Laid our from Burke and Effingham, 1793; part set off to Bulloch, 1796. Length 30 miles, breadth 18 m.; area square miles, 540.
The Savannah, Ogeechee, and Little Ogeechee rivers, and Briar Creek, are the principal streams.
The soil is level, and in some parts productive.
The climate is mild.
The instances of longevity are, Mrs. L. Thrower, who died at 137; Mrs. Jane Black, over 100; Mr. Herrington, over 90; Michael Doherty, 140. Many others might be given.
SYLVANIA is the county site; situated five miles below Jacksonborough, on the Middle Ground road.
Jacksonborough was formerly the county site.
Mill Haven is six miles from Matthews' Bluff.
Paramore Hill is a considerable elevation, which the Central Rail Road crosses.
At Hudson's Ferry the British encamped in February, 1779, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Prevost.
Extract from the Census of 1850:--Dwellings, 567; families, 567; white males, 1,625; white females, 1,548; 1 free coloured male. Total free population, 3,174; slaves 3,673. Deaths, 32. Farms, 498. Value of real estate, $1,260,577; value of personal estate, $1,101,900.
Among the early settlers of this county were, J. H. Rutherford, James Boyd, John Bonnell, Henry Bryan, Wm. Rushing, Benjamin Greene, Wm. Shepard, Robert Warren, Joseph Tanner, John Fletcher, John Nevil, Anthony Bornell, Bird Lanier, Matthew Coleton, Wm. Pearce, Daniel Blackburn, John Jeffers, Wm. Rauls, M. Greene.
Mr. John Abbot resided for many years in this county, and was very much devoted to the study of natural science. The result of his observations he delineated in a style of beauty and accuracy, which gained him a high reputation in Europe. In the Charleston Library are two large folio volumes, with elegant coloured engravings, entitled, "The Natural History of the Rarer Lepidopterous Insects of Georgia, including the Systematic Characters, the Particulars of their several Metamorphoses, and the Plants on which they feed. Collected from the observations of Mr. John Abbot, many years resident in that country, by James Edward Smith, M. D., F. R. S."
Looking over the files of some old newspapers, we met with the following, and give it insertion, without vouching, however, that the Michael Doherty, of Screven, is the person of whom the writer speaks:---
At the moment of retreat, on the 12th of May, 1782, when Colonel Laurens, commanding the light troops of General Greene's army, beat up the quarters of the enemy near Accabee, Michael Doherty, a distinguished soldier of the Delawares, said to a comrade who was near---"By Jasus, it does my heart good to think that little blood has been spilt this day, any how, and that we are likely to see the close of it without a fight." No notice was taken of his speech at the time, but meeting him shortly after in camp, I inquired, "how he, who was so much applauded for uncommon gallantry, should have expressed so great delight on finding the enemy indisposed for action." "And who, besides myself, had a better right to be plased, I wonder?" said Doherty. "Wounds and captivity have no charms for me, and Michael has never yet fought, but as bad luck would have it, both have been his portion. When I give you a little piece of history of my past life, you will give me credit for my wish to be careful of the part that is to come. I was unlucky from the jump. At the battle of Brandywine, acting as sergeant of a company in the Delaware Regiment, my captain killed, and lieutenant absenting himself from the field for the greater safety of his mother's son, I fought with desperation till our ammunition was expended, and my comrades being compelled to retire, I was left helpless and wounded on the ground, and fell into the hands f the enemy. Confinement was never agreeable to me. I could never be aisy within the walls of a prison.
