Habersham County History
INTERESTING
BITS OF HABERSHAM COUNTY HISTORY
PART 1
SOME NOTED SONS OF HABERSHAM COUNTY
Miss Addie Bass
Habersham County was created in 1817.
Originally it included a part
of White, Stephens and Rabun counties. The earliest settlers of the
county were the Jarretts, Kennedys, Scotts and Prathers on the
Tugalo
River, now in Stephens County. Also the Davis family, near Currahee
Mountain. On the other side the county was settled by the Williams,
Richardsons, Byrds, Churchs, Vandergriff, Bass, Watson, House,
Porter,
Hames and Gastley families. On the north side the ancestors of the
Fry,
Ivester and James families settled large farms.
Many of the earliest comers to Habersham were hunting for gold. This
was found in the Soque River and nearby streams and in the sands of
the
immediate neighborhood, but never in paying quantities. The earliest
citizens of the section around Clarkesville were the Hasketts,
Stanfords, Erwins, Ketchums, Wyleys, Dobbins, Suttons, Beans,
Campbells,
Van Burens, Nichols, Berrys, Lamberts, Fullers, Nashs and Phillips.
These were the main builders of the county site.
The Suttons came to this section in 1815 on a hunting trip and
staying,
they rented a mill-site from the Indians. The creek on which the
original mill was located is stilled called Sutton Mill Creek. One
of
these descendants, Judge C. J. Sutton, a prominent lawyer and useful
citizen of the county, was born in 1823. The home built by him a
short
time before the Civil War is the only residence still occupied by
the
descendents of the original owner, Misses Anna and Tattie Sutton,
his
daughters.
Tradition gives a large rock near the Kollock estate as the place of
the first gathering of law makers. Long before the Civil War the
wonderful climate and beautiful scenery of the county around
Clarkesville drew many residents from the low country who came,
bringing
their families and servants, building substantial and charming homes
and
adding greatly to the prosperity of the county. The Kollock home was
for some years a boarding school for girls.
The site of the present town of Demorest belonged to the family of
Dr.
Rossignol, who had a summer home there for many years. Dr. Rossignol
was a physical of unusual culture and was greatly beloved by a large
circle of the county people.
Mr. Robert Campbell was a help to the town because of the work he
furnished worthy people. With the Rev. Mr. Ketchum and a few others,
he
helped to building the Presbyterian church.
Habersham county can justly claim a long list of really noted
residents
since colonial days -- men who, by their service to county, state or
nation have won distinction and some have nation-wide reputations.
Among these are: Joseph Habersham, of Savannah, for whom the county
was
named, was an ardent patriot during the struggle of American
colonies
against English tyranny. Under his command a party of bold
conspirators
executed a raid upon the powder magazine in Savannah, owed by the
Crown, and later the same party captured the royal Governor Wright
at the door
of the executive mansion. Habersham served in the Colonial army
throughout the Revolution, and was appointed Post-master-General in
Washington's cabinet. He did not reside in this county, but visited
his
son, Richard Habersham, who built a home near Clarkesville, and who
was
elected to the state senate and afterward represented this district
in
Congress.
John McPherson Berrien, U.S. Senator from Georgia, who was so
conspicuous for polished oratory that he was called by his
colleagues
until his death, the "American Cicero." In 1829 he entered the
cabinet
of President Andrew Jackson as Attorney-General and afterwards
returned
to his home in Savannah, where he built up a large law practice. He
and
Robert Toombs were staunch friends and both had homes in this county
where they spent the summer months. Berrien's home here was
afterwards
owned by Amos T. Ackerman, Attorney-General during Grant's
administration.
General Duncan L. Clinch, a noted officer of the U. S. Army had a
fine
home in Habersham county, where his grandson, afterwards Governor
Duncan
Clinch Heyward, used to spend part of his time.
Robert Toombs, at various times serving as U.S. Senator, as soldier
of
the Confederacy, as statesman and orator, and ardent advocate of
secession, was one of the most interesting political figures the
south
ever produced. At the convention which met to select a president of
the
Confederate States Jefferson Davis received the nomination by a
majority
of only one vote over Robert Toombs, and Toombs accepted the post of
Secretary of State, which position he filled until he resigned to
serve
as a general in the army. After the war, when a warrant for his
arrest
was issued, General Toombs escaped from his home in Washington, Ga.,
and
with the aid of friends succeeded in getting to the Savannah river,
finally reaching the home of Col. Joseph Parther, (then in Habersham
county, now in Stephens), and he afterwards visited among friends in
this county before he escaped to France. He spent several years
abroad,
returning home in 1867, but he steadfastly refused to take the oath
of
allegiance to the United States government and was considered a
political outlaw until his death. He bought a summer home in
Clarkesville, but occupied it the greater part of the year until
after
his wife's death which occurred here, when he sold the place to
Judge
Logan E. Bleckley, the property later passing into the hands of Mr.
