Jasper County, Georgia

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Jasper County, GA,

http://genealogytrails.com/geo/jasper/

1700's For 1000's of years the indigenous people were the only inhabitants. When European Settlers arrived, they encountered the Cherokee and Muscogee Creek Native Americans living here, belonging to the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeast living here. ^[1][2][3]

Late1780-90's This upland Black Belt of the South had plantations growing short-staple cotton. Migration moved westward, with the county experiencing a rise and fall of its population. The cotton gin made the processing of cotton for profit. Georgia settlers influenced the US Congress to pass the Indian Removal Act in 1830. ^[2][1][3]

logo

"Dirt Trail Cuts Deep Into Past" by Bill Osinski, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 14 June 1998

Native American, the American Revolution war and Civil War historians try to bring the history to life of the Road running through Jasper County, Georgia. This is the oldest dirt road known to Western man. This Seven Island Stagecoach Road has the early Red Clay trail the American Indians traveled on. After the Indians hunted on this road, settlers hunted here also, and traveled from settlements at a shoals region (Seven Islands) of the Ocmulgee River. ^[4][5]

1790 the Creek Indians had their settlements on the the shoals of the Ocmulgee River, where the Carolina fur trappers did their trading on the "Seven Islands of the Ocmulgee" as long ago as 1670. the earliest white settler was Newby who was a deer hunter, living near current Hillsboro in 1790. George Washington worked on a treaty between the Creek Indians and settlers, for ceding land to run stage coaches from Augusta to Mobile, Alabama. At this time all felt that Seven Islands was dividing line between America and Indian lands .^[4][5]

Goolsby

This road saw stagecoach stops grow into settlements or towns.

Early 1800's Seven Islands marked the navigable part of the Ocmulgee and became settlements. Later a few grew to towns. Cotton producers sent cotton to the mills near Seven Islands (the commercial hub) for processing and shipping for sale. There were many cotton gins, grist mills, sawmills, textile mills located here. ^[4]

1803 This was part of Baldwin County when it was Indian land and no white man could even own land here. The Georgia Legislature used an Act to create Randolph/Jasper, Jones, Putnam, Morgan counties to be formed here. The area was surveyed with 45 squares, sized 202 sq 'V' (acres). This then was awarded to people by the Georgia lottery.^[3]

• Early Goolsby Settlers list

Dec 10, 1807, Jasper County was cut from Baldwin, County, Georgia as the 31st County of Georgia (a 370-square acre size county). This centrally located county was supposed to be named for John Randolph as Randolphe County. When the War of 1812 began, Randolph opposed it, Georgia legislature changed the name to Jasper County in honor of Sgt. William Jasper.This was 370-square-acre county in size.^{[6][1] [7][2] [4] [5]}

Sergeant William Jasper was a Revolutionary officer in Col. William Moultrie's 2nd South Carolina Infantry, during the American Revolution. During the attack on Fort Moultrie June 28, 1776, he was killed during battles of Savannah, while planting the South Carolina Flag. This was also called the Battle of Sullivan's Island.^[5]

1808 Monticello, Georgia was named to be the county seat of Randolphe County.

Monticello then and now

1808 The Georgia legislature told appointed commissioners to choose a site for the county seat and sell the lots. These commissioners John Cargile, Solomon Strickland, Joseph Carter and John Martin as "commissioners" began their work and sold lots. One Land lot No. 56 of District 16 was chosen to be the town of Monticello. Isaac Weldon had drawn this lot in the 1807 Land Lottery. Weldon sold the lot for Monticello, for $912.12. Nathan Williams bought the first lot, (#51) in Monticello for $255 ^[4]

1810 Monticello, Georgia was incorporated and named after U.S president Thomas Jefferson's home in Virginia by town commissioners as they followed Georgia legislature's rules of selecting and town's founders, in 1808. ^{[4] [5]}

Dec 10, 1812 Jasper County name changed from Randollph to Jasper County from Baldwin County; Part of Jasper was set off to Morgan in 1815 and part to Newton in 1821. ^[6]

1815 Some of Jasper county was split off to be Morgan County.^[7][2][3][1]

1821 Newton County (1821) was formed from part of Jasper County.^[1][2]

1823 Macon, Georgia, near the Ocmulgee River grew rapidly as a trade center. Jasper County Farmers marketed their cotton in Macon. They pulled their loaded wagons (4-6 bales high), with four mules to 3-day trip to market. They camped after Jones County for the first night. The 2nd day was used for the remainder of the trip to Macon. Cotton was marketed to buy supplies: hardware, sugar, coffee, furniture. ^[3]

Monticello homes, then and now

Dec 1828 John Randolphe changed his war opinions, then the Georgia General Assembly named a newer formed Randolph County after him in 1828. ^{[1][7] [3][5]}

