USA > Georgia > Statistics of the state of Georgia : including an account of its natural, civil, and ecclesiastical history ; together with a particular description of each county, notices of the manners and customs of its aboriginal tribes, and a correct map of the state > Part 21
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EARLY SETTLERS .- Floyd county was originally settled by persons from the older parts of Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
MINERAL SPRINGS, CAVES .- Cave springs are situated on Little Cedar creek, in Vann's valley. These springs issue from a mountain east of the valley. The force of the water is sufficient to turn an overshot mill. There is a cave fifty yards from the springs. You descend into it at an angle of ninety degrees. Beautiful stalactites are in the different apart-
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ments of the cave. The creek formed by the spring runs off with great swiftness, almost as swift as the mountain stream, until it enters into Big Cedar. There are several other springs in this vicinity, the water of which is just as good as that of the Cave springs. About a mile and a half northeast of Rome, near Mr. Mitchell's plantation, is Nix's cave. The interior is filled with stalactites. Mr. Nix resides near this cave, and is always ready to guide visitors through its differ- ent apartments. On Mr. Mitchell's plantation is Woodward's cave, formerly notorious as a depository for stolen goods. The entrance is through a large rock, which is nearly 100 feet perpendicular. There are a number of small caves in vari- ous parts of the county.
MINERALS .- Iron, plumbago, galena, pyrites, slate, agate, satin spar, besides ostreas, coral, ammonites, encrenites, co- prolites, &c. The limits of this work will not permit us to give a particular account of the various minerals and organic remains which are abundant in this county. To do this a volume would be necessary.
REMARKABLE PLACES .- In the fork of the Etowah and Oostenaula rivers, near Rome, many human bones are found. In 179-, a battle was fought on this spot, between the whites and Indians.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE, AMUSEMENTS .- A large ma- jority of the inhabitants are moral and intelligent. Like all the other newly settled counties of Georgia, it has its propor- tion of idle and dissolute people. The temperance effort has succeeded admirably. The amusements are hunting and fish- ing. The neighbouring mountains abound with game, and the rivers with the finest fish.
ROADS AND BRIDGES .- The roads are not kept in good order. At Rome, there is a good bridge over the Etowah, which cost $3000, belonging to a private individual.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- The climate is pleasant. In some places chills and fevers occur. John Funderburk is over 90 years of age, rides on horseback, and reads without glasses.
NAME .- This division of the State was named after Major
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FLOYD COUNTY.
Gen. Floyd, who died in Camden county, 24th day of June, 1829. He was the son of a revolutionary soldier, who, it is said, wore on the front of his helmet, a silver crescent with the words " Liberty or death." Gen. Floyd came from South Carolina, where he was born in 1794, and settled in the south- ern part of Georgia. In 1803, he became a member of the State Legislature. His associates were such men as Jackson, Tattnall, and Milledge, all of whom had the highest respect for his inflexible patriotism, and his unimpeachable integrity. In 1806, he was appointed Brigadier General of the 1st brigade, Georgia militia. In this command he established so great a reputation as a military man, that Gov. Early, in 1813, select- ed him to command the Georgia troops in an expedition against the Creeks, who for some time had been engaged in a sanguinary and unprovoked massacre upon the helpless fron- tier settlements of Georgia and Alabama. On one occasion, the savages surprised a fort where there were 300 men, women and children, and with the exception of 17, who made their escape, all were cruelly put to death. This affair created a great feeling of indignation in Georgia, and it is no won- der that a universal desire was felt to avenge the death of their countrymen. The direction of such an important matter as defending the frontier settlements, and of punishing the Indians for their aggressions, could not have been committed to a man possessing more energy of character than Ge- neral Floyd. Too much space would be required to follow him on his march, in which he displayed his ability as a most skilful commander. Suffice it to say, that co-operating with General Jackson, he waged a destructive war against the savages. At Autossee, Tallassee, and Camp Defiance, the enemy were defeated with great loss. In one of these en- gagements Gen. Floyd was severely wounded ; but, although labouring under acute pain, he refused to retire from the field. After the close of the Creek campaign, Gen. Floyd was invested with the command of the troops at Savan- nah, which command he retained to the end of the war. In 1826, he was elected a representative to Congress, where he served two years. As a private citizen, Gen. Floyd, in
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the relations of husband and father, had no superior. His friendship was warm, sincere and disinterested. His gene- rosity knew no bounds. His benevolence was unsurpassed. To him the relief of distress was a duty. His hospitality re- minds one of the good old times of which we now only read. Inflexibly honest, he prided himself on his punctuality in ful- filling his engagements. His high sense of honour made him abhor every thing deviating in the least degree from the most correct principles.
