USA > Georgia > Wilkinson County > History of Wilkinson County > Part 50
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In 1927, he was asked to add to his work as pastor, the Principal- ship of the Gordon High School. He performed the duties of this position so well that in February, 1929, the office of County School Superintendent becoming vacant, he was elected by the County Board of Education.
He entered this latter office under great disadvantages, due to a heavy indebtedness overhanging the schools, added to the finan- cial troubles of the State Department of Education which delayed the payments of funds due from the State. However, he has ac- tively gone to work remedying such conditions wherever it lay in his power to so do and since his taking over the work a considerable reduction of the indebtedness has been brought about. He is putting into execution other plans which promise to cut expenses at the same time make more efficient the schools of the county.
Mr. Pittman is the son of James M. and Mary Elizabeth ( Glad- in) Pittman; grandson of James H. and Margie Ann (Hood) Pittman and of Lee Anderson Gladin and Abigail Penny (Rob- erts) Gladin.
He is the great-grandson of Rev. James Roberts, who was the son of Reverend Benjamin Roberts, both prominent Baptist Min- isters in the early part of the 19th century, and both of whom
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served at different times as pastor of Bulah Baptist Church in Han- cock County. In connection with these forebears a very peculiar coincidence came about after our subject entered the ministry. He accepted the call to serve this same church and one Sunday, having determined upon his text, took the ancient church Bible and opened it at the place. Noticing some writing on the margin he paused to read his great-great-grandfather's initials opposite this text. Just under that was his great-grandfather's initials. He added his own name below the others and the date when he used it.
Mr. Pittman was married March 27, 1912, to Cora Irene An- drews, the daughter of Lee and Ella (Avant) Andrews, who was the daughter of Rev. A. S. Avant, of Washington County.
Mr. Pittman's early education was limited to the seventh grade, this being acquired at Deepstep. After his marriage he felt the call to the ministry and at once began to prepare himself. He first attended Locust Grove Institute for three years, then spent one year at Sandersville High School. After this he attended Mercer University where after taking his A.B. Degree he spent two years on his Theological course.
He now entered actively into his ministerial duties and during the years since served the following churches : Nazareth, near Zebu- lon, Ga .; Clear Creek and Gordon, Wilkinson Co .; Antioch, Twiggs Co .; Salem, Baldwin Co .; Salem, Jones Co .; Warrenville, Eureka, S. C .; Warthen, Union, Washington Co .; Antioch, Taylor Co .; Mikado, Bibb Co .; Bulah, Hancock Co. Since entering the ministry Mr. Pittman has baptized hundreds of persons and con- ducted even more funerals.
Mr. and Mrs. Pittman have four children : Oreila Belle, James Anderson, Obed Lee and Harold Steifel.
In his Association during a ten days meeting sixty were added to the church. In his own pastorate during a ten days meeting ninety were added to the church and forty baptized at one service.
LEON P. PLAYER
Leon P. Player was born September 23, 1885, at the old family home of the Players near Irwinton, where his grandfather, S. T. Player, settled more than a century ago. The latter was, unques- tionably, one of the most remarkable men that ever lived in the
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county. After obtaining as good an education as the schools of the county afforded he taught school for a few years serving as Justice of Peace and reading law at the same time. After being admitted to the bar he began his practice at Irwinton, which was interrupted when the War Between the States came on. He, with Dr. J. B. Duggan and others raised a company of men, Company A of the 49th Georgia Regiment of which he was chosen Captain, and ten- dered their services to the Confederacy. Of a fine military figure and possessing a commanding personality, his promotion was rapid, soon being made Colonel of the Regiment. His record during this war was a most enviable one, and the survivors of his command still voice his praises. In 1864 following his election to the Legisla- ture by his county, he resigned from his Regiment and took his place in the Legislative halls. The subject of this sketch is the proud possessor of his grandfather's sword and watch which he carried through the war.
Colonel Player was married to Miss Nancy Ann Freeman. One of his sons, William James Player, the father of Leon P., was a successful farmer, later serving as Coroner and then Sheriff. Mr. Player's mother was Miss Mary Elizabeth Hatfield, the daughter of Joe Ellis Hatfield and Martha Freeman Hatfield, and the grand- daughter of George Washington and Cynthia Freeman, and of Richard and Rebecca (Brown) Hatfield. (See R. A. Bell Sketch.)
At his father's death our subject he was elected to fill the vacancy, holding the record of being the youngest Sheriff in Georgia. For fifteen years he held this office. Mr. Player was recently appointed State License Inspector in which position he is earning for himself the reputation of being one of the most active and efficient inspectors of the state.
