Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 32

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294

USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I > Part 32

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).

Crushing tests were made of four two-inch cubes of the Lithonia granite, for the board of public affairs of Cincinnati, Ohio, by the engineering department of that city. One cube crushed under a pressure of 76,800 pounds; the second, under a pressure of 83,400 pounds; a third failed to crush under a pressure of 85,000 pounds, as did also the fourth. This work was done under the personal supervision of Lieut. Morrill, of the United States navy.

Compressive tests of four two-inch cubes of the Stone mountain granite are quoted from the official report on the compressive strength, specific gravity and ratio of absorption of the building stones of the United States by Gen. Q. A. Gilmer: No. I was not hurt under a pressure of 85,000 pounds; No. 2 was crushed by a pressure of 50,325 pounds; No. 3, by 48,760 pounds, and No. 4, by 65,610.

At Lexington, in Oglethorpe county, extensive granite quarries are worked by the Lexington Blue Granite company, of which Mr. S. H. Venable is president. This company was organized in 1892 with a capital of $80,000; but it has recently been reorganized, and active operations have been begun. The stone quarried by this company is fine-grained biotite-muscovite granite of light color, and sus- ceptible of very high polish. It is used for building purposes and for monuments, pillars and other purposes requiring a fine grade of granite. The lower grades are used for curbing, flagging, crossings and Belgian blocks. The company owns seventy-five acres of land, of which about forty acres consist of a solid bed of

222

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

granite, said to be practically inexhaustible. The company also owns a well- equipped broad-gauge railroad, running from Crawford, on the Georgia railroad, to Lexington, and thence to the quarries. There is an abundance of water running all the year round on the company's property, which can be utilized for running machinery, etc. This is one of the finest monument granites to be found in the United States; and, when it is better known, it will rank second to none. Its fine grain, fine color and freedom from blemish alike distinguish it.

Four two-inch cubes of this granite were submitted for tests at the United States navy yard; and, according to the report of Capt. W. T. Sampson, inspector of ordnance, United States navy, the following results were obtained:

No. I, at 45,000 pounds, small piece spawled off of the corner. At 80,000 pounds, one corner spawled off badly. Did not crush. Pressure, per square inch, 19,801 pounds.

No. 2, at 80,000 pounds, small piece spawled off of one corner. Did not crush. Pressure, per square inch, 20,000 pounds.

No. 3, at 80,000 pounds, one side spawled off very badly. Did not crush. Pressure, per square inch, 19,900 pounds.

No. 4, at 60,000 pounds, commenced to spawl off. At 80,000 pounds, crushed. Pressure, per square inch, 19,801 pounds.

The greatest crushing power of this machine was 80,000 pounds. This com- pany is furnishing the granite for building the new postoffice at Savannah.

MISCELLANEOUS BIOGRAPHIES.

THE FOLLOWING MISCELLANEOUS BIOGRAPHIES ARE GIVEN HERE BECAUSE IT WAS FOUND DIFFICULT TO ASSIGN MANY OF THEM TO THE PROPER COUNTIES:

GLETHORPE, GEN. JAMES HOWARD, founder of the colony of Georgia, was born in London, Eng., Dec. 21, 1688, and was the son of Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe, of Godalming, Surrey. At the age of 16 he entered Oxford college, but soon left to take the position of ensign in the Guards. Under Prince Eugene, he was in the campaign against the Turks in 1716-17, and took an active part in the siege of Belgrade. When twenty-four years old he entered parliament, and continued a member for thirty-two years. In November, 1732, Oglethorpe, with 116 settlers, embarked for Georgia, and in January, 1733, he arrived at Yamacraw and marked out a town and called it Savannah. In April, 1734, he returned to England, taking with him several friendly Indian chiefs. During his visit he sent to the colony 150 Scottish Highlanders and a number of German Protestants from Salzburg. He returned to the colony in 1735. Under his rule the colony prospered, but much trouble was had with the Spaniards, then in possession of Florida. This culminated in war, and in 1741 Oglethorpe made an unsuccessful attack on St. Augustine. A year later the Spanish invaded Georgia, but were compelled to retire by spirited resistance on the part of the colonists. In 1743 he returned to England to answer charges preferred by Capt. Cook, one of his officers. The court martial resulted in a vindication of Oglethorpe. He did not return to Georgia, and in 1752 resigned his charter of the colony to the British government. When, in 1775, Gen. Gage returned to England, the command of the British forces in America was offered to Oglethorpe, but he refused to accept, tinless given authority to make concessions, and to pursue a plan of conciliation he thought proper with the colonies. Oglethorpe was a man of natural refinement and of culture that commanded the admiration of such men as Alexander Pope, James Thomson and Samuel Johnson .. Oglethorpe's life has been written by Thaddeus M. Harris (Boston, 1841), Robert Wright (London, 1867), by W. B. O. Peabody, in Sparks' American Biographies. Gen. Oglethorpe died July 1, 1785.

STEPHENS, WILLIAM, president of the colony of Georgia (1743-50), was the son of Sir William Stephens, Bart., and was born on the Isle of Wight, Jan. 28, 1671. His education was obtained at Winchester school and King's college, Cambridge. He came to South Carolina in 1712, and located at Charles- ton. Upon the recommendation of Gen. Oglethorpe, Stephens became secretary to the trustees of Georgia in 1737. In 1741 he was made president of the county of Savannah, and in 1743 president of the whole colony. He died in August, 1753, at the age of 82.

PARKER, HENRY, president of Georgia (1750-54), was born near Savannah, Ga., about 1690. He was bailiff of Savannah in 1734, which office at that time was identical with that of magistrate, and shortly afterwards he colonized the

224

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

Isle of Hope. When the province was divided into two counties, in 1741, lie became an assistant to Sir William Stephens, president of the Savannah province, succeeding him in 1750. In that year he presided over the first assembly in Georgia in which the executive and the members addressed each other according to parliamentary formalities. When the province surrendered the charter in 1754 he resigned the governorship. He died at an advanced age on the Isle of Hope.

REYNOLDS, JOHN, governor of Georgia (1754-57), was born in England about 1700. He entered the Britishi navy and became captain, and upon the surren- der of the charter of Georgia by the British trustees, he was assigned by the king of England to the colony, with the title of "Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of His Majesty's Province of Georgia, and Vice-Admiral of the same." He reached Savannah Oct. 29, 1754, and a new system of government was inaugurated. The first legislature was created, consisting of a council of twelve advisers to the governor, and a house of commons. Gov. Reynolds established friendly relations with the Indians, but soon became involved with the assembly in a dispute, and in 1756 was recalled to England. Failing to satisfy the board of com- missioners with his explanations of his conduct, he resumed his position in the navy. He died in England, January, 1776.

ELLIS, HENRY, governor of Georgia (1757-60), was born in England in 1721, and was appointed to succeed Gov. Reynolds in the management of the colony of Georgia, in 1757. His administration was a wise and successful one, and the colony prospered in number and condition. He organized a defense and obtained arms and a ship. He made conciliations to the Indians and a treaty with the Spanish in Florida. During his term the province was divided into parishes. The differences between the crown and the assembly were settled. Gov. Ellis, at his own request, was succeeded in 1760. He died Jan. 21, 1806. He was a scientific scholar and geographical student and author, and conducted an expedition in 1746-47 in search of a northwest passage to the Pacific. He was the author of several works in connection with the subject of a northwest passage, which secured him a fellowship in the Royal society.

WRIGHT, SIR JAMES, Bart., governor of Georgia (1761 to 1776, and 1779 to 1782), was born in Charleston, S. C., about 1714. His grandfather was chief justice under King James II., and his father was chief justice of South Caro- lina. At twenty-one James Wright was attorney-general of South Carolina, and in 1760 lieutenant-governor of Georgia, and royal governor in 1761. His admin- istration was wise and successful. With the passage of the stamp act came trouble. The colonists opposed it, and Gov. Wright loyally tried to enforce it. In 1768 he dissolved the assembly, on the ground that it was revolutionary in claiming the right to petition for redress of grievances. At the same time he was urging the British government to make concessions to the colony. The year 1772 he spent in England. Returning, he found the spirit of revolution steady. He was arrested by a party of rebels, but escaped Feb. II, 1776, and went to England. He returned July 14, 1779, and resumed gubernatorial office, the city of Savannah being in control of the British. At the close of the war he returned to England, dying there Nov. 20, 1785.

HABERSHAM, JAMES, governor of Georgia (1769-72), was born in England in 1712. He was a true democrat in principle, and though of distinguished descent, refused all titles and sought his fortune in the colonies, arriving in

225

MISCELLANEOUS BIOGRAPHIES.

Savannah May 7, 1738. With the celebrated evangelist, George Whitefield, he established the Bethesda Orphan Home, still in a flourishing condition. In 1744 he resigned the presidency of the school and established the mercantile house of Harris & Habersham. He was made, with Pickering Robinson, a commissioner to promote silk culture in 1750; secretary of the province and a councilor in 1754. From 1769 to 1772 he acted as governor in place of Gov. Wright. He raised the first cotton in the colony and exported the first bales to England. His death occurred Aug. 28, 1775.

FWEN, WILLIAM, governor of Georgia (1775), was born in England about 1720. From an apprentice boy to the colony trustees, by his industry, honesty and fixedness of purpose, he rose to the position of head of the province. During the year 1775 he was chairman of the "council of safety," which ruled affairs so long during the war. He was active in supporting the patriots in the great struggle, and died after seeing independence achieved, amidst friends and relatives.

BULLOCH, ARCHIBALD, governor of Georgia (1776-77), was born in Charleston, S. C., about 1730. Possessing a thorough education, and after being admitted to the bar, he settled in Savannah about 1755. In 1772 he was elected member of the provincial assembly and speaker of the house, but the body was dissolved by Gov. Habersham, because of differences growing up between the colonies and Great Britain. Mr. Bulloch was elected a member of and president of the provincial assembly of 1775-76, and the same year was a delegate to the continental congress. He served as commander-in-chief and president of Georgia under the provisional assembly, up to the meeting of the first regular state con- vention, Feb. 5, 1777, and was thus the first republican president of Georgia. On Aug. 6, 1776, Gov. Bulloch had the honor of receiving a copy of the Declaration of Independence, by special messenger from John Hancock, president of the continental congress. Gov. Bulloch died at Savannah, Feb. 22, 1777. He was a patriot and statesman, and one of the most important men of his time. His name is linked with the great events of that period. Mr. Bulloch was the son of Rev. James Bulloch, of Wilton, S. C., clergyman and planter, and of Jean Stobo. He married in 1760, in Savannh, Mary De Veaux, a daughter of James De Veaux. In his biographical sketches of the delegates from Georgia to the continental congress Mr. C. C. Jones, Jr., says: "Of all the patriots who encountered peril and made strenuous exertions to deliver Georgia from kingly dominion and pave the way for her admission into the sisterhood of the confederated American colonies, no one was more earnest, self-sacrificing, valiant, or influential than the Hon. Archibald Bulloch. Of irreproachable character, firm in his convictions, brave of heart, bold in action, wise in council, jealous of individual and political rights, and thoroughly identified with the best interests of Savannah and of the province of which it was both the capital and commercial metropolis, at an early age of the revolutionary proceedings he became an acknowledged leader of the rebels, and was by them rapidly advanced to the highest posts of danger and of honor."

GWINNETT, BUTTON, governor of Georgia (1777), congressman and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in England about 1732. He located in Savannah as a general trader in 1765 and in 1772 became a farmer on St. Catharine's island, Ga. He wavered at the opening of the revolution, but through Dr. Lyman Hall was converted to patriotism. He was elected delegate to tlie continental congress and afterward to the convention that framed the state I-15

226

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

constitution in 1777. He was elected by the council of safety president and com- mander-in-chief of the colony-practically governor-in March, 1777, but was defeated for governor at the regular election in May of that year. Personal diffi- culties growing out of political rivalries led to a duel between Gov. Gwinnett and Gen. Lachlan McIntosh on May 15, 1777. Both were wounded, McIntosh dan- gerously and Gwinnett fatally, and he died in his forty-fifth year, and in his greatest usefulness, a victim to the laws of false honor and of mortified pride. He left a widow and several young children, none of whom long survived him, and none of his direct descendants ever blessed the land of his adoption.

TREUTLEN, JOHN ADAM, was governor of Georgia (1777), and one of the foremost revolutionists. He was a member from the parish of St. Andrew of the first provincial congress of Georgia, which met in Savannah July 4, 1775. He was elected governor May 8, 1777, over Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declar- ation of Independence, by a large majority. He was described as a "rebel governor" by act of the royal government of Georgia in 1780. It is claimed bis death was caused by tories in 1780, and that he was murdered at Orangeburgh, S. C.

