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 29
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The Legislature of Georgia, December 21st, 1791, passed almost with unanimity the following resolution : "Resolved, That the approbation and thanks of this Legislature be com- municated to Gen. James Jackson, a representative from the county of Chatham, for his exertions in bringing forward to public investigation an attack on the liberties and privileges of the citizens of this State in the last election for a member to represent this State in the Congress of the United States." In general politics he was attached to the Republican party, but acted always with independence, according to his sense of right. He was opposed to high duties, and to a bank of the United States, both upon expediency and constitutional grounds, and voted against the charter of the first bank. He was among the first that took ground for the South on the sub- ject of slavery. As early as February, 1790, he foresaw the difficulties now impending over the South. A few days pre- viously a petition had been sent from the Quakers, praying the abolition of the slave trade. On the 12th of February, a petition was presented from a Pennsylvania society for pro- moting abolition of slavery generally, calling upon Congress to "loosen the bands of slavery and promote a general enjoy- ment of the blessings of freedom." This last embraced the incendiary movements of the present day. Mr. Scott, a mem- ber from Pennsylvania, followed the presentation of this peti- tion by saying, that he could not perceive how any person could be said to acquire property in another, and declared that if he were a federal judge, and imported Africans were brought before him, he did not know how far he might go. It was then that Gen. Jackson uttered the words which brought upon
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him the wrath of the writer of the life of Roger Sherman. Every word Jackson then said, applies at this day. In reply to Mr. Scott, he said that he "differed from the gentleman last up, and supposed the master had a qualified property in his slaves; that the contrary doctrine would go to the destruc- tion of every species of personal service. The gentleman said that he did not stand in need of religion to induce him to reprobate slavery ; but, if he is guided by that evidence which the Christian system was founded on, he will find that religion is not against it; he will see from Genesis to Revela- tion the current setting strong that way. There never was a government on the face of the earth but what permitted slavery. The purest sons of freedom in the Grecian Repub- lics, the citizens of Athens and Lacedemon, all held slaves. On this principle the nations of Europe are associated; it is the basis of the federal system. But suppose all this to have been wrong, let me ask the gentleman if it is policy to bring forward a business at this moment likely to light up the flame of civil discord ; for the people of the Southern States will resist one tyranny as soon as another ; the other part of the continent may bear them down by force of arms, but they will never suffer themselves to be divested of their property without a struggle. The gentleman says if he was a federal judge he does not know to what length he would go in emancipating these people; but I believe his judgment would be of short duration in Georgia: perhaps even the existence of such a judge might be in danger." We have given these extracts from Gen. Jackson's speeches, to show that he never lost sight of his duty to the South ; that he was always prepared to defend her rights. We come now to what we consider one of the most valuable services which Gen. Jackson ever ren- dered to the people of Georgia; we mean the bold stand he took against the nefarious " Yazoo Act." We are candid when we affirm that the mere thought of the circumstances and history of this disgraceful procedure, causes us to feel a sickening emotion ; and we would not introduce this subject were we not desirous of doing justice to Gen. Jackson, and convincing the people of Georgia, that if he had done for them no other service than thwarting the purposes of the friends of
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the Yazoo Act, this alone should endear him to their remem- brance. Several projects for the sale of large tracts of land had been presented at different times to the Legislature of Georgia. In 1794 and 1795, the General Assembly passed an act conveying to four associations, viz., the Georgia, the Geor- gia Mississippi, the Upper Mississippi, and the Tennessee companies, 35,000,000 acres of land for $500,000, lying be- tween the rivers Mississippi, Tennessee, the Coosa, Alabama, and Mobile. The bill was contested in both Houses. It passed by a majority of ten in the House of Representatives, and two in the Senate. The sale of this land produced much excitement through the State, for it was known that all who voted for the bill, with one or two exceptions, were directly or indirectly bribed. On their return home they were met by their constituents with marked disapprobation, and it is placed beyond all doubt that one member of the Legislature was killed on account of his vote. From the very beginning of this villainous scheme to defraud the State of Georgia of her western territory, Gen. Jackson was indefatigable in his efforts to oppose it. By correspondence with the most eminent citi- zens in the State, and by communications in the papers of the day, he evinced a determination to hold up to public scorn the agents in this wicked transaction. No