Joseph E. Stewart, the present owner.
An outstanding figure in a community of illustrious men was Col.
Robert
McMillan, who commanded the 24th Georgia regiment, and was noted for
his
bravery throughout the War Between the States. His son, Captain
Garnett
McMillan, was also a gallant officer in his father's regiment. After
the war Captain Garnett McMillan was elected to Congress by a large
majority over his opponent, the noted Benjamin H. Hill, but he died
before entering upon his duties as Congressman.
Other brave soldiers of the south went out from their mountain homes
in
this county to fight for the Confederate cause, among whom were
Capt. W.
S. Erwin, J. B. Erwin and Capt. Alex S. Erwin, Col. Phillips, Gen.
Jeremy Francis Gilmer, Capt. Rufus Asbury, Dr. E. S. Starr, and many
others, as there were over one thousand enlisted men from this
county.
Judge Logan E. Bleckley, eminent lawyer, jurist, and Chief Justice
of
the Supreme Court of Georgia, though born in Rabun county, only a
few
miles north of this city, spent the latter years of his life at his
come
in Clarkesville, where he died in March, 1907.
Walter B. Hill, one of the most brilliant members of the Georgia
bar,
and an ardent advocate of prohibition, served as Chanceller of the
University of Georgia for a number of years until his death. While
Chancellor of the University he purchased a summer home in
Clarkesville
about thirty-five years ago, which he named, "The Forest of Arden,"
and
which has been the permanent home of his family since his untimely
death, which occurred December 23, 1905.
In his "Reminiscences of Famous Georgian," Lucien Lamar Knight says
of
Chancellor Hill: "Perhaps not since the passing of Henry W. Grady in
manhood's prime from the public stage has the death of any man been
more
deeply deplored throughout the south."
Habersham county is justly proud of her history, of her climate, her
natural resources which she has in abundance, but most of all is she
proud of her people. All may not have won fame or achieved wealth or
greatness, but each good citizen has had a part in making this one
of
the finest sections of the south.
INTERESTING BITS OF HABERSHAM COUNTY HISTORY
FIRST COURT HELD IN HABERSHAM 108 YEARS AGO
Many Names of Jurors Are Familiar to Present Residents
Many interesting things go to make up the history of Habersham
County among which is the minute book of Miles Davis, who held the
office of Clerk of the Habersham Superior Court in 1819, at the time
when the first session was held in Clarkesville, the county site.
The first Judge to preside was Hon. John M. Dooley.
Now after a period of 108 years, this book is intact and legible and
is on file at the Court House at the present time. The cover title
states -- "Minutes of Habersham Superior Court, August Term, 1819,
being the first court held in and for said county -- signed Miles
Davis, Clerk."
The list of Grand Jurors drawn to serve at this first term of court,
follows: Devereaux Jarrett, James R. Wyly, Isaac Disharoon, Jesse
Berry, James Denman, James Starritt, Darius Echols, Peter Weaver,
Garland Love, Clement Walters, John Davis, William Rich, Howard
Cash, Ransom Whitworth, Stephen Poe, Mathew Alexander, William
Boling, Joseph Holcomb, Jonathan Davis, Tilghman Powell, Caleb
Griffith, William Hamilton, James Hudgins, James Allen, Henry
Cannon, John Warmack, Benjamin Cleveland, Enoch Brady, William
Thompson, Benjamin Goss, Charles England, Absalom Holcomb, Arthur
Alexander, William Disharoon, James McCrackin, Hudson Moss.
Many of these names are familiar to the residents of Habersham
County today, and still residing here are hundreds upon hundreds of
descendants of those men who constituted the first court of our
county.
The minutes of the proceedings of this first term show that one true
bill (for misdemeanor) was returned by the Grand Jury, and only two
cases were called. One case was Ejectment Proceedings, the other an
Attachment, both of which were non-suited.
After a two-day's session the court adjourned to meet in February,
1820.
HISTORIC
HOMES OF HABERSHAM COUNTY
Mrs. Joseph E. Stewart
One of the loveliest of old colonial homes in Habersham is the Minis
place in Clarkesville. Rabun-Gap-Nacoochee school will be the
recipient of a goodly sum when this place is sold - with its hot
houses, flower gardens, woodland oak farms.
Many years ago Habersham's fine climate and the discovery of gold
enticed many people of means to this part of north Georgia from
Savannah, Charleston, Virginia, Pennsylvania and North Carolina who
built handsome homes here.
