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 27
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321
HEARD COUNTY.
HEARD.
BOUNDARIES .- This county is bounded on the N. by Car- roll, on the E. by Coweta, on the S. by Troup, and on the W. by Alabama. Laid out from Troup, Coweta, and Carroll, in 1830.
RIVERS, CREEKS. - This county is well supplied with streams. The only river is the Chattahoochee, into which all the creeks in the county empty ; which are, the White Water, Sundalhatchee, Hillabahatchee, Brushy, and others.
POPULATION, REPRESENTATION, TAXES .-- In 1840, the po- pulation was 5,239; in 1845, it was 5,998; so that in five years, there has been an increase of 669. Sends one repre- sentative to the Legislature. Amount of taxes returned for 1848, $1,930 50.
POST OFFICES .- Franklin, Berrien, Corinth, .Enon Grove, Houstoun, McBride's Mills.
TowN. - Franklin is the seat of justice; it is situated on the east bank of the Chattahoochee river, 145 miles from Milledgeville, 30 from West Point, 20 from La Grange, 33 from Greeneville, 20 from Newnan, 25 from Carrollton, and 30 from Wedowee, Alabama. Population 250. It was incor- porated and made the county site in 1831. There is an excel- lent brick court-house and a strong jail in Franklin.
Corinth, 11 miles east, and Houstoun, 9 miles southwest of Franklin, are thriving villages. St. Cloud's and McBride's Mills do considerable business.
MANUFACTURES, MILLS .- One cotton factory doing a good business, 17 grist-mills, 13 saw-mills, 3 flour-mills.
SURFACE OF THE COUNTRY, NATURE OF THE SOIL .-- The surface is very hilly. About one-third of the county consists of rich oak and hickory land ; two-thirds are pine mixed with oak and hickory, and remarkably productive. All the lands rest upon a good clay foundation. The soil is light and easily cultivated.
AVERAGE PRODUCTS PER ACRE, AMOUNT OF COTTON .-
Corn averages, per acre,
. 20 bushels.
Wheat " 15
Cotton
. 800 pounds.
322
HEARD COUNTY.
There are some small bodies of bottom lands upon the river and its tributaries which will yield 50 bushels of corn, or 2,000 pounds of cotton per acre. Between 4,500 and 5,000 bags of cotton are made annually.
PRODUCTIONS .-- The leading productions are cotton, corn, and wheat ; rye, oats, and barley are produced in small quan- tities ; most of the fruits and vegetables known to middle Georgia are successfully cultivated. The forest trees are larger than any in the adjacent counties.
EARLY SETTLERS. - Major Daniel Whitaker, Mr. C. B. Brown, Colonel Winston Wood, John Jean, Thomas Awbry, and Colonel Dent were among the earliest settlers.
RELIGIOUS SECTS .- Methodists, Missionary and Anti-Mis- sionary Baptists, Protestant Methodists, and Presbyterians. In the county there are nine Methodist Episcopal churches, three Protestant Methodist, nine Missionary Baptist, two Anti-Mis- sionary Baptist, and one Presbyterian.
INDIAN MOUNDS, &c .- There are a few small mounds near the Chattahoochee. On Colonel Dent's farm some negroes ploughed up a gun, having on it the British coat of arms.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- No section of Georgia is favoured with a more salubrious climate. The diseases are few, and those which do prevail are manageable. The only instance of longevity which has come to our knowledge is that of Mr. James Stewart; he has exceeded his threescore and ten, being over 80 years of age. He is one of the soldiers of " '76."
MINERALS .- Gold has been found in the bed of the Chatta- hoochee, and in all the creeks and branches on the west of it. On Black Jack mountain, near the Alabama line, is a vein mine, supposed to be valuable. Iron ore and some specimens of lead have been found.
ROADS, BRIDGES .- The public roads are not kept in good order. There are but few bridges. The interests of the county call for a bridge over the river at Franklin.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE .- There is much republican simplicity in the manners of the people. They are improving in every thing calculated to make them good citizens and honest men.