During the World War, Mr. Player was appointed on the Se- lective Service Board for Wilkinson County and served faithfully on this throughout the duration of the war.
He is a member of the Methodist Church, at Irwinton, a Mason and throughout his whole life has been a loyal Democrat.
He was married July 30, 1922, to Miss Julia Floreid Carswell, daughter of James A. and Gertrude (Lindsey) Carswell.
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JOHN FLOYD PORTER
John Floyd Porter was born November 15, 1851, the son of Thomas Redding (1814-1876) and Lucinda (Rye, 1826-1903) Porter. Thomas R. was the son of Julius and - (Crutchfield ) Porter. Lucinda was the daughter of John and - Rye. The Ryes were early settlers of the county, Ambrose being a brother and Sarah (m. Elijah Hogan) being a sister of John. Mary Rye, a widow of a Revolutionary Soldier is found in the Lottery List of 1827 (reprint by Miss Martha Lou Houston) in High Hill Dis- trict of Wilkinson County.
Several members of the Porter family seems to have settled in this county and Porter's Creek evidently took its name from them. The early records of Pleasant Plains Church indicate that the Por- ters were Primitive Baptist in their denomination preference, and this characteristic is still evident among the older members of the family.
From the earliest period the Porters were the owners of well tilled plantations and were considered among the best farmers of the county, owning a number of slaves.
Our subject like his ancestors has spent his life on the farm and is one of the most progressive farmers of the county. He bears the re- spect of everyone who knows him. Frank, friendly, generous to a fault, hospitable,-all his hosts of friends find a ready welcome in his home. No man was ever more loyal than he. His is that rare type that causes him to exert himself to the utmost, sparing no pain nor effort, when his friend is in need.
He was married first to Julia Tabytha, the daughter of W. P. Williams (See W. C. Williams sketch), Dec. 23, 1875. Of this union there is one son, W. Thomas, (m. Mary Taylor). He was married second Dec. 15, 1881, to Fannie, the daughter of Nimrod J. (son of William Brown) Mar. 28, 1803- July 22, 1845) and Artemissa (Burke) Brown, (see Burke Sketch), and Ruth (Whip- ple) Brown (see Whipple sketch). Their children are: Julia, m. Carlton G. Kitchens; Lester L., m. Ruth Hicks; John F., m. Clara Bradley; Ruth, m. H. G. McKee; Dora, m. Dr. Fletcher Hanson. Mrs. Porter is descended from several lines of patriotic ancestors and takes an active interest in the D. A. R. of which she is a faithful member. Her greatest delight, however, has ever been the making
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of a happy home for her husband and children. Her loving kind- ness, her interest in the welfare of others, her sweet disposition, her beauty of soul, makes everyone love her.
RUTH WHIPPLE PUGH
Ruth Mildred, daughter of Stephen (1799-1848) and Ruth Mitchell (1808-1840) Whipple, was born at the old Whipple Place in Wilkinson County, April 26, 1840. After her mother's death she was placed in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Gross, close friends of the family residing in Macon, Ga., until her father's second marriage (see Whipple sketch). She was later carried to Talbot County where she resided for several years. She secured her education at Old Providence School and Madison Female College. Her uncle, Robert Mitchell, of Talbot County, was her guardian. She married Nimrod J. Brown of Wilkinson County, December 2, 1857. The war period was a trying time in her life, and often she remarked that the heaviest burden of her life was lifted when freedom was declared. She said that every day she had to care for the sick slaves as she lived near Turkey Creek and ma- laria always had some of them in bed. Three times a day in rain or shine she personally visited the quarters and gave medicine and food. During the war, March, 1863, she suffered the loss of her husband by death and at its close her slaves were freed. Her ex- periences in reconstruction days mark her a heroine.
To them four daughters were born, Fannie E., who married John Porter; Ruth Mildred, who married John M. Gannon, of Savannah, Ga .; Sarah Neomi-called Nim-who married James Booth, of Allentown; Lily, unmarried, taught in Americus High School many years. During the war she held a government position in Washington and after the war at Ft. McPherson.
After Mr. Brown's death she moved to Irwinton, residing there until 1873. In 1871, she married David Pugh and to them were born two daughters: Julia, who married Dr. Julian H. Chandler, of Swainsboro, Ga., and Louise, who married Elmer E. Smith, of Birmingham. Mrs. Smith is connected with the Alabama Woman's Club, Birmingham's Better Films Committee and is State Registrar of the Alabama U. D. C.
