32 until he moved to Randolph County.
We find Major Hatcher conspicuous at practically all the Fourth of July celebrations, this being shown by the old newspapers of those days. In all toasts, the Major's theme was his love for his country. Especially is this noticeable in 1831 when he served as President of the Day and his toast to the Nullifiers shows how he hated anyone who threatened the peace of the nation.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTOR. In politics, Major Hatcher to the last was the staunchest leader of the Clark faction in this county. Throughout all these years the Clarkites seem to have swept this county in all elections. Major Hatcher was also a valiant supporter of Andrew Jackson and in 1828 he threw his whole strength into the campaign so that the county voted overwhelmingly for Jackson and he was consequently chosen Presidential Elector.
AS A BUSINESS MAN. Major Hatcher was a good business man. He amassed quite a fortune, owning at his death, in addition to his Washington County and Cherokee lands, over five hundred acres of land in Wilkinson County, ten slaves, a great deal of live- stock, corn, cotton, and other property.
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