UPSON COUNTY, GA - HISTORY Early MILLS ***************** 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: Volunteers MILLS - Early Grist Mills James Hightower was living in Upson County prior to its organization in 1824 as his name is mentioned as foreman of its first grand jury and as one of its first road commissioners. He owned several large tracts of land in the eastern part of the county, also owning and operating on Tobler Creek. pg 920 The Early History of Upson County njbowen18@hotmail.com ============ It is the Hightower Factory on Tobler Creek near Yatesville is the one being rebuilt. Diane Caldwell's daughter ========== Thank you for your prompt response. I do know the location of the mill on Tobler Creek, near Yatesville, and I am working for the gentleman who presently owns the property, Mr. Browning. He sent photos of the remains of the foundation with the driveshaft and wheel. My concern is with the date inscribed on the foundation of which I also have a photograph. It reads Sept. 8. 1792. I am trying to determine if this could be the actual date of construction at this site. I know (from Monroe County history) that a trading center may have been established near there, at Culloden in Monroe County (4 miles-ish). You mention that Hightower may have been there prior to 1824. How much earlier? Do you think it is possible for the mill to have been there earlier than 1824? Do you have any resource that may give an indication either way? Thanks for your time. Neil MILLS - Cotton "not far distant at Swifton factory owned by the Williams. Then Respess and Walkers and later by George P. Swift In December 23, 1833, by an Act of Legislature , the New Providence Factory was incorporated by Joseph B. Smith and James S. Wheaton. The operation began early in 1834. The location was on Tobler Creek two miles north of Flint River. (not sure how this factory got to the next phase) Nathan Respess, George Moore, Daniel Grant, Nathaniel F. McWalker, and Allen McWalker formed the Flint River Manufacturing Company. Nathan Respess and George Moore were executors of the Estate of John B. Williams of Crawford County [1836]. (Nathan and George were his son-in-laws) and gained titles to 55 acres of land LL202 16th Dist. [Location of village Swifton 1895 map] The land and the mill [New Providence] had been owned by John B. Williams. After John B. William's death, the mill was named "Flint River Manufacturing Company". In 1859, Daniel Grant, J.J. Grant, and Nathan Respess (sole owners by that year) desiring to sell, advertised : Dec 2, 1858 Thursday Thomaston GA Volume 1 #3 The Upson Pilot "The Flint River Factory will be sold at the Court House in Thomaston the first Tuesday in January next to the highest bidder, for approved paper, in three annual installments, payable at Christmas 1859, 1860 and 1861. The place includes 65 acres of land, comfortable dwellings for the help, a good storehouse (a prime stand for Dry Goods), a good ware house, a good grist mill and the factory building, machinery for manufacturing 1,000 bales of Cotton yearly, or more, machine shop --all in good running order. D and J.J. Grant and N. Respess - Proprietors" Nathan Respess sold out his interest to George P. Swift, John, R, James C and William T. Respess. JOHN B. WILLIAMS John B. Williams and wife Susanna Mourning Smith Williams from Bertie County, NC came to Crawford County Georgia. He also owned lands in Washington, Burke, Warren and Jefferson Counties. His home in Crawford County was located on the north side of Highway 22, about eight miles west of Roberta. At his death in 1836, his daughter, Mrs. Rachael Williams Moore, inherited the home. She later sold it to Joseph Hilsman. John B. Williams married a Mrs. Smith, who was Susanne Mourning of North Carolina. He is listed in the Bertie County 1830 Census as a single man 20-29. Their children were: 1)Rachel Williams - married George Moore of Grimes Co Texas 2)Treyphene Williams - married Mr. House; 2nd Wichard 3)Louisa married Nathan Respass 4) Dr. James Mourning Williams married Jemima Wilson After the death of Mr. Wililams, the New Providence Factory became the Flint River Manufacturing Company. Their daughter, Louisa Williams, married Nathan Respess (son of Richard Respess II) in Dec 1827. Nathan Respess in partnership with other built the Flint River Factory. He had teh strategy and wisdom to protect it from invading army and it was a boon to humanity during the War Between the States. Dec 2, 1858 Thursday Thomaston GA Volume 1 #3 The Flint River Factory will be sold at the Court House in Thomaston the first Tuesday in January next to the highest bidder, for approved paper, in three annual installments, payable at Christmas 1859, 1860 and 1861. The place includes 65 acres of land, comfortable dwellings for the help, a good storehouse (a prime stand for Dry Goods), a good ware house, a good grist mill and the factory building, machinery for manufacturing 1,000 bales of Cotton yearly, or more, machine shop --all in good running order. D and J.J. Grant and N. Respess - Proprietors WAYMENVILLE COTTON FACTORY In 1831 W. G. Wayman and D. W. Perry built what is known as the Lower Factory at Waynmenville. In 1841 what was known as the Upper Factory was built and both ran successfully up to and including the Civil War. Around the close of the Civil War the Lower Factory was burned by the federal forces, but the Upper was spared because the Yankees had a larger interest in it. SWIFTON MILL On Thursday morning, February 7,1889 between four and five o'clock a fire was discovered in the Flint Factory at Swifton