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History of Baldwin County Georgia
By Mrs. Anna Maria Green Cook
Anderson S.C. Keys-Hearn Printing Co. 1925
Submitted by Nancy Piper
Historical Sketches
Page 16-21
History, it has been said, is a recital of facts; biography, the picturing of a life. History answers the question,
What things have been done? Biography, by what kind of men and women these things were done.
Now it is our purpose to endeavor to make plain, as far as practicable, what has been done in Baldwin County from
its earliest settlement. "Lest we should forget," where memory should fondly linger, to tell something
of the people who have made history in Baldwin County.
To have even a general idea of the conditions at the settlement of Baldwin County it is necessary to know something
of the Indian tribes "the native holders of these rich lands and luxuriant forests."
The tribes holding this section which was afterwards middle Georgia, was the Creek nation of Muscogees. The name
Creeks was said to have been given by the English. They were a powerful tribe that had come from the far West,
and had builded settlements and mounds in which were buried bones and skeletons, their rude weapons of warfare,
and many Indian antiquities. In White's Historical Collections of Georgia we have short accounts of treaties with
the Creeks; covering a period of nearly a hundred years.
At the close of the Revolutionary War, the small Colony of Georgia, now an independent state, was involved in one
war after another with the Indian tribes. Following the protracted Oconee Wars, by treaty with the Creek Indians,
Georgia acquired tracts of land afterwards divided into three large counties: Baldwin, Wayne and Wilkinson. This
treaty was between the Federal government and the Creek nation. Commissioners from the United States: James Wilkinson,
Benjamin Hawkins and Andrew Pickens. The treaty was signed by forty chiefs and warriors. This treaty took place
at Ft. Wilkinson on the Oconee River, the 16th of June 1802. Ratified January 11th, 1803. The Fort was well garrisoned
and put under command of Major Samuel Beckham. Several years later, when forays from Indians had ceased, the garrison
was removed to Ft. Hawkins, near Macon.
An old citizen of Milledgeville writes in the Recorder in 1819: "I was attracted to Ft. Hawkins by the assembling
of the Creeks in the neighborhood to receive the annuity due them by the government of the United States. David
Brydie Mitchell was there as Indian Agent."
"On my arrival I was the big warrior, the most striking specimen of Indian greatness, and their wonderful
orator, "The little Prince" and McIntosh their most gallant chief in consultation with the Agent about
the affairs of their nation."
"In the morning of the next day I crossed the Ocmulgee River and went into the encampment of the Indians who
had been assembled to be fed by the government and receive their share of the annuity. It was a forest of tall
spreading trees which covered the hills and valleys along the river. There was no under growth to mar the beauty
of the landscape. Many thousand Indians were standing or squatting in little groups around the fires, which the
coldness of the morning made necessary."
The first and only instance of the Indians ever keeping a record of their history was discovered by LeClere Milford,
a young Frenchman, who was a man of high character and intelligence, who lived twenty years among the Creeks. Milford
was associated with that extraordinary chief, Alexander McGillivray and married his sister.
Baldwin County was laid out by the Lottery Act of 1803, or rather that part of it lying on the West side of Oconee
River. The East side had been bestowed upon individuals by land grants for notable services during the Revolutionary
War.
The County was settled in 1803, organized in 1805, named for Abraham Baldwin, who was born at Guilford, Conn. In
1784 he came to Georgia by advice of Gen. Nathaniel Green to practice law.
His scholarship brought him at once into prominence and he was elected to Legislature in three months after his
arrival. He drew a charter for a complete system of education and was the founder of the State University and for
fourteen years was at its head.
Few parts of the state were more quickly populated or better class of people than Baldwin. The part beyond the
Oconee River was thickly populated before the County was laid out. A town, Mount-Pelier was projected as early
as 1801, and an Act by Legislature that, "all persons able to work on public roads residing within five miles
of the Oconee and Altamaha Rivers from Mount-Pelier to Darien, shall work on said river for the improvement of
the navigation thereof five days in each year." John Miles was commissioner from Mount-Pelier.
In 1808 an Act was passed to make distribution of late cession of land obtained from Creek Nation. This Act directs
that the part of said territory lying South of the Oconee to be divided by a line to be run according to the true
meridian from the Oconee at Ft. Wilkinson, south to forty-five degrees, west to the Indian boundary line, into
two counties. The eastern to be called Wilkinson the western to be called Baldwin.
