USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 49
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
Throughout his life, James Richard Lewis held the confidence of his fellow men. The old records in the courthouse showing where he
588
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
so frequently was appointed by the courts to serve as Guardian for orphans, and as Administrator of Estates proved him to be a man worthy of the trust confided in him. Likewise, in the minutes of Ramah Church where his membership was for so many years we find again unmistakable evidences of a man possessing a deep relig- ious nature, honesty, and strength of character.
His son, James Rogers, following in his father's footsteps became a member of the same church and throughout his life was recog- nized as a pillar of the Primitive Baptist faith. For years he served as church clerk. When the present building was erected in 1861 he was on the building committee. In all matters pertaining to the good of his church, his community, and his county we find him taking an active part.
The children of James Rogers Lewis inherited the same traits of character possessed by their ancestors, that same reverent spirit to- wards the Infinite, the love for the Baptist church, of uprightness and honor in their dealings with their fellow man, hospitality to- ward all who might enter their doors for no one ever visited in their homes without ever retaining pleasant memories of their hospitality.
During his life W. G. Lewis was a faithful member of Friend- ship Primitive Baptist Church. Likewise Thos. J. was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and Benjamin C. Lewis is a promi- nent preacher of the same denomination.
Richard J. Lewis, son of James Roger and Sarah Ann Lewis served throughout the War Between the States in Company F 3rd Georgia Regiment, and was wounded twice. He married Exa Eth- redge and their children were Clifford, Clarence, Ollie, Hattie, Joe, Ben, Cynthia, Richard and Norah.
Willie G. Lewis enlisted April, 1864, at the age of fifteen, in Company D, 8th Georgia Regiment militia. He married Clifford C. Hughs, daughter of James Childs and Mildred Patterson Hughs. Their children are: Leila May, James R., Rufus Roger, Sa- rah, Georgia, John William, Celestia, Erasmus, Annie, Clifford, Hubert, and Thomas.
Thomas J. Lewis married first, Mollie Wood; their children : Sarah Alice, Agnes, James Augustus, Ada Lee, Richard, Addie Anna, Angie, T. J., Jr., and Elice. He married second Eula Collins, their children : Eugenia, Sarah Grace, John Delmas, Annie Laurie.
Benjamin C. Lewis married Exa Kingry, settled in Dodge Coun-
589
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
ty and their children are: Lucy Lorena, J. R., Ira, Willie G., Ben Terrell, Lonnie, Ellen, Eva Lee, James Otis and Joe Thomas.
Although at all times maintaining the high esteem of the people of Wilkinson County, the members of this family have in few in- stances sought political honors or political offices. They have pre- ferred to throw the weight of their political influence to those whom they felt most capable of performing the duties incumbent upon the office holder. However, we find Thomas Lewis, Coroner in 1816 : James Richard Lewis, Justice of the Inferior Court in 1828, and Tax Receiver in 1833-34-35.
Most of the Lewises in Wilkinson have been "tillers of the soil." Their farms have ever been noted as examples of prosperity, fertility, having the finest crops, domestic animals, etc., of the county, and winning for their owners the title of Master Farmers.
The Lewises have ever been advocates of education. Even during the early days of the county when schooling was so rare and an edu- cation so hard to be obtained, we find them possessing good educa- tions. When the Union Hill Academy was chartered by the Legis- lature in 1836, James Richard Lewis was one of the original trustees.
JOHN WILLIAM LINDSEY
John William Lindsey, son of Isaac and Martha, called Patsy, (Moore) Lindsey, was born four miles west of Irwinton, August I, 1843. His father, the son of William and Sarah Lindsey, served as Sheriff, Tax Collector and held other offices of public trust. He raised the following children : Susannah, Green J., John William, Milton, Mollie, Matt, Samuel, Sallie and Eli Cummings.
John William received his education in the Irwinton schools. When war was declared, though only 18 years old, he joined Com- pany 1, 3rd Georgia, and served as private until the surrender, be- ing wounded several times, the most severe at Spotsylvania.
In 1868 he was admitted to the Georgia Bar and opened his office at Irwinton where his powers of persuasion before the courts and juries and his excellent preparation of his cases, soon won for him a large practice.
In 1884 he was elected Representative, which office he held two terms. In 1899, he was appointed Pension Commissioners of Geor-
590
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
gia by Governor Allen D. Candler which office he held until his death, August 26, 1922.
He was married in 1869 to Miss Julia Floreid Tucker, daughter of Judge John R. Tucker of Washington County. Of this union there were five children: Colonel Julian Lindsey of the General Army Staff, Washington, D. C., who served through the World War as Brigadier-General in the 82nd Division; Irene, m. A. B. Holt; Gertrude, m. J. A. Carswell; Annie, m. E. L. Price; and Johnnie. In 1919 he was married to Mrs. Cynthia Henderson Manderson.
In addition to his many other activities, Mr. Lindsey in 1892 was appointed to the Board of Visitors to the West Point Military Ac- ademy.
Although spending most of his time in Atlanta, there was no spot on earth he loved more than Irwinton. He spent much time planting trees about the town, improving the church grounds and in every way beautifying his property. He owned for several years the old Sam Beall home and converted the ravine in the rear of the house into a beautiful park. He possessed a most wonderful memory, which was well stored with Wilkinson County lore, from which many facts set forth in this history are drawn.
ORIAN WOOD MANSON
Born March 22, 1889, in Irwinton, Wilkinson county, Ga. Died July 3, 1925, Atlanta, Ga. Buried July 4, 1925, Irwinton, Ga.
Mrs. Manson was the sixth daughter of Dr. Joshua Soule Wood and his wife, Emma Graybill Wood. Following a High School course at Talmadge Institute, she entered Wesleyan College, but on account of ill health was forced to abandon her college ca- reer. At the age of eighteen she was married to F. C. Manson of Jonesboro, Ga., and to them was born one son, F. Crawford Man- son, Jr., now a resident of Lovejoy, Ga.
From her early girlhood, Mrs. Manson was intensely interested in social reforms. She became associated with the W. C. T. U. of Georgia as state director of the department of anti-narcotics and was instrumental in having memorial to General Conference of the M. E. Church, south, passed by the North Georgia Conference,
591
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
which later resulted in a law requiring all young ministers entering the conferences of this church to refrain from the use of tobacco in any form.
She was at one time assistant editor and business manager of the Irwinton Bulletin. During the World War, she served her county both on the Council of Defense and as Chairman of the Victory Loan Drive for the fourth loan. She had the distinction of being the only woman Chairman of a county drive in the United States. In previous loan drives, she headed the Woman's Committee for her county.
But her great life-work, the one into which she poured all the zeal of her mother soul, was as Superintendent of the Georgia Training School for Boys located at Milledgeville. She was elected to this position in 1921 by the Board of Trustees of the institution, the only woman in the world at that time to hold such a position. For two years prior to her election, she had served as a member of the Board of Visitors to this school, having been appointed by Gov- ernor Hugh M. Dorsey. Viewing those unfortunate boys through the eyes of a Christian and a mother, she became enamored of the idea of making this state institution for wayward boys a real school of character. During her short administration she completely changed the ideals of conduct for the institution. Her own ideals are perhaps best told in her own words, culled from her first report to the Georgia legislature :
"To train a delinquent or neglected boy to make a good citizen ; to teach him honesty, truthfulness, obedience, thoroughness in work, cleanliness in body and mind ; to teach him a trade so that he will be an asset instead of a liability to the State; through text-book, practice and example, to teach him to reverence the laws of his community, his country and his God, and to regard the Bible as the guide to happiness in this life and in the eternity to come."
Mrs. Manson was also appointed by the Governor of her state as a member of the Georgia Memorial Commission of which Hon. Andrew J. Cobb of Athens was Chairman.
(By Mrs. Marvin Williams.)
