Habersham County History
PART 1
HISTORY OF CLARKESVILLE, GEORGIA, PART 1
Mrs. Julia Wales Erwin Wilson, Sister to W. S. Erwin
Habersham county was organized in 1819. The first white man to
settle in the area was Mr. Sutton, uncle of the late Judge C. H.
Sutton. Most of the county was settled by the sturdy Scotch-Irish
people who came first to Pennsylvania, then came further south to
the mountains of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama and East Tennessee. These Scotch-Irish people have always
been the backbone of our Republic. There were the authors of the
Mecklenburg Declaration and many of them had revolutionary lineage.
There is an old saying, "Mountaineers are always free". True to this
fact, Habersham county, with a voting population of 800, sent to the
Southern Confederacy over a thousand men.
The town of Clarkesville dates its beginning from the year 1823. Two
men, Chastain and Vaughn, gave land lots No. 2 and 19 as the site
for the town. Clarkesville was named in honor of Gen. Elijah Clarke,
who was so active in north and east Georgia during the Revolutionary
War. The Court House, a small frame building, was located on the
Public Square, and a log jail on the lot where Mr. F. L. Asbury's
residence now is. When a brick court house was built, in 1832, the
old building was moved down to the livery stable lot where it still
stands, (The Claud Adams home). Judge John Dooly, the famous Georgia
wit, held the first court in Habersham.
At this time, and for a good many years after, much of this country
was still in possession of the Indians. I have heard my mother say
that when she came to Clarkesville, a bride, in 1838, there were
United States Troops here for the purpose of removing the Indians.
The young Lieutenant in charge of the troops was J. B. Magruder,
afterwards the famous Confederate General.
The discovery of gold in the Nacoochee Valley, and other parts of
the country, soon brought to this hitherto unknown section, many
seekers for the precious metal. From the first these settlers were
of a superior class. Among them may be mentioned the names of Alex
Maulden, William Hacket, Thos. Fayetter, Jessie Norris, T. B. Wood,
Elihu Barkley, J. R. Wyly, William Hicks, S. H. J. Alley, the
Lambert brothers, A. J. Nichols, Hezekiah Dyer, John Fuller, and
John S. Dobbins who were the first to settle the town.
Dr. George D. Phillips came in 1829. He was a Virginian, a skillful
physician, and a man prominent in the politics of the state. His
wife was the daughter of James Patton, the founder of Ashville, N.
C. Dr. Phillips built a home at Farm Hill, where Dr. James P.
Phillips still lives. Mr. father, Alexander Irwin, a North
Carolinian, and a son of a man who, as a boy, fought at King's
Mountain, came here in 1829, and with Gen. B. F. Patton, also a
North Carolinian, whose home was what is now the Ketron farm, put up
a store for the purpose of trading for gold, in the old building
that stood where the present court house now stands. My uncle, S. A.
Wales, just graduated from the law school at Yale, with his
brother-in-law T. H. Trippe, also a lawyer, were two early comers.
Col. Wales built the Bleckley House which was burned a few years
ago. Col. Trippe built the old Campbell home, now the property of
Mrs. W. B. Hill. Col. Trippe sold his home to the town for a
academy.
Afterwards it was the home of Rev. R. C. Ketchum, the Presbyterian
minister for about twenty years. It subsequently became the summer
home of Gen. Robert Toombs, and when it was burned some ten years
ago was the home of Judge Logan E. Bleckley, chief justice of
Georgia; a pretty good record for one house, I think. Col. Trippe
sold his home to Mr. Robert Campbell who occupied it during most of
each year for more than thirty years. Judge Garnet Andrews in the
reminiscences of an old Georgia layer, gives an amusing account of a
Clarkesville lawyer whom he called Col. Stamper. The original of
this sketch was Col. Studman who lived in the house now owned by J.
B. Erwin. He was a brother-in-law of Judge J. W. H. Underwood and is
said to have been quite as interesting character as Judge Andrews
pictures him.
John R. Stanford bought much land in and around Clarkesville. He was
a merchant, a man of wealth of public spirit. His wife was Miss
Charlton, of the well-known Savannah family. He built the beautiful
home on the hill, now owned by J. F. Minis, and as Pamona Hall it
was for years the center of social life of the town.
A company headed by Jacob and Adam Stroop and in which Hon. John C.
Calhoun was a stockholder, put up an iron works plant on the site
now occupied by the Habersham Mills. Jarvin Van Buren came out from
the north to take charge of it and built the house now occupied by
Idus Brewer. Mr. Van Buren was a New York man, a cousin of Martin
Van Buren, and looked very much like the picture of the President.
He had the distinction of having, as engineer, run the first train
ever successfully operated in the United States. It was a short line
about forty miles in length, and, I think, ran between Schenectady,
NY and Albany, NY.
The first academy of the town as the old Grove House. This
afterwards became the home of Mr. William Smith, grandfather of the
late Thomas F. Bean and of the Ansleys of Atlanta. It was at one
time occupied by Hon. John E. Ward, first minister of the United
States to China. Col. Robert McMillian bought this place about 1854.
The old Shade Alley place is probably the oldest place in our town.
It was built by a Mr. Brannan, and afterwards was owned by Gen. J.
R. Wyley. Mr. Wyley was the grandfather of John Sevier, Gen, in the
Revolutionary army, and governor of Tennessee. Mrs. Ruth Erwin comes
from the same family.
The little town seems to have had good schools in those early days.
My uncle, Rev. Stanhope Erwin, a young Presbyterian minister, taught
here while studying for the ministry. Gen. William Phillips was one
of his pupils. His wife was Miss Danwoody, cousin of Mrs. Teddy
Roosevelt. A man named Blair was imported from Pennsylvania and had
a fine school here. Dr. J. T. Phillips, Dr. Rossingnol and Dr. Starr
were three of his pupils. Mr. Blair went back to his native state,
was later sent to Congress, and became a most violent abolitionist
and hater of the south. Later Mr. Round taught here and also Mr.
Williams Rogers.
HISTORY OF CLARKESVILLE, GEORGIA,
PART 2
Mrs. Julia Wales Erwin Wilson, Sister to W. S. Erwin
In the early fifties, H. B. Smith had a large and flourishing school
here for several years. In 1859, the citizens of the town were much
interested in a large school for girls, toward which most of them
contributed. Judge William Low gave the site, thirteen acres, to the
town, and a large building was erected on "College Hill', now the
Martin Place. The school was the Tallulah Female Institute, and Rev.
R. C. Ketchum was principal. It flourished and died. Most of what
little education I possess was acquired at the Tallulah Female
Institute.
The first church was the old Methodist church, 1831, which stood in
the cemetery. It was built by all the citizens for the use of all
denominations. In 1838 the Episcopalians built their church. The
first vestryman, or trustees, were George D. Phillips, B. F. Patton,
S. A. Wales, Alex Erwin and John R. Stanford, mostly Presbyterians.
Here the convention was held which elected Steven Elliott first
Presbyterian Bishop of Georgia. Some years later, 1848, the
Presbyterians built their church on a lot of two acres, given in
equal shares, by Robert Campbell, Wi8lliam Smith and George D.
Phillips. This church was completed in 1848 and dedicated by Dr.
Nathan Hoyt, grandfather of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. I have also heard
her other grandfather, Rev. I. S. K. Axson, preach there, also her
father, Rev. Edward Axson and her uncle, Rev. Dr. Henry Hoyt. I have
heard too in this church, Dr. J. R. Wilson, father of the President,
and Professor James Woodrow, his uncle.