FORSYTH.
BOUNDARIES .-- Bounded, N. by Lumpkin, E. by Hall, W. by a part of Cobb and Cherokee, and S. by Gwinnett. Laid out from Cherokee, in 1832.
TOWNS .-- Cumming, named after Colonel William Cum- ming, of Augusta, is the county town, situated on Vickery's creek, 145 miles N. W. of Milledgeville, on rather an undu- lating surface, surrounded by beautiful scenery, and within two and a half miles of Sawney's mountain, which lies north, raising its majestic head high above the clouds. The court-house and jail are constructed of wood. It has two churches, two hotels, two schools, five stores, &c. The amount of goods sold here per annum exceeds $30,000. Several societies, such as the masonic lodge, temperance soci- ety, &c. Population about 400. The town is healthy and the water excellent. Cumming was incorporated and made the county site in 1834.
NATURE OF THE SOIL, VALUE OF LAND, AVERAGE PRO- DUCT .-- The lands on the rivers and creeks are fertile, having mostly an alluvial soil, dark and sandy, adapted to corn, wheat, and cotton. Value $25 per acre. The uplands are productive, adapted to corn and wheat. Value $5 per acre. The upland ridges are worth from one to two dollars per acre, and the rocky broken ridges vary in price, according to the quantity of gold supposed to be found upon them. Cotton averages 500 pounds per acre. The low lands average 40 bushels of
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corn per acre, and the second quality lands four to five barrels ; the third quality lands produce from two to three and a half barrels per acre. The bottoms produce from 15 to 20 bushels of wheat, second quality lands eight to ten bushels per acre, and the third quality from five to eight bushels per acre.
PRODUCTIONS .- Corn, wheat, cotton, rye, oats, potatoes. Fruits and vegetables do well ; tobacco grows finely. In 1846, 80,000 lbs. of tobacco were made. About 350 bags of cotton made annually.
ORIGINAL SETTLERS. - The original settlers were James Hays, Mr. Hardy Strickling, Charles Jackson, William Black- stock, Mr. Jacob Scudder, and others.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE, AMUSEMENTS .- For sociability and hospitality the citizens of this county cannot be excelled. The houses of all are open to worthy strangers. The amuse- ments are hunting, dancing, and fishing; some cock-fighting and horse-racing in certain sections.
MOUNTAINS. - Sawney and Coal mountains. The latter may be considered a continuation of the former, although a level intervenes between them.
RIVERS AND CREEKS .- The principal rivers are the Chatta- hoochee and Etowah ; the creeks are Two Mile, Four Mile, Six Mile, Baldridge's, Davis's, Vickery's, Dick's, and John's creeks, and discharge their waters into the Chattahoochee river; the Sitting Down creek empties into the Etowah.
MILLS, DISTILLERIES .- Saw-mills 12, grist-mills 21, mer- chant mill, 1; distilleries 5; one wool-carding establishment, half a mile southwest of Cumming. It is proposed to erect a large cotton manufactory on the Chattahoochee. There are several tobacco manufactories in the county.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION. - The census of 1845 assigns to this county 6,911 whites, 798 blacks; total 7,709. Amount of State tax received, $1,384 48. Sends one representative to the Legislature.
POST OFFICES. - Cumming, Big Creek, Hartford, High Tower, Vickery's Creek, Warsaw.
ROADS, BRIDGES, FERRIES .- The roads and bridges are in pretty good condition. Thirteen ferries on the Chattahoochee, and one toll bridge over the Etowah.
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FORSYTH COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Baptists, Missionary and Anti-Missionary ; Presbyterians of old and new school, Metho- dists, Episcopalians, Universalists and Bible Christians. There are 15 Baptist churches, 18 Methodist, and 2 Presbyterian in this county. More attention is paid to education than for- merly. There are about 30 schools in the county.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- The climate is as healthy as any portion of Cherokee Georgia. Typhoid fever, pleu- risies, &c., are the most common diseases. The cases of longevity are the following: Mr. Barnett, 80; Mr. Rogers, 80; Mr. Hill, 80 ; John Samples, 80; Mr. Wills, 90; has voted for every President. Several other cases occur, but our limits will not permit us to name them.