JOHN McARTHUR
John McArthur was born in 1826, the son of John McArthur, 1782-1846, and his wife, Harriet Pace, whom he married in Wash-
592
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
ington County, Georgia in 1813; grandson of Daniel McArthur born in Scotland, 1741, married, 1774 to Jannette McArthur, born 1752 of the same name but no blood relation. In 1774 they emigrated to Roberson County, North Carolina, where Daniel served in the Revolutionary War.
Our subject's father moved to Wilkinson County in 1816 and later to Bibb County in 1826. He served in the War of 1812.
John McArthur was married to Winnifred Rivers, daughter of Joel Rivers in Wilkinson County, November 28, 1850, and made his home in this county.
Before the War Between the States he was a member of the Whig Party and was opposed to secession, but when Georgia se- ceded, he was one of the first to volunteer and was active in or- ganizing the Ramah Volunteer Guards. By reason of his activities in organizing this company, he was offered the office of Captain, but declined to serve as such and was mustered in as Orderly Ser- geant in Company B, 14th Georgia Regiment, which Regiment became part of Thomas' Brigade, A. P. Hill's Division, Stone- wall Jackson's Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, C. C. Kelly, Captain, and Robert Folsom, Colonel. He became a Lieutenant and was again offered the office of Captain, but declined. On ac- count of the cold winter in Virginia he had pneumonia, followed by rheumatism, which partly incapacitated him for the remainder of his life, causing him to resign his commission, but he remained in the army until he was finally elected Tax Collector of Wilkinson County, Georgia, and was certified as such by the Clerk of the Superior Court, January 22, 1864. On April 30, 1864 he was hon- orably discharged and returning home served as Tax Collector of his county until close of the war. While home he became a mem- ber of the Home Guards and was serving as such when Sherman's Army made its destructive march through Georgia, passing in front of his home.
When the Board of County Commissioners of Wilkinson County was created in 1873 he was one of those appointed. He and his wife were most faithful members of the Ramah Primitive Baptist Church for many years. His sincerity, honesty, and integrity were seldom equaled and never excelled, and made for him a name in Wilkinson County that is honored and respected by every one who ever knew him.
593
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
The children of John and Winnifred McArthur were Charles A., John Joel, (married Georgia Robinson), for twenty-four years Justice of the Peace at Gordon ; Mary Harriet, (married Wil- liam Robinson, Dover, Georgia) ; William Daniel, (married Sabra Yawn) died 1902, family resides at McRae, Georgia; Sarah Eliza- beth, (married James Robinson, Dover, Georgia) ; Doctor Rich- ard Samuel, (married Lucy Stanley), was a prominent Dentist of Wilkinson County, died 1902, buried at Old McArthur Cemetery on Irwinton and Macon Highway in Wilkinson County; James F., (married Elizabeth Whiteside) resides in Atlanta, Georgia; Doctor Thomas J. McArthur, (married Mrs. Sannie Henderson Horne), he is one of the most outstanding men in his community and State, resides at Cordele, Georgia; Doctor A. Lee, (married Willie Glover) and is a prominent Dentist of Cordele; Lewis R., (married, first, Eva Henderson of Unadilla, Georgia and, second, Carrie Wisenbaker of Valdosta, Georgia), resides at Valdosta; Laura died at age 16.
WILLIAM THOMAS McGINTY
Among the first settlers of that portion of Wilkinson County on the west side of the Old Indian Boundary Line when the limits of the county were extended by the Legislature following the Treaty of Washington in 1805 came William Thomas McGinty, who made his home on the "Ridge" separating Commissioner and Big Sandy Creeks, where the old Hartford Road crosses the Irwinton and Macon Highway.
The number of families closely connected by blood or marriage came with him, among these being the Castleburys, the Gays and others, making their homes also in this vicinity.
These families had no sooner completed the building of their cabins and cleared the necessary fields than they set about organizing a church. Ramah Church, the oldest church now in existence in the county, was the result and we find McGinty as one of the original members.
At his own expense and without the aid of the other members of the church, McGinty built the first church-although the members later agreed to pay him something. The old minutes of Ramah show that he was a very active member and was constantly laboring for its upbuilding.
