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 51
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606
WAYNE COUNTY.
Congress. He accompanied General Thompson to Canada, and displayed his military talents at the battle of Three Ri- vers. On the 21st of February he was appointed Brigadier General, and in the following May joined the army of Wash- ington. He shared in the perils and glory of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Stony Point. At the latter place, particularly, he gathered fresh laurels. Washington deemed the recovery of Stony Point an object of great import- ance, and General Wayne was selected to make an attack up- on it. With the choicest troops, through a road traversed by numerous difficult and dangerous defiles and morasses, the in- trepid soldier arrived at the desired point, resolved to accom- plish the object by the bayonet alone. In defiance of every obstacle, and in face of an incessant fire from the enemy, the two columns made the attack, driving every thing before them at the point of the bayonet. Wayne had placed himself at the head of the right division, and receiving a slight wound upon the head, which he conceived to be mortal, he exclaimed, "Carry me forward, and let me die in the fort." By this enter- prise, two flags, two standards, 15 pieces of ordnance, and a large quantity of military stores fell into the hands of the Americans, besides 543 prisoners. Of the Americans, 98 were killed and wounded ; of the enemy, 63 were killed. For his gallantry on this occasion, he was honoured by Congress with a vote of thanks, and a gold medal. After the capture of Cornwallis, at which he displayed a bravery bordering upon rashness, he was sent to conduct the war in Georgia, and with limited means, successfully prosecuted it against British sol- diers, savages, and tories. When peace was concluded, he retired to private life, but only for a short period, for the In- dians on the Northwestern frontier having for a long time manifested hostility to the United States, it was determined to punish them ; and Washington, knowing the qualifications of General Wayne for such enterprises, gave him the com- mand of the expedition. To those who are familiar with the incidents of that campaign, the manner in which General Wayne conducted it is well known. The hopes of the sa- vages were crushed ; and on the 3d of August, 1795, Wayne concluded a treaty with them. This gallant soldier died the
607
WILKES COUNTY.
next year, at Presque Isle, and was buried upon the shores of Lake Superior. In 1809, his remains were removed to his native county in Pennsylvania. The State of Georgia felt that she owed a debt of gratitude to General Wayne, and pre- sented him with a large tract of land, and named this section of the State after him.
WILKES.
BOUNDARIES, EXTENT .- This county has Elbert on the N. ; Lincoln on the E .; Columbia, Warren, and Taliaferro on the S. ; and Taliaferro and Oglethorpe on the W. It formerly in- cluded all the lands north of the Ogeechee, acquired by treaty from the Cherokees and Creeks, at Augusta, Ist of June, 1773. It was laid out in 1777, and a part added to Elbert in 1790, a part to Warren in 1793, a part to Lincoln in 1796, a part to Greene in 1802, a part to Taliaferro in 1825 and 1828. Its length is 23 miles, breadth 17; containing 391 square miles.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- Broad and Little rivers are the chief streams. Rocky, Cedar, Beaver Dam, Upton, and Kettle creeks, discharge themselves into Little river; Dry Fork and Chickasaw into Broad river ; and Fishing and Pistol into the Savannah.
POST OFFICES. - Washington, Aonia, Centreville, Dan- bury, Mallorysville, Pistol Creek, Rehoboth.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- Some years ago Wilkes was the most populous county in the State; but owing to many causes the population has diminished. The census of 1845 gives it 3,771 whites, 7,271 blacks; total, 11,042. Amount of State tax returned for 1848, $5,046 73 cents. Sends two representatives to the Legislature.
TOWNS .- Washington is the county town, situated on the ridge which divides the waters of the Broad and Little rivers, 66 miles N. E. of Milledgeville, 53 N. W. of Augusta, 18 from Lincolnton, 31 from Greenesborough, and 18 from the Georgia Railroad. The court-house is a neat building with a steeple,
608
WILKES COUNTY.
in which there is a clock said to be equal to any in the State, and which cost $1,100. The jail is a very inferior building ; there are four churches, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic, a branch bank of the State of Geor- gia, one printing office, one hotel, eighty-eight dwellings, six stores, a large number of mechanics, seven lawyers, six physicians, a Division of the Sons of Temperance, Masonic Lodges, &c. Population, 1,350.
Washington is among the most beautiful towns in the State, and the citizens have the reputation of being intelligent and hospitable. Amount of goods sold annually is over $90,000.
Mallorysville is 14 miles N. W. of Washington. It has one church, one academy, one cotton-gin factory, one black- smith, one store, and one tanyard.
Danbury is 12 miles from Washington.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY, NATURE OF THE SOIL .- The sur- face of the country is undulating. The soil is various. The lands of the best kind are on Little and Broad rivers, and on the creeks generally, having a red soil, adapted to cotton and the different grains. The light sandy lands produce well for a few years. The soil of Wilkes generally was once very fertile, but has suffered much from injudicious culture. The quantity of worn-out land which we see in travelling through this county, should warn us to avoid the errors of gone-by days. Economy in the management of land is as necessary as in any other business.
VALUE OF LAND .- Lands of the first quality average $8 per acre, second quality $5, turned out lands are worth $2.
VALUE OF TOWN LOTS, &c .- The value of town lots is $48,590. Stock in trade, $42,795. Money at interest, $398,579.
PRICE OF GRAIN, PROVISIONS, BOARD, TAVERNS, LABOUR.
Corn
Averages
$2 50 per barrel.
Wheat,
0 75 " bushel.
Eggs,
0 10 “ dozen.
Beef,
66
0.04{" pound.
Pork,
0 042 "
Bacon,
66
0 10 “
Fowls,
66
0 20
pair.
Turkeys,
66
1 00
66 66
Geese,
66
1 00
Board from $10 to $14 per month.
609
WILKES COUNTY.
In Washington is one of the best hotels in Georgia, and travellers will find the landlord ready to accommodate them in superior style. Would not the travelling public be under great obligations to the worthy proprietor of the Washington Hotel, if he would make a tour through Georgia, and deliver lectures on the art of keeping a good tavern ? We know of se- veral places where this kind of knowledge is much wanted. Negro men are hired at $75 per annum ; women at $40.
MINERAL SPRING .- About a mile and a half from Wash- ington is a sulphur spring, formerly much frequented.
MINERALS .- Granite, quartz, iron, soapstone, and many others which are common to middle Georgia.
PRODUCTIONS, MARKET .- Corn, cotton, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, &c., are the chief productions. About 14,000 bags of cotton are annually produced.
Augusta is the chief market.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- The climate is subject to great changes. In 1826-27, the county suffered much from sickness, but since those periods the inhabitants have enjoyed a great share of health. Many instances of longe- vity have occurred. Mrs. Shener died last summer, at the age of 100. There are now living Mrs. Minton, 94; Mr. Wm. Jones, 80 ; Mr. John Combs, 80 ; and Mrs. Ray, 90.
MILLS .- Flour-mills, 4 ; saw-mills, 9 ; grist-mills, 14.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- The Baptists and Metho- dists are the most numerous religious societies in the county. There are a few Presbyterians and Roman Catholics. There are sixteen churches in the county.
At a very early period in the settlement of Wilkes, atten- tion was paid to the important subject of education. Excellent schools are in Washington and other places.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE .- The people of this county are generally well informed, industrious, temperate, and reli- gious. During the American Revolution, no part of the State suffered more than Wilkes, and yet the citizens, with few ex- ceptions, devoted themselves to the cause of liberty. It re- ceived the name of the " Hornet's Nest," from the great op- position of the people to the tories.
EARLY SETTLERS. - Jesse Willingham, John Freeman, Holman Freeman, Thomas Gresham, John Pope, and others
610
WILKES COUNTY.
whose names appear on the presentments of the grand jury on page 611.
DISTINGUISHED PERSONS .- Wilkes has produced a host of men, who would have done honour to any country. Gen. Elijah Clarke, Hon. Matthew Talbot, Rev. Jesse Mercer, Hon. Ben- jamin Taliaferro, Gen. David Meriwether, Hon. Peter Early, Col. John Dooly, Col. Duncan G. Campbell, Dr. Joel Abbot, and if space allowed other illustrious names might be inserted. Gov. Towns is a native of this county.
Here is a proper place to introduce the name of Mrs. Hill- house, one among the most extraordinary women of her age. Upon the death of her husband, Mr. David Hillhouse, in 1804, she took charge of his newspaper, called the " Monitor and Impartial Observer," and conducted it for several years. The journal of the House of Representatives was printed in her office, and sent to Louisville, then the seat of government.
REMARKABLE PLACES. - Kettle creek is famous as the battle ground where Clarke, Dooly and Pickens, distinguished themselves in the war of the Revolution.
On the spot where Washington is now located, a fort was built in 1774, and near it the American army encamped, after the engagement at Kettle creek.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES .- We have examined the old re- cords in the offices of the clerks of the courts in Wilkes, and made the following extracts for the amusement of our readers.
November, 22d, 1786, Superior Court, Wilkes county, held at Washington.
On petition of Joseph Wilson, Ordered, that he be per- mitted to take out a license to keep tavern, agreeable to law.
Tavern Rates.
s. d.
