USA > Georgia > Coffee County > Ward's History of Coffee County > Part 7
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
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY 109
repeated that it was a Lonesome Hill and so the church had a name from that time on-"Lone Hill."
The old members of this church were the Lotts, Newberns, Douglases, Wards, Smiths, and many others. One of the first Sunday schools in Coffee County was organized in that old church, and the superintendent of the Sunday school was a woman-Mrs. Clem Brooker. She was a good superintendent; she had tact, and sense. The Sunday school was very prosper- ous under her management. After her death, R. S. Smith was elected superintendent and acted for many, many years.
Some of the old preachers who served that church were : David Crenshaw, John E. Sentell, John L. Wil- liams, J. D. Maulden, J. D. Anthony, W. J. Flanders, William F. Roberts, A. M. Williams, W. F. Hixon, H. C. Fentrass, A. H. Bazmore, Ben L. Sentell, R. M. Booth, J. M. Wilcox and David Blalock.
The Old Carver Church
The Carver Baptist Church is situated about six miles south of Douglas, Ga. This old church was built about the close of the Confederate War. Old Billy Ward, Gilford Lastinger, Elias Walden, L. D. Geiger, George W. Newbern, et. al., were the preachers.
Among the old members were: John Carver and family, Aaron Anderson and family, Ashford Yeomans and family and many others. This old church has had a hard struggle to live all through the years. When the old log house gave way, Mr. Willie Vickers very kindly built a frame house and gave it to the com- munity with the understanding that all denominations might preach there. This writer remembers having
110
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
attended this old church soon after the war. He does not remember the preacher nor a single person who attended the church that day, but remembers one thing, and that was a dog fight right in front of the pulpit.
The Old Elizabeth Church
Elizabeth Church is located about two miles west of Hazlehurst, Ga. This church was named for Eliza- beth Wilcox, the mother of Rev. J. M. Wilcox, of precious memory. The church was established long before the Confederate War. Some of the first min- isters who preached there were: Revs. Dupree, Gra- ham, Thorpe, and others. Some of the early members of this church were : the Hinsons, Friers, Dents, Dyals, and others.
Midway Methodist Church
Midway Methodist Church was situated about five miles south of Hazlehurst, Ga., and was built several years before the Confederate War. Some of the ministers were: Daniel Morrison, Wilson, Lowe, and others. Some of the members of the old church were : Jim Hinson and his family, Joshua Smith, the father of old George and old Tom Smith, Wiley Hargroves and family, and others.
Gravel Hill Methodist Church
This church was organized long before the Civil War. Some of the members were: Mrs. Caroline Ashley, Matt Ashley, Nathaniel Ashley, with their families, and others. This was a Methodist Church
111
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
and had the same preachers that preached at Midway Church.
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
This church was located two miles northwest of Hazlehurst. Some of the old preachers were: Rev. Thorpe, Josh Frier, and others. Some of the members of that old church were: the Birds, the Pridgens, the Paces, and others.
Mount Zion Methodist Church
This church was located about ten miles south of Hazlehurst, and was built before the Civil War. This. being a Methodist church, the ministers who served old Midway Church also preached at this church. Some of the members of that old church were: the Wilcoxes, the Taylors, Josh Smith and his family, Peter White, and others.
Rehoboth Primitive Baptist Church
Rehoboth Primitive Baptist Church was organized in the home of William Bagley about the close of the Confederate War, by Elder Cornelius Buie. Some of the first members were: William Bagley, Ben Bagley, the Moore family, and others. The church remained in the home of William Bagley for a year or two, and then a church house was built about two miles north of Bickley. It is of special interest to know how the church was located. Elder Cornelius Buie was a blind man and was a great preacher. He asked the Lord to make known to him where the new church was to be located. He was led, as he thought, to blow a
112
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
trumpet and listen to what direction the sound went and where it seemed to locate, and after trying this plan for many times and blowing in many directions the sound of the trumpet seemed to locate at the same place every time, and so he decided that he was led by the Lord to locate the new church house at that place, and so a few names of them got together and built a log house and called the church "Reho- both." The workers and builders on the church were so few until the logs were put in place by ropes. The old church house had a floor of hewed logs called puncheons.
After many years the old log house became dilapi- dated and the church members and their friends built a new meeting house out of sawed lumber. A few years ago, about 1915, a new church house was built about two miles southeast of this old church, where regular services are now held.
Elam Primitive Baptist Church
Elam Primitive Church is located about two miles northeast of Nicholls, Ga. This old church was con- stituted about the year 1865, soon after the Civil War. Some of the old members of that church were : Charles Meeks and wife, Redding Meeks and wife, Squire Dedge, Seab Holton and wife, William Cole and wife. Elder Richard Bennett was one of the first pastors of the church. This old church has been a landmark in Coffee County for many years. A fine class of citizens live in that neighborhood now and many of them have lived there for many years. It is now one of the lead- ing churches in the Alapaha River Association.
113
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
Roberts' Methodist Church, South
The old Roberts' Methodist Church is located about two or three miles northeast of Kirkland. This church was organized about the year 1866. The first friends of the church were: old man Jack Roberts and his family, old man Rob Roberts and his family, old man Elias Moore and his family, old man John Moore and his family, Hiriam Mancil and his family, Timothy Kirkland and his family, Mac Kirkland and his family, Benajah Pearson and his family, Jim McKinnon and his family, Seth Durham and his family, Hiriam Sears and his family. Dennis Paulk and his family some- times attended this church. Among the children of old Rob Roberts are the following : J. Wesley Roberts, Jimmie Roberts, Elder Dan Roberts, Jesse Roberts, and Mary Ann, who married Col. Corbitt. One among the first preachers of this church was Elder Harvey.
Royals' Methodist Church
The old Royals' Church is situated about half way between Douglas and Pearson and was organized soon after the Confederate War. Many of the families and friends who attended the old Roberts' Church also attended the Royals' Church.
There is also an old cemetery there where many of these old citizens are buried. The old Royals' Church is still in operation. Elder Ben Finley was one of the first preachers. Daniel Morrison, H. C. Etheridge, J. D. Anthony, W. H. Thomas, M. C. Austin, William F. Roberts and other ministers preached there.
114
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
Mount Pleasant Church
One of the oldest Baptist Churches in Coffee County is Mount Pleasant Church, located about six or eight miles east of Broxton. About seventy-five years ago the church was organized by G. W. Thorpe. (Wash.) Some of the pastors of that church more than fifty years ago were : George Newbern, W. M. Carver, and W. E. Morris. Old man Joshua Frier was one of the deacons in that old-time church, and when no preacher was there he would hold the services. Another deacon in that old-time church was William Creech. Wiley Byrd, Sr., Ben Minchew and family, Joe Garrett, Archie Miller were members of that church.
New Hope Church
Another old-time church is New Hope Church near Ambrose, Ga., which was constituted about 65 years ago. Johnie G. Taylor, George W. Newbern were pastors. Some of the old members were: J. R. Smith, S. D. Phillips, Squire Jowers, Eli Jowers, and others.
Mount Zion Baptist Church
Another old-time church was Mount Zion Baptist Church, situated ten or fifteen miles south of Douglas. Some of the earlier preachers were : George Newbern, Johnie G. Taylor, W. E. Morris, Gilford Lastinger, William Carver. Some of the old members were: Douglas Gillis, J. P. Wall, Brooker, Cicero Gillis, Arthur Gillis, and others. One of the special features of Mount Zion Church was the old-fashion singing.
115
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
Oak Grove Church
One of the old-time churches in Coffee County was the Oak Grove Church. Oak Grove Church was located about a mile northwest of the town of Pridgen. William Roberts, Dan Morrison, Rev. Blalock were the old preachers. Some of the members were: Capt. J. W. Boyd and family, Murdock McRae and family, some of the Fussells, and others.
Midway Methodist Church
Midway Methodist Church was organized by Greene Taylor in 1864. He was a great camp meeting preacher. Midway Church is situated about four miles east of where West Green is now located. The mem- bers there were: W. P. Taylor, John Burkett, Aunt Vina Burkett, and others.
Bethel Church
Another old church in Coffee County is Bethel Church. It was situated near the home of old man John Lott about fifteen miles northeast of Douglas. Its members were: John Lott and his family, Dan Lott and his family; and the preachers were: J. D. Anthony, Rev. Maulden, and others.