1
323
HEARD COUNTY.
MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS .- Colonel Dent, of Franklin, is among the oldest settlers in the county, and he writes to the author of this work in the following manner : "I have never heard of a case of fever and ague here, and only a few cases of bilious fever. There is not a quart of stagnant water on the west side of the river in the county. It is the most hilly and the most healthy county in the State, and holds more valu- able, water-power than any other territory that I ever saw of the same area. If the contemplated railroad from Atlanta to West Point is completed, and a bridge erected across the river at Franklin, Heard will be one of the most desirable counties in the State."
NAME .- This county received its name in honour of Ste- phen Heard, one among the most active officers of the revo- lutionary war. He was born in Ireland, and with his father, John Heard, emigrated to Virginia during the period of the French war. In those stirring times, education beyond the common branches was enjoyed by few, and Mr. Heard was not among that few. He served under Gen. Washington, during the French war, as a captain, and acquitted himself with honour. In 17-, when hundreds of the people of Vir- ginia, attracted by the fertility of the lands in what was called the Broad River Country, in Georgia, were leaving the Old Dominion, Mr. Heard came to Wilkes county, and settled on Fishing creek. But little time was afforded him to cultivate the soil ; for hostilities having taken place between Great Britain and her colonies, he hastened to the standard of lib- erty, and under Col. Elijah Clarke, contributed his best efforts in defending the western portions of Georgia against the attacks of a cruel enemy. At the memorable battle of Kettle Creek, he acted a distinguished part, not only by encouraging the Americans by his patriotic speeches, but also by taking an active part in the engagement. During a portion of the time when Georgia was overrun by the British, and when gloom sat upon the countenances of all, he was President of the Execu- tive Council, and in this capacity did all in his power to inspire the desponding people with hope. After the war he resumed his agricultural pursuits, and was among the most influential men in Wilkes. He was Chief Justice of the
324
HENRY COUNTY.
Inferior Court, and a Trustee of the Academy in Washington. He died 15th November, 1815, and left four sons, one of whom, Col. Thomas J. Heard, of Elbert county, has been fre- quently a member of the Legislature. Mr. Heard was married twice. His first wife was a Miss Germany. During his absence from home, the tories came to his house and drove her off, and such was the exposure she suffered, that it brought on a severe sickness which finally terminated her life. His second wife was Miss Elizabeth Darden, who died in Elbert on the 5th of June, 1848, at the advanced age of 83 years. The brother of Stephen Heard, Major Barnard Heard, was taken prisoner by the tories in Wilkes and carried to Augusta in irons, where he was sentenced by a court-martial to be hung; but on the day before the siege of the town commenced he made his escape, and fought on that occasion under Clarke and Jackson ; and after the battle he went to the British gar- rison, where he found his father, John Heard, who was quite advanced in years, almost exhausted by hunger, with another old man, both of whom he took by the hand, and brought them to the American post.
HENRY.
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT. - This county is bounded N. by De Kalb, N. E. by Newton, E. by Butts, S. by Pike, and W. by Fayette. Laid out by the Lottery Act of 1821, and portions since that time added to other counties. It is 27 miles long and 15 miles wide, containing 405 square miles.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- South river, one of the head branches of the Ocmulgee, and Cotton river. The creeks are Trouble- some, Sandy, Towaliga, Indian, Tussahaw, Little Walnut, Line, and Reeves.
POST OFFICES .- McDonough, Double Cabins, Flat Rock, Forsterville, Locust Grove, Sandy Ridge, White House, Stock Bridge, Buena Vista, Spring.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- The population, according to the census of 1845, was 9,669 whites, and 3,786
325
HENRY COUNTY.
blacks; total, 13,455. Amount of State tax returned for 1848, $3,360 82. Entitled to two representatives to the Legislature.