Clarkesville boasted a bank in these early days, a branch of the
Georgia R. Bank of Augusta. Mr. Dugas, uncle of Dr. Henry Rossignol,
was the manager. He built the Berry House where Mr. Joe Stewart
lived 1910-1918 (now the pastorium). The bank was in the old Sam
Lambert house which burned a few years ago.
The hotel which stood where the Mountain View now is was kept for
years by Lewis Levy of Augusta, and after him by Mr. Reuben Nash.
Mrs. Collier was for many years landlady of the Alleghany House, now
the Inn, while Mrs. Fuller had a hotel on the square where is now
the Addison house (Foster's store corner).
The little town boasted of a paper called "The Argus" in the early
days. The North East Georgian was published later by J. F. Patton.
In the old cemetery lie at least two Revolutionary soldiers, Mr.
McCrocky, grandfather of Mrs. Caroline Hunt and Matthew Rhodes. I
have a very faint recollection of the latter as a very feeble old
man.
The principal physician in Clarkesville for fifty years was Dr. W.
J. Rusk, an old bachelor, shy and awkward, but a fine physician and
one of the most charitable of men. His old fashioned saddle bags
were often full of needed delicacies for those of his patients who
were unable to buy them.
There was no dearth of lawyers in Clarkesville in those days. Among
them were Elihu Barclay, John H. Jones, M. J. Walker, Calvin J.
Hanks, Phillip Martin and Thomas J. Rusk. Calvin Hanks was killed by
Dr. L. B. Harris. No doubt many of you have noticed the epitaph on
his tomb in the old cemetery, "Ye living men as ye pass by." To my
childish mind this was the most wonderful and awe inspiring gem of
poetry.
Thomas J. Rusk was a young lawyer of brilliant promise, but was fast
ruining himself by dissipation. Dr. George Phillips, one day after a
serious talk with him as to his conduct and future, gave him a
hundred dollars and told him to go to Texas and make a man of
himself. Rusk took the money and advice, went to Texas and rose
rapidly to the front rank in his profession and in politics. He was
United States senator, with a bright prospect of being president of
the United States, but ended his career by suicide while at the
height of his fame. While senator he related to Dr. J. P. Phillips
in Washington, t is story of Dr. George D. Phillips. (this is
verbatim not a typo) The delightful climate of Habersham County,
with its cool breezes, bright skies, gushing streams and fine
scenery, soon brought many persons from the low country of Georgia
and South Carolina to build summer homes in the vicinity of
Clarkesville. Among them were many historic homes. Col. R. W.
Habersham was the son of Joseph Habersham, Washington's Postmaster
General. He built "Azalia," the quaint and lovely old house, now the
home of Mr. Joe Erwin. The Alston House a few miles out of town near
Turnerville was built by a close relative, son or nephew of Governor
Alston of South Carolina, who married Theodosia, the beautiful and
ill fated daughter of Aaron Burr. Sailing from Charleston to New
York, to visit her father in his disgrace and old age, she was never
heard of again. It was reported that the vessel was captured by
pirates and Theodosia Alston, with the other passengers, forced to
walk the plank. The "Alston" now belongs to the Middleton family of
South Carolina, direct descendants of the signer, Arthur Middleton
Junior. John MacPhearson, Attorney General under Andrew Jackson had
a summer home here. It's rather a singular coincidence that this
place was afterwards owned by Amos T. Akerman, who held the same
office under President Grant. Rev. W. E. Eppes, the Episcopal
minister beloved by all our people, was a great grandson of Thomas
Jefferson and Mr. Robert Waller is a grandson of President Tyler.
Andrew Jackson's mother, when her husband was killed, took refuge
with her aunt Mrs. John Wilson, my husband's great grandmother.
Andrew Jackson lived with Dr. John McKemie Wilson. These are but a
few of the historic names connected with Clarkesville and Habersham
County.
Clarkesville has always had a great attraction for all sorts of
cranks and oddities, who have drifted here from every quarter,
besides having her fair share of the same sort of native production.
