Pike County GaArchives News.....Zebulon In The Long Ago (Part 3) March 20, 1914 ************************************************ 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: Lynn B. Cunningham http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00011.html#0002535 August 13, 2007, 9:52 am The Pike County Journal March 20, 1914 Zebulon in the Long Ago By Mrs. M.J. Redding Zebulon cam claim the distinction of having been the home of many of the State’s most prominent physicians. The little college [cottage] that stood that stood on the lot near the present home of Dr. Head seemed to have this distinction inasmuch as it was the abiding place of many of them. Dr. Blackburn was the first to seek shelter there. He was a man of much prominence in the county, having been sent several times to the legislature. He was a good physician also, and being of refined, cultured tastes, he with his wife who was Miss Martha Neal, made the place attractive by planting flowers and fruits of all kinds. But soon a better opening presented itself at the Shoals, and being the home of his wife in her girlhood, they were not loathe to make the change. So they were succeeded here by Dr, Johnathan Adams who was competent in many ways to fill the vacancy. He did his practice on horseback and his proficiency was such that his opinion was sought and relied on far and wide. He soon joined Dr. Blackburn in his practice at the Shoals and the little cottage then became the home of a young Dr. Thomas who lived there only a short while. Having had the misfortune to lose his young wife. Then came Dr. Nunnally, a kind-hearted, jovial old man, who lived there a long time, then moved to Griffin. Dr. Jefferson Adams, an older brother of Dr. Johnathan Adams, was for a number of years practitioner here. He was a bachelor and the young students here at that time were indebted to him for much training. He was familiarly called Uncle Jeff by everyone. In after years Dr, John G. Westmoreland cast his lot among us and bought the lot now owned by Mr. J.J. Slade, from a Mr. Garrett. Some remember him, I know. He was a born physician and found his greatest pleasure in his work. He was a brother of the noted surgeon, Dr. Willis Westmoreland, of Atlanta, who studied medicine under him. This brings us down to the era in which Drs. Caldwell, Beckham and Redding, all of whom are well-known to the older citizens of the town, hence need no eulogies. The lot on which the Methodist parsonage stood so long, was owned by a Mr. Walker, a teacher, who married the sister of the Drs. Adams. Among the first lawyers of our early settlers was Mr. Allen Pryor. He represented the people continuously both in the legislature and senate, till he was broken down in health. His home was the place owned now by Mrs. Green near the Methodist church. Pryor street in Atlanta was named for him. The name of Hartford Green is familiar to many of us. He did a fine practice in his profession and also represented the people in both houses. He was a charitable man and did a great deal of work gratuitously. His home was the place owned by Mr. Will Slade now, near the R.R. On the same street where Mrs. Jim Howell yet lives, was the home of a Mr. Shivers, the sheriff. It was said that he had few equals as an auctioneer and was sent for to cry off properties in other counties. I hope I have not omitted any of the original homes in Zebulon. I will go a little out of town to the old Mangham home on the hill - that is yet standing in its dignity overlooking the red hill of Zebulon. It was built by Allen McLendon for an old-fashioned inn to accommodate travelers who went to Macon to sell their cotton. This place was sold at sheriff’s sale and bought by my father. As it was a very large tract of land he exchanged it with his brother, John N. Mangham, who was a land dealer and owned a number of slaves. He grew very rich and was also popular as he used his means to benefit others as well as himself. He was sent to the legislature several times. I cannot close without speaking of two good old men who were closely identified with Zebulon though their homes were not right in town. Uncle Jimmie Beckham and his wife who lived just beyond the branch north of Zebulon. Theirs was a home always open to children and young people. Their family was large and many were the pleasures enjoyed there. His sons as they grew up were educated here and some of them made this their home for quite a while. I think the first person I remember seeing after coming her was Uncle Billie Ford, a kind benevolent old gentleman. He lived on his farm near here and had a tannery in connection with it. His business moved to Zebulon and run by our much esteemed friend, Mr. Joseph Ford, one of the oldest citizens of the town today. And now comes my own home. My father moved her in 1889 into a small vine-clad cottage that stood in the rear of our present home. It was built by Mr. Brown. We lived there four years when our present home was built into which we moved and where we have lived ever since. My father was no politician but held offices of trust in the county. He was a long time ordinary and clerk of the court and his life was an open book to some of you. To some of you he was a stranger but if you will pardon me I want to say that he was true and noble - a Christian gentleman, loyal to his friends and town. No stranger was ever turned from his door - the rich and the poor received the same attention in his home. To me this home is a hallowed spot made so by such associations, but now, “I am dwelling in life’s evening, When shadows longer grow - I find myself often dreaming Of the happy long ago.” [Transcribed 8/5/2007 Lynn Cunningham] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/pike/newspapers/zebuloni2320gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb