Josiah York - Biography

From the original Carroll County, Paulding County was annexed in 1832, Polk County in 1851 and Haralson County in 1856.

Although white men were encouraged to homestead by land lotteries, a gold rush, and military service awards, the Indians did not vacate the land peaceably.

William was still the patriarch of the York family until his death about 1840, but Josiah was becoming a strong leader. For the next ten years, Josiah, as a member of the Georgia Mounted Militia fought the Indians. Finally, in the winter of 1837, the Militia captured the last of the Cherokees and took them to Gunter's Landing on the Tennessee River, the site of present-day Guntersville, Alabama. Here the captives began the infamous Trail of Tears March to Oklahoma.

Josiah served as Constable of Carroll County, receiving appointment in 1827. His toughest job was to lead the posse to clean up the Poney Gang, a group of white trash hoodlums who robbed, raped and murdered the other white citizens. With peace established, Josiah became a successful farmer. Census records show that in 1850, his land was worth $3,000.00, and in 1860, his combined real estate and personal property were worth $5,600.00.

In 1851 he received 80 acres of land at Van Wert, the county seat, as payment for fighting in the Seminole Indian War. Gradually Van Wert was overtaken by Rockmart, a bustling town founded by Welsh miners.

Mrs. R.L. Campbell wrote an article called "Van Wert, Georgia: Pioneer Town has a Story" for the Atlanta Journal in the January 5, 1967 issue. She stated that "the first settlers in this area - arriving while the Indians were still extant - were Burton Crabb, Wiley Barber, Emory Kinsberry, J.C. York, and S.B. Pierce."

http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/workingv.htm maps showing Van Wert (Paulding) and later Polk

Josiah owned land southeast of Rockmart and donated the land for a Methodist church and cemetery in the community that came to be know as Yorkville in his honor.

http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/workingy.htm for map of Yorkville - Paulding County

The York name is listed on deeds to the property near Rockmart that became Judge Wiley Crawford's home in 1863. Josiah appointed William A. Love of Cave Springs as his attorney to obtain more land as a Seminole War Veteran.

Between 1826 and 1848, Sarah bore eight children, according to census records: Delilah, William Thomas, Larkin B., Jasper Newton, Mary, Josiah Jr., Abraham Huddleston, and Sarah. Joel Goldin's records list four other children: Andrew, Elizabeth, Eleaner, and Frances

I estimate this picture was taken abt. 1862 when the traveling photographers came around taking photos of the young men going off to war.

I have another photo of their youngest son, Abraham Huddleston York, taken at that time. Detail of the photo shows Sarah wearing what we would call a 'calico' dress with a handmade lace bonnet that forms the collar.

This is probably the one and only photo taken of them and both died long before my grandmother was born. I am sure she treasured this photo.      ... Diane Sanfilippo