594
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
In 1809, his known ability caused him to be selected by the Geor- gia Legislature as one of the Commissioners to construct the Hart- ford Road. The urgent necessity of building this road with the least possible delay in order to avert the Great Crisis about to confront Georgia, bespeaks for him the confidence of the General Assembly in his ability and his patriotism. It was necessary to draft the able- bodied men subject to such duties, assign into squads, direct clearing of the underbrush, the cutting of the big trees to a level with the ground, the leveling of the rough places, the making passable of boggy places and streams, and all the other things essential to the construction of a road through "the forest primeval." Recently when the John Ball Chapter, D. A. R., erected the marker on the Old Hartford Road, the site of his old home was selected.
The growing travel between Milledgeville, Marion and Hart- ford and the establishing of a line of stage coaches made it necessary for stations to be established every ten miles where the tired horses having been driven at a gallop the greater part of the way were ex- changed for fresh ones, which had been hastily harnessed and gotten ready when the stage driver's bugle was heard in the distance an- nouncing his approach. Quick to grasp the opportunity McGinty built a tavern which tradition says was well equipped to satisfy the hunger as well as the thirst of the wayfarer.
In 1821, he was made Judge of the Inferior Court of Wilkinson County which office he held for several years.
William Thomas McGinty was born Sept. 29th, 1784, and mar- ried Sarah Castleberry about 1804 or 1805, who was born Dec. 16, 1780. Their children were: Polly, born November 6, 1806; Mary Ann, b. January 8, 1808; Elizabeth Jones, b. September 28, 1809; Milly, b. January 17, 1811 ; Robert, b. May 23, 1812; William, b. June 22, 1814; Nancy, b. August 23, 1816; Jackson, b. January 15, 1818; Deborah, b. August 17, 1819; Katherine, b. January 26, 1822. Late in life William Thomas McGinty went to Arkansas where he made his home with some of his children who had moved there years before. He died and was buried in Arkansas.
His daughter (Milly) married William M. Cooper, a noted Baptist preacher, who served Ramah Church several years begin- ning his service in 1856. In addition to serving Ramah and other churches, Mr. Cooper organized Mt. Carmel Baptist Church a few miles north of McIntyre and served it for a time.
595
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Prior to his call to the ministry, Mr. Cooper served as Deputy Clerk of the Inferior Court, 1838, and in 1840-41 as Sheriff of Wilkinson County.
The children of William M. Cooper and Milly, his wife, were: Mary, Jane, Thomas Jefferson, Emily, James, Elizabeth, Gattie, Malinda, who married W. R. Fenn, and Catherine, who died young.
Thomas Jefferson Cooper, married Sarah Ann Etheredge in Wil- kinson County on May 30, 1858, and they are the parents of James Oliver Cooper one of the most popular and efficient railroad men of this section having served the people of this community since 1885.
MEREDITH
The three Meredith brothers, Charles, Samuel, and John, di- rect descendants of Lord William Meredith of England, came from Wales before the Revolutionary War. Charles settled in Vir- ginia and Samuel in North Carolina. John came to Georgia after the Revolution and settled first in Franklin County, then in Wash- ington County, then in Wilkinson, taking up land east of Tooms- boro near the Oconee River and being numbered among the very first settlers in the county. He married a French lady - Joyce. Their children were: John, (m. Susanna Williamson) William (moved to Alabama), Pleasant (moved to Alabama), Samuel, (m. - their children were: Charles, Samuel, Robert, William, Nancy), Thomas, (moved to Alabama. Married a widow - Wil- lis. Children were: John and Jesse ).
