Georgia   Biographies  David Merriwether
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by 
Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com

http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents:

           DAVID MERRIWETHER
General David Merriwether was born in Albemarle,
Virginia, in 1755.  He received but an ordinary
education; enough, however, to understand the rights of
man; for when the British were oppressing us by unlawful
tacatin, he volunteered his service with others in the
noble but perilous struggle for liberty.

After serving some time, he received a Lieutenant's
commission in the regular services.  He was with
Washington's army during its maceuvres in New Jersey.  He
was at Savannah in 1779, during the unsuccessful siege
against that place by our troops.  After this he was
taken prisoner.

In 1785, he settled in Wilkes county, which he
represented for a number of years in our Legislature, and
as the Speaker of the House every year but the first
after he entered.  In 1802, he was sent to Congress.  He
sustained many offices of trust, and always discharged
the duties of them with faithfulness.  The last public
act of importance which he performed, was that of
procuring the cession of land from the Creeks, which lies
between the Ocmulgee and Flint rivers, in 1821.

He died at his plantation, six miles west of Athens, in
1823, where he had lived since 1804, in the 68th year of
his age, and his end was peace.  One of his sons has
represented this State in our national councils.

Ref:  Sherwood, Adiel, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF
GEORGIA, 1837, Printed by P. Force, Washington City, pp.
296-297.

MERIWETHER COUNTY, GEORGIA

Laid out from Troup, and organized in 1827.  Named after
General David Meriwether.  The Flint River is the
principal stream.

GREENVILLE, named in honour of Major-General Nathaniel
greene, is the seat of justice.  It is located nearly in
the centre of the county, on a high ridge, on the waters
of Walnut Creek, 108 miles west of Milledgeville.

Among the first settlers of this county were, Colonel
Wellborn, Marshal Martin, David Williams, Dr. Andrew
Park, Abner Dunham, Freeman W. Blount, W. D. Alexander,
William Harris, Henry Harris, Sen., Isaac Thrash, Allen
Rowe, George C. Heard, Wm. Gill, Lewis Pyrom, John P.
Thompson, J. Hodnet, E. Peavy, Simeon Petit, John Jones,
Charles B. Harris, C. Campbell, Major Kendall, John H.
Jones, E. Bradley.

Ref:  White, Rev. George, M. A., HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
OF GEORGIA, 1854, Pudney & Russell, Publishers, New York,
pp. 556-560.  [Reprinted 1968, Heritage Papers,
Danielsville, GA]

(Contributed by Barbara Walker Winge,
<barbarawinge@yahoo.com>

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)..."


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