Georgia Biographies Samuel Elbert File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents: SAMUEL ELBERT Colonel Samuel Elbert was a brave soldier during the Revolutionary war, and with the rank of Colonel, distinguished himself at the battle of Briar creek, in 1779, where he was taken prisoner. He died at Savannah, in 1788. He was Governor from 1785 to ’86. Ref: Sherwood, Adiel, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, 1837, Printed by P. Force, Washington City, pp. 274-275. BATTLE OF BRIER CREEK. - Colonel Campbell, hearing of General Lincoln’s plans, determined to prevent the concentration by attacking and defeating General Ash before the other generals could join him. The British commander, with nine hundred regulars, crossed Brier Creek some distance above General Ash’s position, and was not discovered until he arrived within a mile of the American camp. The long roll was sounded and the line of battle hastily formed, but the poorly armed and raw recruits were no match for the British regulars. The American center and right wing gave way at the first attack and the men took refuge in the swamps of the Savannah River. Some swam to the South Carolina shore, but many were drowned in the attempt. The left wing, consisting of one hundred and fifty Georgia militia and sixty regular soldiers under General Samuel Elbert and Colonel John McIntosh, made a gallant fight. Notwithstanding the overwhelming force against them, General Elbert continued the conflict until nearly every man in his command was either killed, wounded, or captured. He himself was taken prisoner. Ref: Evans, Lawton, A. M., FIRST LESSONS IN GEORGIA HISTORY, 1913, American Book Company, New York, pp. 151- 152. ELBERT COUNTY, GEORGIA Laid out from Wilkes County in 1790. The Savannah and Broad Rivers are the chief streams. ELBERTON is the county town, situated on the waters of Falling Creek, 90 miles North North East of Milledgeville. The instances of longevity in this county have been very numerous. A few years ago there were living, Wm. Trammell, 83; Leonard Rae, 81; John Daniel, 80; John Davis, 87; David Carter, 82; Thomas Maxwell, a minister and Revolutionary soldier, 97; Mrs. Jemima Hunt and Mrs. Wyche are still living, both over 90 years of age. Among the first settlers were - Dr. Bibb, Wm. Bowen, A. Brown, Wm. Barnett, Billy Allen, James Bell, P. M. Wyche, Joseph Dedwyler, Rev. Mr. White, Rev. D. Thornton, Thos. Maxwell, Richard Tyner, William Key, Wm. Gaines, John Watkins, J. Higginbotham, Col. Jack, Peter Oliver, Wm. Rucker, Mr. Highsmith, P. Duncan, Wm. Haley, Wm. Ward, E. Shackelford, Wm. Woods, Mr. Lindsey, S. Heard, D. Oliver, J. Cason, Wm. Brown, L. Rice, Wm. Moss, E. Ragland, Wm. Tate, J. Howard, S. Nelson, Thos. Burton, Isham Thompson, Wm. Hodge, S. Wilson, T. A. Carter. Ref: White, Rev. George, M. A., HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF GEORGIA, 1854, Pudney & Russell, Publishers, New York, pp. 438-450. (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. ==============