Georgia: Chattooga County: History of the Couey-Owings-Knowles House ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store this file permanently for free access. This file was contributed by: Carol Vinsh Bnjsma2@cs.com ==================================================================== Historic American Building Survey Couey-Owings-Knowles House HABS No. GA-2297 Location: The Couey-Owings-Knowles House is located on the west side of U.S. 27 north of C.R. 326 between the access road (Old U.S. 27) and the current alignment in Chattooga Co. Georgia. The resource is oriented to the west facing Old U.S. 27. Significance: The Couey-Owings-Knowles House is a c.1840 single pen house of log construction. It is significant for it's architecture as a representative example of a single pen type. The resource is also significant for it's contribution to the understanding of the use of logs as a building material and how they were utilized in building construction in this region of North Georgia during the early part of the Nineteenth Century. Description: The Couey-Owings-Knowles House is a c.1840 1 1/2 story residence of partial log construction. The original building measures 27 feet wide by 19 feet deep, and appears to be a single pen log house with an exterior end stone chimney. Later additions of unknown date have been made to the rear and front porch, all of which are of frame construction. The house at one time possessed a second exterior end chimney that has been removed. The presence of log construction in the staircase suggests that the upper level is original to the house. Although presently, a plaster and wood Lathe wall divides the lower level of the original house into a hall parlor configuration, it is believed that a later addition, rather than a replacement of an original log wall. The house is covered with both weatherboard and clapboard siding and rests on stone piers. It possesses a gable roof, except over the hindmost addition which possesses a shad roof. Six-over-six windows are noted in portions of the house, however,most of the window casings are missing. Windows in the upper story are fixed with nine lights. History: The Couey-Owings-Knowles House was constructed c.1840 by Andrew S. Couey. Mr. Couey was a farmer who settled in Chattooga County in the late 1830s. Mr. Couey owned approximately 300 acres of land, 100 of which was used for farming purposes. The Couey's primary crop was corn, however, they also raised hogs, sheep, cows and chickens. The Couey's farm was rather substantial, and encompassed several outbuildings, including barns, stables, chicken coops, and a smokehouse. Upon Andrew Couey's death in 1882, his heirs sold some of the land associated with the original parcel. However, the Couey family retained ownership of the farm until 1896. In 1904, the parcel containing the farm was acquired by William S. Owens, who had married Andrew Couey's granddaughter, Flora Couey. The parcel now contained 70 acres. Upon William M. Owings death in 1967, his heirs sold the entire parcel. Over the next twenty five years, the parcel was subdivided several times, and became the property of several different owners. The current owner, Billy Knowles, acquired the property in 1983, which presently contains 1.5 acres, and includes the house and an early twentieth century barn. Sources: Telephone interview with Robert S. Baker, (great-grandson of Andrew Couey), conducted by Lauren A. Cotton, February 18, 1993, Atlanta, Georgia. Robert S. Baker, "Chattooga County: The Story of a County and it's People", W. H. Wolfe Associates, 1988. pp 320-324, 383. Deed Book A Pages 64, 120, 121, 158, 159, Deed Book G Page 598 Deed Book I Page 102 Deed Book J Page 253 Deed Book V Page 271 Deed Book 2 Page 225 Deed Book 10 Page 93 Deed Book 17 Page 227 Deed Book 42 Page 171 Deed Book 47 Page 549 Deed Book 48 Pages 413, 503, 504 Deed Book 49 Page 380 Deed Book 51 Page 8 Deed Book 66 Page 592 Deed Book 70 Page 391, 505 Deed Book 76 Page 300, 347 Deed Book 122 Page 567 Deed Book 134 Page 29 Deed Book 145 Page 127 Deed Book 191 Page 376 Deed Book 210 Page 340 Chattooga County Courthouse, Summerville, Georgia Historian: Lauren A. Cotton Georgia Department of Transportation 3993 Aviation Circle Atlanta,Georgia 30336 COLLECTION Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress) REPOSITORY Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA