Baldwin County GaArchives History .....History of Baldwin County - Milledgeville 1815-1825 1925 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 5, 2004, 11:46 am Milledgeville 1815-1825 In examining old files of the Georgia Journal, there will be noticed a number of parties failing to pay for their town lots and therefore the resale of the ------------------------ p. 25 lots. There was a sale by the heirs of Benjamin Howard of 202 1/2 acres on Black Creek with 500 bearing peach trees, adjoining the lot of Wm. Bivins near Jcott's ferry. Among the merchants we find Farish Carter, Z. Lamar and John Critcher and Co., who received an assortment of goods, viz.: Black and blue broadcloth. Black and blue cassimeres. 1 trunk of calicoes. 4 by 4 and six by four plain, figured, and needle-worked linens. Figured jaconet muslins. Book muslin, Lace handkerchiefs. 4 by 4 and 6 by 4 Damask shawls. Black and green Bombasets. Colored shirting. Marseilles vestings. This assortment of goods brings before us the well dressed lady in mourning—the indespensible black bombazine, and long crepe veil—the poke bonnet altogether different from the fashions of my lady today. "The improvement of Milledgeville in spite of every obstruction is a source of gratification to all who feel an interest in its welfare. Two years ago a third of the dwelling houses were vacant, all fit to receive families are now occupied. Among several new houses recently erected is the Penitentiary or State Prison. This stupendous building adds greatly to the appearance of the town; as also does the enclosure of the State House Square, and the avenue of trees planted in it, which in a few years will form a beautiful promenade. With its rapid increase of population Milledgeville has acquired many worthy inhabitants. "The return of peace has given trade its usual activity. There is a flattering prospect of our mercantile capital being much increased. Being the seat of ------------------------ p. 26 government since 1807, and situated on a navigable river, in a prosperous neighborhood, and possessing an extensive and fertile back country, Milledgeville must eventually become a place of considerable commercial importance. "To hasten this desirable object two things are necessary—the establishment of banks and the improvement of the navigation of the Oconee. Nine or ten years ago, the spot on which it stands was waste, wild and uncultivated, the abode of ruthless savages, it is now a flourishing town, contains near two thousand inhabitants, presents a pleasing scene of industry and wealth; the seat of social refinement, of personal charms and polished society." So says the Editor of Georgia Journal of 1815. But human predictions often fail in the effort to foretell the progress of towns and cities. The railroads, banks, schools, and churches, and Christian citizenship brought the desired prosperity and advancement. Some of the best schools in the State were here. The schools differed from the educational methods of today, but the scholarship was thorough, often producing intellectual giants. As an example of these schools we give advertisement of Dr. Wm. M. Green: "The Subscriber, recently Professor of Mathematics, Chemistry, and Natural Philosophy in the University of Georgia proposes opening an Academy on First Monday in September next in the town of Milledgeville, in which with suitable assistants he will conduct the education of youth from the first rudiments to its completion. Mrs. Green will also, on first Monday in November, open a school for the instruction of young ladies in the usual, appropriate and liberal branches of female education. "The most scrupulous attention will be exercised with respect to the manners, and also the moral and religious instruction of their pupils. The system of instruction that will be pursued in this institution con- ------------------------ p. 27 sists of the Preparatory Department, the Classical and Scientific, and that of Moral Philosophy and Belle Lettres. The first comprehends the Greek, Latin, and French Languages, an abridged course of Ancient History and Ancient Geography. Those desirous of further information are respectfully referred to His Excellency, the Governor, and Major Howard in Milledgeville, and to Gen. Scott, Hines Holt, and Boling Hall, Esqr. in the neighborhood." Boys of eight or ten or even younger were required to study Latin and Greek. Milledgeville as laid off by the original plan contained twenty streets, to most of which were given the names of distinguished patriots. The first building constructed of logs was erected on Franklin Street, on Mr. Baxter's lot. The first frame house put up by Gen. Scott in 1805, and is now (1816) standing—a two story building on the corner of Franklin and Elbert Streets. For some time most of the buildings were put up and business done East of the State House, but traveled westward form the atmosphere of the Oconee river and Fishing Creek. In 1815, Milledgeville contained 170 occupied houses, 1,599 inhabitants, 14 dry goods stores, twenty groceries, wholesale and retail, and offices. The State House stands on an eminence three quarters of a mile from the river, exhibiting a grand appearance of Gothic architecture. The Representative Hall is sixty by fifty-four feet, ornamented with full length portraits of Oglethorpe and LaFayette—the Senate Chambers with those of Washington and Jefferson. In the Executive office is an old portrait of Oglethorpe sitting dressed in an antique costume, and examining a map of Georgia. This building with wing erected at north end in 1828 cost $15,000.00. The cost of clock in cupola was $1,000. The other public buildings are a State Arsenal, three stories high, con- ------------------------ p. 28 taining implements of war, the Governor's House, houses of worship—Methodist and Presbyterian—a market house, containing room for meeting of police, Penitentiary, Court House, Jail, Academy, and three banks. Milledgeville contained a large number of houses of entertainment, the most spacious of which was La Fayette Hall, corner of Hancock and Jefferson Streets (where the Catholic Church now stands). It was a substantial brick building three stories high, one hundred and ten feet front. It had a long porch without balusters, extending across the front. For a number of years it was kept by a Mrs. Haynes and was the principal house of entertainment in the city. On the corner of Wayne and Green Streets stood the wooden building known as the Old Hotel. This building was put up about 1825 after the seat of government was removed from Louisville to Milledgeville. The first proprietor, Mr. Robert McComb, kept one of the Best hotels in this section. Prominent members of the Legislature had their rooms here. In a rear room, at the southern end of the hotel, Alexander Stephens, a youthful member of the House of Representatives, lay hovering between life and death of typhoid fever. He often said that if his services had been of any value to his state and country, they were indebted to Dr. Thos. F. Green, to whose untiring attentions he felt under God he owed his recovery. On a spot in front of the hotel, at the intersection of Wayne and Green Streets, was erected a grand stand from which Henry Clay proclaimed his magnificent speech, thrilling the hearts of the people, the majority of whom were his staunch advocates for the presidency. At the close of the speech a little girl stepped up and handed him a large red rose. Henry Clay raised her in his arms and kissed her. This incident, she, now an old lady, relates with pleasure. These houses of entertainment were open gener- ------------------------ p. 29 ally in winter for the accommodation of the members of the Legislature. They were usually advertised in similar manner: "Tables well supplied with best the county affords. Stables well filled with provender." Members often came in their own vehicles. Among these were the houses of David Martin, John Lucas, Myles Green, Samuel Buffington, and others. These parties always stating that they were supplied with the best of liquors—hence, no doubt, the legislative act for better regulation of taverns. Additional Comments: From: Part I HISTORY of BALDWIN COUNTY GEORGIA BY MRS. ANNA MARIA GREEN COOK ILLUSTRATED ANDERSON. S. C. Keys-Hearn Printing Co. -1925— File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/baldwin/history/other/gms229historyo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 8.9 Kb