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 48
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
569
UNION COUNTY.
Twiggs' residence, in recounting the events of the war. His humanity was exemplary ; and although he had many provo- cations from the British, and the dastard tories, he endeavour- ed to exercise a spirit of forbearance. A notorious tory by the name of Gunn, had actually concerted a plan to kill Gene- ral Twiggs in his own house. This man afterwards came in- to his power. The famous Paddy Carr, who, it is said, had killed more than 100 tories with his own hand, insisted that Gunn should be immediately hung; but General Twiggs, with his characteristic good nature, would permit no injury to be in- flicted upon the poltroon. General Twiggs left five sons and one daughter; one of his sons, General D. E. Twiggs, now of the United States army, has inherited much of his father's spirit. Posterity will speak of his deeds. Major Levi Twiggs was killed at the storming of Chepultepec.
UNION.
BOUNDARIES .- This county is bounded N. by North Caro- lina, E. by Rabun and Habersham, S. by Lumpkin, and W. by Gilmer. Laid out from Cherokee, and organized in 1832.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- The principal streams are the Hiwas- see, Notley, and Toccoa rivers. The creeks are High Tower, Dooly's, Hemp Town, Cooper's, Brass Town, Mill, &c.
TOWNS .- Blairsville is the seat of justice ; and is situated in the midst of the Blue Ridge. It has a court-house, and jail ; one school, two hotels, six stores, one tailor, one cabinet- maker, &c. It is distant from the North Carolina line 11 miles ; from Milledgeville, 165; from Ellijay, 40; from Dahlonega, 35; from Clayton, 45. Provisions are abundant and cheap. The scenery in the vicinity of Blairsville is hardly surpassed by any in the United States. The population are quiet and orderly. The public buildings were located in Blairsville, in 1835. Population, about 150. Amount of goods sold in a year, $20,000, mostly purchased in Augusta and Charleston. Incor- porated in 1847.
570
UNION COUNTY.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY .- The cli- mate is delightful in summer. In winter sudden changes oc- cur, which commonly produce colds, pleurisy, &c. The dis- ease called " Milk Sick," sometimes prevails upon the head waters of Brass Town and Cythis creeks. Instances of longevity are common. Mrs. Sarah Lloyd is over 85; Mrs. Addington, over 80; Dicy Queen, 85; Mrs. Patterson, over 80 ; John Nickerson, a revolutionary soldier, over 90; Samuel Reid, 95; Ruther Brown, over 80.
NATURE OF THE SOIL, VALUE OF LAND. - This county has some excellent lands, mostly on the bottoms and creeks, adapted to corn and Irish potatoes, worth $10 per acre. There is a description of land called table land, having a growth of nickory and post oak, suited to corn, tobacco and wheat ; value $3 to $5 per acre. Excellent ranges for cattle are to be found in every section of this mountain region.
Average product of corn per acre, 20 bushels, wheat 6. . No cotton is cultivated. Rye, oats, and Irish potatoes do well.
TREES, ORCHARDS .- Mountain birch, spruce, mountain lau- rel, hackberry, black locust, sarvis, maple, white pine, &c. The country being newly settled the inhabitants have not yet paid much attention to orchards. Apples succeed admirably.
MINERALS .- A more interesting field for the mineralogist cannot be found in the United States than this section of Georgia. It is rich in minerals. Three diamonds have been found in the county. Gold occurs in several places, particularly on Gum Log, Ivy Log, High Tower, Brass Town, and Cosa creeks. The mines on the last named creek have the repu- tation of being rich, having yielded 100,000 pennyweights of gold since they were operated upon.
White and variegated marble is found on Cat creek, and Cut Cane creek, in the western part of the county. Iron is abundant. Silver, it is said, exists in this county. Granite, mica, quartz, alum, and sulphuret of iron, are common. Six miles northwest of Blairsville, on Ivy Log and Brass Town creeks, are quarries of millstone, said to be excellent.
MOUNTAINS .- The Blue Ridge crosses Union, and its differ- ent peaks are distinguished by the names of Ivy Log, Cooper's Creek, Blood, Track Rock, Ball, and Round Top mountains.
571
UNION COUNTY.
VALLEYS. - The valleys are Brass Town, Hiwassee, Cho- estoah, Ivy Log, and Young Cane, most of which have fine lands, cultivated by an industrious and simple class of people.
POST OFFICES .- Blairsville, Ivy Log, Polk, Shady Grove, and Young Cane.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- In 1845, the cen- sus gave Union a population of 5,670 whites, and 142 blacks ; total, 5,812. The amount of taxes for 1848, $878 80 cents. Entitled to one representative.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Missionary and Anti-Mis- sionary Baptists, Methodists, a few Presbyterians, and Bible Christians. In this region ministers and Sabbath schools are much needed. Education is at a low ebb. Schools are want- ed, and efficient teachers would be encouraged. Number of poor children, 850. Educational fund, $737 20 cents.
REMARKABLE PLACES. - Track Rock is situated about 7 miles east of Blairsville, in the gap of a mountain, which has received the name of the Enchanted Mountain, at the head waters of the Arquequa and Brass Town creeks. The rock appears to be a species of soapstone, and on it are tracks, sup- posed to have been made by the Indians, such as the tracks of turkeys, deer, cows, horses, bears, men, boys, girls, &c. Dr. Stevenson, of Canton, in Cherokee county, cut out one of these impressions, and wrote a very romantic story about this rock, and the Enchanted Mountain. On the side of this mountain is a rock fort.
Bell Creek or Pilot Mountain is situated in the northeast corner of Union county, and appears to be placed upon the summit of a larger mountain. The northwest side of it is 400 yards perpendicular. It is visible for 20 miles around, and re- ceived its present name from the Indians. The top is almost inaccessible.
About a mile and a half from Blairsville, on Notley river, a fierce battle occurred between the Cherokees and Creeks, rela- tive to territory claimed by both parties. On Hiwassee river a battle was fought by the Cherokees and Creeks, in which the latter were defeated. At Track Rock, a severe battle is supposed to have been fought.
MINERAL SPRINGS, FALLS .- Mineral springs are to be found
572
UNION COUNTY.
near the head waters of the Hiwassee river, but none particu- larly celebrated. On the head waters of the Hiwassee river, are several falls, some of which are 100 feet perpendicular, de- cidedly superior, it is affirmed, to the Toccoa falls.
ORIGINAL SETTLERS .- Mr. John Butt and his family, the Chastains, Smiths, Turners, Loudermiths, Englands, Burches, Sanders, and others.
MILLS, DISTILLERIES, &C .- In the county are 11 saw-mills ; 25 grist-mills, and 1 merchant-mill in process of construction. There are 7 distilleries. Iron works have been erected on Ivy Log creek, 7 miles from Blairsville.
ROADS, BRIDGES .- The roads are necessarily rough, being in a mountain region. The citizens are, however, paying at- tention to their roads, and we feel no hesitation in saying, that we have met with worse roads in some of the older coun- ties. There are not many bridges. The one over Notley's creek, a mile and a half from Blairsville, is 80 feet in length.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE, AMUSEMENTS .- Hospitality is a peculiar trait in the character of the people. Strangers are always welcome, and treated with marked kindness. The rules of etiquette do not exist, it is true, among these moun- taineers ; but every one is anxious to make the visiter happy. The ladies are artless, and unsophisticated, and seem to take much pleasure in conversing with strangers. The luxuries of cities are unknown in Union. Many of the mountain people never use sugar except upon very special occasions. Hunting, fishing, and dancing are the amusements.
VALUE OF TOWN LOTS, &c .- The value of town lots is $6,490. Value of stock in trade, $7,700. Money at interest $3,913.
NAME .- The following is said to be the origin of the name of this county. When the question was asked in the Legis- lature, the representative from that region answered " Union, for none but union-men reside in it."-Sherwood's Gazetteer ..
-
573
UPSON COUNTY.
UPSON.
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT .- This county is bounded N. by Pike ; E. by Monroe and Crawford; S. by Talbot, and W. by Meriwether and Talbot. Laid out from Crawford and Pike in 1824. It is 24 miles long, and 16 wide, containing 384 square miles.
POST OFFICES .- Thomaston, Double Bridges, Hootensville, Waymanville.
AMOUNT OF STATE TAX .- The amount of State tax for 1848, was $3,357 13.
POPULATION, REPRESENTATION. - According to the last census, Upson had 5,740 whites, and 4,080 blacks ; total, 9,828. Entitled to two representatives to the Legislature.
RIVERS AND CREEKS .- The principal river is the Flint, into which the following creeks empty, viz .; Big Potato, Lit- tle Potato, Tobler's, Swift, and Turkey.
TOWNS .- Thomaston, a remarkably neat village, is the seat of justice for the county. It has a handsome brick court- house, jail, one excellent tavern, two churches, Methodist and Baptist, one male and one female academy, each averaging fifty pupils, four stores, one family grocery, three tailors, four blacksmiths, two wheelwrights, one tinner, one cabinet-maker, one tannery, two carpenters, one shoe factory, seven attor- neys, five physicians, three ministers, one Odd Fellows' Lodge, one Masonic Lodge, one Division of the Sons of Temperance, one Bible Society, and two Sabbath schools. The people are intelligent, moral, and hospitable. It is situ- ated upon the waters of Potato creek, on the road leading from Columbus to Macon. From Milledgeville it is 75 miles W. S. W; 16 from the Macon and Western Railroad, 45 from Macon, 27 from Knoxville, and 17 from Zebulon. The Columbus stage passes through Thomaston every day. It was incorporated in 1825.
Logtown, nine miles S. E, of Thomaston, is distinguished for the number of its mechanics' shop.
Hootensville, is three miles from Flint river, and twelve from Thomaston.
37
574
UPSON COUNTY.
Double Bridges is 11 miles from Thomaston, on the road leading to Columbus.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY, NATURE OF THE SOIL .- The face of the country is undulating and broken. The best lands are in the south and southeast parts of the county, on Flint river, Potato, and Tobler's creeks. The soil is of a dark gray colour, peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of cotton and corn. The red lands are adapted to grains particularly. The pine lands are inferior.
VALUE OF LAND .- The best lands are worth $8 per acre ; red lands, $7; chestnut lands, $3 ; pine lands, $2.
VALUE OF TOWN LOTS .- The value of town lots is $26,370. Value of stock in trade, $27,030. Money at inte- rest, $138,109. Capital invested in manufactures, $80,000.
PRODUCTIONS, PRODUCT PER ACRE .- Cotton, corn, wheat, and oats are the chief productions. Ten thousand bags of cot- ton are annually produced, twenty-five hundred of which are taken by the factories. Cotton averages 500 pounds per acre, corn, 32 barrels, wheat, 10 bushels. Apples and peaches succeed, as well as vegetables of every description.
MANUFACTURES, MILLS,-The water power in this county is very fine. At the Thomaston factory, there is a succession of natural dams or water-falls, which could be rendered valu- able by a few hours' labour. From various sources we have derived the following statistics of the factories in this county.
The Franklin factory and Wayman factory are on Tob- ler's creek, 7 miles S. E. of Thomaston, owned and managed by the same persons.
The Franklin factory was first put into operation, April, 1833. Spindles, 1,320. Cards, 16.
The Wayman factory was first put into operation in 1841. Spindles, 1,664. Looms, for weaving heavy osnaburgs weigh- ing half a pound per yard, 26.
Amount of cotton consumed in both
factories per annum, 1,100 bales.
Number of operatives, . 125
Amount paid operatives each month, 900 dollars.
Hours of work, per day, 12
Bacon used per week, 500 pounds.
575
UPSON COUNTY.
Flour used per week
700 pounds.
Corn Meal,
20 bushels.
Coffee,
50 pounds.
Molasses,
20 gallons.
Tobacco used by men, women and children, 20 lbs. per week.
No provision is made for the education of the children. The character of the operatives is distinguished by the usual traits that mark the poor, uneducated class of this country. Of the whole population of the village, which amounts to 240, there are not 20 who can either read or write. They are much inferior in moral deportment to the operatives of New England, where the laws make provision for their education, yet their condition is much improved. Nearly all the families residing here, are those who have been driven by necessity to engage their children to work in the mills, whose toil on some worn-out or barren piece of ground was not sufficient to sup- ply their wants.
Flint river factory, owned by Walker & Grant.
Spindles,
1,560
Cards, 16
Looms, . 26
Pounds of cotton used per day,
700
Operatives,
50
Thomaston factory, on Potato creek, a mile and a half from Thomaston, owned by Rogers & Turner.
Spindles,
1,260
Cards,
16
Looms, 24
Operatives,
50
Pounds of cotton used per day, . 700
At this factory the advantages of church and Sunday school instruction are afforded to the operatives.
Another factory will soon be erected, as well as a paper- mill.
576
UPSON COUNTY.
On Potato creek, 5 flour mills. On Tobler's creek 3
Saw-mills, . 13
Grist-mills,
15
ROADS AND BRIDGES .- In dry seasons the roads are in good order; in wet, they are very bad. The bridges are kept in tolerable repair.
MOUNTAINS .- The Pine mountains begin on the east side of the Flint river. The highest summits are 800 feet above the Flint river. Among these mountains are some fine springs, and upon the highest summit an Indian burial ground.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE .- No one can visit this sec- tion of country without forming a favourable opinion of the character of its population. The greater part of the people are snug farmers, and few of them are in debt.
EDUCATION,-Schools of excellent character are in Tho- maston, and other places. Number of poor children, 295. Educational fund, $255 84 cents.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- In some parts of the county fevers and chills prevail. The instances of longe- vity are the following : Mr. Daniel Parker, died at the age of 90; Mr. Henry Garland, at 90; Mrs. Doles is now living, 90 years old ; also Mr. James Walker, 85 years old.
MINERAL SPRING .- The Thundering spring is in the ... N. W. part of the county, 2 miles from the Flint river, 20 from Thomaston, and 18 from Zebulon. It derives its name from a rumbling noise resembling distant thunder, which formerly proceeded from it, but which is no longer heard. The dis- continuance of the sound is owing, it is supposed, to the num- ber of rocks which have been thrown into it by visiters. The spring is at the base of a hill, and is enclosed by a frame building, to which is attached a convenient dressing-room for bathers. It is 12 feet in diameter ; its depth has never been correctly ascertained. It is said to possess medicinal virtues, in cases of rheumatism and other chronic diseases. Its warm and pleasant temperature renders it a delightful bath at all seasons, and its buoyancy is such, that bathers cannot sink below the arm-pit, the motion of the water having a tendency to throw all light bodies to the surface. The country around
577
UPSON COUNTY.
the spring is healthy and romantic. There is an Indian tra- dition connected with this spot not altogether devoid of inte- rest. About 150 yards from the present site of the spring, on the side of the hill, is a large circular excavation in the earth somewhat resembling a lime sink, which the Indians say was the former location of the spring ; but a white man in a drunken frolic having spurred his horse into the spring, its presiding spirit, offended at its pollution, caused the spring to disappear, and it burst forth where it now is, at the base of the hill.
