Johnson-Hancock-Warren County GaArchives News.....Real Daughter of the American Revolution May 24 1931 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Inez Brett ibrett1042@aol.com July 24, 2003, 12:06 pm The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Journal Magazine Atlanta, Georgia May 24, 1931 EDITED BY ANGUS PERKERSON Father Fought in the Revolution Two Sisters Living Near Gibson, Ga., are the Daughters of a Revolutionary War Veteran. Official Records Establish the Fact That Their Father Henry Pool Served Throughout the Conflict, and Was Present at Yorktown When Cornwallis Surrendered. AT THE Continental Congress of the National Daughters of the American Revolution, held recently in Washington, D.C., a small old-fashioned hymnbook lettered in faded gold was presented by the Georgia department to the D.A.R. Museun whac it will take its place among other valuable Revolutionary relics. This little book came from the modest home of two venerable ladies living near Gibson, Ga--Mrs. Mary Pool Newsome and Miss Sraa Pool--and was the property of their father, Henry R. Pool, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. It helped to establish these gentlewomen's identity as REAL Daughters of the American Rcvolution. Aunt Mary and Aunt Sara as they are known to every one, are 87 and 85 years of age, respectively, and they have the further distinction of being two of only nine surviving real daughters of the Revolution now living in the United States. While too young at their father's death to recall much about his past in the Revolutionary War, they remember being told stories by their mother of their father's bravery in skirmishes fought near Augusta, Kettle Creek, and Briar Creek, in Georgia; at Camden, King's Mountain, and Cowpens, SC. and at Yorktown, where he witnessed the surrender of Lord Cornwallis. While these aged women have lived since their birth on the same little farm in Glascock County, it was not until a few years ago that their historical background was brought to light. According to Mrs. Bun Wylie. state regent of the D.A.R. who paid a visit to me sisters last year, Dr. and Mrs. H.Y. Yarbroug, of Milledgeville, Ga, were instrumental in confirming the fact that their father was a veteran of the War of Independence. "Dr. Yarbrough is a well known physician in MiIledgeviIle," said Mrs Wylie, "and his wife is regent of the Nancy Hart Chapter, and active worker in the organization. Some time ago (I do not know the exact date), Dr. Yarbrough was called to administer to one of the Pool sisters. During the visit he noticed an antique saber slung over the mantel in the parlor, as they caII their small living room. He asked questions and was informed that the sword belonged to the father of the two old ladies and that he had carried it in 1776. Dr. Yarbrough immediateIy mentioned this fact to his wife, and Mrs. Yarbrough immediateIy began an investigation. "Searching through the state arcives she found Henry R. Pool's name on the roster of Revolutionary soldiers and further investigation convinced her that Aunt Mary and Aunt Sara were daughters of a Revolutionary War veteran. "Aunt Mary at that time was drawing a Confederate widow's pension." Continued Mrs. Wylie, "and Aunt Sara received $4.00 a month from the county." After they were made members of the Nancy Hart Chapter, the national department of the D.A.R. voted an allowance of S25.00 a month to each sister. Historical records of Georgia show that Henry R. Pool was a Private solider in the Colonial Army and fought throughout the Revolutionary War. When the war ended, he returned to Georgia and drew land from the state in the Warren County Land Lottery in 1827. On this allotted farm area he built a small cabin- evidently the same Iittle house with improvements that is now oecupied by his daughters. The farm itself is located two miles north of Gibson, on the Gibson and Warrenton Road. A.M. Kitchens of MitchelI, Ga, who is well acquainted with the two sisters, writes that their father Henry Pool, was twice married and that his ftrst wife was Mrs Susan Radcliff of England. The young couple sailed Immediately after their wedding for the Colonies and never returned to the mother country. "From what I can gather," continued Mr. Kitchens "Henry Pool's bride resided for a short time in Massachusetts and Connecticut, later moving to Virginia on down to the Carolinas and finally settling in Georgia in Wilkes County, now Warren County in what was known as the Dooly District. Five daughters and two sons were born of this union, but whether they died or moved to unknown parts I