opportunity was per- mitted to pass in which he did not show himself the uncompro- mising opponent of the scheme, which the Yazoo adventurers had proposed to enrich themselves. In the discussions which he had in public and private, in regard to this matter, he doubt- less allowed his feelings to get the ascendency of his judgment. Naturally excitable, it is admitted that, in the expression of his opinions, he often employed language to which his best friends took exceptions ; but it must be remembered that the Yazoo speculators left no method unemployed to lessen his reputation in Georgia. As early as 1794, when a Senator in Congress, he was, on two distinct occasions, approached by a man exalted in office, who affected to be his personal friend, and was offered any number of acres he could require, even to half of a million, without paying a dollar, if he would embark his influence against the honour and interest of Georgia. When bribes had no effect upon Mr. Jackson, his enemies
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resorted to other methods to destroy his influence. His char- acter was assailed -- and we may add, his life often placed in jeopardy. The defeat of the Yazoo Act was the absorbing subject of his thoughts. In every step which he took, he firmly believed that he was engaged in a righteous cause. Noble man ! Heaven willed that you should live to see your efforts to defeat this scheme of unparalleled fraud, crowned with success. In 1795, whilst he was a Senator in Congress, many of his fellow-citizens, especially of Scriven and Chat- ham counties, requiring his aid to oppose the machinations of the Yazoo speculators, earnestly desired him to resign. He complied with their request, returned home, was elected a member of the Legislature, became a member of the commit- tee appointed to investigate the conduct of their predecessors, and, let it be known to the people of Georgia, and let them tell their children, that to Gen. James Jackson chiefly is due the credit of having this odious act repealed. The whole corrup- tion was overturned, and it was determined to obliterate it from history and to commit the very records of it to the flames. This was executed in a solemn manner. Tradition informs us that when the public functionaries were assembled in the State House Square in Louisville, to commit the registers of dishonour to the flames, a venerable man, whose head was whitened with the frosts of fourscore winters, unknown to any present, rode through the multitude, and made his way to the officers of the government. Alighting from his horse, he commenced an address, in which he stated he had been led there by a desire to see an act of justice performed ; that he did not
think that earthly fire should be employed to manifest the in- dignation which the occasion required, but the fire should come from heaven. With his trembling hands, he took from his bosom, whilst a deathlike silence prevailed amidst the throng, a burning-glass, and applying it to a heap of papers, the con- flagration was completed. Meanwhile the old man retired unperceived, and no traces of him could afterwards be found. Citizens of Georgia! long ere this ye should have erected a monument to the memory of your Jackson. In the establish- ment of the University in Athens, Mr. Jackson cheerfully co-operated with Baldwin, Milledge, and other friends of edu-
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cation. No man was more anxious to advance the cause of literature in Georgia, and he always referred to his agency in the organization of our State University, with feelings of pe- culiar pride. In 1802, he was associated with Abraham Baldwin and John Milledge in ceding to the United States the State territory west of the Chattahoochee. Mr. Jackson died in the city of Washington on the 19th of March, 1806, whilst serving Georgia as Senator in Congress. He was buried four miles from Washington, but by order of Congress his remains were removed to and interred in the Congressional burial yard, about the year 1836. On his tomb is the follow- ing inscription, the production of the Georgia delegation in Congress. On front side : 1
" To the memory of Major General JAMES JACKSON, of Georgia, who deserved and enjoyed the confidence of a grate- ful country -- a soldier of the Revolution."
On the reverse :
" He was the determined foe of foreign tyranny, the scourge and terror of corruption at home. Died 19th of March, 1806, in the 49th year of his age."
Mr. Jackson was about 5 feet 7 inches in height, stout, broad-shouldered, with a full breast, a large penetrating eye, high forehead, prominent features, and thin, sandy hair. His mind was strong, and much improved by reading and observa- tion. Although much employed, he found time to prepare a large volume of notes, in manuscript, on Ramsey's History of South Carolina, containing a vast amount of information in regard to the revolutionary war as carried on in Georgia. In the private relations of life he was kind and affable. Possess- ing a warm temperament, he was too apt to suppose himself slighted when really nothing of the kind was intended. To educate his children was with him an object of much solici- tude. Four of his sons are now living, polished, patriotic and useful citizens. To his servants he was proverbially kind. As we have already intimated, Mr. Jackson had his faults. He was often led to do things which, upon cool reflection, caused him pungent sorrow; and most of the difficulties in which he was involved, and which frequently caused the shedding of his blood, arose from the character of the times. Georgians !
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Countrymen ! We have, for your information, given an ac- count of the services of Gen. James Jackson. He was your friend, and remember, that when Jackson thought that his mortal career was almost finished, he said "that if after death his heart could be opened, Georgia would be legibly read there." What a sentiment! Treasure it up in your minds, citizens of Georgia !
JASPER.
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT .- Jasper county has Morgan and Newton on the N., Putnam on the E., Monroe and Butts on the W., and Monroe and Jones on the S. This county was laid out by the name of Randolph, in 1807; but the name was changed to Jasper in 1812. A part set off to Morgan in 1815, and a part to Newton, in 1821. Length, 24 miles, breadth 16 miles. Square miles, 384.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- The Ocmulgee, which divides the county from Butts and Monroe, is the chief stream. The creeks are Herd's, Wise's, Rocky, Falling, Cedar, Murder, Shoal, White Oak, Wolf and Panther.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- According to the census of 1845, this county had a population of 11,056, of which 4,562 were whites, and 6,494 blacks. Amount of State tax returned for 1848, $4,551 24 cts. Sends two representa- tives to the Legislature.
POST OFFICES .- Monticello, Palo Alto, Shady Dale, Hills- borough, Mechanicsville.
MINERALS .- Gold, iron, granite, mica, quartz, felspar, jasper, tourmaline, garnet, rose quartz, amethystine quartz, and gra- phite.
MINERAL SPRINGS .- There is a mineral spring three miles from Monticello, on Mrs. Wilson's plantation, the waters of which are said to be impregnated with medicinal qualities.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE, AMUSEMENTS .- The morals of the people are improving. Industry and economy are traits in their character. Dancing is a fashionable amusement.
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RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Methodists, Presbyterians and Baptists. Of churches there are 10 Methodist, 1 Presby- terian, 2 Oxford Baptists, 4 Anti-Missionary and 7 Missionary Baptists ; total 24. Education is not neglected, but in this county as well as in most of the counties in the State, the system adopted for the education of the poor is defective.
MARKETS, &c .- Covington, Madison, Macon, are the chief markets. 10,000 bags of cotton are annually produced.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- The climate is tempe- rate. The diseases are fevers, chills, and pneumonia. There are now living, Anthony Dyer, over 83; George Clark, 90; Mr. Caps, nearly 80 ; John Davidson, over 80; David Smith, over 80; Richard Carter, 83. Dr. Carroll died at the age of 100; Jeremiah Campbell, a revolutionary character, was over 80 ; Sion Barnett published the first proclamation connected with the Mecklenburg meeting, was present at the battles of Stono and Cowpens, and died at the age of 82 ; Littleton John- son, 86; Mr. Waters, 105, killed by fall from a horse; Mr. Abner Chapman, 86 ; Mrs. Chapman, 80; Mr. Yaney was at the siege of Savannah, and was within five steps of Pulaski when he was shot down. A negro man named Shade, at 110; Gilbert Shaw, at 80, killed by a tornado, in 1842.
TOWNS. - Monticello, so called from the residence of Thomas Jefferson, is the county site, situated on the waters of Murder creek. The court house is a handsome brick edifice, cost upwards of $12,000. The jail is a plain building. There are in the town, three churches, Methodist, Baptist and Pres- byterian, one county academy for males and one school for fe- males, two hotels, five stores, several mechanical shops, seven or eight lawyers, and four physicians. It is 35 miles W. N. W. of Milledgeville, 125 from Augusta, 28 from Forsyth, 36 from Marion, and 16 from the Indian springs. The citizens of this town are eminently distinguished for intelligence and polite- ness. More than $100,000 worth of goods are annually sold. The fire in 1843 destroyed property valued at $50,000.
Hillsborough, 9 miles S. E. of Monticello, has one church, two academies, and one store ; population 100. Named after Mr. Isaac Hill, one of the early settlers of the county.
Shady Dale, 8 miles from Monticello, has two churches, one
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academy, one tavern, one store. The population are said to be unsurpassed by any, for integrity and industry.
ROADS, BRIDGES .- The roads are fair, and the bridges are kept in tolerable order.
EARLY SETTLERS .- Jeremiah Cox, Richard Carter, Adam Glazier, Sylvanus Walker, Joel Wise, Charles Cargile, Wil- liam Scott, Stokely Morgan, Anthony Dyer, General J. W. Burney, Isaac Hill, Capt. Eli Glover, Major Pearson, Wil- liam Penn, the McClendons, Mr. Cargile, Thomas Broters, James Smith.