The Minis home was built by Col. John Stanford of Pennsylvania and
known then as "Pomona Hall", which was the name of his grandfather's
home in England. Also Mrs. Stanford was a member of the
distinguished Charlton family of Savannah. Her brother, Major
William Wyatt Charlton, lived here for many years and was buried
here in Clarkesville's old cemetery with the Stanford family.
After the war General Jeremy Francis Gilmer of Savannah bought the
home. Their only daughter who married J. F. Minis, a wealthy lawyer
of Savannah, inherited this place which she kept in fine condition.
Her collection of shrubs, from many parts of the world, contributes
greatly to the beauty and interest of the lawns and gardens.
Another place of interest in Clarkesville is the McEver place which
was built by Mr. Jarvis Van Buren. He came here from New York to
take charge of the iron works where Habersham Mills is now. He was a
nephew of President Van Buren and engineer on the first railroad
train ever run successfully in the United States, 40 miles between
Albany and Schenectady, NY. He and his wife are buried here in the
old cemetery.
A grandson of President Tyler whose wife was a great granddaughter
of General Nathanael Green, owned a home near Clarkesville on the
Mount Airy road. Her brother, George H. Johnson, lived here with Mr.
and Mrs. Tyler Waller and taught school in Clarkesville's "Old
Academy". This Waller home, where Judge Law and his 14 daughters
lived, was later owned by Mrs. Weigle and her daughter, Mrs. Don
Adele Williams. Mrs. Williams sang in Metropolitan Opera in New York
for some years, but failing health brought them to Habersham.
General Duncan Clynch, noted officer in the US Army, established a
summer home a few miles from town where his grandson, ex-governor
Duncan Clynch Heywood, of South Carolina, played as a boy. There Mr.
and Mrs. Byard Heywood have lived for many years. These gentlemen
were brothers and married two sisters from Virginia.
In this same neighborhood lived the Eppes, Owens, Haskells, Trists
and Kollocks - all, I believe, Savannah people. Rev. W. E. Eppes,
rector for many years of the Episcopal church in Clarkesville was
the grandson of Thomas Jefferson. Eppes Chapel, where he also held
services near his home, has long since fallen into decay.
The Trist place, now the summer home of a nephew, Mr. Houston
Johnston of Savannah and Atlanta, is very lovely. The grand old
hemlocks, terraced gardens filled with old fashioned flowers,
flagstone walks and drives, and all enclosed with an iron fence. The
setting of this home is very picturesque with a lovely view of the
meadows and mountains.
The very interesting home of Mrs. George J. Kollock, with its
wonderful library and many antiques is quite a museum. Here we find
another old fashioned garden and the wisteria on the veranda which
in earlier days clung to the house is so immense that now the house
seems to cling to it. The large three-story "Sleepy Hollow" house
across the creek from Mr. Heywood's was built by Mrs. Kollock's
father-in-law, also her uncle. These brothers came from Savannah and
built summer homes in the early days. Mrs. George Kollock lives in
the home her father built. Here her sons, daughters and
grandchildren join her during the summer.
On the Tallulah Falls highway is the old Habersham Home built by
Richard Habersham, English member of Parliament, who was buried here
in the old cemetery. Miss Addie Bass writes in her notes on
Habersham that Joseph Habersham, Postmaster General for whom the
county was named, "did not reside in the county but visited his son
Richard who built a home near Clarkesville." In early history of the
Episcopal church we find the names of Richard Sr. and Jr., also
Joseph Habersham who died in 1815.
John R. Matthews with Richard Habersham, first wardens of Episcopal
church, is I suppose the man who built the old Matthews home near
the Habersham house - and Joseph Habersham, Postmaster General,
married a Miss Matthews. This old home, like many other ante-bellum
houses, is built with the entrance to the second floor, kitchen and
store rooms below stairs. The veranda is on three sides, a spacious
hallway with double doors the whole width, when thrown open veranda
and hall are one. The doors are so large that a panel of one is used
for entrance when two larger doors are closed. This place is still
owned by this family but none of them have lived in it for many
years.
Another home on Tallulah Falls highway was built by Col. Alston, a
brother or nephew of Governor Alston of South Carolina. This place
passed into the hands of Arthur and Walter Middleton, grandsons of
the signer of the Declaration of Independence. The grand old trees
can be seen from the highway but only an old square piano remains in
the house to tell the tale of past arrogance and wealth. Mrs.
Georgia McMillan Pittard writes, "A handsome summer home was built
here by John McPherson Berrien of Savannah, Attorney General under
Andrew Jackson and twice US Senator. By a strange coincidence this
place was bought later by Amos T. Akerman who held the same office
under President Grant."