NAME .- Upson county was named after Stephen Upson, Esq., an eminent lawyer of Lexington, Oglethorpe county. This gentleman was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1785. He graduated at Yale, in 1804, with a high reputation for scholarship. He then studied law at Litchfield, with Judge Reeves. Ill health rendered it necessary for him to remove to a southern climate ; and in 1807 he left his native State, and came to Hanover, in Virginia, where he had letters to Colonel Pope. Here he remained a short time, employing him- self in teaching the Colonel's children, and reading law. The Colonel became much attached to Mr. Upson, and did every thing in his power to render his residence with him agreeable ; but finding that the climate of Virginia did not improve his health, Mr. Upson determined to try that of Georgia. The Hon. William H. Crawford, who then resided in Lexington, and to whom Mr. Upson had brought letters from Colonel Pope, immediately perceived that the stranger was a man of no ordinary merits. His modesty, his industry and intelli- gence, prepossessed Mr. Crawford in his favour, and he ac- cordingly received him as a student in his office, and afforded him many facilities, of which Mr. Upson always retained a grateful recollection. He commenced the practice of the law in 1808. His mind and habits were of such a character, that he soon became distinguished in his profession. To his busi- ness he devoted himself without intermission. Company, amusements, every thing was given up, and he seemed to have no thoughts except those connected with his profession. Merit like his could not long remain unrewarded. The citi- zens of Oglethorpe were not slow in perceiving, that if perse-
578
UPSON COUNTY.
verance, integrity, and legal knowledge, could insure success to any claims which called for the interposition of the Courts, then it would be prudent in them to secure the services of Mr. Upson. Accordingly, business came to him from every quarter. Persons from a distance came to Lexington to con- sult him on legal subjects. Mr. Crawford, having the highest opinion of Mr. Upson's abilities as a lawyer, placed in his hands some important cases. Indeed Mr. Upson possessed in a very high degree the confidence of this eminent man, who was in the habit of freely communicating to him his views on the various subjects which at that time agitated the people of Georgia.
When the Hon. Judge Cobb, one of the most celebrated lawyers in Georgia, was elected to Congress in 1816 and 1818, and when he finally removed to Greenesborough, Mr. Upson was left without a rival on the Northern Circuit. All his contemporaries speak of him as possessing a mind enriched with the stores of literature, and a disposition peculiarly amiable and obliging. A gentleman who studied law in his office, says " that his neatness of person and dress was pecu- liar. Dust could not adhere to his clothes." His complexion was fair, and a little florid; his person tall and straight. He seldom laughed. Strict economy, which was forced upon him in early life by the want of means, never left him, even when he had acquired a large fortune.
In 1812, Mr. Upson married Miss Hannah Cummins, youngest daughter of the celebrated Dr. Francis Cummins. Mr. Upson represented Oglethorpe county in the State Legis- lature, from 1820 to the period of his death, which took place August 24, 1824, aged 39 years. At the time of his decease he was justly esteemed at the head of the Georgia bar, and had he lived until the ensuing session of the Legislature he would doubtless have been elected to the United States Senate. In that body he would probably have held a higher grade than any gentleman from Georgia since it was repre- sented by Mr. Crawford.
579
WALTON COUNTY
WALTON.
SITUATION, BOUNDARIES .- Walton county lies in the pri- mitive formation. It is bounded on the N. E. by Jackson ; on the E. by Clarke ; on the S. by Morgan; on the S. W. by Newton ; and on the N. W. by Gwinnett. The average length is 35 miles, and width 18.
TOWNS .- Monroe is the county site, situated on the ridge dividing the waters of the Ulcofauhachee and Appalachee rivers, at the head of Mountain creek, distant from Milledgeville 66 miles, from Social Circle 10, from Athens 25, from Law- renceville 18, from Madison 23, from Watkinsville 22, from Covington 18. The town presents a very neat appearance. It contains a brick court-house, jail, two hotels, two churches, seven stores, four groceries, two tailors, four blacksmiths, two wagon makers, one tannery, one harness-maker, two carriage-makers, one painter, two boot and shoe-makers, five lawyers, five doctors, two teachers, and two excellent schools. The town is well shaded. It was made the public site and incorporated in 1821. It is considered healthy, and the water is tolerable. Population, 400.