For every warm dinner,
1 6
66
" breakfast,
1 0
66 supper, 1 0
66 cold dinner, 1 0
0 8
0 8
Lodgings per night,
0 4
For corn or oats per quart,
0 2
For stabling for every horse per night, finding in fodder or hay, 10 ,
For good pasturing twenty-four hours,
0 8
66
" breakfast,
66
" supper,
611
WILKES COUNTY.
s. d.
Good Jamaica spirits per gill,
0 6
Good West India rum per gill,
0 4
Taffe or northern rum per gill,
0 2
Good Maderia wine per bottle,
4 8
All white wine 66
4 8
Claret and red wine
66
3 6
Porter
1 9
Strong malt beer per quart,
0 4
Good whiskey or brandy per gill,
0 6
Good Geneva
0 6
The first court held in Wilkes, was on the 25th of August, 1779, at the house of Jacob McClindon, before the Hon. Williams Downs, Benjamin Catchings, and Absalom Bedell, Esquires, assistant judges for the county aforesaid. Henry Manadue appointed clerk ; Joseph Scot Riden, sheriff; and John Dooly appointed to act as attorney for the State.
Names of first grand jurors. Stephen Heard, Esq., fore- man, Barnard Heard, George Walton, Daniel Burnett, Thomas Carter, - - Bailey, John Glass, Charles Bidingfield, Mi- caiah Williamson, James McLean, Jacob Terington, William R. Aycock, Robert Day, John Gorham, Dionysius Oliver, Holman Freeman, sen., Daniel Colman, Thomas Stroud.
At this court the grand jury presented as a grievance, " the running at large of several persons whom they had cause to believe, have acted in conjunction with, and have aided, abetted, and assisted the British, and the avowed enemies of the United States." At this court, nine persons were sentenced to be hung, principally for treason.
At the March term of the Superior Court of Wilkes county, held in 1785, the grand jury presented as a grievance "the inattention of the Honourable the Legislature, to the requisitions of the Honourable the Congress of the United States, for laying an impost on goods, wares, and merchandise, imported in this State, or devising some support for the public credit, and pay- ment of that part of the debt, which we may owe to those friend- ly powers who, on the faith of the States, supported us in the Revolution. The requisitions of Congress are founded on equity and justice, nor can we expect reasonably to enjoy the advantages of the Union, unless we contribute to its support.
612
WILKES COUNTY.
We therefore apprehend a non-compliance on the part of our State will disgrace us as a people, and ultimately tend to de- stroy our credit at home and abroad."
At the opening of the session of the Superior Court, held at Washington, Wilkes county, 7th day of December, 1784, the following charge was delivered by his Honour George Walton, Chief Justice :
"I now earnestly recommend it to your observation, in- deed the general principles of taxation form a subject worthy the attention of the several counties, particularly this, in which there is such a prodigious influx of inhabitants, besides the rage which perhaps has taken place in the northern and neighbouring States of removing into this. The superior advantages of the soil and climate and navigation are such, that by population alone, the increase of numbers and agriculture must be con- siderable, and from whence an adequate proportion of the public revenues will be drawn ; in short, every part of govern- ment attracts the notice of the patriot and man of sense. Having established it in blood, we are greatly bound to ma- nage it well. It should be a science, and taught in our schools, which are opening in a manner, and upon a foundation the most flattering and most solid. Whenever I approach the middle region of the State, and contemplate around, I feel myself astonished at its immensity. Such is the rapid pro- gress of our settlements at either extremity, that I look for- ward to the time when, under the mild influence of our laws, the whole will be settled and connected, and the roads will be opened from the shores of the Atlantic to the banks of the Mississippi, and inconvenience of distance will one day be re- medied by a line of natural, friendly, and political separation, straight along the summit of the Appalachian hills, with the shores of the waters to the east and west."
NAME .- This county was named in honour of John Wilkes, who, as a member of the British Parliament, strenuously op- posed the measures which produced the war with America. On the motion in parliament, in 1778, to bind the colonies and people of America, in all cases whatsoever, Mr. Wilkes said, " that he considered the designs of the ministry to be the shortest compendium of slavery ever given. It is the broadest
613
WILKES COUNTY.
