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Laid out from Wilkes, Warren, Hancock, Green, and Oglethorpe, in 1825: a part taken from Hancock in 1828; and parts taken Wilkes in 1828 and 1835. Named after Colonel Benjamin Taliaferro. Length, 16m.; breadth, 11m.; area square miles, 176.
Little River, and the North and South forks of the Ogeechee, are the chief streams.
There are excellent lands in this county.
CRAWFORDVILLE is the county town, situated on the Georgia Railroad, 45 miles N. E. of Milledgeville.
Raytown is seven miles from Crawfordville.
Among the early settlers were, Geo. TILLEY, Wm. EVANS, Marcus ANDREW, Asa ALEXANDER, Wm. LITTLE, S. CREIGHTON, Wm. GUNN, Amos STEWART, H. ELLINGTON, B. JONES, G. KENT, A. B. STEOHENS, W. ANDERSON, R. KING, N. CHAPMAN, A. GRESHAM, S. HARRIS.
Extract from the Census of 1850. ---- Dwellings, 408; families, 408; white males, 1082; white females. 969; free coloured males, 28; free coloured females, 23. Total free population, 2,102; slaves, 3,044. Death, 88. Farms, 294; manufacturing establishments, 16. Value of real estate, $1,272,265; value of personal estate, $1,781,112.
In the year 1800, a number of Roman Catholics emigrated from Maryland, and established a church at Locust Grove.
The Hon. ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS was born in the present limits of Taliaferro County, February 11th, 1812. about two miles and a half from Crawfordville. His grandfather, Alexander Stephens, emigrated from England about the year 1750. He was in Braddock's army at the time of his celebrated defeat. In the war of the Revolution he took an early and active part. In 1789 or '90, he removed to Georgia, and settled on the plantation now owned by the subject of this sketch. He died in 1813. Mr. Andrew B. Stephens, the father of Alexander H. Stephens, continued to live on the same place until 1826. He was a man of small means, of strict integrity, and unblemished character.
Mr. Stephens' mother was Margaret Grier, daughter of Aaron Grier, and sister Robert Grier, the celebrated almanac maker in Georgia, and a distant relative of Mr. Justice Grier, one of the present judges of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Upon a division of Mr. Stephens's property, the portion of each of his children was $444. The part which fell to his son Alexander, aided by a small legacy from his grandfather, was spent upon his education. At country schools he acquainted himself pretty well with the rules of arithmetic, and obtained some smattering of geography and English grammar. He was but nine months preparing for College. His collegiate course was passed at the State University. He was graduated in 1832, with as much honour as any member of his class. He did not take a diploma, as it then cost two dollars, and the state of his finances did not, in his opinion, justify an outlay of so much money for such an object. Education was what Mr. S. wanted ---- that he willingly paid for; but as for the sheepskin, it was a matter of no consideration to him. After his graduation, he opened a school, and realized money sufficient to pay all he had to borrow to complete his college course. His health, which was always exceedingly delicate, at that time required relaxation. The early part of 1834 was spent in traveling, and in a few months his health was sufficiently restored to warrant his application to study. He took up the law, and was admitted to the bar in Crawfordville, on the 22d of July, 1834.
In 1836, he was elected a member of the Legislature from the County of Taliaferro. His debut in the House was on the bill to commence the Western and Atlantic Railroad. His speech was an able one, and elected the highest admiration. He continued in the House until 1841, when he was elected to the Senate. In 1843, he was a candidate for Congress. The election then was by the State at large, under the General Ticked system. Mr. Stephens was brought forward to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Hon. Mark A. Cooper; and he was elected. After this, the State was divided into Congressional Districts and Mr. Stephens represented the Seventh District up to the close of the last Congress. Upon a reorganization of the Congressional Districts by the Legislatures of 1851 and '52, Taliaferro County was put into the Eighth District. At the late election he was returned from that district. This election was without any distinct nomination, or party convention; and although he had many competitors, his majority over all of them was over three thousand votes----the largest majority he ever received. It was an evidence of undiminished popular confidence in Mr. Stephens, that while he represented the district, his majority was increased at every election. He has never been a candidate for any office without being elected.