A recruiting sergeant of the British, who was at home in his business, and up to all manner of cajolery, by dint of perpetual blarney, gained my good will, slipped the King's bounty into my hand, which I pocketed, and entered a volunteer into the 17th Regiment. Stony Point was our station, and I thought myself snugly out of harm's way, when one ugly night, when I did not even dream of such an accident, the post was carried at the point of bayonet, and an unlucky thrust laid me prostrate on the earth. It was great consolation, however, although this was rough treatment from the hand of a friend, that the Old Delawares were covered with glory, and that as their prisoner, I was sure to meet the kindest attention. My wound once cured, and whitewashed of my sins, my ancient comrades received me with kindness; and light of heart, and hoping to gain any quantity of laurels in the South, I marched forward with the regiment, as part of the command, destined to recover the Carolinas and Georgia. The bloody battle of Camden, fought on the 16th August---bad luck to the day!---brought me once again into trouble. Our regiment was cut up root and branch, and poor Pilgarlic, my unfortunate self, wounded and made prisoner. My prejudices against a jail I have frankly told, and being pretty confident that I should not a whit relish a lodging in the inside of a prison-ship, I once again suffered myself to be persuaded, and 'listed in the infantry of Tarleton's Legion. O, botheration, what a mistake! I never before had kept such bad company---as a man of honour, I was out of my illiment, and should certainly have given them leg-bail, but that I had no time to brood over my misfortunes, for the battle of the Cowpens quickly followed. Howard and Old Kirkwood gave us the bayonet so handsomely, that we were taken one and all, and I should have escaped unhurt, had not a dragoon of Washington's added a scratch or two to the account already scored on my unfortunate carcass. As to all the miseries that I have since endured, afflicted with a scarcity of everything but appetite and mosquitoes, I sat nothing about them. My love for my country gives me courage to support that, and a great deal more when it comes. I love my comrades, and they love Doherty. Exchanging kindnesses, we give care to the dogs---but surely you will not be surprised, after all that I have said, that I feel some qualms at the thought of battle, since, take whatever side I will, I am always sure to find the wrong one."
At Briar Creek, in this county, a battle was fought on the 3d of March, 1779, between the British, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, and the Americans, commanded by General Ashe, which resulted in the complete discomfiture of the latter. The following letter, written by General Lincoln, dated Purisburg, March 7, 1779, details the particulars of the battle:---
After the enemy left Augusta, General Ashe, who was stationed on the opposite side of the river, was ordered to cross and take post at or near Briar Creek lower bridge, as thereby he would cover the upper part of the country, and as this was considered one of the strongest posts therein, his left being secured by a deep swamp and the Savannah River, his front by the creek, which, at this place, was unfordable, and about sixty yards wide; besides, he had a party of about 200 horse to cover his right rear. Boats were provided for the troops to recross the Savannah in case the enemy should move against them in force, and the baggage was sent over that they might not be encumbered therewith, in case they should be obliged to retire into the country. But, notwithstanding, on the 3d of March, 1779, at three o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy fell in his rear, his horse at that time being over Briar Creek; and began the attack so suddenly, that the General had not time to form the whole of his troops, which amounted to about 1,200, exclusive of the horse; those which were formed soon gave way, though many officers exerted themselves to prevent it, excepting a few under General Elbert, and one or two regiments of North Carolina militia. Some, he informs me, fled without firing; they took to the swamp, and escaped either by swimming the river or being brought across in a boat. General Ashe supposes his loss to have been 150 or 200. Prisoners taken, General Elbert, Georgia troops; Lieutenant-Colonel McIntosh, in the Continental service; Major Douglass, Aid-de-Camp; Captains Hicks, Nash, Cuthbert, Scott, Pendleton, Corbet, Sprowl, and Dalay; 162 non-commissioned officers and privates.
This county is bounded on the north by Henry, on the east by Monroe and Butts, on the south by Pike, and on the west by Fayette. Length, 20 m.; breadth, 11 m.; areas square miles, 220. Laid out in 1851.
The streams are: The Flint River, and Potato, Cabin, Grape and Head's creeks.
The soil and productions are similar to those of Pike.
GRIFFIN is the county town, situated on the Macon and Western Railroad. It is called after General J. L. GRIFFIN, its founder.
The Synodical Female College is located at Griffin. It is under the care of the Synod of Georgia. The college edifice is built of brick, 100 feet long, and 50 wide; two stories high. It contains on the flower floor a large chapel-room for the primary department, and a parlour. On the second floor are four large recitation rooms, and a large study-room, well furnished with desks and chairs. The building occupies a commanding situation, and is surrounded by beautiful grounds. The funds for erecting this building were mostly contributed by the citizens of Griffin.