basis of tyranny. Three millions of people to be taxed at the arbitrary will and pleasure of this house, without a single per- son present to represent them ! If the Americans could tamely submit to this, they would deserve to be slaves." This great friend of liberty was born in England, and completed his studies at the University of Leyden. In 1757, he obtained a seat in parliament for the borough of Aylesbury. Through the interest of his friend, Earl Temple, he was appointed Lieut. Colonel of the newly raised county militia, and upon the resignation of Sir Francis Dashwood, he succeeded to the Colonelcy. At the dissolution of the parliament, on the death of George the 2d, he was re-elected for Aylesbury. He first appeared as a political writer in 1762, by a tract entitled " Ob- servations on the papers relative to the rupture with Spain." This production gave him considerable fame. In 1762, he commenced a periodical paper called the "North Briton." In the 45th number of this paper, he commented with much acrimony upon the King's speech, for which he was taken into custody and committed to the Tower. Some time after he was brought out by a writ of Habeas Corpus ; and Lord Chief Justice Pratt (Earl of Camden) pronounced his com- mitment illegal, and discharged him. He then established a private press, and reprinted the North Briton. This led to another prosecution and conviction, and he was expelled from the House of Commons. His Essay on Woman was published at this time, which gave so much offence, that he was not only found guilty of a libel, but also of blasphemy. After this he withdrew into France, and returned to England after a change of the ministry had taken place, and offered himself as a can- didate for parliament for Middlesex, and was elected ; but was not allowed to take his seat, owing to his conviction on two libels, and other causes. Being now regarded as the great Martyr of Liberty, he was again re-elected ; but his election was again declared void. Mr. Wilkes then commenced his career of civil honours, being first elected, while yet in prison, alderman of the most considerable ward in London. Whilst in this office he embraced every opportunity of resisting what he considered illegal authority. In 1772, he was chosen one of the sheriffs for London and Middlesex; and in 1774, was
40
614
WILKINSON .COUNTY.
elevated to the mayoralty. The duties of this important office were discharged by him with great dignity and fidelity, and secured him so much popularity, that he was once more elected a member of parliament. Here he advocated the cause of injured America. In 1779, he became chamberlain of the city of London, which office he retained to his death. He died in the 73d year of his age, December 26, 1797.
2
WILKINSON. 8
BOUNDARIES .- This county was laid out by the Lottery Act of 1803, organized in 1805, and is bounded by Jones on the N. W., Baldwin on the N., Washington on the E., Lau- rens and Pulaski on the S., and Twiggs on the W.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- In 1845, the po- pulation was 5,343 whites, 1,722 blacks ; total, 7,065. Amount of tax returned for 1848, $1,763 36. Sends one representa- tive to the Legislature.
POST OFFICES .- McDonald, Cool Spring, Gordon, Irwin- ton, Emmet, Stephenson, Milton.
RIVERS, CREEKS, LAKE .- The Oconee river separates the county from Washington and Baldwin. Commissioners' creek is quite a considerable stream, emptying into the Oconee. The other creeks are Black, Uchee, Buck, Cedar, Big Sandy, and Porter. Black lake is in the eastern part of the county.
TOWNS .- Irwinton is the county town, 21 miles from Mil- ledgeville, three from the Central Railroad, and 23 from Ma- rion. It has a court-house, jail, tavern, two churches, school, two or three stores, one tailor, one blacksmith, and one carpenter. It is situated between Commissioners' and Big Sandy creeks, and was named after Governor Irwin. It was made the coun- ty site in 1811, and incorporated in 1816.
Gordon is situated on the Central Railroad, having two stores, one tavern, one blacksmith, and one physician. It is the point from which a daily line of stages leaves for Milledgeville, distance 17 miles. The amount of business done here is quite
615
WILKINSON COUNTY.
considerable. More than 7,000 bales of cotton were received from Ist of August, 1848, to June 1st, 1849, principally from Jones, Baldwin, and Twiggs.
McDonald is a station on the Central Railroad, with a store, post-office, &c.
EARLY SETTLERS .- Among the early settlers were the Bloodworths, William Lord, John Lord, Silas Lesley, John Brannon, Joel Rivers, D. McCook, Green Meadows, Washing- ton Williams, and John Freeman.
. MILLS .- Eight saw-mills, nine grist-mills.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .-- Missionary and Anti- Missionary Baptists, Episcopal and Reformed Methodists. Education is neglected. Number of poor children, 248. Edu- cational fund, $215 08.
CLIMATE, DISEASES, LONGEVITY .- There is nothing which distinguishes the climate. The diseases are the same as those of the adjacent counties. Several instances of longevity have occurred. Robert Rosier, Sen., John Meadows, and William Jenkins, all lived to an advanced age. Mr. Myers died at 80 ; Mr. Bloodworth, over 80. Mrs. Myers is now living, over 80.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY, NATURE OF SOIL, PRODUCTIONS. -The face of the country is somewhat undulating. The soil is characterized by much variety. On the Oconee river, and on several of the creeks, the lands are productive. The pine lands, of which there is a great quantity, are poor. The pro- ductions are cotton, corn, wheat, rye, and sweet potatoes. This last article grows to great perfection.