Mr. Stephens resides in Crawfordville. After the death of his father, the plantation was sold. He purchased it in 1839. Local attachment, more than anything else, determined the place of Mr. Stephens's destiny. He is passionately fond of agricultural pursuits. He informs us that upon his farm he enjoys more pleasure in one day in rambling over the hills upon which he first gazed in life's opening dawn, than he ever expects to realize in the bustle of public life.
Laid out from Montgomery County in 1801; portions added to Montgomery in 1812. Named after Josiah Tattnall, formerly Governor of Georgia. Length, 35 m.; breadth, 34 m.; area square miles, 1,190.
The rivers are Ohoopee, Alatamaha, and Cannouchee. There are several creeks.
In the lower part of the county, bordering on Liberty, the land is level. The other part may be called hilly.
The soil is light and sandy, with the exception of that on the streams, which is stiff. The productions are the same as those of the adjoining counties. Large quantities of lumber were sent to Darien and Savannah. The value of land varies from fifty cents to one dollar per acre.
REIDSVILLE is the county town, 120 miles from Milledgeville.
Extract from the Census of 1850. --- Dwellings, 434; families, 434; white males, 1,221; white females, 1,157; free coloured males, 10; free coloured females, 8. Total free population, 2,396; slaves, 831. Deaths, 10. Farms, 327; manufacturing establishments, 10. Value of real estate, $283,153; value of personal estate, $427,175.
Among the first settlers of this county were, EZEKIEL CLIFTON, EZEKIEL STAFFORD, HENRY HOLLAND, STEPHEN MATTOCK, WILLIAM COLEMAN, WILLIAM EASON, GEORGE LEWIS, JOSEPH COLLINS, NATHAN BREWTON, MOSES JERNIGAN, JONES TEMPLES, B. STRIPLING, A. DANIEL, JOHN MATTOX, STEPHEN BOWEN, E. BOWEN, A. McLEOD, JOHN McFARLAND, JAMES TURNER, JAMES JONES, M. JONES, JESSE COLLINS, DAVID BOYD, ALLEN JOHNSON, ELISHA PARKER, ELISHA CURL, JAMES TILLMAN, DANIEL HIGHSMITH, JOHN McARTHUR, ALEXANDER GORDON, JOHN JONES, JOSHUA DASHER, REUBEN NAIL, LUKE SAPP, BENJAMIN SAPP, JOHN and GROVE SHARP, LEVI BOWEN, LEWIS STRICKLAND, JOHN ANDERSON, JAMES UNDERWOOD, and JOHN DUKES.
The climate is healthy. Disease is almost unknown. Many cases of longevity have occurred, but it is not in our power to name them. We would as soon risk our chance for health in the pine lands of Tattnall as in any section of the United States.
Laid out from Decatur and Irwin in 1825; part taken from Lowndes in 1826. Named after General Jett Thomas. Length, 37 m.; breadth, 25 m.; area square miles, 925.
The rivers are Ochlockonee, the Mickasuckee, and Aucila.
The creeks are, Proctor's, Mule, Ocopilco, & c.
The soil is sandy, but productive.
THOMASVILLE is the capital, 9 miles east of the Ochlockonee River, and 206 from Milledgeville.
The Fletcher Institute is located here. At the meeting of the Annual Conference of Georgia in 1848, a proposition was read from the citizens of Thomasville, to raise an amount of money for the purpose of erecting a school of a high order. The proposition was accepted, and the Conference appointed a Board of Trustees to make a suitable outfit for a High School. In March, 1848, the Trustees met, and were duly organized; and the agent, Rev. P. P. Smith, soon after raised enough money to enable him to erect two brick houses, besides purchasing 300 acres of land. The school is now in successful operation. To the exertions of Mr. Smith the institution is indebted for much of its prosperity.
Grooversville is 18 miles from Thomasville.
Duncansville is 12 miles from Thomasville.
The climate does not differ materially from that of Lowndes. The instances of longevity which have come to our knowledge are, Mr. STANLAND, over 80; Mr. SEALERS, over 80; Mr. McCALLA, over 80; Mr. SWEATMAN, over 90; Mrs. DONALDSON, over 80; Mrs. COLLINS, over 90.