MINERALS .- Forsyth lies in the gold region, and it is be- lieved that gold can be found in almost every branch in the county. Sawney's mountain, near Cumming, contains an abundance of gold, and indeed it may be regarded as an im- mense mine of gold. Strickling's mines have produced finely, and in various parts of the county the precious metal exists. Silver and copper are found in several places. Two or three diamonds have been found. Iron, talc, and many of the pre- cious stones, such as the ruby and garnet. We cannot afford space to dwell largely on the mineral resources of this section of the State. They are inexhaustible, and can never be fully known until our Legislature orders a geological survey of the State.
MOUNDS, AND OTHER OBJECTS OF INTEREST .- On Mr. Rogers's plantation, 12 miles south of Cumming, on the road to Lawrenceville, are several small mounds. On the road from Canton to Dahlonega, 10 miles northwest from Cumming, is a very remarkable rock. It is an unhewn mass of granite, eight and a half feet long, and two and a half feet wide. It is three-sided, with irregular converging points, upon which are characters, seventeen of them varying in shape. The largest circles are eight inches in diameter. From its appearance it must have been wrought at a very remote period. The de- signs are very regular, and it is probable that they were. executed by the same race of people who constructed the- mounds in this and other sections of the State. What the
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characters on this rock mean, the oldest inhabitants cannot tell. The oldest Indians could give no account of it. Would it not be proper for the Legislature to make a small appropria- tion to convey this curious relic of antiquity to Milledgeville ?
Mr. Samuel Julian has a marble font, presented to him by James Daniel, formerly a judge in the Cherokee nation.
NAME .- The merits of the Hon. John Forsyth, in honour of whom this county is named, are written in the history of his country. He was born in Frederick county, Virginia, and came with his father to Georgia when he was about four years of age. He studied the classics under the Rev. Mr. Springer, who had charge of an academy of great repute in Wilkes county. He then went to Princeton College, where he was graduated in 1799. After his collegiate course he studied law in Augusta with Mr. Noel, and commenced practice in 1802. A short time afterwards he was appointed Attorney General of the State, and in this office acquired great distinction. In 1811 he was honoured by his fellow-citizens with a seat in the House of Representatives of the United States. Here he be- came a warm advocate of Mr. Madison's administration, and defended the policy, justice, and conduct of the war. Upon most of the important topics which then agitated Congress he distinguished himself. In 1818 he resigned his seat in the House of Representatives, and was elected a member of the Senate. In this august body he displayed the superiority of his talents, and the whole country regarded him with pride and admiration. During the winter of 1818, he was sent minister to Spain, where he remained several years engaged in adjust- ing the differences between that country and the United States. By his skill and prudence, he brought matters to a successful termination. Whilst in Spain, Georgia elected him a member of the House of Representatives of the United States, in which body he took his seat in 1823. At this session he showed himself to be the firm friend of the rights of Georgia. The report which he then made on the subject of the original compact, by which the United States had agreed to extinguish the Indian title to the territory within Georgia, is acknow- ledged by the most able men to be equal to any ever presented to Congress. In 1827 he was elected Governor of Georgia,
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and warmly and ably sustained the ground he had taken in the councils of the nation relative to the Indian question. At the expiration of his term as Governor he was again elected to the Senate of the United States, where he remained until 1834, when he succeeded Mr. McLane as Secretary of State. During no period since the war of 1812, had our foreign rela- tions involved questions more important ; and the honour and success with which they were conducted were owing, in a great degree, to the talents and firmness of Mr. Forsyth. He died in Washington City on the 21st day of October, 1841, in the 60th year of his age. The intelligence of his death was received by the citizens of Washington and throughout the country with emotions of great sorrow. In person he was upright, and finely proportioned ; height about five feet eight inches. As a speaker Mr. Forsyth never failed to attract at- tention. In the Boston Morning Post of -, a corres- pondent thus speaks of Mr. Forsyth :
" Mr. Forsyth's manner is peculiarly Virginian, respectful in his language, courteous and complimentary to his antago- nist. Without ever exhibiting passion, he evinces deep feeling. His voice is peculiarly melodious, and without talking fast, the words seem to melt into each other, like one continued sound, not unlike the enunciation of Judge Story, though with less compass of notes. He uses but little gesture, and his most emphatic passages are always in an under tone, which produce a solemn effect and leave a deep impression. It is the still small voice in which he pours out heart and soul and feeling, charming the audience into a silence, as if they were listening to the last fading notes of an Æolian harp, when they felt that the spirit of the wind was fading away. His countenance is fair and pleasing, with a smile always playing around his lips." Mr. Forsyth was not a hard student in the " midnight lamp" sense. He was, however, a deep thinker. He mastered the contents of a book whilst others would be turning over its leaves. His knowledge was extensive, and whatever he knew was always at his command. As an off-hand debater he had no superior. To his lofty spirit as a man, was added a breast overflowing with the most tender affection for his family.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
FRANKLIN.
