Georgia Biographies Peter Early File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents: PETER EARLY Hon. Peter Early, son of John and Lucy Early, was one of the most distinguished men of which Georgia has to boast, and was born in Madison County, Virginia, 20th June, 1773. He pursued his academic studies at the Lexington Grammar-school, now Washington College, in Rockbridge County. He was graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, where he delivered on Commencement day, the English salutatory; his subject was “Sympathy.” His father removed to Wilkes County, Georgia, about 1792, and having finished his study of the law with Mr. Ingersoll, in Philadelphia, young Early followed him to Georgia, and in ’97 married Miss Ann Adams, only daughter of Francis Smith, then but fourteen years of age. He was soon at the head of his profession. “He could not,” says an able contemporary of his, “be pronounced eloquent, but he was a perspicuous and impressive speaker, and in the arrangement of his argument he was superior to any speaker I ever heard. His first services as a statesman were in the representative chamber of the United States, in 1801 or ‘2. Here he occupied a high stand; and when the impeachment of Judge Chase was before Congress, Mr. Early was appointed a manager, to conduct the prosecution. He continued in Congress till 1807, and declining a re- election, was appointed the first Judge of the Ocmulgee Circuit. On the bench he displayed the same talents and independence which were so conspicuous in other stations. His decisions are now referred to by out ablest jurists, as possessed with the sanction of authority. In 1813, during the war, he was called to the Executive chair. It requires a vigorous and independent mind to govern in perilous times. In 1814 a majority of the Legislature desired to continue the “Alleviating Law,” as it was called- a law which prevented the recovery of debts. He had deprecated the influence of this law for some time, but till now had no opportunity to express his opinion, with any hope of preventing its continuance. When the bill was presented for his signature he would not sign it, but gave his reasons which can now be seen n the Journals; one was the unconstitutionality of the law. The people generally wished the continuance of the law, because they were in debt; he fixed his veto upon it, and, therefore, became so unpopular, that, though his talents for the gubernatorial chair were superior to any other candidate for the office, he was not elected. He lived, however, to see a change in public sentiment, and to know that many, who had pronounced his act as arbitrary and oppressive, admired his independence and decision, and would have gone any lengths to have made him again governor. In 1816, though forsaken by his country, he would not forsake its interests, and consented to serve Greene County, where he had lived since 1801, in the Senate. Owing to indisposition, he did not reach Milledgeville until a few days after the session had commenced, and hence he was made President of the Senate. He died on the 15th August, 1817, at his summer residence, on the western extremity of his plantation, near the Scull Shoals, and was buried by his weeping neighbors without any pomp or parade. You may find his grave on the west bank of the Oconee, near his brick mansion, by two pieces of plank, rounded at the top, and marked “P. E.!” Ref: Sherwood, Adiel, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, 1837, Printed by F. Porce, Washington City, pp. 272-274. EARLY COUNTY, GEORGIA Laid out in 1818; part set off to Decatur in 183; part set off to Baker, 1825; organized in 1825, and named after Governor Peter Early. The Chattahoochee is the chief stream. BLAKELY is the county town, named after Captain Blakely, of the navy. It is 180 miles from Milledgeville. Among the original settlers of this county were: Isham Sheffield, West Sheffield, Arthur Sheffield, James Bush, John Hays, Joseph and Richard Grimsley, Richard Spann, Frederick Porter, Joseph Boles, John Roe, Abner Jones, Nathaniel Weaver, James Jones, Soloman V. Wilson, John Dill, Alexander Watson, James Carr, John Tilley, William Hendrick, John Floyd, D. Roberts, Andrew Burch, B. Collier, J. Fowler, Martin Wood, George Mercer, William Dickson, A. Hays, James Brantley, E. Hays. Ref: White, Rev. George, M. A., HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF GEORGIA, 1854, Pudney & Russell, Publishers, New York, pp. 424-426. (Reprinted 1968, Heritage Papers, Danielsville, GA) Note: Adiel Sherwood, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, Washington City, Printed by P. Force, 1837, pp. 255-256. APPENDIX: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES "The author conceived that a short biographical sketch of the individuals after whom the several counties were named, would furnish an instructive and pleasing appendage to his topographical work... Acquainted with the intimate friends of some of the 'venerable dead,' he has been furnished with sufficient materials to enlarge on their character... There are in the State ninety counties (book printed in 1837, presently in 2001, there are 159 counties)..." ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely 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 presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============