The counties to each be divided into five districts. These districts were further divided into lots of 202 ½
acres each. Tickets were made and numbered of these lots and Acts passed giving regulations as to the drawing of
these lots by citizens of at least one years residence in the state.
The amount paid into the Treasury ranged from ($9.00) nine dollars per hundred acres to ($0.25) twenty-five cents
per acre. River bottom lands bringing the highest. The fortunate drawers received grants issued under the hand
of his Excellency, the Governor with attached seal of the state investing in them fee simple titles.
The commissioners appointed by act May 11th 1803 fixed the site and laid off the town of Milledgeville. December
12th 1804 the General Assembly appointed Howell Cobb, John Rutherford, Littleberry Bostwick, Archibald Devereaux,
George M. Troup, John Harbert, Oliver Porter, commissioners to sell lots in the town of Milledgeville not exceeding
twenty, of one acre each.
"Money from sale shall be, and hereby is, appropriately to defray expenses of erecting a state house in said
town for accommodations of the General Assembly of the state."
The following is taken from the Louisville Gazette, Louisville, Georgia:
"Friday, October 9, 1807. Yesterday 15 wagons left this place for Milledgeville with the Treasury and Public
Records of the State. They were escorted by the troop of horses from Washington who arrived here a few days since
for that purpose."
At same session an Act passed "incorporating a company for improvement of that part of Oconee river between
Big Shoals and John Barnett's and the town of Milledgeville, all obstructions to be removed, and when a boat carrying
a burden of 8 hogshead to tobacco, when the water is at ordinary height, the company may charge toll.
For every hogshead of tobacco, .50 cts
For every barrel of flour , .18 ¾ cts
For every bale of cotton, .25 cts
For every cask of other articles .12 ½ cts
For every thousand feet of lumber, .25 cts.
"Whereas it is necessary and expedient that the counties of Balwin and Wilkinson be organized as speedily
as possible; therefore be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, of the State of Georgia in General
Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by authority of the same that Samson Harris, Archibald Devereaux, Benjamin
Tarver, Stephen Nobles, and Edmund Lane be and they are hereby appointed justices of the Inferior Court of the
county of Baldwin; and Samuel Beckham, William Randolph, Lewis Lanier, Wm. O'Neal, and Thomas Gilbert be and they
are hereby appointed Justices of the Inferior Court of the county of Wilkinson."
It may seem tedious and unnecessary to give these details but they give us official records of the names of the
men of those early days who were men of affairs, engaged in laying the foundations of the site of our county.
Dec. 8th, 1806, an Act was passed appointing the following persons commissioners of the town of Milledgeville:
David Fluker, Jett Thomas, Uriah Thweat, John W. Devereaux, Thompson Bird. These commissioners were given their
appointment until first Monday in January, 1808.
"Thereafter the citizens of Milledgeville entitled to vote for the members of the General Assembly shall choose
by ballot, five persons to succeed them as commissioners of said town; and they shall have and are hereby vested
with full power and authority to make such by-laws and regulations and inflict or impose such fines, penalties
and forfeitures and doing other incorporate acts as in their judgment shall be conclusive to the good order and
government of said town of Milledgeville."
On Dec. 10, 1807 an Act was passed to lay out and identify five new counties out of the counties of Baldwin and
Wilkinson: Morgan, Randolph, Jones, Putnam and Telfair. It was then enacted that "the counties of Green, Morgan,
Baldwin, Wilkinson, Laurens, and Telfair shall form a judicial circuit to be called and known by the name of Ocmulgee
circuit."
"Whereas, a number of citizens of Washington and Hancock have petitioned the Legislature praying to be added
to the county of Baldwin: Be it therefore enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia
in Assembly met and by authority of the same, that all that part of Hancock and Washington hereinafter described
be added to and become part of Baldwin county to-wit: Beginning on Aaron McKinzie's ferry on Oconee river, thence
a straight line to Holt's Mills on Town creek with the meanders thereof to Harris's upper mill on said creek. Thence
straight line to Oconee river opposite the Mouth of Little River, thence with the Oconee River to the beginning."
In 1809, an Act passed incorporating Planters Bank at Savannah and apportioning the shares, five hundred shares
were allotted to Milledgeville under superintendence of Zacariah Lamar, Archibald Devereaux, and Jett Thomas. Dec.
10th, 1807, an Act passed authorizing commissioners to sell and lay out lots for academy and churches or meeting
houses - Thompson Bird, Zacariah Lamar, Elijah Clark, John Devereaux, and Augustine Harris - Court house on southeast
corner, jail on northeast corner." The square had been previously set aside for these buildings.