TOWNS, PUBLIC PLACES .- McDonough is the capital, and is pleasantly located on the waters of Walnut creek. First settled in 1822; incorporated and made the county site in 1823. From Milledgeville it is distant 70 miles N. W., from Fayetteville 20, from Griffin 18, from Covington 21, from Jackson 16, from Indian Springs and from Decatur 28. The public buildings are a brick court-house, jail, three churches, and one academy. This town declined in business when Grif- fin was first settled, although it now begins to revive. The amount of goods sold in a year is over $50,000. Population 500. Great efforts are making to put a stop to the sale of ardent spirits in McDonough.
Hollinsworth's Store, or Tucker's Cabin, is 14 miles N. of McDonough.
Double Cabins, 6 miles N. of Griffin.
Hale's Store, on Sandy Ridge, 10 miles E. of McDonough.
White House, 7 miles N. E. of McDonough.
Cotton River, 62 miles N. of McDonough.
Pittsfield, 8 miles W. of McDonough.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- The climate is healthy, and there are few diseases except on the water-courses. The instances of longevity are the following. Mr. John Smith, between 90 and 100; Mr. James Daniel, over 80; Mr. John Treadwell, over 80; Mr. Jacob Coker, over 80; Mr. John Wyatt, over 83; Mr. Richard Card, over 80; Mr. John Oslin, 80; Mr. Ezekiel Cloud, 92 ; Mr. Cuncle, 82.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Baptists the most numer- ous, Methodists, a few Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, Uni- versalists and Christians. There are about thirty churches in the county. Proper attention is paid to education.
MARKETS .- Atlanta, Griffin, Macon, and Jonesborough.
MINERAL SPRINGS .- Five miles east of McDonough, on Key's Ferry road, is a spring said to have mineral qualities.
MOUNTAIN .- Little Rock mountain, in the N. E. corner of the county.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE .- The citizens of this county are plain and unassuming in their manners, industrious, benevo- lent, and enterprising.
326
HENRY COUNTY.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY, NATURE OF THE SOIL .- The face of the country is uneven. The bottom lands are fertile, com- manding $15 per acre, and are well adapted to cotton and corn. The mulatto or hickory lands are productive, and sell for $10 per acre. Common gray lands are worth from $5 to $6 per acre. Ridge lands from $1 to $2 per acre.
MINERALS .- Iron, tourmaline, flint, quartz, &c. Gold has been found on Walnut creek, but not in quantities sufficient to justify labour.
MANUFACTURES, MILLS .- One cotton factory near McDo- nough.
Merchant-mills,
4
Saw-mills,
8
Grist-mills,
14
Distilleries,
6 or 7
ROADS .- The roads and bridges are much neglected.
AVERAGE PRODUCT PER ACRE .-
Cotton averages 500 pounds per acre.
Corn 66
4 barrels
Wheat 60 12 66
NAME .- This county bears the name of Patrick Henry, of whom Mr. Jefferson said he was the greatest orator that ever lived, and to whom Mr. Randolph applied the scriptural expres- sion, " Never man spake like this man." The life of Mr. Henry has been written by the Hon. William Wirt ; but as this vol- ume may not be accessible to most of our readers, we shall freely make such extracts from it as will serve to give an idea of the principal incidents of the life, and the most striking features in the character of the great Virginia orator, states- man, and patriot. Patrick Henry was born on the 27th of May, 1736, in Hanover county, Virginia. The advantages of an education were within his reach, but so irksome did he find the restraints and confinement of a school, that he made but little progress in his studies. His gun and fishing-rod were preferred to Horace and Euclid. At the age of fifteen, he en- gaged in mercantile business, but its drudgery he found to be as ill suited to his taste as the confinement of a school, and at the expiration of a very short period, this was abandoned. At 18 years of age he married, and directed his attention to
327
HENRY COUNTY.