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT. - Franklin is among the oldest of the upper counties of the State, and originally embraced an extent of country " beginning at Savannah river, where the west line of Wilkes county strikes the same; thence along the said line to the Cherokee Corner; from thence, on the same direction, to the south branch of the Oconee river; thence up the said river to the head or source of the most southern stream thereof; thence along the temporary line separating the Indian hunting-ground, to the northern branch of the Savannah river, known by the name of Keowee, and down the said river to the beginning." The boundaries have been much changed since that period, portions of it having been assigned to Jack on, Madison, Hall, and Habersham. The present boundaries are thus :- On the North by Habersham and Tugaloo river; on the East by Tugaloo river; on the South by Jackson, Elbert, and Madison ; and on the West by Hall, Habersham, and Jackson. Length 26 miles ; breadth 25 miles ; square miles 650.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- The Tugaloo river, which separates it from South Carolina, and Hudson's Fork, North Fork, Middle Fork, branches of the Broad river. The creeks which empty into the Tugaloo are Reid, Long Shoal, Shoal, and Gum Log. The others are Double Branches, Nail's, Bear, Werd's, Webb's and Easternally creeks.
TowN .-- Carnesville is the county town, named after Thomas B. Carnes, an eminent lawyer and judge, situated on Stephens's creek ; distant from Milledgeville 108 miles ; from Madison's Springs 13 miles; from Clarkesville 30 miles ; from Elberton 30 miles ; from Savannah river 25 miles; from An- dersonville, South Carolina, 25 miles; and from Athens 35 miles. It has a good brick court-house, a jail, two hotels, stores, &c. Population 100. Dwellings 17. It was made the county site in 1805.
POST OFFICES .- Carnesville, Aquilla, Hudson, Bowersville, Bushville, Fairview, Grove Level, Middle River, Parker's Store, Walnut Hill.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- According to the census of 1845, the population was 7,943 whites, and 2,087 blacks ; total, 10,030. The amount of State tax for 1848, is $1,770 80 cents. Entitled to two representatives.
EARLY SETTLERS .- The Clevelands, Gilberts, Pulliums, Albertons, Manlys, Mr. Stonecypher, Philip Thomas, John Goram, Daniel Bush, Russel Jones, Mr. Shannon, and Mr. Little.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- The climate is salubrious, although much sickness has sometimes prevailed. Franklin can show a long list of aged persons. We can only mention the names of a few : Mr. Hale died last year at the age of 117; John Watson and wife died at the age of 90; Thomas Clark died at 90 ; Wm. Spears, a revolutionary soldier, reached 110 ; Henry Parks, 100 ; Elisha Dyer and wife, 93; Samuel Mackey was over 100; Jesse Marshall, a soldier of the revolu- tion, over 97; Mr. John Stonecypher, 96 ; David Guess, 90. There are many persons now living in this county over 90 years of age.
MINERAL SPRINGS .- Franklin springs, 9 miles southeast of Carnesville. On Gum creek, in Carnesville, and on Mr. Hay- ton's land, there are springs possessing medicinal properties. Freestone springs are abundant throughout the county.
INDIAN MOUNDS, ANTIQUITIES .-- Several on Savannah river. Various articles of pottery, shells, rifles, and guns have been found in the graves of the Indians buried on the Hudson river.
MINERALS .- Iron ore abounds. Gold has been found in one or two places. Fine specimens of quartz near Carnes- ville.
NATURE OF THE SOIL .- Lands of first quality are situated on Tugaloo river, adapted to corn, wheat, and cotton, worth $10 per acre. Second quality are on Broad river, adapted to cotton, corn, and wheat, valued from $6 to $8 per acre. Third quality embraces the hills and ridges, valued $2 per acre. The face of the country is level in the south; the balance is broken.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Missionary and Anti-Mis- sionary Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians. There are in the county, fourteen Missionary Baptist churches, two
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Anti-Missionary Baptist, sixteen Methodist, and three Presby-
terian. In point of education the people of this ancient county are chargeable with neglect. Schools are much wanted.