1829 The newspaper, Gazeteer mentioned that Monticello had 55 houses, 19 stores, 3 doctors, 8 shops, 5 law officers, a female academy, courthouse, jail and churches. ^[4]

1830-1840s Goods transportation changed from the river and the coach road to that of railway transportation.^{[5] [4]}

map

1836 Creek War - The Creek Indians of Alabama came into southwest Georgia, killing settlers and burning homes. During this Creek War, Captain Zachariah Roe led a militia of fifty who had been drafted from Jasper County. Captain Roe and the Militia marched to Columbus. Eli Glover, the merchant of Monticello recruited (50) more men from the county for a second militia and reported to General Sanford. Captains Glover and Roe completed the skirmish in Stewart County with a commendation from General Sanford to Gov. Schley. ^[3]

1861-1865 Civil War- The Union troops killed many of their worn out mounts so the Rebels could not use them. The bodies were left on the river islands. Sherman's armies crossed the Ocmulgee River on a pontoon bridge. ^[4]

CIVIL WAR

1861-65- Civil war George T Bartlett raised volunteers called the Glover Guard, honoring Eli Glover of the Creek War. This company became officially Company “G” of the 4th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, Army of Northern Virginia C.S.A. and participated in the heavy fighting of that celebrated Army.1862, part of General Sherman's Army passed through Jasper County on its “March to the Sea”. Foraging parties of the Union army took all food they could find and burned property and the cotton fields to destroy them. The Jasper Volunteers became the Co. B, 44th Regiment, Georgia Infantry, the Army of Northern Virginia. These companies met heavy fighting with many casualties. When the Confederate veterans returned home with wounds, they found the farms ruined and had to begin farming again to plant the high demand for cotton. ^[3]

1866 When the freed former slaves began to plant land in cotton and food, the agriculture economy increased. By 1910, Jasper County was producing as much as 35,000 bales of cotton per annum.^[3]

Nov 17-20, 1864- Civil War The Union troops installed (2) pontoon bridges across the Ocmulgee River at Planter's Factory near Seven Islands to be able to cross the river. The union troops destroyed the railways during the march to the sea. Once again Georgia had to rely on transporting their goods by river.^[5] The Seven Islands mills continued operated until cotton lost its its importance in the economy. The old abandoned mill buildings were torn down 1980.^{[5] [4]}

1864 As Sherman's troops passed through the Jasper County, they destroyed a great amount of the Georgia railroads.. Until the railways could recover and rebuild, the Ocmulgee River was used for transportation of goods. ^[5]

• Company G, 4th Regiment - GA Volunteer Infantry, C. S. A.
• 32nd Regiment, Company A, Georgia Volunteer Infantry
• Company C,14th regiment- GA Volunteer Infantry Army, Northern Virginia- C. S. A.
• COMPANY B, 44th Regiment- Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Army Northern Virginia - C. S. A
• Company I, 5th Regiment, Georgia State Militia, P. J. Phillips' Brigade
• Jasper County Natives Found in Records of other CSA Companies
• 6th Regiment Georgia State Guard, Company C, Mustered in Monticello, Jasper Co, GA

Seven Islands mills were water-powered which originated from a mile-long canal.. This lowered the river so people would cross from Butts County by walking on the river rocks. By 1920, 1930, cotton agriculture ceased, both from the boll weevil and exhausted soil.^[4]

Bethel Corners was originally a log cabin stagecoach stop that was bricked over and became a country store. ^[4]

1885-A Railroad promoter in Macon, E.C. Machen promoted the railroad to be extended through Jones, Jasper and Newton Counties to Covington. The laying of rail reached Jasper on May, 1887. By June, 1887 the first Passenger train arrived into Monticello, Georgia, June, 1887. The promoters wanted to build the railway to Social Circle, Georgia to form a junction there with the Georgia Railroad. But plans were changed and the railway was built into Madison, Georgia. The Covington and Macon extended the line northward from Madison to Athens, Georgia with by 1888 with a length of 106 miles. C & M was in financial trouble, bondholders renamed it Macon & Northern, but by 1896 became a division of the Central of Georgia Railroad.^[3]

Jasper County Businesses

Male and female academies were built (directed by citizens of Jasper) in both Monticello and Hillsboro,1850. By 1881 the Jasper County News began, then changed its name to Monticello News. Other weekly newspapers published in Monticello which have come and gone were: The Southern Star, name changed to The Monticello Star in 1892, the Monticello Advocate, the Monticello Journal.1910 Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Company owned the first company. Later it rebuilt the system. Mr. Bonner Jordan of Monticello began the electric lights with wood burning steam engine.^[3]J. B. McCrary of Senoia Georgia met with the Monticello city regarding the need for water works system. Construction began in 1906 and completed. A new system was done in 1946. and a water tower was installed in 1954. Natural gas began in 1963 when a pipeline was laid from Jones County.^[3]

