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

 HOME

©Genealogy Trails