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 8
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sail for the Northern States of America. After a tour of preaching, he came to Georgia in 1739, and laid the founda- tion of an orphan-house, to which he gave the name of Be- thesda. On the petition of the trustees, the Rev. Wm. Norris was appointed Missionary to Savannah in 1740 ; and the Rev. Mr. Bosomworth to Frederica, in 1743. The latter did not remain long in the mission, but was succeeded in 1745 by the Rev. Mr. Zouberbugler, who, two years after his arrival, re- ported the number of inhabitants in Savannah at 602, and of communicants at 57. A schoolmaster, by name Ottolenghi, " a very serious and devout convert from Judaism," was added to the Mission in 1750; and the Rev. Jonathan Copp was sent out as Missionary to Augusta. Upon his arrival, Mr. Copp found a congregation of from 80 to 100 persons, but only eight communicants ; and there was no other settled clergy- man within 130 miles of him. The situation of this gentle- man was very trying. He had neither house nor glebe, and there appeared but little chance of his receiving even the small allowance of £20 a year, which had been promised to him by the vestry. But, independently of all this, he and his family were living in constant apprehension of an incursion and attack by the Indians. He continued, however, to main- tain his ground in this mission for five years ; and in 1756 re- moved to a parish in South Carolina. In 1758 the Assembly passed an act for dividing the province into eight parishes, re- cognizing the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, and granting a salary of £25 sterling to every clergyman em- ployed in the province. The Mission of Augusta remained for some time vacant; but, in 1764, was again filled by the ap- pointment of the Rev. Samuel Frink. Mr. Frink remained in Augusta about three years, The population at the time of his first report, was 540 whites, 501 negro slaves, and about 90 Chickasaw Indians. In 1767 he was removed to Savan- nah, and was succeeded by the Rev. Edward Ellington, June 30, 1768, who informed the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, that there was not one place of worship of any deno- mination, within a hundred miles of him, any way. This faithful Missionary did every thing in his power to remedy this evil, generally setting out on Monday, and travelling 30 or-
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40 miles, performing divine service at three different places, ten miles wide of each other, on the three following days, and returning home on the Friday. Within a short time after his arrival at his Mission, he had baptized 178 children and two adults. During his residence at Augusta, he had travelled in the discharge of duty 3000 miles ; had baptized 428 persons, and raised the number of communicants from seven to forty. Although the Church of England was established by law in Georgia, the province divided into parishes, and commission- ers appointed to see to the erection of a church, and the setting off a glebe in every parish; yet all these provisions were nu- gatory, as no one seemed to consider himself responsible for carrying them into practical operation. In 1769, there were but two churches in the whole of Georgia, and these were 150 miles apart. The separation of the colonies from the mother country, interfered much with the progress of the Episcopal Church, and for many years there were not, at any one time, more than three clergymen in the State. Within a few years past, this denomination has greatly in- creased. There are now connected with the Diocese of Georgia, about twenty-six clergymen, sixteen parishes, and over 800 communicants.
More than $3,380 were contributed for missionary and other purposes during the past year.
LUTHERAN CHURCH .- On the 27th of November, 1733, ninety-one persons of the Lutheran faith with two clergymen, the Rev. Messrs. Bolzius and Gronau, embarked from Europe for Georgia, and after a passage of one hundred and four days, landed in Savannah. Resting here for a few days, they pro- ceeded to a tract of land situated on the north side of Savan- nah river, about twenty-five miles from the city of Savannah, which had been granted to them by the Trustees, and to which they gave the name of Eben Ezer (Rock of Help), in consid- eration of their gratitude to the Almighty for his protecting care. In the years 1735, 1736, 1741, the settlement was in- creased by other colonists, and although much exposed to pri- vations and sickness, they felt that the privilege of worshipping God according to the dictates of their conscience more than
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compensated them for all that they suffered. For some time they were in the habit of holding their meetings for religious services in the tent of the Rev. Mr. Bolzius, one of their pas- tors, and when the contributions of their friends in Europe enabled them to erect an orphan-house, divine worship was held in this building until their two churches were ready for their reception. About this time there was a settlement of Germans on St. Simon's Island, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Driesler, a gentleman, who by his exemplary piety had secured the love of all who knew him. In Savannah a church had been established probably before 1759, under the care of Rev. Messrs. Martin Rabenhorst and Wottman, but divine service being conducted in the German language, and the younger part of the congregation being ignorant of that language, the church was closed, and remained in this situ- ation for many years. The church was again opened in 1824, with preaching in the English language, the Rev. S. A. Mealy being their pastor. The present church was erected in 1843, at a cost of $13,000.
