MACON COUNTY, GA - HISTORY FERRY ***************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm *********************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Source: The History of Macon County - Mrs. Louise Hays GALILEO pg 238 FLINT RIVER FERRY The Flint River runs north - south through Macon County and played a significant role in early settlement and travel from points east westward to Columbus. The first Ferry was [Timothy] Barnard's Crossing, the old Indian Path from Columbus to St. Mary's,and was located about two miles below Montezuma. The old community of Traveler's Rest grew up around the spring on the east side of the river -- a natural camping spot for travelers. 1823 Vol. 1 -- Page: 120 Act of General Assembly in Milledgeville. To establish a Ferry on Flint River, on Fraction number two hundred and forty-two, in the fifteenth district of Houston County and a Ferry on Fraction number two hundred and sixteen, in the first district of Dooly County ...David Jones, his heirs, ... are hereby granted the privilege of ... keeping a ferry across Flint river, on fraction number two hundred and forty-two, in the fifteenth district of Houston county: Provided, The said David Jones, his heirs,...do at all times keep a good and sufficient flat or ferry ...for the conveyance of passengers, and give due attention to said ferry. Rates of toll shall be lawful to be received for ferriage at said ferry, to wit: For each loaded waggon, team and driver, fifty cents -- empty waggon, team and driver, thirty seven and half cents -- for each four wheel pleasure carriage, fifty cents -- for each two wheel pleasure carriage, twenty-five cents -- for each loaded cart, team and driver, twenty-five cents -- for each empty cart, team and driver, eighteen and three-fourth cents -- for each man and horse, six and one-fourth cents -- for each footman, lead horse, or head of neat cattle, three cents, and for each head of hogs, sheep, or goats, one and a half cents -- for [Illegible Text] Jersey waggon, twenty-five cents. Another Ferry was close to the old community of Lanier on the West Side of the Flint and the landing on the east bank. This one was part of a Stagecoach route connecting Winchester to Perry. The ferryman was Snow. 1826 Vol. 1 -- Page: 131 Full Title: AN ACT to establish a ferry across Flint River, on fraction number one hundred and seventy eight, in the first district in the county of Dooly, and to vest the right of said ferry in William Lampkin and his heirs. ... William Lampkin to establish a ferry on lot number one hundred and seventy eight, in the first district in the county of Dooly, it being his own land; and he is hereby authorised to ask, demand, and receive the following rates of toll, from all persons that may cross at said ferry: For each waggon and team fifty cents, a four wheel pleasure carriage fifty [Illegible Text], an ox cart twenty five cents, a horse cart twenty-five cents, a man and horse twelve and a half cents, a led horse six and a quarter cents, a footman six and a quarter cents, each head of neat [Illegible Text] two cents, and for each head of hogs, sheep, or goats, one cent: Provided, said Lampkin shall keep a good ferry boat, and pay strict attention to it, and pay all damages that may occur by reason of his neglect. Approval Date: Assented to 27th Dec. 1826. After Lanier was abandoned, a ferry was built several miles north for a route from Marshallville, and was known as Wannamaker's Ferry (later Holinshed's Ferry) Dec 1837 the General Assembly in Milledgeville authorized Mary Wanamaker and Slaughter Hill, to keep a ferry across Flint River, in the county of Marion,[at this time, Marion Co extended to the Flint River], on their own land ... do keep a good ferry flat for the conveyance of passengers, and give due attention to said ferry; and ... have the right to demand and receive the same rates of toll as are allowed to other ferries on Flint River. The Wannamaker (Wanamaker) family came from the Orangeburg(h) district of South Carolina. Originally probably one of a number of families that came from Germany or Switzerland in the early 1700's to Charleston and settled in the Orangeburg area. 1837 Vol. 1 -- Page: 114 Sequential Number: 099 Full Title: AN ACT to establish a Ferry across Flint River in Crawford and Marion counties, on the lands of John Matthews and William L. Wilson. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia, in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That from and immediately after the passing of this act, that William L. Wilson and John Matthews, their heirs and assigns, are hereby granted the privilege of erecting and keeping a public ferry across Flint river, on Fraction No. 240, in the 1st District of originally Muscogee, now Marion county, and on the lands of John Matthews, adjoining thereto, in Crawford county: Provided, the said Wilson and Matthews shall, at all times, keep a good and sufficient flat or ferry boat, for the conveyance of passengers, and give due attendance at said ferry. Sec. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the same rates of ferriage shall be lawful to be received at said ferry, as those allowed by law at the ferry on said river, lately owned by Henry Crowell, in Crawford county.