|
Georgia Genealogy Trails "Where your Journey Begins" |
Gilmer County History
GILMER COUNTY.
This county was named after the Hon. George R. Gilmer, and was laid out
from Cherokee in 1832.
The rivers are Ellijay and Tacoa.
The face of the country is broken by mountains, the principal of which
are, Cohuttah, Frog, Coal, Bald, Long Swamp,
Amacolola, Turnip Town, Tallona, and Sharp Top. The best lands are in
the valleys and on the water-courses.
Ellijay is the capital, situated on the northwest bank of the Ellijay
River, 171 miles N. W. of Milledgeville.
The public places are, Prince Edward, Tacoa, Talking Rock, and Blue
Ridge.
The country is rich in minerals. Gold, iron, and marble are found in
various sections.
Among those who first settled in this county are, B. Chastain, James
Cody, Alexander Kell, James Kell, Benjamin
Griffith, L. Holt, C. Cooper, J. E. Price, John P. Alexander, Samuel
Jones, E. Chastain, A. Johnson, J. A. Johnson,
E. Gibson, James Simmons, Jacob Gibson, C. Goble, J. C. King, S.
Griffith, H. K. Q.uillian, Thos. M. Burnett, Wm.
Cox, B. M. Griffeth, &c.
Extract from the Census of 1850.—Dwellings, 1,396 ; families, 1,396;
white males, 4,242; white females, 3,994;
free coloured males, 3; 1 free coloured female. Total free population,
8,240; slaves, 200. Deaths, 54. Farms, 577;
manufacturing establishments, 5. Value of real estate, $551,451; value
of personal estate. 8233,115.
We are indebted to a gentleman well acquainted with the history of the
Cherokees for the following items, viz.:—
Old Indian Towns.—Ellija, an Indian town, formerly stood where Ellijay
now stands. White Path was the Chief. He
accompanied John Ross to Washington, in 1834. General Jackson invited
him to dinner, and presented him with a silver
watch, which he always kept as a precious treasure. He was taken sick
at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. During his illness,
the people showed him great kindness. After his death, his watch was
sold, and its proceeds appropriated to the
erection of a marble monument.
Talona was south of Ellija. It was sometimes called Sanderstown, after
the principal Chief, George Sanders, who
kept a house of entertainment on the Federal Road, and was considered a
high-minded man. He accompanied Ross to
Washington. On his return, he was taken sick, and died at Raleigh,
North Carolina.
Mountain Town was situated in the eastern part of Gilmer; Cartilana was
the principal Chief.
Source: "Historical
Collections Of Georgia", by George White,
1855
Transcribed and Submitted by Brenda Wiesner
Fouts,
a
post-hamlet of Gilmer county, is located about twelve miles southwest
of Ellijay. The nearest station is Keasley, on the Atlanta,
Knoxville & Northern railway.
(Source: Georgia Sketches
of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, VOL II, by
Candler & Evans, Publ. 1906. Transcribed by Renae Donaldson)
Globe, a post-village in the
southwest corner of Gilmer county, is not far from the Gordon county
line. It reported a population of 107 in 1900 and is a trading
center for that section. Talona, on the Atlanta, Knoxville &
Northern , is the nearest railroad station.
(Georgia: Comprising
Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons,
Arranged in Cyclopedic Form. VOL III Publ. 1906. Transcribed by Marilyn
Clore
©Genealogy Trails