HOUSTON, JOHN, governor of Georgia (1778 and 1784), was born at Waynes- boro, Ga., Aug. 31, 1744. In 1774 he called the first meeting of the "Sons of Liberty" and acted as its chairman. He soon became a popular leader. He was a member of the continental congress of 1775 and 1776. He was appointed a member of the executive council May 8, 1777, and elected governor Jan. 8, 1778. As governor he invaded east Florida with Maj .- Gen. Robert Howe, but the move- ment failed. During his administration the British captured Savannah, and he was invested by council with almost dictatorial power, the exigencies of the oc- casion requiring it. He was again elected governor in 1784. He was one of the first lawyers of his time and was a remarkable figure in Georgia history of his period. He died at White Bluff July 20, 1796.

WEREAT, JOHN, governor of Georgia (1779), was born about 1730, and was an early and ardent champion of liberty. He was a member of the first provincial congress of Georgia and speaker of the congress of 1776. After Savannah fell into the hands of the enemy the legislature dispersed without ap- pointing a governor for the succeeding year. Mr. Wereat, as president of the executive council, continued the operation of the functions of the government. In 1782 the people west of Augusta suffered from famine and Mr. Wereat found relief for them. He was remarkable for his financial talents, which he exerted with much usefulness to his country. He died in Bryan county in 1798.

HALL, LYMAN, governor of Georgia (1783), and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Connecticut in April, 1724, graduated from Yale in 1747 and located in Sunbury, Ga., in 1758. He achieved great distinction in the practice of his profession, and being active in promoting the revolution, was elected to the provincial congresses of 1774-75 in Savannah, Ga. He was sent as a delegate to the continental congress by St. John's parish, and being the only representative from Georgia, he was admitted to this body as the representative of his parish and not his colony. He declined to vote, but took part in the debates, and had a potent influence in carrying his province into the revolution. He served in the continental congress from 1776 to 1780 and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was elected governor in 1782, and after serving one year retired to private life. He died in Burke county, Ga., Oct. 19, 1790. Gov.

227

MISCELLANEOUS BIOGRAPHIES.

Hall was a great friend of Button Gwinnett and attended that statesman when he was fatally shot in a duel by Gen. McIntosh. Although Gov. Hall never bore arms, or won the distinction of an orator, he hazarded everything in the cause of humanity and liberty, on every occasion manifesting an exalted patriotism con- scious of the blessings to be secured and jealous of the rights to be defended.

MARTIN, JOHN, governor of Georgia (1782-83), first appeared in the public service as naval officer at the port of Sunbury, being appointed to that posi- tion by Gov. Wright in 1761. He was a warni patriot and the people of Savannah chose him as a representative in the provincial congress of 1775, and on the im- portant council of safety. In 1781 he was a lieutenant-colonel in the continental army and the same year was elected to the legislature from Chatham county. As governor of Georgia in 1782 his administration saw the British evacuate Savannah July II, 1782, and the commonwealth given her full power as a sov- ereign state. While governor so great was the distress of affairs that he had to apply to the legislature for relief to keep his family from starving, not being able to get his salary. In 1783 he was appointed a commissioner to make treaty with the Cherokee Indians and the same year was elected treasurer of state.

HAWLEY, RICHARD, governor of Georgia and congressman, was born near Savannah about 1740. He obtained a good education and met with success in law. First representing Liberty county in the state assembly, he rose to distinction and in 1780 was elected governor. He also represented his state in the continental congress in 1780-81. During his executive term the state was overrun by the British and on advice of the legislature Gov. Hawley and his council fled the state for the time. When it looked as if Geogia would be delivered to Great Britain, he with others of the delegation in congress published a remon- strance which was given to the press in 1781 at Philadelphia. He died in Savannah December, 1784.

HEARD, STEPHEN, was born in Ireland and was governor of Georgia in 1781. He fought with gallantry in the French war and in 1773, with other Virginians, settled in Wilkes county, Ga., being attracted by the fertility of the lands in the "Broad river county." He served in the revolution under Col. Elijah Clarke and distinguished himself at Kettle creek. Feb. 18, 1781, he was elected president of the council, in the absence of Gov. Hawley, and thus became governor de facto until Gov. Brownson was elected, Aug. 16, 1781. He retired to private life after the war and became one of Wilkes county's most influential citizens. He died Nov. 15, 1815.