VALUE OF LAND, AVERAGE PRODUCT PER ACRE .- Land sells from two to three dollars per acre; cotton averages about 400 pounds per acre ; corn, eight bushels ; wheat, from six to seven bushels per acre.
VALUE OF TOWN LOTS .- The value of town lots is $10,392. Value of stock in trade, $13,300. Money at inte- rest, $11,553.
MINERALS .- Rotten limestone abounds. Near Irwinton is a quarry of a soft kind of stone, which, upon exposure to the atmosphere becomes hard. Many of the chimneys in Ir- winton are constructed of this article.
616
WILKINSON COUNTY.
MINERAL SPRING .- There is on the Central Railroad, four miles below McDonald, a spring strongly impregnated with sulphur. It has been named Cameron's spring, in honour of Mr. Cameron, a gentleman who has been a conductor upon the Central Railroad for ten years, and who has recently retired with a reputation for politeness and attention to his duties, un- surpassed by any railroad officer in the United States.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE .-- As far as industry and hos- pitality are concerned, the people of this county acknowledge no superior. The amusements are hunting, fishing, dancing, and horse-racing.
NAME .-- This county was named after Brigadier General Wilkinson, who, in 1816, published a work in three large vo- lumes, entitled "Memoirs of my own Times." It contains many historical incidents of an interesting nature, but entirely too cumbrous for general readers. As a book of reference it is valuable, and we feel much indebted to it for the informa- tion which it gives in regard to the services of this useful and active officer. General James Wilkinson was born in Calvert county, in the State of Maryland. At the age of seventeen years he was sent by his mother to the Medical School at Phi- ladelphia. Soon after his arrival he visited the barracks, where a regiment of soldiers was stationed, and witnessed their pa- rade, which pleased him so much, that from that day his incli- nations took a military turn. He remained in Philadelphia two years, and retired to Maryland and commenced the practice of medicine, and joined a company commanded by a Quaker ; and such was his fondness for military tactics, that notwith- standing his residence was 30 miles from the place of rendez- vous, he was always punctual at parade. Hearing of the bat- tle at Breed's Hill, he abandoned his profession, repaired to the camp before Boston, and joined a rifle corps under the com- mand of Colonel William Thompson. In March, 1776, Wash- ington gave him a commission as captain in the regiment com- manded by Colonel James Read, of Philadelphia, and which was under marching orders for Canada. In the course of three or four years he was gradually promoted ; and in Octo- ber, 1777, he was honoured with the brevet of Brigadier Gene- ral, which however he resigned; and shortly afterwards 1e-
617
WILKINSON COUNTY.
ceived the appointment of Clothier General to the army. Af- ter the end of the war he went to Kentucky, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. Entering again the army, he was sta- tioned on the frontiers. For some years he was at the head of the southern department of the army. In the war of 1812 he was variously employed a portion of the time, in making the fortifications of New Orleans, and in directing operations on the northern frontiers. In 1815 he was tried by a court- martial upon several charges, but was acquitted. He died in Mexico, on the 28th of December, 1825. His body was brought to the house of Mr. Poinsett, then Minister from the United States to Mexico, and his interment took place in the parish of St. Miguel. Public opinion has been much divided as to the character of General Wilkinson ; but all agree that he was a gallant soldier of the Revolution, though his conduct after that period appears, in the estimation of some, to be inex- plicable.
1
5
t
ADDENDA.
JEWS.
On page 101, reference is made to the history of the Jews in this State. Since that part of the work was printed, M. M. Noah, Esquire, of New-York, has kindly favoured us with the following additional items :
Dr. Samuel Nunez, whose name belonged to a distinguished family in Lisbon, was a physician of eminence, and had an extensive practice, even in times when the Jews of that city were under the surveillance of the Inquisition. Jealousy and rivalry, however, caused him to be denounced to that dreadful tribunal, and himself and family were arrested as heretics, and thrown into the dungeons of the Inquisition. At that period the Jews were not permitted openly to follow their religion; they had no synagogues or places of public worship, but assembled for devotional purposes in each others' houses, and their prayer-books were concealed in the seats of chairs, and opened by springs. It had long been observed that the families never ventured abroad on Friday evenings, being the evening of the Sabbath, and suspicions were awak- ened as to their real faith, although for form sake they all attended mass. The familiars of the Inquisition, who were generally spies, were set to work to dis- cover what their pursuits were on the Sabbath, and detecting them at prayers, seized their Hebrew prayer-books, and threw them all into prison.
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