The Migration from Coosa Co., AL to Whigam, Grady Co., GA ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ALGenWeb File Manager - Lygia Dawkins Cutts ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Sun, 15 Nov 1998 19:04:28 -0600 Contributed By "Ronald D. Bridges" The Migration from Coosa Co., AL to Whigam, Grady Co., GA THE ALABAMA MIGRATION In the period of the First World War, the area around Whigam (GA) experienced an "invasion" of Alabamians. The Messenger of December 16, 1921 estimated that by that date "more than fifty splendid families" from Alabama had moved into the territory. Almost all of them were either from Coosa or Elmore County in central Alabama. Tradition credits Elder Benjamin M. Jowers (1851-1928) with being the first of these Alabamians to visit the region. As a prominent Primitive Baptist leader, he had occasion to preach in several churches in southwest Georgia and so carried back home with him to Alabama descriptions and stories of the rich farmlands around Whigham and vicinity. To the farmers of Coosa and Elmore Counties, trying to make a living from the small hilly plots of central Alabama, the flatlands of Grady County must have seemed a land of opportunity. D. C. Jowers, the son of Benjamin M. Jowers, was apparently the first farmer to make the move to Grady County, and he brought in his first crops there in 1914. The main body of Alabamians arrived somewhat later. Some say that a "wagon train" from Alabama was organized in 1918. Others dispute this story this story, and say that the new families arrived a few at the time over a period of several years. In any case, the migration seems to have been largely complete by the end of 1921, as evidenced by the Messenger’s report referred to above. An interesting question that has not been addressed is how it happened that so many new farmers were able to move into the area at almost the same time and find farms - not virgin lands - to purchase and settle on. Why were so many farms for sale at that time? The Messenger article (Dec 16, 1921) refers to the "the disturbing experiences through which the section had passed" but gives no clue as to what events had taken place. Below are some of the Alabama families who settled in Grady and Decatur Counties. As would be expected, many are related, but the tracing of these relationships must be left for another occasion. (The list is not complete. Perhaps others can come forward to correct or add to it.) Benjamin M. Jowers (returned to Ala.) Cleon Waldrop D. C. ("Dick") Jowers ? Waldrop Dallas Jowers Martin Burks (returned to Ala.) John H. Howard George Thomas Jackson L. Salter ? Thomas Isaiah J. Burks John Davis (returned to Ala.) Jared Gandy Dr. Harden Silas Kelley Ralph McBroom Lawson Salter Byrd Lassiter Charlie Barrett (returned to Ala.) ? Jackson (returned to Ala.) Vivien Murchison ? Golden (returned to Ala.) Jim Newberry Pliney Smith (returned to Ala.) WILL MILLER ? Smith JACK MILLER ? Nicholson (returned to Ala.) Will Foster Ike Crew (returned to Ala.) (submitted by Roger Ponder. Revised Jun 1988. With thanks to his aunt, Mrs. Lucille Jowers Jeter.) Note: Andrew Jackson Miller (b. 19 Apr 1892 in Rockford, Coosa Co., AL & d. 9 Sep 1976 in Whigham, Grady Co., GA) and his wife Linnie Pearl Newberry (b. 3 Jun 1895 in Goodwater, Coosa Co., AL & d. 5 Nov 1965 in Warm Springs, GA) were part of this migration. They were married on 4 Aug 1912 in Rockford, Coosa Co., AL. They are both buried in Spring Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery, Grady Co., GA. Researched by Ronald D. Bridges in 1997 and 1998.