BROWNSON, NATHAN, governor of Georgia and congressman, is supposed to have been born about 1740. In 1761 he was graduated from Yale, and studied medicine. Introduced by Dr. Dunwoody, a revolutionary patriot, he be- gan practice in Liberty county and was the first physician to practice south of the Ogeechee before the revolution. He was a surgeon in the Georgia brigade, a member of the provincial congress of Georgia in 1775, of the continental congress in 1776-78 and member of the legislature and speaker of the house in 1784. He was elected governor by this body. He was senator and president of the senate, 1789-91. Gov. Brownson was a man of a retired disposition, dignified in demeanor and of a forceful character. He died in Liberty county, Ga., Nov. 6, 1796. He was a surgeon in the continental army and took much interest, when governor, in the establishment of the state university.

228

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

FLBERT, SAMUEL, governor of Georgia (1785), was born in South Carolina in 1743 and at an early age engaged in mercantile business in Savannah. He was made captain in June, 1774; a member of the council of safety June 22, 1775; lieutenant-colonel Feb. 4, 1776, and colonel of a battalion of continental troops the same year. He was the head of an expedition organized by Gov. Houston against Florida in 1777. In 1778 he captured three British vessels at Frederica. He was taken prisoner during the war and on being exchanged joined Washington, winning his chief's highest commendation for brave service at Yorktown. He was promoted to be brigadier-general in 1783, elected governor of Georgia in 1785 and appointed major-general of the militia. He died Nov. 2, 1788.

HANDLEY, GEORGE, governor of Georgia at the early age of thirty-six, was born near Sheffield, England, in 1752. He came to the colonies in 1775, and at once joined the continental army, becoming captain and soon rising to lieu- tenant-colonel. He was captured at Augusta and sent to Charleston, S. C., as a prisoner. After the war he became sheriff of Richmond county, state representa- tive, inspector-general and then governor of the state in 1788. He was one of the commissioners to the state of Franklin in 1786. He died at Roe's Hall, Ga., Sept. 17, 1793.

WALTON, GEORGE, governor of Georgia (1789-1790), and signer of the Declaration of Independence, was born in Prince Edward county, Va., in 1749. He was left an orphan at an early age and served an apprenticeship at carpentering. He made rapid advancement in knowledge, by the judicious use of his evening hours, eagerly perusing all books he could borrow from friends or neighbors. When about twenty years of age he migrated to Savannah, when he began the study of law. He was soon admitted to practice, and his success was immediate. In 1777 he married Dorothy Camber. He was one of the leaders in the patriotic party in Georgia and was the secretary of the first provin- cial congress of Georgia, which convened July 4, 1775. He was president of the Council of Safety in 1775, and with Archibald Bulloch, Lyman Hall and Button Gwinnett was elected a delegate to the continental congress from Georgia by the provincial congress Jan. 20, 1776. With the exception of an interval in 1779, when he was governor, he was continued as a member of congress until October, 1781. In association with Gwinnett and Hall he signed the Declaration of Inde- pendence. As a member of the treasury board of the committee on naval affairs and of other committees he rendered intelligent service. He was a colonel of the militia formed for the defense of Georgia and in the battle at Savannah was wounded and then captured. He was appointed chief justice of the state in 1783 and elected delegate to make a constitution for the United States. In 1795-6 he represented Georgia as senator in the congress of the United States. He was a member of the Union society of Savannah, and a trustee of the Rich- mond academy. He was twice elected to the Georgia assembly and was a United States commissioner to make a treaty with the Cherokee Indians in Tennessee. Without adjunct of education or fortune, George Walton won and maintained his right to preferment by conscientious endeavor, consecutive study and unques- tioned ability. His life and success well illustrate what in this country can be achieved by honesty of purpose, natural talent and earnest effort.

IRWIN, JARED, fourth governor of Georgia, served his country faithfully many years during the latter part of the revolutionary war, and afterward in cam- paigns on the Georgia frontiers against the Indians. He was born in Mecklen- burg county, N. C., in 1750. In 1788 he moved to Washington county,

229

MISCELLANEOUS BIOGRAPHIES.

Ga .; was elected a member to revise the state constitution in 1789; a mem- ber of the first legislature convened under the present form of government in 1790; a member of the state convention in 1795; governor of Georgia in 1796; member and president of the state convention of 1798 that formed the permanent constitution. After thirty years of distinguished and almost continuous service, during which he attained the military rank of brigadier-general of militia, he died at Union Hill March 1, 1818.

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.

Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 32

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1294

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294