Among the early settlers were: John G. Hill, A. A. Gaulding, John B. Reid, Wm. Cline, General E. P. Daniel, Curtis Lewis, Miles G. Dobbins, Wm. S. Herronton, Jas. A. Beeks, Absalom Gray, A. M. Nall, Thos D. Johnson, James S. Jones, A. W. Humphreys, Hugh G. Johnson, David Johnson, Dr. Jno. R. Clark, Joseph P. Manly, James Butler, Ishmael Dunn, William Ellis, Garlington Leak, Burrell Orr, Simeon Spear, John H. Akins, Robert Walker, Garry Grice, Dr. James S. Long, William R. Phillips, and Wm. Dismuke.
Hon. THOMAS SPALDING, after whom this county was named, was born at Frederica on the Island of St. Simon's Glynn County, on the 26 March 1774, and was of Scottish descent. He was the son of James Spalding, Esq. who married the oldest daughter of Colonel William McIntosh, the latter being the same person who, when a lad, with his youngest brother Lachlan, (afterwards General McIntosh of the Revolutionary War,) followed their father, John More McIntosh, a Highland Chieftain, when with a band of intrepid Highlanders he accompanied General Oglethorpe to the wilds of Georgia, in 1736, and from whom sprang many of that name, who perilled their all for the independence of their country during our Revolutionary contest.
Mr. Spalding's father was a gentlemen of fine abilities, and a great reader of men and of books, the advantages of which he seemed to have early and indelibly impressed upon the mind of his son, who read
everything, and whose surprisingly tenacious memory, retaining all that he read, made him as a living book and depository of literary treasures, especially those of historic interests.
For those gentle and benevolent traits which he so liberally practiced in mature manhood, he was indebted to the influence and example of his excellent and venerated mother, of whom he ever spoke with the most filial tenderness. He was their only child. At the time of his father's decease he was a student of law, in the office of Thomas Gibbons, Esq., of Savannah, whose practice was extensive and profitable; and he had circumstances at this period permitted Mr. Spalding to pursue the profession of his choice, he doubtless would have been eminent in it; but his fortune being ample and requiring his personal attention, he declined to proceed in the practice. He married the daughter and only child of Richard Leake, Esq. which union added much to his already comfortable estate.
About this time, though very young, he was elected to the Legislature, and shortly after, with his family, visited Europe, and took up his residence in London, where he remained two years a regular attendant on, and observer of, the proceedings of Parliament, and in the enjoyment of that society to which his pecuniary means and position among his countrymen abroad entitled him in the British metropolis.
The lady whom he married was of rare accomplishments, good sense and singular beauty; yet she alone seemed unconscious of those irresistible fascinations which secured her the respect, admiration, and love of all. They had born to them many children, five only of whom survived their parents, and are still living. Mr. Spalding had the misfortune to lose his oldest son James, while a member of the Legislature from McIntosh County, during its session in 1820 --- an amiable young man, of superior talent, and of great promise. The Legislature erected a monument to his memory in the capital of the State.
On his return from England, Mr. Spalding was elected to Congress, and served two sessions, and was for many years afterwards a prominent and leading member of the Senate of his native State, and until he retired from public life, life, to superintend his extensive private affairs, and to enjoy the repose and comforts of his attractive home, surrounded by his books, and his friends, and strangers visiting our country to whom he was ever attentive.
For the various measures which he advocated during a long political career, through anxious and perplexing periods of our history, he acted always from a conscientious conviction of being right and in the interest of his country. There never was a more ardent or a purer patriot. At the close of the war of 1812, in compliance with a mission from the General Government, he proceeded to Bermuda, and negotiated relative to the slaves and other property taken from the South by the British forces.