am not informed. His first wife dying in 1860 Henry Pool, some years later, married Miss Eleanor Hutcheson, who was the mother of Mary and Sara. They were 4 and 2 years of age, respectiveIy whern their father died and they knew little about his war record save what their mother told them. Mrs. Wylie, however, is under the impression that Henry Pool was married three times. "Anyway," she said "he was reputed to be 95 years old when Aunt Mary and Aunt Sara were born." And accordng to Mr. Kitchens, he was a giant in stature, six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds or more. He was both brave and religious," continued Mr. Kitchens, and one of his first tasks after returning home from witnessing the surrender at Yorktown was to build a house of worship. It is said that he felled the first pine and hewed the first sill that made a part of the foundation of the old Mill Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. WyIie, on the occasion of her trip to the little farm last June, was the guest of Mrs. J. L. Beeson, who Iives In the century-old Governor's Mansion In MilledgeviIIe. "Mn. Beeson is our state historian," said Mn. Wylie, "and with Mrs. Yarbrough we paid a visit to Aunt Mary and Aunt Sara. Dr. Yarbrough acted as our chauffeur. When we reached the littIe cottage, we found the door tightly closed for the sisters had gone visiting. Dr. Yarbrough inquired for them at a neighbor's house a mile or more down the road and he soon returned with them in the car, their oId-timey, long-eared sun bonnets flapping in the wind. As we walked up the Iittle stoop to the porch I saw that a hand rail had been placed on Left side of the steps. I asked Aunt Mary why she put only a single rail and not two. With her eyes twinkling, she replied: "T'wat necessary. I can get up without help, and Saray is left handed." They took us into the little parlor, and there beside the big family bible on a center table was the hymnbook. On the flyleaf was the name of Henry R. Pool, and a date proving its antiquity. As Aunt Mary had promised the book to Mrs. Beeson, I suggested that it be presented later to the D.A.R. Museum at Washington. D.C., which we did and we are all very proud of our offering." At the same time the book was presented, the Georgia department also gave the museum the portraits of Button Gwinette and Lyman Hall, which completed the historical collection of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mrs. Wylie received the credit, and justly so for having unearthed these valuable photographs. According to Mrs. Wylie there are nine women living in the United States whose fathers fought in the Revolutionary War. They are: Mrs. Annie K. Gregory, Conrad Weiser Chapter, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Adalia C. Hatch, Deborah Sampson Chapter, Massachusetts; Mrs. France W.B. Holbrook, New York; Mrs. Caroline P. Randall Samuel Ashley Chaptern New Hampshie Mrs. Angeline Avery Willimatic, Conn; Mrs. Helen M. Barrett, Michigan; Mrs. Maria S. Allen, New Lexington, Ohio, Mrs. Mary Pool Newsom and Miss Sara Pool, Nancy Hart Chapter, Georgia. After talking with Aunt Mary and Aunt Sara Mr. Kitchens discovered that the two sisters still have the coat of arms which was sent to them by George B. Pool, of Roslendale, OH. On this coat of arms appears be following data: "The fmnily name is spelled Pool and Poole. The name is derived as it would imply from a small collection of water in a hollow place supplied by a spring or lake. "John at the pool" thus became John Pool. A town in Dorsetshire, England was thus named, and Sir. william Pool was one of the earliest ancestors. Aunt Mary and Aunt Sara are two beloved figures in their community. With the help of a small colored boy, they perform all their household chores. They raise their own chickens and one pet fowl follows them around like a Puppy, perching on the kitchen wood box during the prepmation of meals. "They are always being surprised with small gifts said Mn. Wylie, "and this pleases them immensely. Last Christmas they received boxes from the Nancy Hart Chapter, and from all over the state. The Kentucky chapters sent them a shower of card greetings and from the National Chapter came two $5.00 gold pieces for each of the sisters yuletide stockings. From book Glascock County Inscriptions (cemetery) Sarah Pool born Sep 6, 1845 and died Sep 5, 1936 Dau of Henry Pool, R.S. and his wife Ellender Hutchinson "Asleep in Jesus. blessed sleep" Additional Comments: Her father was Henry Pool, Revolutionary War Soldier This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 9.8 Kb