The congregation at Ebenezer in the very beginning of the Revolution took an active part in favour of the colonies. This was to be expected. They said, "We have experienced the evils of tyranny in our native country ; for the sake of Liberty we have left home, lands, houses, estates, and have taken re- fuge in the wilds of Georgia; shall we now again submit to bondage ? No! we will not." With a few exceptions they stood by their country throughout the whole revolutionary conflict. Their church was converted into a stable by the British soldiers, and sometimes was used as a hospital for the sick and wounded. After the war the settlers began to scatter themselves on small farms from two to ten miles from the vil- lage. The church was repaired, and the Rev. John E. Berg- man arrived from Germany, and served the congregation as their pastor for thirty-six years. He preached in the German language, which proved, as far as the young were concerned, injurious to the interests of their church, and about the close of the eighteenth century, a few only remained of a congrega- tion which once required the services of three clergymen at the same time.
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The Lutherans have within a few years been increasing in Georgia. There are now nine Lutheran ministers in this State, who are engaged in building up the interests of that church. Besides the church in the city of Savannah, there are three churches in Effingham county, two in Coweta, one in Henry, one in Merriwether, two in Macon county, and a missionary is now labouring in the city of Macon with some prospects of success. There are also Lutheran settlements in Randolph, Stewart, and several other counties in south- western Georgia. The statistics of this church in Georgia may be set down as follows :- Ministers nine, churches ten, communicants six hundred, Lutheran population two thou- sand. The congregation at Ebenezer has a fund of some $14,000, from the interest of which the expenses of the church are paid, and provision made for the education of the children. The cause of Missions, Temperance Societies, and all the other benevolent enterprises of the day are liberally supported by the ministers and their people.
BAPTISTS .- Members of this respectable denomination were among the first colonists which came to Georgia. In 1757, Mr. Nicholas Bedgewood, who was connected with Whitefield's orphan-house near Savannah, went to Charleston, and was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Hart. Having received ordination he returned to Georgia, and in 1763, baptized and administered the Lord's Supper to several persons in the vici- nity of the orphan-house. About 1770, or 1771, the Rev. Mr. Botsford, a very zealous Baptist minister, came to Georgia, and established a church about twenty-five or thirty miles below Augusta, now known as Botsford's old meeting-house. Not long before the arrival of Mr. Botsford, the Rev. Daniel Mar- shall with other Baptist emigrants settled on the Kiokee creek in Columbia county, and in 1772 established the first regular Baptist church in Georgia. The war with the Indians and the Revolution interfered very much with the labours of the minis- ters of this denomination ; but when peace again threw her benignant smiles upon our country, they resumed their pious efforts, and have continued from that period to the present among the most self-denying and zealous Christians in our State. It is believed that the Baptists now embrace a greater
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number of members than any other church. According to the statistical table, contained in the minutes of their Convention held in 1849, there were in Georgia :
Associations,
56
Churches,
1,105
Church Members,
67,068
Baptized last year,
5,732
Gain of Convention Associations,
3,187
Gain to Convention,
5,239
Loss of Anti-Mission Associations,
322
Gain of Neutral Associations,
1,183
Gain of United Baptist Associations,
111
Total gain in the State,
4,159
Number of ordained Ministers,
583
Number of Licentiates,
292
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- At the Conference of Vir- ginia, held in 1786, a proposal was made for some preachers to volunteer their services for the State of Georgia, and several offered themselves for this new field of labour. Two of those who offered, Thomas Humphries and John Major, were ac- cepted, and they went to their work and were made a blessing to many. They formed a Circuit along the settlements on the banks of the Savannah river, around by Little river, in- cluding Washington. During this year they formed several societies, containing upwards of 400 members. John Major, from the plaintive style of his preaching, was called the " Weeping Prophet." In 1799, George Clarke was sent to St. Mary's, in Georgia. He did not, however, confine his labours to St. Mary's, but travelled extensively in Glynn and Camden counties. In this year, the first Methodist society was formed in Augusta, under the direction of Stith Mead. In 1803, the number of members in Georgia was greatly increased. Methodism was established in Savannah in 1807. It is true, that as early as 1790, Hope Hull was sent to Savannah, and he preached a few times in a chairmaker's shop belonging to Mr. Lowry ; but such was the opposition manifested towards him, that he was assailed with mob violence, and his success was small. He was followed in 1796 by Jonathan Jackson and Josiah Randle, but they left the place without making any permanent
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impression. In 1800, John Garvin made an ineffectual at- tempt to collect a society in Savannah, and though he suc- ceeded after many difficulties in inducing a few to attend his meetings for a season, yet he also abandoned the place in de- spair. The next attempt was made by a Mr. Cloud, whose improper conduct only increased the existing prejudices against the Methodists. At a Conference held in Sparta, December 29, 1806, the subject of making another attempt to establish' Methodism in Savannah was presented by a forcible appeal from some warm friends of the cause. Bishop Asbury selected Samuel Dunwoody, at that time young in the ministry, but humble, bold, and zealous. He laboured assiduously, and at the end of the year, returned twelve members, five whites and seven coloured. After hard toiling, the members succeeded in erecting a house of worship in 1812, which was called Wesley Chapel. Since that period, the Methodists have not only increased in Savannah, but in every part of Georgia, and next to the Baptists, are the most numerous denomination .* According to the minutes of the last Annual Conference, there were in Georgia 43,736 white members, 16,635 coloured, 139 travelling preachers, and fourteen superannuated, besides a large number of local preachers.
PRESBYTERIANS .- The compiler regrets that he has been unable to procure a history of the Presbyterian Church in Georgia. Mr. Sherwood, in his Gazetteer, says :
" A church was established at Medway, Liberty county, about 1757 ; minister, Rev. John Osgood. Their ancestors had emigrated from Dorchester, in Massachusetts, many years before, and settled at a place which they called Dorchester, in South Carolina, whence they removed to Medway.
" A Presbyterian church existed in Savannah about 1760 ; minister, Rev. John J. Zubley. A new house of worship was built in 1800, and another in 1819, the most elegant and costly in the State.
" The first minister ordained in the up-country, was the Rev. Mr. Springer, in 1790."
The ministers of this church are highly educated men,
* See Bangs' History of Methodism.
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and have done much to promote the interests of religion and learning in Georgia. According to the report of the General Assembly for 1849, there are in Georgia five Presbyte- ries-Hopewell, Georgia, Flint River, Cherokee, and Florida ; 68 ministers, 107 churches, and 5059 communicants.
JEWS .- The compiler of this work is indebted to the kind- ness of the Hon. Mordecai Sheftall, Sr., for the following par- 'ticulars in relation to the history of the Jews in this State. Upon their authenticity every reliance can be placed, as they were derived from manuscripts prepared by the grandfather of Mr. Sheftall. On the 11th of July, 1733, the following per- sons belonging to the Hebrew nation arrived in Savannah :- Dr. Nunis and his mother, Mrs. Nunis; Daniel Moses and Sipra Nunis, and Shem Noah their servant ; Mr. Henriques and wife, and Shem their servant; Mr. and Mrs. Bornal ; David Olivera; Jacob Olivera and wife and three children, David, Isaac, and Leah; Aaron Depivea; Benjamin Gideon ; Jacob Costa ; David Depass and wife ; Vene Real, Molena, David Moranda; Jacob Moranda; David Cohen, wife and four children, Isaac, Abigail, Hannah, and Grace; Abraham Minis and wife, with their two daughters, Leah and Esther ; Simeon Minis ; Jacob Yowall; Benjamin Sheftall and wife, and Abraham De Lyon.