1892 The first Bank of Monticello became the First National Bank of Monticello. The Bank of Hillsboro was a victim of the great depression and a robbery by outlaws by burning through the vault door. Bank of Monticello and Farmers National survived.^[3]

Henry B Jordan

1899 Bonner Jordan sold the furniture store in Monticello and bought a manufacturing plant to produce bobbins and spools for textile mills, Spool and Bobbin Company in Macon.. The first bobbins were made of (unseasoned) fresh cut wood, causing shrinkage of the bobbins. With dissatisfied customers, there were several companies. By the 1940's the sons of Bonner Jordan began a Monticello plant, called Monticello Bobbin Company which has continued. ^[3]

Monticello

https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/jasper-county

1907 the Current 4th County Courthouse was built in Monticello which was neo classical revival style of brick and Georgia marble. ^{[5] [4]}

When "King Cotton" lost the battle between the boll weevil and the 1930's depression, many farm workers left the county. ^[5]

1945 Jasper County soil had a high percent of feldspar to support mining and processing. The Appalachian Minerals Company in Spruce Pine, North Carolina built a plant near Adgateville to mine Feldspar.This sold to Feldspar Corporation in 1954. Several others were: The Middle Georgia Veneer Company, Williams Brothers Lumber Company, Frank G Lake Company, JC Suttles Lumber Company, Georgia Kraft Company, Georgia Pacific Corporation.^{[3] [5]}

Other communities in Jasper County are Farrar, Hillsboro, Kelly, and Shady Dale, which is the only other incorporated town. ^[4][5]

Before 1980 farmers were growing peaches, had livestock and poultry. Lumbering and other wood products began. Clothing and textile factories began. Tourism also started to promote the national forest and Jackson Lake. After 1980, he old mills buildings were torn down. The route of the State coach trail on a recent road map, ran mostly through fields, rather than the roadway. ^[4]

1992 A movie, "My Cousin Vinny", starring Joe Pesci, designed the setting with images of the Jasper County Courthouse and other local items featured. The character, Sheriff Farley (starring Bruce McGill) mentions the county's name, "Jasper County, Georgia. This movie was a fictitious place of Beechum County, Alabama. ^[2][3]

old Monticello plantation

Jasper County, Georgia Men of Distinction

David Adams was the Georgia representative from1811-1822. He had been Major General in the Georgia State Militia.^[3]

Alfred Cuthbert was born in Savannah, Georgia, but arrived in jasper County 1809 after graduation of Princeton College. He was elected to the Georgia legislature first, then was elected to the United States House (1813-1816) and then to the United States Senate (1821-1827), (1835-1843).

Dr. David A. Reese came to Monticello, Georgia 1820 to practice medicine. Reese was a Georgia Senator (1829-1836) and congressman (1853-1855).

John Gill Shorter, was born and lived in Monticello. After graduation, he moved to Eufaula, Alabama to practice law. He was a judge and war time Governor of Alabama. ^[3]

Eli S. Shorter was born and raised in Monticello, Georgia. After graduating from Yale, he was representative of Alabama in its 34th and 35th Congress. He fought in the Confederate Civil War as Colonel of the 18th Regiment, Alabama Infantry. ^[3]

Martin Crawford was born in Jasper County, Georgia, 1820. After graduating from Mercer University, he served 3 terms as U. S. House Representative.^[3]

Robert P. Trippe was ben Monticello, Georgia, but moved to Monroe County. After graduation he was a member of the First confederate Congress.^[3]

Benjamin Harvey Hill was born in Hillsboro, Jasper County, Georgia, 1823, then moved to Troup County, Georgia. He was a Georgia Representative and Senator in the Confederate Congress (1861-1865).When Georgia was re-admitted to the Union, Hill was elected to be a U.S. Representative (1875-1877) and U.S. Senator 1877. ^[3]

Charles L. Bartlett was born in Monticello, Georgia, graduated from U of Georgia and U. of Virginia, then served in both Houses and was a U.S. Representative for (9 terms 1895-1915}. ^[3]

Many residents were judges of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit such as Owen Holmes Kenan (1825-1828), Edward Young Hill (1838-1841), George T Bartlett (1873-1878).^[3]

Solicitor General for the Ocmulgee Circuit came from these residents of Jasper County: Edward Young Hill (1831-1834), George T Bartlett (18471851), William A. Lofton (1855-1868), Fleming Jordan, Jr (1868-1873), Doyle Campbell (1916-1925).^[3]

• Animated map of county formation

Adjacent Counties

Morgan County - northeast Putnam County - east Jones County - south Monroe County - southwest Butts County - west Newton County - northwest

Among the other communities in Jasper County are Farrar, Hillsboro, Kelly, and Shady Dale, which is the only other incorporated town. ^[4][5]

Government

The county has a five-member county commission, elected from single-member districts. The commission elects a chairman and vice-chairman to aid in conducting business. The county is protected by a combined Fire Rescue Department providing EMS and Fire Services. The department operates out of 7 fire stations with the majority of their manpower being volunteers of 50, are headed by Fire Chief Christopher Finch. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_County,_Georgia

Courthouse 1 Court was first held in John Towns' house.