David Pugh died 1898, and Mrs. Pugh moved to Birmingham in 1911, where she resided until 1924, when she returned to Geor-
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gia. She died Jan. 26, 1926, and is buried in Swainsboro, Ga. She was endowed with native ability and a brilliant mind. No new thought or movement stirred the country that she was not eager to study, discarding the outworn and grasping the new that tended toward growth and development. She was always young. Her life was a challenge to her daughters and granddaughters to "carry on." Responsiveness to duty, loyalty to family and friends were her outstanding qualities.
William Mitchell received a certificate of service from Col. Eli- jah Clarke, on which he was granted 2871/2 acres in Washington County, Ga. His name is also found in the certified list of Georgia Troops.
According to family records and tradition the first known Mitch- ell ancestor was Hugh Mitchell, born in Ireland, 1638, died after 1758. Hugh had a son, John, born about 1700, John had two sons, William and John. These boys lived with their grandfather and when William, a lad of 17 years, left Ireland for America, his grandfather, Hugh, then 120 years old, walked with him three leagues to the sea to see him take ship. William landed about Del- aware Bay, lived in Pennsylvania for awhile and later settled in St. Paul's Parish. At a Council held at Savannah, Dec. 9, 1768, William Mitchell was granted 200 acres. William Mitchell was granted Lot No. 43 as a settler of Wrightsborough, St. Paul's Parish at a Council held at Savannah Tuesday, July 3, 1770. When the Quakers of Wrightsborough repudiated the action of the Pat- riots, Aug. 10, 1774, William Mitchell was one of the signers, with many others who only a few months later joined the rank of the patriots. In 1784, he removed to his grant in Washington Co., on the Ogeechee River, later cut off into Hancock. When by the treaties of 1802, 1805, the lands east of the Ocmulgee river were secured from the Indians, he moved from Hancock to Wilkinson County, Ga. and settled about twelve miles south of Irwinton to- wards Jeffersonville. The exact location of his grave is known to his descendants.
Ruth Jackson, his wife, is thought to have been the daughter of Benjamin Jackson, an early settler of Wilkes County, Ga., and who died in Hancock County, Ga., 1798.
Benjamin Mitchell was commissioned Jan. 20, 1797, Lieut. in Col. Samuel Alexander's Regiment of Militia, including Volunteer
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Troops, First Battalion commanded by Major John Lawson of Warren County. Benjamin removed to Wilkinson County, 1802- 1805, and later to Talbot County, where he died.
(Compiled from data and writings furnished by members of the family)
JOEL RIVERS
Of French descent, Joel Rivers, according to family tradition, was born in Johnston County, North Carolina, in 1796, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Rivers. Joel first moved to Hancock County, Georgia, and in 1821 was married to Mary Pearson, of Wilkinson county (b. 1802). He moved to Wilkinson County settling just south of Ramah Church on the land now owned by J. W. Dennard. Being a good manager, he amassed wealth rapidly, soon owning many slaves and a large plantation.
In 1833 he was elected to represent the county in the Legislature which office he held through 1839. Two years later he was elected State Senator. His record in the House and Senate was a most creditable one. One of his bills in particular which meant so much to Wilkinson County was the creation of all the "Deestrick" Acade- mies throughout the county in 1836 which were partly supported by state aid. One of these academies, Union Hill, was built on land do- nated by him.
In politics, Joel Rivers was a staunch Whig, and whenever a candidate was promised his support, it meant all that whole section of the county would throw its full vote the same way.
Joel Rivers was recognized as the strongest man physically in the county.
The opening of the War Between the States found Rivers an inva- lid and unable to walk, yet imbued with the spirit of patriotism. When Company B of the 14th Georgia was being organized, he, with two or three others, assumed the expense of uniforming and equipping them for service. When the Company formed their line to march to Gordon to entrain for the front, they first marched to the Rivers' home to bid him good-bye. He never lived to see the end of the war, dying in 1863.
His children were: William, m. Ann Connelly, d. in Texas; Sa- rah, m. James R. Lewis; Polly, m. J. W. Branan, Sheriff of Wil-
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kinson County, 1864; Betsy, m. Thomas R. Whitaker, d. in Texas; Jack, Judge Inferior Court, Major and Lieutenant Colonel 49th Ga., Ordinary of Wilkinson County, 1864-1866, m. Catherine M. Gainey, d. in Hawkinsville; Richard, m. Patient Bragg first and Lucinda Branan second, d. in Dodge County; Winafred, m. John McArthur, Tax Collector of Wilkinson County, 1864-66, d. Cor- dele; Eliza, m. John R. Bragg, Member Legislature 1864-5, d. Macon; Gillie, m. Elijah Columbus Hogan, first, and Caswell H. Branan, second, d. Gray, Georgia.