Did the scope of this paper permit, I could relate many tales of
interest both grave and gay. I will speak of one story that used to
excite my childish sympathy and interest to the highest degree. Many
years ago, a Frenchman, calling himself Eugene Pinard, came to
Clarkesville, no one knew for what reason. He was a mysterious
character, stern and reserved, saying nothing of his past, except a
few vague hints of a dark past of crime and piracy. A chest of rich
clothing and silk and velvet seemed to corroborate his story of
having been on a pirate ship. He married a pretty country girl
living as help in General Wyley's family. He remained with her for
perhaps three years, then disappeared as suddenly as he came, taking
with him a beautiful little daughter, nearly two years old and
leaving not a trace to show where he had gone. The sympathy of the
whole town was aroused for the heartbroken mother and every possible
effort was put forth to locate the little child. Kind friends wrote
to the French consuls in New Orleans, Mobile, New York and other
ports. Advertisements were inserted in the papers of the principal
cities of this country and in France, but all in vain. The fugitives
had disappeared as if swallowed by the earth, and the desolate
mother never again heard aught of her child. I remember Mrs. Pinard
when I was a child a pale, sad woman who made a modest livelihood by
nursing the sick, and sewing in families and who grieved as long as
she lived for her Victorine.
I have tried to be accurate in what I have written but have had to
depend to a great extent on my memory of what I have heard the old
folks say years ago. Dr. Phillips and my brother, Joe Erwin have
given me a good deal of history. I love this dear old town where I
was born, and where all my children were born, and I thank you for
giving me an opportunity of assisting in some slight degree to
preserve its memories and traditions. I am proud of my birthplace.
INTERESTING BITS OF HABERSHAM
COUNTY HISTORY
SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES OF CLARKESVILLE
June, 1927
BAPTIST CHURCH
The Clarkesville Baptist church was organized on August 15th, 1888.
A few persons, already members of that denomination, assembled in a
room over J. W. West's store and constituted a presbytery for
organizing a church. Those present were: Rev. J. L. R. Barrett, Rev.
W. B. Hawkins, Rev. R. D. Hawkins, and Deacon T. J. Gastley; also a
small company of citizens of the town which comprised the
congregation.
Rev. R. D. Hawkins preached an appropriate sermon, taking for his
text the 19th and 20th verses of the 28th chapter of St. Matthew.
After the sermon Rev. J. L. R. Barrett, who had been chosen to act
as Moderator, called the meeting to order and stated it was the
desire of those who had called the meeting to organize a Baptist
church.
Thereupon, letters were presented by the following: W. D. Hill, Mrs.
W. D. Dill, G. W. Hill, E. P. West, Mrs. E. P. West, Obediah A.
Holloway, Mrs. Obediah A. Holloway, Ezekiel Fuller, Mrs. Ezekiel
Fuller, Sandy A. Cash and Miss Cola Cash. Upon the reading of the
Articles of Faith and the Church Covenant, the presbytery extended
to them the right hand of fellowship, recognizing them as a duly
constituted Baptist church.
After the organization the charge upon church duties was delivered
by Rev. J. L. Barrett, and prayer was offered by Rev. W. B. Hawkins.
The little band comprising the organization then set themselves to
the task of organizing a church that would be a church in fact as
well as in name. They joined themselves to the Clarkesville Baptist
Association and proceeded to build a house in which to worship.
"Time were exceedingly hard" in this section at that period, but by
privation and persistence, with great faith in Him who provides for
the tomorrows, the house was built and ready for service.
Rev. J. L. R. Barrett was chosen as the first paster and he served
faithfully from 1888 to 1890, during which time the church
prospered. Rev. J. H. Osborn was next called as pastor and served
during the year of 1891. He was succeeded by Dr. H. P. Fitch, who
served throughout the year 1892. Since that time many able and good
preachers have serviced as pastors of the church among who were
Revs. R. T. Hawkins, C. T. Brown, John J. Kimsey and several others.