The Catholic Church
The only Catholic Church in Coffee County was built at Willacoochee, Georgia, about the year 1870. The group of Catholic Irish who came from New York to construct the Brisbane Railroad built this church. Among the names of the old members are McGoverns,
116
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
Nolans, McDaniels, Spiveys, Neugents, and perhaps some others. As Coffee County people have married into these Catholic families, some of them have joined the Catholic Church.
The church was located first at Willacoochee, Georgia. It was later on moved near Mr. John Mc- Governs.
These Irish Catholic people are among the best citizens of Coffee County, and we are glad that "The Brisbane Railroad" left us this group of good citizens.
Old School Houses
About 1865 a school was organized in the neighbor- hood of the Meeks settlement. The building was a plain log house, and had been used for a residence. The chimney had fallen down and the opening was turned into a door six or seven feet wide. The seats were made of logs with pegs underneath which served as legs for the log benches. Mr. A. F. Thomas and Miss Emma Pickern taught school at that place. Miss Pickern later became the wife of Rev. J. M. Wilcox. The building had a dirt floor and later was used for many years as a church. The school and church have been moved to Nicholls and some of the same material is now being used. Many of the Meeks generation attended school and church in that old-timey house.
Old Schools
One of the old schools before the war was the Hinson School. This school was out near Hazlehurst, Ga., and was taught many years by James Smith. Other teachers there were: Joe Wilcox, Lafayette, and
117
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
Tillis. This school was patronized largely by the Hinsons and the Smiths.
The Girtman School was probably one of the best schools in Coffee County at that time. This school was taught by Rev. Thorpe. The school was operated all the year for three years. The Girtmans, Hinsons, . Pickerns, Creeches, and many others attended the school.
The Kirkland School
The Kirkland School was located about five miles south of Sand Hill Church, was in operation more than fifty years ago. The building was a log house situated on the old Waresboro road near the farm of Z. W. Kirkland, Sr. One of the first teachers who taught there was "Babe Moore." Another teacher who taught there was Rev. Malcom Meeks. Some of those who attended that old school were the families of Z. W. Kirkland, Sr., Mose Kirkland, Sr., Josh Kirk- land, and others. Rev. Meeks was a splendid teacher for his day and time. He had splendid order in his school room. The writer of this article was one of his students, and so was Elder Hymrick Meeks and David Kirkland, and others.
There is no sign of the old school house, nor is there any sign where it stood. The only sign of that dear old school is a few old gray heads scattered over Coffee County.
118
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
Big Court, October Term, 1869
Superior Court in Coffee County was called "Big Court" by the natives. The court I am telling you about gives you a very good idea of the conditions of our courts at that time in Coffee County.
"Big Court Set" on the fourth Monday in October, 1869. The weather was frosty and fair. The days were warm and the nights were cool. By ten o'clock in the morning of the first day of the court people were coming in from all directions. Some walking, some riding, some in wagons and very few had buggies. There was not a hotel in Douglas. A few homes gave meals and lodging, but most people brought their provisions and cooked it on the ground. They built up a fire near their carts and wagons and slept under the carts and wagons. Old man John Spivey, with ten or twelve little Spiveys, kept a little store right where the present court house now stands. He sold ginger bread, hot coffee, and canned stuff.
At the time, there was not a railroad nor a bridge in Coffee County. When the streams were too full, it was to go around-or to go through. Carts and wagons were taken across on "flats." Those on foot "cooned" over on logs. The principal case to be tried at this term of court was a case of hog stealing. The senti- ment against hog stealing, sheep stealing and cow stealing at this time was very strong. They did not think so much against a man fighting just a little bit ; in fact, he might cut his neighbor into doll rags and he would not be despised so much for a crime of that sort as he would be for stealing a pig.
119
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
I will now tell you about the case at bar. The Judge on the bench was a little bald-headed man named Harris. The Solicitor-General was a tall, slender little man with big brown eyes. The Sheriff and his Depu- ties all wore their hats in the court room to show that they were officers of the law and had a right to com- mand order in the court. All the witnesses and jurors were sworn with their hands on the Holy Bible and everybody else spit on the floor.
Old man John S. was on trial for stealing a hog. It was alleged that he had stolen a hog from W. W., his brother-in-law. When the case was put on trial it developed that the hair, hide and ears of a hog were found in the woods. Mr. W. discovered that the ears were in his mark. The hair had the color of his hogs. It further appeared that a hole had been dug in the ground about as big as a barrel and about half as deep and that this hole in the ground had partly been filled with water. The water had been heated by heating large rocks and plunging them into the water. This was the plan of the rogue to get the water hot enough to scald the hog. But the rogue failed to make the hair slip and so he skinned the hog, and took the meat home.