the culture of a farm, but his ignorance of agriculture, and his aversion to labour forced him to give up this business, and he again turned merchant, but succeeded no better than he had some years before. Henry now had recourse to the law, and after looking into Blackstone, and other principal law books, for a short time, he was admitted to the bar. No one thought that he could ever succeed in a profession which required an intensity of application to which he had given grounds to believe that he could not habituate himself. But to the as- tonishment of all, his first opportunity to show what he could do in his new profession, resulted in his being placed at the head of the bar. The cause in which he was first employed was that known as the " Parsons' cause." Mr. Wirt says, that Mr. Henry rose very awkwardly, and faltered much in his exordium. The people hung their heads at so unpromising a commencement. The clergy were observed to exchange sly looks with each other, and his father is described as having almost sunk with confusion from his seat. But these feelings were of short duration, and soon gave place to others of a very different character. For now were those wonderful fa- culties which he possessed for the first time developed, and now was first witnessed that mysterious and almost superna- tural transformation of appearance which the fire of his own eloquence never failed to work in him; and as his mind rolled along and began to glow from its own action, all the exuviæ of the clown seemed to shed themselves spontaneously. His attitude by degrees became erect and lofty. The spirit of his genius awakened all his features. His wonder-working fancy, and the peculiar phraseology in which he clothed his images, produced an effect so great, that it is said, by one who heard him, " that he made their blood run cold and their hair to rise on end." In 1764, he again made one of his most brilliant efforts before a committee on elections, in the House of Bur- gesses ; and again in 1765, as a member of the House of Bur- gesses, when he introduced his resolutions on the Stamp Act. It was here that he said, " Cæsar had his Brutus -- Charles the First his Cromwell-and George the Third"-upon which the Speaker cried out "Treason !" " Treason, treason!" echoed from every part of the house. Henry, nothing daunted, in a voice
328
HOUSTOUN COUNTY.
of thunder added, "may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it." From this time Mr. Henry became one of the most influential men in America. All re- garded him as the champion of liberty. In his integrity the people fully confided, and honoured him with the most elevated offices in the land, viz., Delegate to the first Colonial Con- gress ; in 1774, Governor of Virginia, &c. Until 1794 he was regular in his attendance upon the courts. Mr. Henry died on the 6th of June, 1799. In private life, no man was more amiable. In the truth of Christianity he was a firm be- liever, and did all that precept and example required to re- commend it to others. He left a large number of children.
HOUSTOUN.
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT .- Houstoun is bounded N. by Craw- ford and Bibb, E. by Pulaski and Twiggs, S. by Dooly, and W. by Macon. It is 35 miles long and 25 wide. Square miles 875.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- The Ocmulgee flows along the eastern part of the county. Sandy Run, Spring, Mossy, Piney Woods, Groose's and Big Indian, empty into the Ocmulgee ; Hog Crawl, Lampkins and Tucsawhachee have their origin in this county.
POST OFFICES .- Perry, Batesman's Store, Busbayville, Fort Valley, Hayneville, Graceville, Minerva, Wellborn's Mills, Wilna.
TOWNS .- Perry is the county town, situated in the centre, upon the waters of Big Indian creek, 67 miles from Milledge- ville, 32 from the Central Railroad, 28 from the Ocmulgee river, 35 from Macon, and 23 from Hartford. It contains the usual public buildings, three churches, two flourishing schools, one large hotel, three stores, four groceries, apothecary's shop, and a small bookstore, attached to the post-office. There are between 40 and 50 mechanics of all kinds. Population, 500. The water is pure. For a number of years past, it has been as healthy as any town or village in the State. The town is improving very fast.
Fort Valley is 12 miles northwest of Perry; has three
329
HOUSTOUN COUNTY.
stores, one Methodist church, one academy; 32 miles from the Central Railroad. Population, 250.
Hayneville is in the southeast part of the county ; has two churches, three stores, academy, &c. Population, 140.
Henderson, on the road leading from Perry to Vienna. Po- pulation, 150.
MARKETS .- Savannah, Macon, and Hawkinsville are the chief markets.