WILLIAM B. RYLE
William B. Ryle is well known in Wilkinson County as one of the progressive and enterprising business men of Gordon, where he was born January 3, 1875. He was the son of Benjamin Franklin and Patience (Sanders) Ryle, otherwise mentioned in this volume. Benjamin Franklin Ryle, was born January 5, 1845, and died Feb- ruary 25, 1916, and was the son of William Brantly and Matilda (Brewer) Ryle. William Brantly was the son of Joshua and Mary Ryle.
W. B. Ryle was largely instrumental in the building of the pres- ent Baptist Church in Gordon of which he is a member.
He has served two terms as Mayor of Gordon and always held the best interests of the community at heart, seeking to promote public welfare, and stood consistently back of every civic movement and in every way possible contributed to the advancement of Gor- don and Wilkinson County, he also served as Alderman for several terms. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Ma- sons ; politically, he has always been a Democrat.
For a number of years he has held an automobile agency and has met with success in this line of business,
He married Miss Vallie Dewell, November 14, 1900, who was the daughter of Reverend W. D. and Mary Frances (Reid) Dewell.
Reverend Dewell was a Baptist Minister, who served a number of churches in Wilkinson County for a period of thirty-five years, and organized and built churches in many communities.
(By a Member of the Family)
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HISTORY OF WILKINSON COUNTY
KING SANDERS
King Sanders was born May 12, 1818, and died May 24, 1888. He was the son of Malachi Madison and Margaret (Peggy) Wat- son Sanders who were married May 27, 1804, in Newberry Dis- trict, S. C. Soon thereafter moving to Hancock County, Georgia, where he enlisted and served as a private in Captain David Rosser's Company of Georgia Militia from October 12, 1814, until March 15, 1815.
Mr. Sanders married Bethany Leslie March 25, 1841. She was the daughter of Silas and Bethany (Tyson) Leslie, who came to Wilkinson County from St. Mary's, Camden County and settled six miles south of Gordon. Mrs. Sanders inherited the old home- stead and there the couple lived many years. Today the plantation is owned by a daughter, Mrs. W. A. Jones.
To this union were born the following children: William, the eldest, died without issue while in service during the War Between the States and was buried in Virginia; Sarah, married D. Jackson Ryle; Patience, married B. Frank Ryle; Doctor Franklin, married Marrietta Hooks; Jackann Missouri, married Charles M. Hooks ; Gillie, married John W. Powell; John Wilson, married Linnie Dennard; Winnie Bethany, married William A. Jones; Minnie, married John Wesley Hooks.
Mr. Sanders was a prosperous planter until 1870, when with his family he moved to Gordon and entered the mercantile business in which by close attention and a splendid business ability he amassed what was considered in those days a small fortune. In September, 1885, he retired from business being succeeded by Sanders, Ryle and Sanders, his two sons and son-in-law B. Frank Ryle.
He was a Democrat in his political convictions and while he never entered politics he was very public spirited and served his town as alderman many terms.
He and his good wife, Bethany, joined Ramah Primitive Baptist Church, September 16, 1865, and was ever thereafter a consistent member of the same. He was a constant reader of the old family Bi- ble which still remains in the family. Sunday, May 13, 1888, the day following his seventieth birthday, with his faithful wife, he at- tended services at Ramah. Returning with him for dinner were El- ders John H. Gresham and Alfred W. Patterson. After they left
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for their respective homes he remarked that he would never listen to a better sermon than he had heard that morning. After that he re- tired to his room to rest saying he was not feeling well. This was his last illness, his remains now rest in his beloved Ramah church yard.
(MIRS. MINNIE SANDERS HOOKS.)
THURMAN SANDERS
The ancestors of Thurman Sanders, Sheriff of Wilkinson County, were among the first settlers of Wilkinson, (See King Sanders Sketch). Daniel Sanders, the son of Malachi and Margaret (or Peggy) (Watson) Sanders, was the grandfather of our subject and married Sibby Leslie (Dec. 18, 1814, Jan. 17, 1880-Dec. 19, 1833.) Their children were: Silas J., m. Sarah A. R. Bridger ; Mary A. E., m. Hamilton McCook; Govey B. (killed in War) ; Malachi M .; James W., m. Georgia Wood; Emma Tyson; Joel J .; Francis Marion, m. T. C. Dixon ; Louise Elliott; and Narcissy Caroline, m. J. W. Brooks.
Malachi M. Sanders was married to Sarah Jane Johnson, the daughter of Isaac F. and Katie (Ross) Johnson, Nov. 8, 1868. Their children were: J. F .; I. D .; M. A. I .; L. F .; N. A .; Cora T .; W. J .; R. M .; M. T .; K. A .; Thurman (b. July 16, 1888) ; Irene.