John E. Ward, first US Minister to China, came to Habersham and
built a home on Tallulah Falls highway which was burned.
Col. Samuel Wales, first graduated from Yale, came to Clarkesville
in 1836 and built a home where he lived and had a small boarding
school for awhile. He sold to the trustees of the Clarkesville
Academy.
In 1880 General Robert Tombs bought the place for a summer home but
resided here a great part of the time. He was a member of Congress
for Georgia from 1845 to 1853. United States Senator from 1853 to
1861, when made Confederate Secretary of State. He served as Brig.
General at second Battle of Bull Run.
Mrs. Robert Toombs presented a silver communion service to the new
Methodist church which was built in Clarkesville in 1881 soon after
they came here. General Toombs sold the place after the death of his
wife to Judge Logan E. Bleckley who was at that time Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of Georgia from which he retired in 1894. He
was perhaps one of the most brilliant lawyers the state ever
produced. It was not unusual for the entire Supreme Court to retire
to this secluded place to write their decisions - hence many of the
most important interpretations of Georgia laws have been made on
this spot.
Judge Bleckley's first wife was a Miss Haralson, sister of General
John E. Gordon's wife. They had two sons, Haralson Bleckley who was
a distinguished Atlanta architect until his death a few years ago -
and Logan E. Bleckley official of Georgia Court of Appeals. Mrs.
Hugh Culberson, the only daughter, resided in Atlanta. The Toombs
house burned during the ownership of Judge Bleckley but he rebuilt
and lived here with his second wife and four sons.
Next door in the home built by Col. Samuel Wale's brother-in-law,
Col. Turner Tripps, during the summer lived Chancellor Walter B.
Hill who gave up a law practice in Macon to become Chancellor of the
University of Georgia. He and Judge Bleckley were great friends and
the latter though three score and then some was writing a book on
"Values" and needed help on some of his problems. So he enrolled as
a freshman at the University asking that the sophomores would not
shave his long white beard and hair. He stayed in the home of
Chancellor and Mrs. Walter B. Hill in Athens for about one week. He
had already mastered higher Mathematics, although this was his first
college experience.
In 1907 his death occured at his home in Clarkesville and his body
was carried to Atlanta where it lay in state in the Capitol for
several days. This place since 1917, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph
Stewart, has many osage orange trees which must be a century old -
as also has "Lovers Lane" on the Hill place.
Other interesting homes I could mention which were in Habersham but
since the county was divided are now in White County. The Hardman
Home in Nacoochee Valley was built about 1868 by Capt. Nichols, a
most courtly gentleman from Boston. This was perhaps the most
luxurious of all the old homes - the original furnishings were sold
with the place about 1902 to Dr. Hardman, afterwards Governor of
Georgia. In the early days there was a deer park with 14 grown deer
and many fawns. Also a fish pond full of bass which would come up
and eat from one's hand. Randal, who wrote "Maryland My Maryland",
married a cousin of Mrs. Nichols and was a frequent visitor to this
home which had many distinguished guests.
A gay party from the Nichols house named the beautiful fall on Tray
Mountain "Anna Ruby" for the daughter of Capt. Nichols, who is Mrs.
A. R. Payne, now living in Atlanta.
With a feeling of sadness I come to the last old home of my story -
the home of my mother, my grandmother and my great grandfather.
"Starlight" the old home of Dr. B. F. Starr was built about 1830 by
Major Edward Williams whose daughter was Hannah Williams Starr. The
first home, a temporary one, built in 1823. Many great men have
visited in both of these homes. Among them, Bishop Pierce, Bishop
Warren A. Chandler, Bishop Whitman and John C. Calhoun of South
Carolina.
The George Williams Home in the Valley was built about 1870 by the
son of Major Edward Williams who wrote a most interesting booklet on
"Nacoochee and Its Surroundings".
General Rusk, one of the earliest settlers, lived in Nacoochee for
many years. His wife was a daughter of Benjamin Cleveland. He
afterward lived in Texas and was United States Senator.
A very lovely daughter of Dr. Starr was the inspiration of a
beautiful poem called "Nacoochee." This was written by Dr. Francis
O. Tichor and dedicated to Lula Starr. Little Griffin of Tennessee
and other poems were written by him. The second verse of "Nacoochee"
seems so appropriate and describes the old home at "Starlight" as it
stands today nestling against the hillside empty and deserted,
facing the quiet valley.
"Child of the Chattahoochee!"
Hid in the hills afar!
Beautiful Nacoochee,
Vale of the Evening Star!
Hushed in the mountain shadows
With the May dew on her breast;
Her breath is the breath of meadows
And her very name signs 'rest'!"
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Bits of Habersham County History
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