Dec. 12, 1809, an Act to prohibit dueling. Any person or persons who shall give, bear, or accept a challenge, knowing
it to be so, in writing or otherwise, or having given, borne or accepted a challenge, or in any way connected therewith
either as second or principal in the promotion of a duel and being thereof duly convicted either as second or principal,
shall not thereafter be capable of holding any office of honor, trust or profit, within this State. Benjamin Whitaker,
Speaker; Henry Mitchell, Pres. of the Senate.
David Brydie Mitchell, Governor, Dec. 15th, 1810 a Act to charter a company for improvement of Oconee river from
Fishing Creek, near Milledgeville, to Big Shoals at John Barnett's. Dec. 15, an Act to appoint Commissioners for
the better regulation and government of town of Milledgeville. The town to be divided into four roads, intersection
of Washington and Jefferson streets. At this date Milledgeville had two representatives. Dec. 13, 1810, an Act
for better regulation of tavern and shop-keepers to prevent their trading with slaves.
In 1810, the population was 3, 809 whites and 2,250 slaves. The slave population increased rapidly and in 1850
there were 4,602 slaves. Most of them were out on large plantations but among them were many skilled workmen, and
work of public buildings went on rapidly.
Forts
Page 21-24
In White's Historical Collections of Georgia we have short accounts of treaties with the lower Creeks, embracing
a period of nearly a hundred years. One treaty after another was made with the Indians by commissioners from the
State and the United States government. The death of Alexander McGillivray left the Creeks disorganized, unfriendly
and indisposed to yield any more of their land. In all the treaties, right was reserved by the United States government
to establish Trading Posts and Forts.
Ft. Wilkinson, on a bluff of the Oconee River, was built early in the century, as the condition of the country
left the settlers exposed to attacks from the Indians. The treaty of limits between the United States and the Creek
nation, as mentioned before, was held there June 16, 1802, and was ratified January 11, 1803. The commissioners
from the United States were: Gen. James Wilkinson from Maryland, Benjamin Hawkins from North Carolina and Andrew
Pickens, South Carolina.
In 1807, Benjamin Hawkins selected the site on the Ocmulgee River near Macon for Ft. Hawkins. One hundred acres
were reserved for the fort. Within the stockage were fourteen acres where was built the block house, twenty feet
square and thirty-four feet high. It was surrounded by watch towers and consisted of two stories and a basement.
The basement was built of stone eighteen inches thick and ten feet high. The second story projected over the first
story for three feet on all sides. There were holes in the floors so that if the Indians reached the house and
attempted to scale the stone basement in order to set fire to the wooden part they could be shot down from the
projecting floors.
Block houses of this type were used for soldier's quarters, and for storing provisions and factory goods to be
sold to the Indians, for which peltries were received in turn. The ninety-six acres surrounding the Fort were cleared
so that in case of attack the Indians could not find protection behind trees.
In 1807, Ft. Hawkins was garrisoned by the removal of the troops from Ft. Wilkinson. In March 1807, Aaron Burr
while under guard crossed the river near Ft. Hawkins. Burr and his guard were drenched and chilled by freezing
rains when they reached the river. He had been captured below the Tombigbee River in Alabama. The guards with their
prisoners crossed all the rivers in canoes in which their camp equipage was placed. Their horses swam until they
reached the Oconee River, where at Ft. Wilkinson they crossed in the first ferry boat they had seen on the whole
route. A few miles beyond the Oconee they were sheltered by the first roof, a house of entertainment, kept by Mr.
Bivins. Burr and his party remained a day and night at Ft. Wilkinson before proceeding on their way to Washington.
There was no serious trouble with the Indians until the war of 1812 with England, when the Indians were induced
to take part against the Americans. The British sought and obtained a powerful ally in the renowned Indian warrior
Tecumseh, the Shawnee Chief. From Canada to Florida, he, with his brother, the prophet Francis, exhorted the Indian
tribes to reclaim their original lands. It is not in the scope of this history to give an account of the terrible
Indian wars that followed. Tecumseh was slain in the battle of the Thames fought by Gen. Harrison. His death was
unknown by the southern tribes and a fearful massacre occurred at Ft. Mims, Alabama, where three hundred women
and children were killed.
There is a reference to Tecumseh as a boy in a sketch by Col. Samuel Davis Irvin, uncle of Mr. S. A. Cook. He says:
"My great grandfather and mother were slain by the Shawnee Indians in one of their forays into the newly settled
territory of Kentucky. Their children were taken captive and carried back to Indian territory near the Great Lakes.