All the evidence being in, the lawyers went to the jury to make the arguments in the case. There was old Vernon E. Mclendon, who had a face like an eagle, with eyes like an owl. He was a good lawyer and made a good speech. And then came old Colonel Dasher, he was as tall as a fishing pole and always wore a big beaver hat and a long-tail coat. During his speech he would sling his arms around like sticks tied to his shoulders, a regular scare crow. The jury
120
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
brought in a verdict of guilty. The Judge fined the prisoner one hundred dollars with cost of the court. Mr. W. W. had heard the plea of the lawer telling about the sorrows of a poor man who had no meat, no hogs in the woods and nothing to buy with. In fact, Mr. W. was moved to tears, paid the fine and all the cost of the court and took his brother-in-law home with him.
It is said that the city of Rome was built upon seven hills. The city of Douglas was built on ten hills, and during these terms of big court every hill had a fire light on it. Where the jurors and witnesses and litigants camped it was a beautiful sight to see these camp fires burning on the hills round and about. Often they had coffee together, and other drinks as well. There was one good old man, "Peace to his memory," who would walk around these camp fires if perchance he might find someone who needed help and if it so happened that someone had too much to drink, was sleepy and had fallen over to rest in sleep, this good old man would often take a brick, or a box, or a saddle blanket, and put under the poor man's head that he might rest in sleep until the coming of day. This saintly man was Riley Wright.
121
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
Old Time Singers (Communicated)
A revival of singing schools in Coffee County has set me to thinking. The "All-day sing and dinner on the grounds" is doing untold good to our young peo- ple. They are singing out the frolic and singing in a better day. I bid them all God Speed.
But the singing school is not a new thing in Coffee County. We had them in the "Days of long ago." The first name that comes to my mind is J. M. Wilcox of precious memory. He taught me some of the first songs I learned to sing. He loved to sing and was a successful teacher. He had a sad, sweet voice. He loved to sing minor pieces, with sweet and sad senti- ments and often wept as he sang. He told me that he was saved by music, and it happened in this way : His parents were not religious and he spent his Sun- days in the river swamp. But when he learned music he left the swamp and spent most of his Sundays at church and other places where he could sing. His life was a blessing to Coffee County, and while he sings above we who loved him continued to sing here below.
Another one of the old-time singers was Hiram Sears. He was a student of music. He took a periodical called "Musical Million," and contributed many arti- cles to its columns.
The first sing I attended was taught forty-one years ago by William Stewart at the old Bethel Church near the homes of John Lott, Mark Wilcox, Dunk Douglas, and others. I tried to have a reunion of the
122
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
old class at our singing convention in 1924 but they were so badly scattered I could not get them together.
In the early seventies several of Monroe Wilcox's students taught singing schools. I remember Joe Day, John Solomon, L. Passmore and many others whose names I do not recall.
About 1875 Tom Davis, "Singing Tom" as he was called, came to Coffee County from Montgomery County and taught several singing schools. He was a live wire. He generally taught in some country school house. He would take four long seats and make a pen. He stood in the center, with tenor on one seat, the bass on another, the alto on another, and the treble on another. He gave the key note sound all around, and then as they sang he walked around and around. When a part, like the bass for instance, seemed weak, he would jump like a cat to the bass seat and join in with the bass and pull them out of their trouble, and so on with all the parts. The writer of this article is largely a singing by-product of the teach- ings of "Singing Tom."
A little later Marcus A. Pafford appeared on the scene as teacher, and now the woods are full of them, and all good singers. Our country convention was a demonstration of what the singing school will do for the child and young people. The devil will never get them while they sing. There will be no singing in the bad world. All the singing is "Up Yonder" when the roll is called.
And now a note of warning. Do not neglect. the "Old-time Songs." It is all right to sing the other kind, but teach the children a few tunes with the
123
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
metres so they can start the tune in church and prayer meeting when called upon to do so.
And now as you all join in the chorus I will say good-bye for this time.
W. P. W.
Ward's Scrapbook, 1905.