The children of John and Susanna (Williamson) Meredith were: Charles, (married Katherine Presswood. Children were John and Nancy) ; Wyatt, ( Married Katherine Gibson. Children were Marv, (married Willis Allen) and Gibson. After her death married widow Mary (Allen) Perkins; Wyley, (married Martha Boone first, and Eliza Vaughn second) ; Samuel (born Oct. 30, 1810, died Aug. 27, 1895, married Elizabeth Burke, daughter of Daniel and Mary Trueluck Burke, in 1838. Their children were Sarah Rebecca, (married Willis Allen), John, (killed in battle Aug. 3, 1862), Mary, (born Sept. 8, 1842, died March, 1881, married Dr. Robert Carroll), Susanna, (born July 17, 1846, died Sept., 1918), Wyatt (born March 27, 1848, died June 23, 1857),
596
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
Daniel Morgan, (born Sept. 23, 1849, died 1915, married Anna Jones ), Samuel, (born Nov. 13, 1851, died March 30, 1881, mar- ried Laura Davis), James Franklin (born Feb. 20, 1854, died Nov. 12, 1881, married Elizabeth Corbett), Virgil (born June 5, 1859, died Jan. 26, 1926, married Elizabeth King) ; Rebecca (married William Cooper. Their children were Susanna, John, Milton, Mary, Sarah. After his death she married Franklin Boone. Their children were Benjamin, Samuel, Joseph, William and Nora).
The children of Virgil and Elizabeth (King) Meredith are: Clara, (married F. O. Moseley, their children are : Evelyn, Frank, Max, Lucile ; home Montgomery, Ala.) ; Frank, (married Edna Chapman, children are: Gladys, Sam, Doris, Jack, Dan, Sophia Anne; home, Montgomery, Ala.) ; Mary, (married E. O. Dob- bins and live in Haynesville, La., children are: Virgil and Jack) ; Elizabeth, (married Allen Harrel and live in Montgomery, Ala., they have one child, Meredith).
(Mrs. W. Allen Harrell.)
ALEXANDER H. NESBIT AND SARAH JANE (JOHNSTON) NESBIT
Alexander H. Nesbit was born May 7, 1858, near Irwinton, the son of Elbert F. (b. 1835, married Oct. 19, 1856, Co. F. 3rd Ga. Reg., d. in service, June 26, 1863, buried in National Cemetery, Staunton, Va.) and Susannah, Aug. 23, 1839, d. Oct. 10, 1904, (Lindsey) Nesbit (see John W. Lindsey sketch) ; grandson of Alexander (Irish descent) and Olive (Brewer) Nesbit, who were pioneer settlers of Wilkinson County, and whose old home is yet standing after a lapse of a century since it was erected. From his boyhood, Alexander H. Nesbit exhibited those sterling qualities of honesty and uprightness which won for him the honor and respect of all who knew him. Hard work, skillful planning and perse- verance made him a successful farmer. His untimely death, Octo- ber 24, 1914, from paralysis, was a shock to his friends and loved ones. He sleeps in the Masonic Cemetery by the side of his mother who preceded him. He was a member of the Irwinton Masonic Lodge where he served as an officer for several years and at his death it paid the following tribute to his memory :
"He was a friend to all and an enemy to none. He labored all
597
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
of his life for those that were near and dear to him, with an un- selfishness that is rarely equaled. He thought of others as he traveled through life, and always tried and true in his love for his family, his community and his county. No man was ever denied a favor if it was in his power to grant. He always showed mercy to those who needed help, and was at all times willing to throw the broad mantle of charity over the shortcomings of men. In his home, his love for his wife and children was beautiful to behold. No wish or desire of any of them was ever denied if in the power of the husband and father to grant. He believed in educating his children and giving them an opportunity in life. He leaves a clear record for his children to honor, and did his duty whenever called upon, honestly, faith- fully and mercifully."