Courthouse 2 A log cabin was the first courthouse until 1838,

1838 Courthouse

Courthouse #3 was replaced with a brick building.

Jasper Co. Courthouse

1907 the Current 4th County Courthouse was built in Monticello which was neo classical revival style of brick and Georgia marble. ^[5]

Geography

Protected Areas

• Lake Jackson and the Oconee National Forest are located in Jasper County.
• Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

In 2000, there were 11,426 people in the county with a population density of 31 people/sq.mi. The racial makeup of the county was 70.95% White, 27.26% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 2.07% of the population were Hispanic. In 2010 there were 13,900 people here. The racial makeup of the county was 73.9% white, 21.8% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, and 3.7% Hispanic or Latino origin. In terms of ancestry, 14.2% were English, 12.2% were Irish, 11.9% were American, and 6.6% were German. The median income for a household in the county was $42,081 About 13.2% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over^[8]

Highways

• Georgia State Route 11
• Georgia State Route 16
• GeorgiaState Route 83
• GeorgiaState Route 142
• Georgia State Route 212
• Georgia State Route 380

NOTABLES

• Benjamin Harvey Hill was a U.S. congressman and U.S. senator. He was a supporter of Jefferson Davis and served in the Confederate Senate
• Monticello, a city in the county, is the home of country music star Trisha Yearwood.
• Odell Thurman, NFL player
• Roy "Buckshot" Jones NASCAR driver

RESOURCES

• The Seven Islands Nature Trail, in Monticello has for outdoor recreation in Jasper County.
• Yearly, Monticello hosts visiting hunters, fishers, and boaters who visit Oconee National Forest and Lake Jackson.
• Oconee National Forest

Lake Jackson.

• Seven Islands Nature Trail
• Lloyd Shoals Dam, also called Jackson Lake, (4,750 acres, has 135 miles of shoreline.
  • Central Georgia Power Company formed a dam and hydroelectric at Lloyd Shoals, Ocmullgee River, 1910
  • Jasper County shares the lake with Butts and Newton counties.
• Part of the Oconee National Forest (only national forest in Georgia's Piedmont), is in Jasper County.
• Jackson Lake
• The Seven Islands Nature Trail in Monticello provides gives recreation in Jasper CountyThere are activities for hunters, fishers, and boaters visiting Oconee National Forest and Lake Jackson.
• Lloyd Shoals Dam, also called Jackson Lake ( 4,750 acres)

Cities/Towns

• Monticello

Monticello, Georgia

• Shady Dale

Shady Dale, Georgia

• Hillsboro

Hillsboro, Georgia

Census

1810 --- 7,573 —

1820 --- 14,614 93.0%

1830 --- 13,131 −10.1%

1840 --- 11,111 −15.4%

1850 --- 11,486 3.4%

1860 --- 10,743 −6.5%

1870 --- 10,439 −2.8%

1880 --- 11,851 13.5%

1890 --- 13,879 17.1%

1900 --- 15,033 8.3%

1910 --- 16,552 10.1%

1920 --- 16,362 −1.1%

1930 --- 8,594 −47.5%

1940 --- 8,772 2.1%

1950 --- 7,473 −14.8%

1960 --- 6,135 −17.9%

1970 --- 5,760 −6.1%

1980 --- 7,553 31.1%

1990 --- 8,453 11.9%

2000 --- 11,426 35.2%

2010 --- 13,900 21.7%

Est. 2018 14,040 1.0

Cemeteries

• Jasper County, Georgia Cemeteries
• Images of Cemeteries, Jasper County, Georgia
• FindAGrave jasper county cemeteries
• Jasper County, GA Tombstones, Cemeteries

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5} http://genealogytrails.com/geo/jasper/
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_County,_Georgia
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.23 3.24} https://jaspercountyga.org/history/
4. ↑ ^{4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15} https://sites.rootsweb.com/~gajasper/history.htm
5. ↑ ^{5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15} https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/counties-cities-neighborhoods/jasper-county
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ga jasper/history.htm
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} https://sites.rootsweb.com/~gajasper/
8. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jasper_County,_Georgia

• https://jaspercountyga.org
• https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Jasper_County,_Georgia_Genealogy
• https://www.worldatlas.com/na/us/ga/c-jasper-county-georgia.html
• https://sites.rootsweb.com/~gajasper/
• https://sites.rootsweb.com/~gajasper/history.htm
• https://jaspercountyga.org/history/
• https://sites.rootsweb.com/~gajasper/history.htm