The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm and attended school only a few months, but made good use of his time. After farming for several years, Mr. Sanders moved to Gordon in 1925 and engaged in the mercantile business.
Mr. Sanders was elected Sheriff of Wilkinson County in 1928, and entered upon his duties January 1, 1929. At the October Term of Superior Court 1929, he won the open commendation of So- licitor-General, Joseph B. Duke, for his successful work in prepar- ing a notorious murder case for prosecution.
Mr. Sanders is a Mason, Woodman, Odd-Fellow and is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church and takes an active interest in all move- ments for the betterment of the community in which he is living. He is of a friendly, obliging disposition and makes friends easily, to whom he is most loyal.
Mr. Sanders was married to Sarah Aycock, the daughter of
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James J. and Mollie (Newby) Aycock, granddaughter of Jasper and Mattie (Kirkpatrick) Aycock ; great-granddaughter of Barden Aycock. Mrs. Sanders, like her husband, is a member of the Bap- tist Church, hospitable, friendly and sympathetic to those in dis- tress. They have two children ; Eunice, a graduate of Gordon High School and J. T., now a student at Brewton-Parker Institute.
MISS EDDIE STANLEY
Miss Eddie Stanley, veteran school-teacher and a member of a family which for nearly a century has taken a prominent part in the public life of the county, has in the school-room demonstrated her worth as a builder. In the community where her ancestors be- fore her made their homes, she found a use for her talent. Sand Hill School was unquestionably the worst run down one-teacher school in all Wilkinson. It was an eyesore on a poverty stricken sand hill and the Board of Education saw no good in continuing its existence. Miss Stanley, however, felt the need of a school at this place. The community sought her services and she accepted, more from a desire to serve her home people than for any pay, for she was offered a larger salary elsewhere. Throwing her whole soul into the work she laid her plan before the writer, who was serving as County School Superintendent, and upon the recommendation of W. T. Porter, a member of the Board of Education, it was de- cided to give the school a final trial. Miss Stanley had no sooner begun her work than interest in education began to be awakened in that community. During the term a check on school attendance showed that school in the lead and at the end of the year the Board decided to continue the school. Competitive examinations held the next year in every school in the county proved the pupils of this school far in. the lead of other one-teacher schools and close com- petitors of the largest schools of the county.
The fame of the school spread. One of the State School Super- visors was sent from Atlanta to Sand Hill School to make an in- spection. The report he gave after a careful examination was that Miss Stanley's school was the best one-teacher school in the State of Georgia. She later served as Principal of larger schools in the county with equal success.
Miss Stanley possesses that spirit of loyalty to her friends, de-
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votion to duty, and love for her county, unexcelled by any. Upon the recent death of O. J. Wright, her brother-in-law, she was appointed administratrix of his estate. The management of his considerable property and the guardianship of her minor nieces devolved upon her. She has performed and is performing these duties with a skill which has won for her the admiration of those who realize the magnitude of such undertakings.
Miss Stanley's great-great-grandparents were James and Winni- fred Stanley, married 1754 and died April 19, 1795 and June 14, 1800 respectively.) Their children were Oliver, Sarah, Elizabeth, Susanne, Winnifred, Mary, John, James and Nathaniel.
Her great-grandparents were: John, (Mar. 30, 1766-Oct. 12, 1837) and Mary (called Polly) Fordam (Mar. 8, 1773-Dec. I, 1816) who were married Dec. 20, 1797. Their children were: John, Wright, Nathan, Pearcy, Mary (Polly), Benjamin F., Leah, Winnifred, Edward R. (The latter was a member of Congress from North Carolina. )
Her grand-father, John Stanley (Oct. 25, 1798-Oct. 25, 1854) was married first (Oct. 26, 1824) to Sarah West (Feb. 19, 1805- July 1, 1828) the daughter of Joseph and Sarah West. Their chil- dren were: Mary Elizabeth, Sarah Catherine and Louisa. His sec- ond marriage was (Feb. 12, 1833) to Sarah Holliman ( Dec. 27, 1812-Oct. 15, 1863). Their children were: James H. D., John J., Nathan Thos., Prudence Ann, Pearcy, Richard Reynolds, and Rew- ell Reese. (Family Bible records of John (Jackey) Stanley now in the possession of J. T. Dupree : record of Stanley family prepared by Kate Wright).
Her father, John J. Stanley ( Mar. 7, 1835-Mar. 16, 1887) was married to Mattie Pool. They had three daughters: Jennie, Eddie and Claude.
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