Extract from the Census of 1850 - Dwellings, 338; families, 338; white males, 2,576; white females, 2,367; free colourd females, 4. Total free population, 4,947; slaves, 5,156. Deaths, 125. Farms, 534; manufacturing establishments, 6. Value of real estate, $1,146,230; value of personal estate, $2,663,539.
The following account of a battle that took place between the whites and Indians, and in which the citizens of Thomas participated, is gleaned from the papers of the day:---
On the 15th of July, 1836, a severe engagement took place between a party of Creek Indians, on their march to Florida, and several companies of volunteers from Thomas and Lowndes counties, under the command of Major M. Young; one company from Thomas, commanded by Captain James A. Newman, and one company commanded by Captain Tucker; the company from Lowndes commanded by Captain Pike---these three companies composing the battalion.
On the 11th of July, information was received at Thomasville that a body of Indians were seen making their way through the northern part of Thomas County, to join the Seminole tribe in Florida. This intelligence was received at night, and on the morning of the 12th, a company of brave volunteers, forty-six in number, embarked in their country's cause, under the command of Captain Newman, and proceeded on their march to the place where the enemy were seen; and on the 13th arrived within a few miles of Warrior's Creek Swamp, where the Indians were supposed to be, and camped. The next morning a detachment of men were sent out as scouts, and after proceeding four miles on their way, discovered fifteen Indians between Warrior Creek and Little River, about a mile and a half above the fork. The troops then started upon a forced march, directing their course to a ford of the river, four miles below, thinking to intercept the Indians at a certain place where it was supposed they would leave the swamp, when the companies from Thomas and Lowndes united their forces, and placed themselves under the command of Major Young, of Thomas. The troops then advanced to the river, and after swimming their horses, resumed their march for the place where they expected to meet the enemy; but upon arriving there, they could make no discovery. It was then concluded to scour the swamp, which was two miles and a half in length. Every sixth man was detailed to guard the horses; they then entered the swamp, and after marching nearly through it, a tremendous rain came on. Calling a halt until it was nearly over, the pilot got bewildered and lost, and said that he knew not which way to direct his course. Another guide was procured, who, after some difficulty, succeeded in carrying the troops back to their horses. Not one Indian was seen after marching until the men were worn down with fatigue, who were ordered to mount their horses, and marched back three miles, where they could get provisions, and encamped that night.
During the evening, Captain Sharpe and Captain Tucker joined the troops shortly after they had reached their horses on returning from the swamp. Captain Hamilton W. Sharpe was ordered to remain near where they had entered the swamp. Much credit is due to Captain Sharpe for his vigilance and perseverance in discovering where the enemy were.
Early on the morning of the 15th, Captain Sharpe and his company came upon their trail, and following it some distance, discovered a body of Indians, nearly one hundred in number. He immediately dispatched a man to give the intelligence, which, when it reached the little band, aroused in them a spirit of unconquerable pride and patriotic bravery. They were soon upon their horses, and, in high spirits, the gallant little army was led away to meet the murderous foe. In a few moments they met Captain Sharpe, who had had an engagement with the enemy and retreated, with the loss of one man killed and one wounded, who piloted them to where the Indians were, and after marching two miles in pursuit of them, the advance guard was fired upon in a kind of meadow, near a pond in open pine woods. A charge was immediately ordered, and the troops gallantly entered the conflict. Never did a braver little crew march into an enemy's field; like veterans they stood the shock, the savages pouring a heavy fire into their ranks. Buoyed up by the love of country, and ready to protect its sacred altars, they rushed upon the foe, and put them to flight, continuing to pour volley upon volley into their midst as they fled, pursuing them nearly three miles, through several ponds, into a large swamp, killing two of the only three that were seen to enter it. The number of Indians was supposed to be between sixty and seventy, out of which number twenty-two were killed, and two negroes; eighteen were captured - nine squaws and nine children. The volunteers numbered about one hundred and twenty, out of which they sustained a loss of two men killed, and eight wounded, but none of them mortally.
Taliferro County transcribed by Tom Hammack - October, 2003.
Tattnall County transcribed by Jerri Eoff Sudderth - November, 2003.
Thomas County transcribed by Chandalee Helms - August, 2006
First put online 1 Dec 2003.
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