AMUSEMENTS .- Fox hunting, dancing, quiltings.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE .- Generally speaking, the people of this county may be said to be frugal and industrious. In some portions, the inhabitants are too much given to low and vulgar habits. A spirit of enterprise is wanted. The various politi- cal meetings which are held during electioneering campaigns, have produced a very deleterious influence upon the habits of the people of this county, as well as in other parts of Georgia. Intemperance has diminished, and we hope that the time will come when the gatherer of future statistics may have it in his power to say there are no distilleries in old Franklin. For hospitality the citizens of this section of Georgia cannot be excelled. To exercise the rites of hospi- tality, we believe that the citizens of this county will sub- ject themselves to any inconvenience. The ladies of Franklin are models of industry, and it is said are remarkably fond of dress ; but this is not to be wondered at, for this may be said of all ladies.
MANUFACTURES, MILLS, DISTILLERIES .- A wool-carding establishment will soon be in operation on Rice creek, in the southern part of the county.
There are in the county 31 grist-mills, 15 saw-mills, and a large number of distilleries. The business of making whiskey was formerly carried on very extensively, but we are gratified to learn that it has been greatly diminished.
BRIDGES, ROADS, FERRIES .- A number of bridges in the county and in fair condition. The roads are much neglected. One ferry on the Savannah, four on the Tugaloo, and several others.
AVERAGE PRODUCTS, AMOUNT OF COTTON MADE, MARKETS. -Cotton averages 400 pounds per acre ; corn 3 barrels per acre ; wheat, 6 bushels per acre. Over 3600 bags of cotton are annually made.
Planters carry their crops to Athens and Augusta, and a large quantity of cotton is carried to Andersonville, South Carolina.
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FRANKLIN COUNTY.
NAME .- Benjamin Franklin, an eminent philosopher, states- man, and patriot, was born in Boston, January 17, 1706. At ten years of age, he was taken from school and assisted his father in his business, which was that of a tallow-chandler and soap-boiler. At the end of two years, he was bound an apprentice to his brother, who was a printer. Having a great taste for books, his leisure moments were employed in reading works which his limited means allowed him to purchase ; and so anxious was he to improve his mind, that he often passed the greater part of the night in reading.
During his apprenticeship, his brother began to print the " New England Courant," for which Franklin wrote several esays. On account of some misunderstanding between his brother and himself, Franklin left Boston and came to Phila- delphia, where he found employment in a printing office. After a short period he was induced to go to London by pro- mises of assistance from Sir William Keith, who had professed great friendship for him ; which promises, however, were not fulfilled, and Franklin found himself in London without a sin- gle acquaintance or friend, but obtained employment in a printing office. In 1726, he returned to America.
Shortly after his arrival in Philadelphia he commenced business for himself. The claims of business did not extinguish his taste for literature. He formed the plan of the Library Company of Philadelphia. In 1732, he commenced the pub- lication of " Poor Richard's Almanac," which was continued by him for 25 years. In 1736, he was appointed Clerk of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, and in 1737, Post Master of Philadelphia. In 1738, he organized the first fire company. In 1747, he was chosen a member of the Assembly, and con- tinued in this station ten years.
At this time he was engaged in experiments in electricity, and made the discovery which has immortalized his name, viz : the identity of the electric fluid and lightning. In 1753, he was appointed Deputy Post Master General of the British colonies, and in the same year originated several scientific so- cieties which are now the pride of America. In the war be- tween France and England, he filled several important offices, the duties of which he discharged with industry and zeal. In
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1757, he was sent to England as the agent of Pennsylvania, and whilst residing there was appointed agent of Massachu- setts, Maryland, and Georgia. In England he was highly honoured, chosen a fellow of the Royal Society, and received the degree of Doctor of Laws from several universities. In 1766, he was examined at the bar of the House of Commons in regard to the repeal of the Stamp Act; and in 1775, he re- turned to America, and the day after his arrival, was elected a member of Congress. Various important missions were in- trusted to him by his country, in all of which he evinced his devotion to the cause of liberty. His name is on the Decla- ration of American Independence.
In 1776, he was sent as commissioner plenipotentiary to France, and concluded a treaty with this kingdom, February 6, 1778. While he was acting as a commissioner for nego- tiating peace with the mother country, his uniform answer to repeated questions as to the terms which might be obtained, was, " Nothing but independence." On his return to Phila- delphia, he filled the office of President of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and served as a delegate to the Federal Con- stitution in 1787.
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