My grandfather, Samuel Davis, then a boy of fourteen years, (who was born in Scotland) ran the gauntlet and fell
in the allotment of captives to a squaw, the mother of Tecumseh. He and Tecumseh were thrown in constant companionship
for three years. At the end of that time a treaty of peace was made with the Indians by which they agreed to surrender
all captive whites held by them. Samuel Davis was returned to Kentucky, an older brother made his escape from the
Indians a year before, but the sisters of the family were never heard from. Samuel Davis lived to a great age,
a well preserved old man, giving recitals to children and grandchildren of his life of privation and hardship among
the Indians, and showing them the hole in his nose between the nostrils where hung a gold ring, the custom of that
tribe. The ring had to be filed off when he was released."
To return to Ft. Wilkinson. After the removal of the garrison to Ft. Hawkins, Ft. Wilkinson was garrisoned by militia
under Maj.-Samuel Beckham, a revolutionary soldier, until all danger from Indian forays had ceased. The Creek Nation
had yielded step by step to the encroachment of the white man, and by treaties dimly understood had been forced
to surrender their hunting grounds, until within half a century there remained no Indians in this section of the
state., However, there were 'some descendants of the Indians left. Among them, Judge Iverson Harris, first cousin
to William McIntosh, the noble half breed, who was martyr to his loyalty at the Indian Springs' Treaty. The latter's
son, Chilly McIntosh, was educated in Milledgeville in the school of Dr. William Green.
The fort was abandoned, going into decay. The level site furnished dancing ground for the young people of the country
for miles around. It was the rendezvous for picnickers and pleasure seekers. Before the days of automobiles, wagons
taking large crowds of young men and maidens and matrons to its groves brilliant with dog-wood and fragrant with
crab apple, honey suckle, and sweet shrub. The couples of young people ran down the steep hillsides to the bold
spring under the beeches on which were carved the names of sweethearts, and their pulses quickened with other emotions
than fear of some silent, grim Indian warrior appearing suddenly from the dense woods.
Milledgeville 1815-1825
Page 24-29
In examining old files of the Georgia Journal, there will be noticed a number of parties failing to pay for their
town lots, and therefore the resale of the lots. There was a sale by the heirs of Benjamin Howard of 202 ½
acres on Black Creek with 500 bearing peach trees, adjoining the' lot of' Wm. Bivins nearScott's ferry.
Among the merchants we find Farish Carter, Z. Lamar and John Critcher and Co., who received. an assortment of goods,
viz.:
Black and blue broadcloth.
Black and blue cassimere,
1 trunk of calicoes.
4 by 4 and six by four plain, figured, and needle-worked linens.
Figured jaconet muslins.
Book muslin, Lace handkerchiefs.
4 by 4 and 6 by 4 Damask shawls.
Black and green Bombasets.
Colored shirting.
Marseilles vestings.
This assortment of goods brings before us the well dressed lady in mourning-the indespensible black bombazine,
and long crepe veil-the poke bonnet altogether different from the fashions of my lady today.
"The improvement of Milledgeville in spite of every obstruction is a source of gratification to all who feel
an interest in its welfare. Two years ago a third of the dwelling houses were vacant, all fit to receive families
are now occupied. Among several new houses recently erected is the Penitentiary or State Prison. This stupendous
building adds greatly to the appearance of the town; as also does the enclosure of the State House Square, and
the avenue of trees planted in it, which in a few years will form a beautiful promenade. With its rapid increase
of population Milledgeville has acquired many worthy inhabitants.
"The return of peace has given trade its usual activity. There is a flattering prospect of our mercantile
capital being much increased. Being the seat, of government since 1807, and situated on a navigable river, in a
prosperous neighborhood, and possessing an extensive and fertile back country, Milledgeville must eventually become
a place of considerable commercial importance.
"To hasten this desirable object two things are necessary-the establishment of banks and the improvement of
the navigation of the Oconee. Nine or ten years ago, the spot on which it stands was waste, wild and uncultivated,
the abode of ruthless savages, it is now a flourishing town, contains near two thousand inhabitants, presents a
pleasing scene of industry and wealth; the seat of social refinement, of personal charms and polished society."
So says the Editor of Georgia Journal of 1815.
But human predictions often fail in the effort to foretell the progress of towns and cities. The railroads, banks,
schools, and churches, and christian citizenship brought the desired prosperity and advancement.