Social Circle was incorporated in 1831, and is inhabited by a kind and enterprising people. It is situated on the Georgia Railroad, on the highest eminence between Covington and Augusta. It is the depot for the county. Considerable busi- ness is done here, and the amount of goods sold in twelve months has reached $40,000. Population, 200. The com- piler of this work knows of no place in Georgia where one can find a kinder people than those of Social Circle. It has indeed an appropriate name. One of the best dentists in Geor- gia resides in this town.
Centreville is 6 miles west of Social Circle.
Broken Arrow is 3 miles north of Centreville.
POST OFFICES .- Monroe, Social Circle, Cut Off, Good Hope, and Windsow.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .-- In 1845, the cen- sus gave this county 7,761 whites, 4,709 blacks ; total, 12,470.
1
580
WALTON COUNTY.
The amount of State tax returned for 1848 is $2907 52. En- titled to two representatives.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- The climate is as healthy as any in middle Georgia. The most prevalent diseases are those of an inflammatory character. The instances of longe- vity are quite numerous. Mr. Carson died at the age of 100 ; Mr. Stark Brown, over 100; a negro woman belonging to Mr. William Anderson, died at the advanced age of 116; Tom, belonging to Mr. William Terry, died at 105-he was a soldier in the Revolution. There are now living Mr. Joseph Herndon, aged 90; Mr. Anderson, 89; Mrs. Carson, 90; Mrs. Harris, 85; Mrs. McMahon, 80; Mrs. Hudson, over 80. A negro named Lot, the property of Mrs. Graves, is now living, aged 90 years.
MILLS, DISTILLERIES .- Saw-mills 23, grist-mills 23, flour- mills 5. A few small distilleries.
ROADS AND BRIDGES .- The roads are generally kept in good order. There are six bridges over the Alcovi, and six over the Appalachee.
PRODUCTIONS, AVERAGE PRODUCT PER ACRE. - Cotton, wheat, oats, rye, barley, potatoes, &c. Average of cotton, per acre, 400 pounds, corn 3 barrels, wheat 5 bushels.
MINERALS .-- There is a gold mine on Hard Labour creek, 9 miles S. W. of Monroe, the property of Capt. J. S. Means, who informs the author, that one and a half pennyweights of gold have been made per day, to the hand.
Austin's mines are in the N. E. part ; and Smith's in the N. W. part of the county. There is a granite formation running through the county from N. E. to S. W., in some places half a mile wide, and in others two miles.
Iron, plumbago, tourmaline, quartz, granite, &c., abound. MARKET .- Farmers carry their produce to Augusta.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE, AMUSEMENTS .- Many worthy and intelligent people reside in this county. The inhabitants are industrious and temperate. The amusements are hunting, rifle-shooting, fishing, racing, and dancing.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Baptists, Methodists, Pres- byterians, Bible Christians, and a few of other denominations. There are about thirty churches in the county. Considerable
581
WALTON COUNTY.
attention is paid to education, and some provision is made for the instruction of poor children. Number of poor chil- dren, 294. Educational fund, $254 97.
NATURE OF THE SOIL, VALUE OF LAND .- The first quality lands are on Alcovi river, Jacks and Hard Labour creeks, mulatto soil, value $5 per acre. The second quality embraces the gray lands, value $4 per acre. The third quality embraces the ridge lands, value $2 per acre.
ORIGINAL SETTLERS .- R. M. Echolls, Vincent Harralson, John Steel, Elisha Betts, W. T. Colquitt, David Johnson, Zac Phillips, Capt. J. S. Means, Col. Blackburn, Wm. P. Easley, Jesse Arnold.
MINERAL SPRINGS .- There are no mineral springs of any celebrity in the county. One mile north of Monroe is a spring, said to possess chalybeate properties.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- The rivers are the Appalachee and the Ulcofauhachee. The creeks are Jack's, Cornish, Little Haynes, Bay, Marbury's, Shoals, &c.
REMARKABLE PLACES. - " The Cowpens" is a place of some notoriety, known formerly as Easley's Cowpens. The first court in Walton was held at this place. It is three miles south of Monroe, and is beautifully situated with a fine spring.
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.