EMINENT MEN .- Gen. Adams, Capt. Butts.
ANTIQUITIES .- On Murder creek are several mounds, in which have been found many articles of pottery. In the S. W. part of the county have been found several excavations, supposed to have been made by De Soto in his search for the precious metals.
MISCELLANEOUS OBSERVATIONS .- On the 17th of May, 1847, a portion of the county was visited by a severe hail storm, which wholly destroyed the crops, timber, stock, &c. The hail was as large as a man's fist, and twenty-seven days afterwards a large quantity was brought to Monticello.
The following items are from the books of the clerk of the Superior Court of Jasper county :- On Monday, 21st of March, Judge Early presiding, it appeared that 23 names of grand jurors were called. Judge Early decided that no court could be held." Among the first indictments was one for cattle stealing. The first presentment was against a per- son for profane swearing.
NATURE OF SOIL, FACE OF THE COUNTRY, PRODUCTIONS .- The surface is undulating, rather broken, particularly the east- ern half of the county, on account of the great number of streams. The upper portion is more level. The county, near the Ocmulgee, is hilly and productive. The lower part is aluminous loam, peculiarly adapted to grain and cotton. The other portion is composed of gray soil, adapted to cotton. There is, south of Monticello, an extent of country called the Glades, resembling the flat woods of Elbert. It is rather flat and rocky, covered with thorns and scrub oaks. The productions are the same as in the contiguous counties.
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NAME .- The county of Jasper received its name in honour of Sergeant Jasper, whose gallant deeds in the war of the Revolution claim the gratitude of every American. It is be- lieved that he was an Irishman by birth, and that he emigrated to America before the Revolution, and settled in one of the middle districts of South Carolina. At the beginning of the war he enlisted in the second South Carolina regiment of . infantry, under the command of the brave Col. Moultrie. In the attack which was made upon Fort Moultrie, 28th of June, 1776, Jasper was present, and gave the first proof of his daring courage. In the beginning of the action the flag-staff of the Americans was shot away. Jasper immediately took up the flag and fastened it on a sponge staff. Taking it into his hand, amidst a galling fire from the ships of the enemy, he de- liberately planted it. An action like this could not escape attention. Gov. Rutledge presented him with a sword, and offered him a commission; but with a modesty characteristic of him, he declined the latter. Such was the confidence placed in his bravery and enterprise that he received permis- sion from his commander to go and come whenever he thought proper. On one occasion he entered the British lines in dis- guise, and ascertaining their strength, returned to the Ameri- can camp and communicated it to the commander.
The recapture of certain prisoners by Jasper, with the aid of his friend Newton, near Savannah, is peculiarly interesting. Learning that a number of American prisoners" were to be brought from Ebenezer to Savannah for trial, he determined to release them at all hazards. With Newton as his compan- ion, at a spring two miles from Savannah, and about 30 yards from the main road, he waited the arrival of the prisoners. When the escort, consisting of a sergeant, corporal and eight men, and the prisoners in irons, stopped to refresh themselves at this spring, two of the guard only remained with the captives. The others leaned their guns against the trees, when Jasper and Newton sprung from their hiding place, and seized the guns, and shot down the two sentinels. The re- maining six soldiers were deterred from making any effort to recover their guns, by threats of immediate death, and were forced to surrender. The prisoners were released, and Jasper
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and Newton, with their redeemed friends and captive foes, crossed the Savannah river and joined the army at Purys- burg. In the disastrous siege of Savannah the gallant Jasper lost his life. Shortly after the battle of Fort Moultrie, the lady of Colonel" Bernard Elliott presented an elegant pair of colours to the second regiment, to which Jasper was attached. Her address on the occasion concluded thus : "I make not the least doubt, under Heaven's protection, you will stand by these colours so long as they wave in the air of liberty." In reply, a promise was made that they should be honourably supported, and never should be tarnished by the second regiment. This engagement was literally fulfilled. Three years after they were planted on the British lines at Savannah. One by Lieutenant Bush, who was immediately shot down. Lieutenant Hume, in the act of planting his, was also shot down ; and Lieut. Gray, in supporting them, received a mortal wound; and while Jasper was in the act of replacing them, he received a death shot. An officer called to see him, to whom he thus spoke : "I have got my furlough. That sword was presented to me by Governor Rutledge, for my services in the defence of Fort Moultrie ; give it to my father, and tell him that I have worn it with honour. If he should weep, tell him his son died in the hope of a better life. Tell Mrs. Elliott that I lost my life sup- porting the colours which she presented to our regiment. If you should ever see Jones, his wife and son, tell them that Jasper is gone, but that the remembrance of the battle which he fought for them, brought a secret joy to his heart, when it was about to stop its motion for ever." Hon. R. M. Charlton, in his eulogy on Jasper, says : " Who has written his epitaph ? Who has built up his monument ? Shame ! shame upon us, that we are compelled to exclaim, in the language of the poet :
"' We carved not a line, we raised not a stone, But left him alone in his glory.'"