MANUFACTORIES, MILLS .- There is a cotton factory on Mossy creek. Grist-mills, 13; saw-mills, 8.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE, AMUSEMENTS .- The citizens of this county are well informed, industrious, and generally tem- perate. The amusements are hunting and fishing.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- The Baptists are the most numerous. The other denominations are the Methodists, Presbyterians, and a few Universalists. Education does not receive the attention which it merits.
POPULATION, &c .- According to the census of 1845, there were 7,078 whites, and 7,568 blacks. To Mr. Moore, the tax receiver for this county, we are indebted for the following infor- mation :- "In 1848 the number of polls was 1,197. Slaves, 8,763." Amount of taxes returned to the State in 1848, $5,517 and 31 cents. Sends two representatives to the Legislature.
NATURE OF THE SOIL, QUANTITY OF LAND .- The soil is rich, and mostly of a limestone formation. The first quality lands are on the rivers and creeks, adapted to cotton and corn. The lands generally lie level, and are easily cultivated. There are in the county 99,208 acres of second quality oak and hickory lands; 40,005 acres of third quality oak and hickory lands ; pine land, 182,068 acres; swamp land, third quality, 2,888 acres.
PRODUCTIONS, AVERAGE PRODUCT PER ACRE .- The generous soil of this county produces cotton, corn, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, sugar-cane, rice, &c. The product of cotton, upon the oak lands, is from 7 to 800 lbs. per acre; corn, 18 to 25 bushels per acre ; wheat, from 8 to 10 bushels per acre ; rye, 6 to 10 bushels per acre.
FOREST TREES, FRUITS, FLOWERS .- Cypress, pine, oak, hick- ory, poplar, and maple, are the principal forest trees.
330
HOUSTOUN COUNTY.
The fruits are apples, pears, figs, plums, &c.
This section of the State is rich in flowers : the fringe- tree, the silk-weed, trumpet-flower, and many others.
CLIMATE, DISEASES .- This county is as healthy as most parts of Georgia similarly located. The season of 1847 was very wet, and there was much sickness among the inhabitants. In fact, all the sickness for the ten previous years would not equal that of this year. The diseases most common are bilious and intermittent fevers. The instances of longevity are the follow- ing :- Simpson Chance died at 90; Thomas Dozier at 84; Aaron Low at 80; Mrs. Ellen Dupree, 83.
EARLY SETTLERS .- Howell Cobb, David Clark, Allen Wig- gins, Rev. J. Fulwood, Heardy Hunter, John Hardy, Wm. Smith, Robert Saunders.
NAME .- The Houstouns are among the most ancient and reputable families in Georgia. The name often occurs in the history of our State, when it was under the direction of the Trustees under the royal Government, and after it had in com- mon with the other colonies declared itself independent. A Dr. William Houstoun was employed, as early as 1732, to col- lect plants for the colony of Georgia; and the public garden in Savannah was indebted to him for many tropical plants which he had obtained in the West Indies. Sir Patrick Hous- toun was a prominent man under the royal government, being Register of Grants, and one of the Counsellors, when John Reynolds was Governor of Georgia. John Houstoun, a son of Sir Patrick Houstoun, in honour of whom this county is named, was among the earliest and most zealous advocates of the co- lonies. On the 14th of July, 1774, a notice appeared in the Georgia Gazette, published in the city of Savannah, calling upon the inhabitants of the province to assemble, for the pur- pose of taking into consideration the oppressions of the colo- nies, to which was affixed the name of Mr. Houstoun, associa- ted with those of N. W. Jones, George Walton, and Archibald Bulloch. Pursuant to this call, a number of the citizens, not only of Savannah, but of several distant parishes, convened, and after nominating John Glenn, Esquire, Chairman, they appointed a committee of thirty gentlemen to prepare and re- port resolutions to be recommended to the whole province for
331
HOUSTOUN COUNTY.