The above-named persons sailed from London in the second ship which left that port for Savannah, and arrived four days after the wards and tithings were named. They brought with them the Safer Tora and the Hechal, which are still used in the synagogue of Savannah. Many of the first settlers lived to an advanced age. A. Minis lived 63 years, Benjamin Sheftall 73 years, Daniel Nunis 85 years, Moses Nunis 82 years. The descendants of only three of the first settlers are now living in Savannah, viz., Sheftall's, Minis's, and De Lyon's. Shortly after their arrival, they rented a house in Market Square, on a lot now belonging to A. Champion, Esq., for the purpose of divine worship. The synagogue was called " K. K. Mickva Israel." Here for many years they continued to observe the forms of their religion, until 1740 or 1741, when the' congregation was dissolved on account of the many re- movals to Charleston. In the year 1774, it was determined
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that new efforts should be made to resuscitate their congre- gation ; and accordingly Mr. Mordecai Sheftall, a gentleman strongly attached to his religion, fitted up, at his own expense, a room in his house for the accommodation of the people, and worship was regularly observed until the American Revolu- tion, when again the congregation was temporarily dissolved.
In 1786 the Jews met, and resolved to re-establish their congregation of K. K. Mickva Israel. A house was hired in ' St. James's Square, and the heads of the congregation chosen. For many years, service was performed regularly on the Sab- bath and holydays, but a combination of causes again produced a suspension of public worship.
For a long period there was no place for religious worship; but in 1820 a neat synagogue was consecrated, and which was accidentally destroyed by fire in 1829.
After this event, Dr. Moses Sheftall, who was then Presi- dent of the congregation, was very active in devising plans by which money could be raised to build another synagogue. Subscriptions were liberally made not only by the Jews, but by Christians of every denomination; and in a short time another synagogue of brick was erected, and afterwards conse- crated.
At present no services are performed, but it is expected that the period will not be long before a gentleman of ability will be engaged to perform the duties of minister. The Syna- gogue in Savannah is the only one in Georgia.
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, OR CHRISTIANS .- There are nume- rous congregations in Georgia, particularly in Chatham, Cass, Richmond, Walton, Fayette, Merriwether, and Walker. The distinguishing peculiarities of the disciples are, " that they acknowledge no ecclesiastical authority but that of Christ, and hold that the instructions He has given us, are full, perfect, and complete. The Bible, therefore, is their sole guide in discipline and piety. Guided by it, they require sinners to know God, and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, in order to their introduction into the knowledge of God's grace and faith. Repentance, confession of the Lord, and burial with him in baptism, are the evidences of this knowledge and obedience. The saints are expected, and required, to add to the faith,
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through which they have had this access to the favour of God and the participation of the Divine nature, virtue, knowledge, temperance, &c. They are taught, too, to continue stead- fastly in the apostles' doctrine, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers -- praising the Lord. This is the worship - on the first day of the week. It is held by the disciples, that the whole duty of Christian ministers is set forth in the com- mission of the Lord, Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; Mark, xvi. 15, 16- and that they endanger their own salvation by departing from this great command-2 Tim. iv. 1, 2. The Acts of the Apos- tles and their epistles to the churches and brethren constitute the development of that commission." In the city of Augusta the disciples have a convenient brick meeting-house, the gift of Mrs. Tubman.
ASSOCIATE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- During the year 1770, under the auspices of George III., a colony of Irish emigrants embarked for America. Upon their arrival in this country, they took up their residence at a place known at that time by the name of Queensborough. These people sustained an ecclesiastical connection, with the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Some time after their settle- ment, they were visited successively by the Rev. William Ronaldson, Wm. McCamah, Josiah Lewis, Thomas Clarke, and Mr. Paddy. In the year 1790, the Rev. David Bothwell was regularly installed as their pastor, the duties of which he continued to exercise until the time of his decease, which took place in 1801. After his demise, the Church received occasional ministerial supplies from the Rev. Alexander Porter and Rev. Mr. McMullen of South Carolina. On his way to the city of Savannah the Rev. Mr. Kerr spent a short time with the congregation. During the autumn of 1814, the Rev. Joseph Lowry, of South Carolina, having received a call from Bethel Congregation in Burke, was regularly install- ed as pastor of the same. He continued to labour here until July 1840, being then called by death to give an account of his stewardship. Their present pastor is Rev. John S. Pressly, of South Carolina. There are two places of worship ; one in Jefferson, the other in Burke. The Presbytery of Georgia embraces ten congregations. The most of them are small,
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a majority of them destitute at this time of settled pastors. Arrangements are making, however, for the settlement of at least a portion of them. The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is very nearly assimilated to the General Assembly (old school) Presbyterians. The most prominent features of distinction are in reference to psalmody and communion. The Associate Reformed Church, not being able to discover any divine warrant for using in the praise of God songs of human composition, restrict themselves in praise exclusively to a version of the Scripture. " In sacramental communion they deem intercommunion inexpedient, and therefore practise that."