124 WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
2
1
3
4
5
6
7
SUPERIOR COURT CLERKS
1. A. W. HADDOCK, 1914-16. 2. CLEON FALES, 1926-1928-now serv- ing. 3. J. R. OVERMAN, 1906-08-10-12. 4. SIMON P. GASKIN. 5. CYRUS GASKIN, 1885. 6. DAN W. GASKIN, 1897-99-1901-02-04. 7. SESSION FALES, 1906-1920-1924.
125
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
Some Old Graveyards
One of the oldest graveyards in Coffee County is the Ward graveyard, situated on lot of land 364 in the 6th district, being the place where Jim Tanner now lives, about seven miles east of Douglas. Some of the people buried there are: Old man Mose Kirk- land, the father of Zene Kirkland and Josh Kirkland. He was buried there before the Civil War. Also old "Daddy" Ward and old "Mammy" Ward, the father and mother of the old Wards of Coffee County. They were buried there in 1849. Also the mother of W. M. Denton, a prominent citizen of Ware County, is buried there. She was buried there about 1845. She was the daughter of old James Preston Ward, the father of all the Wards in Coffee County. B. H. Tanner, Sr., the first sheriff of the county, was also buried there.
Very few people are being buried there now. Those who have loved ones there continue to clean off the graves about once a year.
Sandhill Graveyard
The Sandhill graveyard, at Sandhill Church, is only about fifty years old. However, there are many old citizens of Coffee County buried there. Among them old man William Dent, Daniel Gaskins, Sr., Thomas HI. Dent, and others.
Lone Hill Graveyard
The graveyard at Lone Hill Church is more than fifty years old. Many of the Newbern family are buried there. The family had menengitis in 1870 and
126
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
six of the family died in a week. The father and mother and four sons. Mrs. Dunk Douglas was buried there about the close of the Confederate War, and many other old citizens are buried there.
Mount Zion Graveyard
Another old cemetery is Mount Zion, about three miles north of Kirkland, Ga. This place was once in Coffee County and many of its old citizens are buried there. Mack Kirkland and his wife, who are the father and mother of Mrs. B. Peterson, are buried there. William Kirkland, an old citizen of that side of the county, was buried there.
New Hope Church Graveyard
The cemetery at New Hope Church, near Ambrose, Ga., is more than fifty years old and many old citizens are buried there. Among them J. P. Sweat, J. J. Jowers, Phillips, Days, and others.
127
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
War Times and Hard Times
In 1861 a horrible war broke out between the North and the South. Our men went to the battle front and our women and children, from necessity, went to the fields. For every man who took a gun there was a woman or a child who took a hoe or a plow and went to the fields. The men lost the fight for a separate union, but the women won for home and loved ones. They lived hard, it is true, but none of them went naked or starved. The spirit of the Wiregrass was the spirit of 1776. Their hardships as frontier men made them hardy and independent.
Matt Ashley organized the Fourth Georgia Cavalry and tendered their services to the South. Later in the year Company "C" 50th Georgia was organized with John M. Spence as Captain and J. K. Hilliard as Lieu- tenant. Captain Spence later became a Major and was the only man who went from this section of the Wiregrass country to be thus promoted. Later on many men volunteered and were sent to other com- panies.
Historians have told us about the men at the front, but not much has been written about the women and children at home. The men at the front were no more heroic or self-sacrificing than the women and children at home, who kept the wolf from many a door at home, and gave inspiration to the men at the front. They went to the fields by day and at night spun the thread and wove the cloth to clothe themselves and their children; and many of them sent clothing to their husbands at the front. When no salt could be bought to salt the bread, they would dig up the salty dirt in
128
WARD'S HISTORY OF COFFEE COUNTY
the meat house and boil the salt out of it and use it. When no coffee could be bought they would parch corn and sweet potatoes and use that. They did not consider it hard times to live without flour and sugar and the like. They counted it a blessing to have the necessaries of life. And so it was.
I will give you some pen-pictures of Coffee County homes during this war, to illustrate the conditions of the times.
A Wiregrass Home in 1864, Scene 1
Some one has said that "God gave us but one mother," but with some it is different; she was both father and mother. When red war smote the land with shock of battle and with flood of flame the father went to the front and never came back. With three baby boys to rear and only a little farm to do it with, she ceased her weeping and went to work. The hand she might have given in marriage to some other man, has been worn out in honest toil for her children.
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.