its adoption. 1 Mr. Houstoun was placed on this committee ; and in the discharge of its onerous duties evinced much deci- sion and zeal. At a crisis so momentous, it was fortunate for Georgia that there were men like Mr. Houstoun, willing and able to serve her. On the 15th of July, 1775, he was appoint- ed one of the representatives of the province to the Congress in Philadelphia; and the same honour was conferred upon him the 2d of February, 1776. His name would have appear- ed on the Declaration of American Independence, had he not been called from Congress to counteract the influences of the Rev. Mr. Zubli, a delegate from Georgia, who had suddenly left Philadelphia for the purpose of using his efforts at home against the Declaration. On the 8th of May, 1777, Mr. Hous- toun was appointed a member of the Executive Council ; and on the 8th of January, 1778, was elected Governor of Geor- gia. The invasion of East Florida had long been a favourite object of Mr. Houstoun ; and soon after his elevation to the executive chair, he expressed to Major General Robert Howe, then in command of the Southern Department, his willingness to co-operate with him in this expedition. The force thought necessary for the expedition being raised, General Howe, ac- companied by Governor Houstoun, proceeded against East Flo- rida. Arriving at the St. Mary's river, numerous obstacles prevented further progress, and a council of war was called to decide whether a retreat would not be proper ; and it was de- termined that, under present circumstances, a retreat was not only expedient, but absolutely necessary. Governor Houstoun was a man of high spirit, and was unwilling to relinquish the command of the Georgia militia to General Howe; and this misunderstanding between the Governor and the General was probably one of the principal causes which led to the failure of the expedition. In 1784 he was again Governor of Georgia. In 1787, in conjunction with John Habersham and Lachlan McIntosh, he was appointed a Commissioner by the General Assembly on the part and behalf of the State of Georgia, for settling disputes respecting boundary, with the State of South Carolina ; but he differed in opinion from the other Commis- sioners, and protested against their proceedings. His protest may be found on page 666, in Marbury and Crawford's Di-
332
IRWIN COUNTY.
gest. Mr. Houstoun was by profession a lawyer, comparable to any of his day. He died at White Bluff, near Savannah, 20th July, 1796.
IRWIN.
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT .- Bounded N. by Dooly and Telfair, E. by parts of Telfair and Ware, S. by Lowndes and Thomas, and W. by Baker. It is about 52 miles long, and 28 wide. Square miles, 1456. Laid out by the Lottery Act of 1818. Parts set off to Thomas and Lowndes in 1825.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- The Ocmulgee and the Allapahaw ri- vers are the chief streams. Little river rises in the northern part of the county. Among the creeks may be named, San- dy, Hat, Lake, Big House, Willocoochee, Indian, Domes, Lit- tle House, Deep, Warrior, Tyty, Pine Woods, &c.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- In 1845, the po- pulation was 2145 whites, 321 blacks ; total, 2466. Amount of taxes for 1848, $823 66 cents. Sends one representative to the Legislature.
POST OFFICE .- Irwinville.
TowN .- Irwinville is the seat of justice, 112 miles from Milledgeville, 60 miles from Hawkinsville, and 30 from Jack- sonville. It has a court-house, tavern, and one or two stores.
EARLY SETTLERS .-- The Paulks, Youngs, Wilcoxes, and Hendersons.
MARKETS .- Hawkinsville, Macon, and Albany.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY, NATURE OF SOIL, PRODUCTIONS. -- Some parts of the county are broken. The lands are gene- rally pine-barren. Some excellent lands are in the eastern part of the county. The productions are cotton, sugar-cane, wheat, &c. The average product of cotton is 600 pounds per acre.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Methodists and Baptists are the prevailing sects. The schools are few, and more at- tention ought to be paid to education.
333
IRWIN COUNTY.
ROADS AND BRIDGES .- The roads and bridges are gene- rally good.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE, AMUSEMENTS .- The people are kind and sociable. Much time is devoted to hunting. Temperance has not advanced with so much rapidity as in other counties.
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