Rev. J. W. Farmer is at present the very able and popular pastor of
the church. E. P. West, Ezekiel Fuller and W. D. Hill served as
Deacons of the church from its organization until 1900.
The present membership of the church is 185.
SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES OF CLARKESVILLE
June, 1927
METHODIST CHURCH
Away back in the years when Clarkesville was but little more than a
settlement of a few scattered houses, but having the dignity of a
"county site," there was no church here and no public place suitable
for Divine worship. Realizing the need of this, some of the faithful
forefathers began to "agitate" the need of a building to be used by
members of all or any denomination that might desire to have a
building in which to hold meetings.
Local tradition informs us there lived in the vicinity at that time
a wholehearted and generous citizen - Col. James Brannon, by name --
who in March, 1831, donated to the few members of the Methodist
denomination of the vicinity, a lot of around now the site known as
the "old cemetery," on which to erect a church with the stipulation
that it be used by all denominations. Citizens John B. Chappell,
Reuben Phillips and Turner H. Tripp were chosen a committee to see
that the intent of the donor of the lot was complied with.
Generous pioneers lent a helping hand and a building was erected to
accommodate the needs of the community. In due time the several
Methodists in the vicinity organized a church, among the first
members and helpful contributors being John S. Dobbins, Wm. W.
Alley, Richard Powell, Col. W. H. Steelman, John J. Chitwood, Judge
Turner, Sidney Barr, Dr. W. J. Rusk, James Griggs, John Fuller and
several others. We have been unable to secure the names of the early
pastors or first officers of the church, but it is stated that long
years of patience, labor and sacrifice were necessary on the part of
good men and women in those primitive years to establish the
organization on a satisfactory basis. However, in due time the
church prospered wonderfully and became a great power in the
community. Its influence under the powerful preaching of its first
pastors and presiding elder was felt, it is said, from Tray mountain
to the Tugalo river.
In 1860 a lot was purchased on the main highway, now Washington
Street, some three squares distance from the court house, on which a
substantial parsonage was built for the paster. During the dark days
of the war of 1861-65 the church was ably served by consecrated
ministers, and although greatly handicapped, prospered and continued
in spiritual growth.
It was found in time that a more commodious house in which to
worship was necessary, and in 1881 the present home of the church
was erected on the lot adjoining the parsonage. This was during the
pastorate of Rev. W. W. Lampkins, and the new building was dedicated
in 1882 by Rev. J. H. Baxter. Rev. J. L. Harrison is the present
pastor and the church has an enrolled membership of 135.
SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES OF CLARKESVILLE
June, 1927
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
On March 10, 1832, seven persons associated themselves together for
the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian church in the (then) new
village of Clarkesville. These persons were Thomas W. A. Sumter,
Martha Sumter, Mary A. Sumter, William Thompson, Mary Thompson,
Margaret Forbes and Cynthia Forbes. The church was organized by Rev.
William Quillian and Thomas W. A. Sumter was elected and ordained
Ruling Elder.
The church was taken under the care of Hopewell Presbytery. From
this feeble beginning has grown the present Presbyterian Church of
Clarkesville which has always been a powerful influence for good in
this community. The little church struggled for existence for
several years, almost extinct at times, but keeping always a spark
of life. About the year 1840 a few ladies connected with the church
established a Sunday School -- the first school of its kind in the
county of which we have any record. It is a matter of local history
that not only the Catechism, but also the Blue Back Speller was
taught the children and many grown-up people who found it profitable
to attend. For several years after organization of the church,
services were held in the Methodist church building, but in 1845 the
membership had grown to a number sufficient to have an exclusive
building of their own and to have services at more frequent periods.
The church was first incorporated in 1843 under title of "The First
Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville," with Robert Campbell, Wm.
Smith, G. W. McAllister, Alexander Erwin and George D. Phillips as
trustees. Two acres of land was purchased by Robert Campbell,
William Smith and George D. Phillips and presented to the church on
which to erect the house of worship. The building was completed in
1848 at a cost of $2,275, of which amount $1,050 was contributed by
Robert Campbell. The Ladies' Aid Society contributed $220 with which
to purchase the sweet-toned bell which has called the congregation
to worship for three-quarters of a century.
At the request of presbytery the church was reorganized in 1844 with
17 members, viz: T. W. A. Sumter, Alex Erwin, Catherine M. Erwin,
Elizabeth Paxton, Joseph Gailey, Jarvis Van Buren, Eliza K. Van
Buren, Cordelia Callier, Matilda Atkinson, Margaret Groves, and
Jesse N. Groves. At this time Alexander Erwin was ordained Ruling
Elder, which office he held to the time of his death in 1874. The
new church was dedicated by Rev. Nathaniel Hoyt in 1848. At that
time, and for many years thereafter, it was the only Presbyterian
church organization in this part of Georgia. Many of the most
influential men of Clarkesville were members of this church, and
some of the most prominent of its citizens of the present are loyal
and enthusiastic members.
The pulpit of this church has been filled by a line of consecrated
ministers -- some of them preachers of unusual ability. The names of
them are to the best recollection of the writer: Rev. Richard
Getchum, Rev. Paul Norton, Rev. Geo. T. Govetchires, Rev. John B.
Norton, Rev. L. M. Wilson, Rev. Archie Simpson, Rev. J. R. McAlpine,
(now retired and still living here) and Rev. J. C. Blackburn. The
church at the present time is without a pastor.
SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES OF CLARKESVILLE
June, 1927
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The Episcopal Church in Clarkesville was organized in the year 1838.
From an article published in "The Church in Georgia" in 1920 giving
an account of the foundation of this church, we quote the following:
"At a meeting held at the house of Rev. E. B. Kellogg, in
Clarkesville, GA., on Wednesday, the 12th of December, 1838, the
following persons were present: Rev. E. B. Kellogg, Turner H.
Trippe, John R. Stanford, James Brannon, Lewis Levy, Joseph
Habersham, R. W. Habersham, Jr., E. S. Barclay and Wm. J. Walker,
the Rev. Mr. Kellogg being chosen Moderator, and R. W. Habersham,
Jr., Secretary pro tem.
"It was resolved that we do hereby unite ourselves to form a parish
to be called 'The Episcopal Parish of Clarkesville.' Resolved that
Messers. R. W. Habersham, Sr., and John R. Mathew be the Wardens,
and G. D. Phillips, John R. Stanford, Alex Erwin, Samuel A. Wales
and R. B. Patton be the Vestrymen of said parish. Resolved that the
Rev. Mr. Kellogg be, and is hereby elected Rector of said parish.
Resolved that R. W. Habersham, Sr., be, and is hereby elected lay
delegate, and C. R. Jessup his substitute to attend the next annual
Convention of the Diocese of Georgia. Resolved that this parish do
hereby agree to and adopt the constitution and canons of the
Episcopal Church and the constitution and canons of the Diocese of
Georgia."
The article published in "The Church in Georgia" goes on to state
that very few of those present at the meeting were Churchmen --
showing that no prejudice existed in the vicinity against the
denomination.
On or about June 1, 1839, a lot was purchased for $100, and a
contract entered into for the erection of a building for church
purposes. A subscription list was circulated and cash, work and
materials to the amount of $1,335 was secured. A drought prevailing
at the time, saw-mills were unable to operate and lumber could not
be procured to finish the building, although the framing timber was
in place. Work was greatly delayed and it was many months before the
building was completed. The edifice is still standing today and is
in fairly good state of preservation.
Although through the mutations of time the membership has been
greatly reduced, services are held once each month regularly through
the faithful ministrations of the Rev. Thomas Duck, of Atlanta, who
has charge of the work in this part of the Diocese.
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