Some of the best schools in the State were here. The schools differed from the educational methods of today, but
the scholarship was thorough, often producing intellectual giants. As an example of these schools we give advertisement
of Dr. Wm. M. Green:
"The Subscriber, recently Professor of Mathematics, Chemistry, and Natural Philosophy in the University of
Georgia proposes opening an Academy on First Monday in September next in the town of Milledgeville, in which with
suitable assistants he will conduct the education of youth from the first rudiments to its completion. Mrs. Green
will also, on first Monday in November, open a school for the instruction of young ladies in the usual, appropriate
and liberal branches of female education.
"The most scrupulous attention will be exercised with respect to the manners, and also the moral and religious
instruction of their pupils. The system of .instruction that will be pursued in this institution consists of the
Preparatory Department, the Classical and Scientific" and that of Moral Philosophy and Belle Lettres. The
first comprehends the Greek, Latin, and French Languages, an abridged course of Ancient History and Ancient Geography.
Those desirous of further information, are respectfully referred to His Excellency, the Governor, and Major Howard
in Milledgeville, and to Gen. Scott, Hines Holt, and Boling Hall, Esqr. in the neighborhood." Boys of eight
or ten or even younger were, required to study Latin and Greek.
Milledgeville as laid off by the original plan contained twenty streets, to most of which were given the names
of distinguished patriots. The first building constructed of logs was erected on Franklin Street, on Mr.' Baxter's
lot. The first frame house put up by Gen. Scott in 1805, and is now (1816) standing-a two story building on the
corner of Franklin and Elbert Streets. For some time most of the buildings were put up and business done East of
the State House, but traveled westward form the atmosphere of the Oconee river and Fishing Creek, In 1815, Milledgeville
contained 170 occupied houses, 1,59-9 inhabitants, 14 dry goods stores, twenty groceries, wholesale and retail,
and offices.
The State House stands on an eminence three quarters of a mile from the river, exhibiting a grand appearance of
Gothic architecture. The Representative Hall is sixty by fifty-four feet, ornamented with full length portraits
of Oglethorpe and Lafayette -the Senate Chambers with those of Washington and Jefferson.
In the Executive office is an' old portrait of Oglethorpe sitting dressed in an antique costume, and examining
a, map of Georgia. . This building with, wing erected at north end. in 1828 cost $15,000.00. The cost of, clock
in cupola was $1,000. The other public buildings are a State Arsenal, three' stories high, containing implements
of war, the Governor's House, houses of worship-Methodist and Presbyterian-a market house, containing room for
meeting of police, Penitentiary, Court House, Jail, Academy, and three banks.
Milledgeville contained: a large number of houses of entertainment, the most spacious of which was La Fayette Hall,
corner of Hancock and Jefferson Streets (where the Catholic Church now stands). It was a substantial brick building
three stories high, one hundred and ten feet front. It had a long porch without balusters, extending across the
front. For a number of years it was kept by a Mrs. Haynes and was the principal house of entertainment in the city.
On the corner of Wayne and Green Streets stood the wooden building known as the Old Hotel. This building was put
up about 1825 after the seat of government was removed from Louisville to Milledgeville. The first proprietor,
Mr. Robert McComb, kept one of the best hotels in this section. Prominent members of the Legislature had their
rooms here. In a rear room, at the southern end of the hotel, Alexander Stephens, a youthful member of the House
of Representatives, lay hovering between life and death of typhoid fever. He often said that if his services had
been of any value to his state and country, they were indebted to Dr, Thos. F. Green, to whose untiring attentions
he felt under God he owed his recovery.
On a spot in front of the hotel, at the intersection of Wayne and Green Streets, was erected a grand stand from
which Henry Clay proclaimed his magnificent speech, thrilling the hearts of the people, the majority of whom were
his staunch advocates for the presidency. At the close of the speech a little girl stepped up and handed him a
large red rose. Henry Clay raised her in his arms and kissed her. This incident, she, now an old lady, relates
with pleasure.
These houses of entertainment were open generally in winter for the accommodation of the members of the Legislature.
They were usually advertised in similar manner: "Tables well supplied with best the county affords. Stables
well filled' with, provender." Members often came 'in their own vehicles. Among these were the houses of David
Martin, John Lucas, Myles Green, Samuel Buffington, and others. These parties always stating that they were supplied
with the best of liquors-hence, no doubt, the legislative act for better regulation of taverns.
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