Sergeant Jasper married Miss Elizabeth Marlow, while he was stationed at Fort Moultrie. They had two children, Wil- liam and Elizabeth, both of whom were educated in Charles- ton. After the death of Sergeant Jasper, his widow married a Mr. Wagner, of Charleston.
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JONES COUNTY.
JONES.
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT .- This county has Jasper, and a por- tion of Putnam, on the North ; Baldwin on the East ; Twiggs, and a portion of Wilkinson, on the South ; Bibb and Monroe on the West. Laid out in 1807. It is 21 miles long and 18 wide ; square miles, 378.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- The chief river is the Ocmulgee. The creeks are Cedar, Falling, Walnut, and Line.
POST OFFICES .- Clinton, Blountsville, Larksville, and Tran- quilla.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- The census of 1845 gives to this county a population of 4,136 whites, and 5,933 blacks: total, 10,069. Amount of State tax for 1848, $4,016 23 cents. Sends two representatives to the Legis- lature.
TOWNS .- Clinton is the seat of justice, named after Gov. Clinton, of New-York ; situated near the centre of the county, 22 miles W. S. W. of Milledgeville, 14 from Macon, 25 from Forsyth, 23 from Monticello, 28 from Irwinton, and 28 from Marion. It has a court-house, jail, two churches, Methodist and Baptist, male and female academies, two taverns, several boarding houses, stores, mechanics' shops, &c. Population, 300. The town is said to be healthy. Incorporated in 1816.
Blountsville, a small place 10 miles from Clinton, 16} from Milledgeville.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY, NATURE OF THE SOIL .- The face of the country is generally hilly and broken. The soil is much worn, although still productive.
PRODUCTIONS .- Corn, cotton, wheat, oats, barley, millet, and sugar-cane. Cotton will average 600 lbs. per acre ; corn, two barrels per acre.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- The climate is variable. Fever and ague are the most common diseases. Pneumonia sometimes prevails, and is generally fatal. An African, named Sam, the property of J. S. Billingslea, at the time of his death was supposed to have been 130 years old ; Mrs. Rachel Amos died at 81 ; Mr. Arthur Harrup at 85.
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RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Methodists and Baptists are the most numerous. In the county there are about twenty churches.
Education is highly appreciated. Twenty-five schools in the county.
ROADS AND BRIDGES .-- The roads and bridges are in good order.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE .- The people are generally moral. Few litigations occur, and seldom cases of a criminal character are brought into court. People generally are well educated.
MANUFACTURES, MILLS .- One cotton-gin factory in Clinton goes by steam, and employs at least one hundred hands. The profits of this establishment are $20,000 per annum.
Massey's cotton-gin factory, 11 miles from Clinton, employs thirty hands. Flour-mills 7; saw-mills 8; grist-mills 12.
MINERALS AND MINERAL SPRINGS, -- There is a chalybeate spring at Antioch meeting-house, and a sulphur spring at Massey's. Iron, quartz, mica, and granite, are the chief minerals.
EARLY SETTLERS .- William Butler, Samuel Dale, Roger M'Carthy, Robert Cunningham, John R. Gregory.
MOUNDS .-- There is a mound eight miles from Clinton, on the road to Milledgeville, and one on Cedar creek, near Blounts- ville.
NAME .-- The Hon. James Jones, after whom this county was called, was born in the State of Maryland, and came to Georgia when very young, under the care of his uncle, the late Colonel Marbury. He received the principal part of his education at the academy in Augusta. At the age of eighteen he was placed in the office of a gentleman eminent in the profession of the law, in the city of Savan- nah. After his clerkship he was admitted to the bar, where his talents were soon discovered ; but shortly afterwards con- necting himself in marriage, he declined the practice and be- came a planter. At the age of twenty-three, the people of Chatham county elected him to the Legislature. In that body he acquitted himself with independence, and was for several years placed first on the list of Chatham's representatives. In
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