In 1826, he was appointed Commissioner on the part of the State to meet the Commissioner of the United States, Governor Randolph, of Virginia, to determine the boundary between Georgia and the Territory of Florida, but which was not conclusively settled, the Commissioners disagreeing as to what should be considered the true source of the St. Mary's --- the Georgia Commissioner insisting on the southern and most distant of the two lakes from the mouth of the river discharging its waters into the Atlantic which lake has since been called after him.
The limit assigned for biographical sketches in this work admits of nothing more than a mere outline of the life of Mr. Spalding. He was a fluent, energetic speaker, and a fine writer. Ease of style and originality characterize the productions of his pen. He was the author of the Life of Oglethorpe, and of many other sketches, and furnished much useful information for various agricultural journals of the country, was among the earliest cotton planters of the State, and introduced cane, its successful culture, and the manufacture of sugar, into Georgia. He was the last surviving member of the Convention that revised the Constitution of the State in 1798.
In personal appearance he was agreeable of middling stature, of easy, unassuming manners, courteous and affable. His hospitality was boundless, and accessible to all' and it may truly and emphatically said of him, that he was the friend of the distressed. Kind in all the relations of life, his slaves, of whom he had a large number, felt neither irksome toil nor disquiet under his mild and indulgent government.
He felt intensely interested in the Compromise measures of Congress, and, though in delicate health, declares his wish to go as a delegate to the Convention in Milledgeville, even if he should die in the effort. He reached that city in a very feeble state, was elected President of the Convention, and commenced his duties by a neat and appropriate address, remarking in the conclusion, that "as it would be the last, so it would also be a graceful termination of his public labours." After the adjournment, he passed on homeward through Savannah, greatly debilitated, and reached his son's residence near Darien, where he expired in the midst of his children, calmly relying on his God for a happy futurity, Jan 4, 1851, in the 77th year of his age, and in sight of that island home in which it is hoped no spoiler will ever be suffered to trespass; but long to remain a sacred memorial of his taste for the sublime beauties of nature. His residence was a massive mansion, of rather unique style, in the midst of a primeval forest of lofty, out-branching oaks, of many centuries, arrayed in the soft and gracefully-flowing drapery of the Southern moss, waving in noiseless unison with the ceaseless surges of the ocean, which break upon the strand of this beautiful and enchanting spot.
Rev. WILLIAM MOSELEY resides in Griffin. He is the son of Elijah Moseley, and was born in Elbert County, GA, on the 21st of Oct. 1796. His education was limited not having attended a school altogether more than nine months. When he was about twenty years old, he was commissioned as first lieutenant of a company intended for an expedition against the Indians. In 1819, he was elected Receiver of Tax Returns for Putnam County. In 1820, he removed to Dallas County, Alabama, where he connected himself with the Baptist Church, and two years afterwards, began his ministerial career. Returning to Georgia, he resided a year in Jasper County, and then went to Henry County. In 1843, he was elected to the Senate, and in 1846 was nominated by the Whig party for Congress, and was defeated by only one hundred and fifty-seven votes. In 1847, he was elected to the representative branch of the Legislature, in 1848 was chosen an elector, and voted or General Taylor and Mr. Fillmore, and in 1851 was again sent to the Legislature as Senator.
In 1836, there was a division among the Baptists in the Flint River Association. Mr. Moseley took sides with that portion called the Primitive Baptists, "who hold to the predestinarian doctrine, repentance, faith, good works, the final perseverance of the saints," &c. The denomination of which Mr. Moseley is a minister believe that "the Church alone is the institution of Heaven, and that all the combinations of men, irrespective of the Church, are wrong."
He is a friend of education, and has been heard to say, that he will never die satisfied unless he sees a system adopted by which every child in the country will receive an education. Mr. Moseley is an orator by nature. His mode of speaking fixes attention; and although he pays no regard to the decorations of language, it is easy to perceive that he understands his subject. "It is very remarkable," says one, "that Mr. Moseley was born in October, married in October, professed religion in October, his daughter born in October, and the only slave he ever owned died in October."
Screven County transcribed by John Robert Peavy - July, 2005
Spalding County transcribed by Chuck Pierce (old soul) - January, 2004.
First put online 28 Feb 2004.
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