He was married December 15, 1886, to Sarah Jane Johnston, daughter of Edwin Boliver (b. Apr. 17, 1825-Apr. I, 1909, Co. D, 8th Ga. Reg., buried Myrtle Spring Cemetery) and Allie Jane (Smith) Johnston (Sept. 26, 1833-May 24, 1867, married about 1855, buried in family cemetery) ; granddaughter of Elder David Smith (May 13, 1794, m. July 29, 1813, d. July 12, 1883, one of the most famous Primitive Baptist preachers of the 19th Century ) and Lydia (Williams) Smith, (his first wife, April 11, 1797-Jan. 29, 1850, the latter buried at Allentown ( also granddaughter of Green Berry and Sarah (Vaughn) Johnston ; great-granddaughter of Thomas Johnston, a veteran of the Revolution. Among other connections of the family are the Staples, Starkes and Wyatts of Virginia, who were Revolutionary heroes. Mrs. Nesbit is a member of the Irwinton Baptist Church; is possessed of a friendly and kindly personality, a lover of flowers and birds; and although inter- ested in her church, civic organizations and education, her creed is that woman's highest duty is to her husband and children and she gave the best of her life to make their home a happy, contented one.
Their children are: Fleta Jane, (see J. E. Butler sketch) ; Sarah Carol, (see H. A. Cliett sketch). Edna Mae, (see sketch of Mrs. Victor Davidson ).
WILLIAM CRAVEN PATTERSON
William Patterson, the father of William Craven Patterson, was born in North Carolina, November 6, 1813, was married to Eliza- beth Denton in 1835. He moved first to Union County, Georgia,
598
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
living there until 1858, when he moved to Milledgeville, Ga. After living there a short time he moved to Stevens Pottery and a short time later to Wilkinson County, where he was living at the be- ginning of the War Between the States. He with five of his sons enlisted ; and he was killed at Jonesboro, Ga., Sept. 1, 1864, his wife dying with grief in November, following.
Their children were: Mary, Joseph, John, William, Samuel, James, Nancy, Alfred, Carrie, Jefferson, Silas, Eliza, Andrew, Reuben and Ivey.
William Craven Patterson, who was born April 5th, 1841, in Union County, was one of the five sons who enlisted and served throughout the war in Co. D 57th Ga., Regiment, and was hon- orably discharged in 1865. His skill with a fife was such that instead of having a bugler, he was made "Fifer" for his company. His fife was one he had bought with the first money he made when he was a boy. At his death, the fife was buried with him at the request of his wife.
He was married October 23, 1867, to Elizabeth D. Cooper, daughter of William M. Cooper, once Sheriff of Wilkinson County, and a noted Primitive Baptist minister who served Camp Creek Church in Baldwin County; Ramah, Mt. Carmel and probably other churches in Wilkinson for several years. Their children were: Sarah M. m. S. R. Brown; Mattie A. m. L. J. Fountain ; Cora I. ni. A. N. Torrence; Mary E. m. C. B. Ivey; Gattie W .; Lula E. m. James Wheeler.
Elizabeth Cooper Patterson was received by experience and bap- tized May 23, 1868, at Camp Creek, Elder Scarborough, Mode- rator, and William C. Patterson was received by experience and baptized Aug. 26, 1876, Camp Creek Church, Elder Kiel, Mod- erator. They were faithful members till death, he missed only three monthly conference meetings from May, 1868, these being on ac- count of sickness in the family and death of two members of the church. He never had a case in court nor was a witness. His wife died May 13, 1899, leaving him sad and lonely, but he ever served his Master till he was called home' April 26, 1911.
(Sketch prepared by Mrs. Emma Jane Patterson Fountain)
599
HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
REV. JAMES LEE PITTMAN
Rev. James Lee Pittman, pastor of the Gordon Baptist Church and County School Superintendent of Wilkinson County, was born at Deepstep, Washington County, Georgia, March 27, 1892. Though not descended from any of the historic Wilkinson County families, yet having selected the county for his home and having entered into the educational as well as the religious life of the county, he has been received with open arms by the people here. He came to the county in response to the call of the Gordon Baptist Church in 1927 and has been so serving since. In his pastoral work his manifest consecration to the cause of Christianity, his devotion to the members of his flock, his loving sympathy in time of trouble, --- none too poor, none too humble, for him to visit in times of sick- ness or distress-all have endeared him to those who have viewed his work year by year. Not only is he appreciated for his worth by the members of his own church but also by those of other denomina- tions.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.