WAYNESVILLE
Named after Revolutionary War Hero, General "Mad" Anthony B. Wayne,
Waynesville is located near the old Post Road which is the dividing
line between the counties of Brantley and Glynn. In early pioneer days
Waynesville was a refuge for many weary stage coach traveler.
It was also an in-land sanctuary for the coastal island
plantation families. There is no wonder that it was selected
as the first county seat for Wayne County in 1829.
Jesup was founded in 1856 as a depot at the junction of the Macon and
Brunswick Railroad and the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad. In 1873, the seat
of Wayne County was transferred to Jesup from Waynesville.[
Built in 1848 is the home of Mr. Sylvester and Mrs. Theresa Mumford,
located in Waynesville, Ga.
Picture provided by Earl Knox.
DISASTER: The Brantley Enteprise reported on March 31, that a
fire occurred at the Old Mumford house on March 23, 2005, causing severe
damage, according to Fire Chief Dru Smith, Nahunta Volunteer Fire Deparment.
Officials think the residence was the victim of several severe thunder storms
that ranged across the area. Smith said that, while the second floor was gutted,
the lower floor did not receive so much damage, and the staircases were pretty
much intact, leaving him to speculate that the residence could be rebuilt.
WAYNESVILLE Prior to removal to Jesup in 1873, Waynesville was the County Seat
of Wayne County. However, copies of Legislative Acts in the
middle 1850s also shows that the Wayne County court was conducted at
different location. The answer, for many years, court was held in
home of individuals. The home of William Clements was one of those sites;
he also gave land for a courthouse to be built, but no record is found of
its having been constructed. Early Georgia records indicate that
Waynesville was one of the more prosperous towns in Georgia. It
contained a number of houses, commercial stores, and the Mineral Wells
Academy. School was held in this Academy and the building was also
used as a court site. According to the 1895 U.S. Atlas, Waynesville had a
population of 250, and possessed a post office.
(Portions extracted from
from Miscellany of Wayne County, by Margaret C. Jordan)
MYSTICISM OF WAYNESVILLE, GEORGIA