ROMAN CATHOLICS .- We have been unable to procure a history of this denomination. There are churches in Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Columbus, Locust Grove in Taliafero county, Atlanta, and Washington.
PROTESTANT METHODISTS .- These probably have about 25 ministers, and 30 congregations.
MORMONS OR LATTER DAY SAINTS .- A church has re- cently been organized in Fayette county.
In addition to the above there, are in different sections of the State, Universalists, Cumberland Presbyterians, Unita- rians, &c., &c. "The people of Georgia generally are a church- going people. Numerous camp-meetings are held in the middle and upper part of the State. The owners of slaves, in many parts, are taking active measures to have them instructed in the principles of Christianity.
COUNTIES.
APPLING.
BOUNDARIES .- Bounded N. by the Alatamaha, which sepa- rates it from Montgomery and Tattnall; N E. by a part of Liberty, E. by Wayne, S. by Ware, and W. by Irwin and Telfair. Laid out in 1818. Part added to Telfair in 1819, to Ware in 1824, and to Telfair in 1825. Medium length 55 miles, breadth 35, square miles 1925.
RIVERS, CREEKS .- The head waters of the Great and Little St. Illa are in this county. The creeks are, Ten-mile creek, Five-mile creek, Big Goose, Little Goose, Dougherty's, Car- ter's, and others.
POPULATION, TAXES, REPRESENTATION .- Appling is sparsely inhabited. In 1845, the population was 2033 whites, 357 blacks; total, 2390. Amount of tax for 1848, $674 74. Sends one representative to the Legislature.
POST OFFICES .- Holmesville, Willis's Store.
TOWNS .- Holmesville is the county site, having a court- house and one or two stores. Population about 20. Distant from Milledgeville 115 miles, and 45 miles from Jacksonville. It is a healthy place. Made the county site in 1828.
TOWN BLUFF, a small place on the Alatamaha.
FACE OF THE COUNTRY, SOIL, PRODUCTIONS .- The face of the country is level. The soil is generally poor. The produc- tions are cotton, sugar cane, corn, and rice, and the average products are about the same as in the adjacent counties. Quantities of lumber are sent to the Savannah market.
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APPLING COUNTY.
CLIMATE, DISEASES .- The climate is moderate, and may be regarded healthy, although fevers and agues occur in some places.
RELIGIOUS SECTS, EDUCATION .- Methodists and Baptists are the prevailing sects. Education is much neglected.
ROADS .- The roads are very good.
EARLY SETTLERS .- The Mobbleys, Moodys, Overstreets, Halls, and Wilcoxes.
CHARACTER, AMUSEMENTS .- The people are remarkably kind and hospitable. As far as intelligence and morality are concerned, they are on a par with many other counties. The country abounds with game, and hunting is a favourite amuse- ment.
NAME .- Colonel Daniel Appling, after whom this county was named, was born in Columbia county, Georgia, on the 25th of August, 1787. His father was a prominent man in his time, and was a member of the Convention which met at Louisville, in 1795, to revise our State Constitution. The capital of Co- lumbia bears the name of Appling. At the age of 18, Appling entered the army of the United States as a lieutenant, and was stationed at Fort Hawkins. From this place he accompanied his regiment to Point Peter, on the St. Mary's, and acquitted himself like a soldier. In the war of 1812, he received orders to repair to Sackett's Harbour, in New-York. At the battle of Sandy Creek, 30th May, 1814, he established his military fame. History records no exploit that is surpassed by the bril- liant achievements of that occasion. "Captain Woolsey left the port of Oswego, 28th May, with 18 boats with naval stores, designed for Sackett's Harbour. He was accompanied by Major Appling, with 130 of the rifle regiment and about the same number of Indians. They reached Sandy Creek on the next day, where they were discovered by the British gun-boats, and in consequence entered the creek. The riflemen were imme- diately landed, and, with the Indians, posted in an ambuscade. The enemy ascended the creek and landed a party, which en- deavoured to ascend the bank. The riflemen arose from their concealment and poured so destructive a fire upon them, that in ten minutes they surrendered, to the number of 200, inclu- ding two post captains and six lieutenants. On the part of the
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