History: Columbia County. Jesse Walton, Isaac Ramsey & Bentons, Reminisces of Dr. H. R. Casey ======================================================================= 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: Stephanie Harrison info@conquestmusic.com ======================================================================= Articles written for the Columbia Sentinel in 1883. Permission granted by the Columbia County News and transcribed by Stephanie Harrison. The articles were written in 1883 by Dr H. R. Casey for the Columbia Sentinel. He writes about many of the early pioneers of Columbia County who arrived in Georgia in the late 1700's and early 1800's." March 21, 1883 Jesse Walton was the son of William Walton who immigrated from Virginia to Georgia soon after the conclusion of peace between the Mother Country and the Colonies, and settled in Columbia County among the earliest citizens. He bought 800 acres, of land on or near Uchee creek and went to work, with a vim to make the virgin soil tributary to the farmer's demands."The grains of sand in the hour glass of time with him 'grew smaller by degrees' year after year, and when three scores of years had passed the supply was exhausted and the last debt of nature paid. This valuable landed property then passed to the possession of Jesse Walton. The subject of this sketch was well known to the writer, and I can truly say of him that he was one of Columbia's best citizens- one who was of offense towards God or man. He was a quiet, law abiding useful and prominent citizen, served his day and generation with honor and fidelity, and passed to the "world of the Hereafter" in 1865, when 63 years of age, lamented in death as a great loss to his immediate family and to his country. Jesse Walton, while he took no active and prominent part in politics, was firm in his conviction of right in this as in all subjects which engaged his attention. He was a Henry Clay Whig in the many and bitter contest between that great party and the Iron ribbed, Unterrified Democracy. At the demise of the Whig party, he with many other good and influential citizens, joined what was then known as the American or Know Nothing party. He was not a bitter partizan. He never allowed his political feelings to influence him in his sociate relations but was always and everywhere kind, courteous and frank in all his dealings with his fellow-men. He was by nature a gentleman open sincere and honest, noble and just. When he asserted anything as the truth, his word was as good as his bond. Jesse Walton married in early life a daughter of Ellias Jones, another of Columbia County's old citizens, who lived near the old town of Wrightsboro very near that old-time reflect of the past the "Quaker Cemetery" which though in a dilapidated condition, stands today a memory and a landmark of the Long Ago. And here, I will add, en passent, that a colony of Quakers pitched their tents and built a "local habitation and a name" --Brandon-- which was the name of the place until changed in honor of General Wright to the present name of Wrightsboro. At the death of Ellias Jones, Jesse Walton, en right to his wife, became possessed of his valuable tract of about 1400 acres, which added to his possessions on Uchee creek, made him the owner of 6,200 acres. At his death owned, I think about 150 slaves. He left a widow and 8 children--6 sons and 2 daughters--all of whom are still living. Mrs Walton with her youngest daughter, Miss Ella and Dr. Robert Walton, still occupy the old homestead, in the fork of the Peters Ferry and Washington roads. Dr Robert Walton is a young physician of fine promise. In common with every member of the family, I believe, save one, he is good Methodist, and I anticipate for him a future of much usefulness. Of Miss Ella I could write in much praise--Her moral worth constitutes her a prize far above rubies. The writer well knows Miss Ella's great aversion to anything like a public mention of her charms, therefore, my pen without prejudice or affection, in speaking her great merit and many virtues, will only say that, to her household and many friends, she is a "pearl of great price". The writer well remembers some of the pleasant reminiscences of these yearly recreations; and, as memory recurs to these happy episodes in life, there comes the said thought of many of these dear friends who were ever foremost in giving zest and life to those innocent amusements, have passed away from this worldly rock to hid themselves in that Rock of Ages, cleft for them in that upper and better world. One among those pleasant days comes to me in especial rememberances when with Issac Ramsey, that prince of good fellows in all the wordly pleasures, we inaugurated what was then and for many years after known as the "Jaybird". While it was not a regular dance (for their were some in these social gatherings who were inderdicted to this innocent amusement) yet we went through the motion near akin to the Old Virgina Reel, to the merry tune of the violin and the song of "DeJaybird sot on a swinging limb, He winked at me and I winked at him." But this was in the long ago, when we would do as we cannot do now. Had we a railroad from Augusta, running near this immense quary of granite, we could furnish the material to build up that city in extense, with factories and mills, all up the canal to the Locks. Hasten up President Wheeless, your Augusta and Knoxville railroad, and here you will have granite enough for all your brides and culverts. In 1824, Nelson Benton married Miss Maria Louisa Jones, and located on the place now owned by Peyton R Martin on the Court House road, and kept up his farming interests with a country store. By this marriage he had two children but raised only a daughter, who subsequently married John Holt, son of Judge Wm. Holt. In 1826 he lost his wife, and in 1829 he married Martha Ann Wooding, who still survives him. In 1839 he connected himself with the Baptist church at Kiokee, under the pastorship of that good old man, Juriah Harris, and remained in full fellowship until 1844 or 1845, when he with Martin Reynolds and James Harris, reestablished the Old Union church in Dist. No 6 where his death from dropsy of the heart, on Nov 17, 1854, at Burmuda Platt, on the Louisville road. He was all of these years a devout and true Christian, and a strong believer in Sabbath schools. In politics he was a strong Troup man, and decidely wedded to the Whig party and its principles. He had the confidence and esteem of the entire community and died as he had lived, "an honest man; the noblest of God." He left 5 daughters and 4 sons. The former are still alive and all married, viz: Mrs S. A. Gibson, Mrs Dr. Warren Gibson, Mrs Wave Ballard, Mrs William Wilson and Mrs Julian Lamkin. Of the sons 2 are living, John E Benton, who has had his ups and downs in the mercantile matters, but whose energies will rise superior to all obstacles, and who to-day, yesterday and tomorrow, the selfsame John Benton, the accomplised merchant agreeable and popular social gentleman and live business man. Wm. Benton is still a Columbian in heart and soul, thoroughly identified with the county and her people and is now one of the Board of Commisioners, and is one of the best farmers. Nathan Benton, being second in command, when the gallant Capt. Boyd fell at Malvern Hill, took command, and was Captain of the Ramsey Volunteers until the fight at Harper's Ferry, when he, too, was added to the long of "Our Dead Heroes," while young Nelson, or "Net" Benton at Chancellorsville, in the thickest of that deadly strife, enobled his name as one of the martyrs to the Lost Cause.