Whitfield County GaArchives History .....Chapter II History of Whitfield County 1936 ************************************************ 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: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 1, 2004, 11:38 am p. 39 CHAPTER II Whitfield's Beginning The land known as the Cherokee purchase embraced all the territory north of the Chattahoochee river to the Tennessee line, and from Alabama eastward to North Carolina—an empire in extent. In 1828, Georgia had extended her criminal jurisdiction over all this territory which was claimed by the Cherokees, and had passed many laws intended to operate upon that people. In 1831, a survey of lands, with a view to occupancy by citizens of Georgia, was ordered by the Georgia legislature, and this was done in April of that year. The United States government had resolved sometime previously to remove the Cherokees to lands west of the Mississippi, and in preparation for the settlement of the lands by the white people, the whole territory was divided into sections, and these into districts nine miles square. The land was divided by lottery which commenced the twenty-second of October, 1832. The land lots were drawn in parcels of one hundred sixty acres and forty acres, the latter being called gold lots. In this division of the Cherokee lands into lots for distribution, the influence of the gold-fever then prevailing was in evidence in the lottery. The land districts which were thought to contain gold were laid off into lots of forty acres apiece while the others were laid off in one hundred and sixty acres apiece. These lots were drawn, and settlement was rapidly accomplished. Even before the removal of the Indians two-thirds of their land was organized into Cherokee county; and soon after, Murray county was made from Cherokee with the county site at Spring Place, which was already a thriving settlement. There were, of course, no railroads at that time, but when the Western and Atlantic railroad was built in 1847, it was laid out in the western part of the county, and new towns and settlements ---------------- p. 40 came into existence there, which made it necessary to establish a new county. Whitfield was formed in 1851, and the county site of the new county was placed at Dalton. WHITFIELD COUNTY* This county was named after the celebrated GEORGE WHITEFIELD. He was the son of Thomas Whitefield, and was born in 1714, at the Bell Inn, in Gloucestershire, England, which was then kept by his mother. At twelve years of age he was sent to a grammar school in Gloucester. There he made considerable progress in the Latin classics, and in oratory. From this school he was transferred to Pembroke College, at Oxford, where he became acquainted with the Wesleys, and attached himself to a religious club, of which they were leaders. On the 30th of June, 1736, he was ordained by Bishop Benson, and on the next Sunday preached his first sermon in the church in which he was baptized. A week after this he went to Oxford, where he took his Bachelor's degree and then complied with an invitation to visit London, where he continued two months, preaching with great effect to large and admiring audiences. About this time he received a letter from the Wesleys, who were then in Georgia, which induced him to determine to offer himself as a missionary to the Trustees. His offer was accepted, and he arrived at Savannah on the 7th of May, 1738. Having resolved to establish an orphan house, he left Georgia for the purpose of collecting money to enable him to accomplish his object. Arriving in Charleston, he preached on several occasions to immense crowds, and then embarked for London, and after a voyage of nine weeks, he arrived at Limerick. Remaining there a short time, he sailed for England, and arrived September 30, 1738. Having collected about one thousand pounds he set sail from England and landed at Philadelphia. After preaching at various places in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania where great crowds attended his ministry. He arrived in Savannah on the llth of June, 1740. ____________ *From "Historical Collections of Georgia by Rev. George White, M. A. 1854. Material and Picture presented to the county history by Ivan Allen of Atlanta, Ga. ---------------- p. 41 The trustees of Georgia received him cordially and presented him with the living of Savannah and granted him five hundred acres upon which to erect an orphans' home. He died on the 30th September, 1770, fifty-six years old. The new county embraced two hundred eighty-one square ____________ *From the Historical Collections of Georgia, by the Rev. George White, M.A., 1854. Picture and material presented to the County of Whitfield by Ivan Allen, Atlanta, Ga., 1935. ---------------- p. 42 miles, or about one hundred seventy-nine thousand eight hundred forty acres. The land embraced in the county is unusually well watered and traversed by many streams. Cooahulla, the largest creek, traverses the county for thirty-four miles, emptying into the Connasauga river. Mill creek rises in John's mountain, races along its base for six miles, through a picturesque valley, and then courses around for eighteen miles till swallowed up by the Cooahulla. Within its boundaries there are ten miles of Swamp creek, eight miles of Bear creek, seven miles of West Chickamauga, six miles of Meadow creek and six miles of Deep Spring creek, besides over two hundred fifty miles of smaller creeks flowing into these streams. Mill creek, especially, affords unlimited water power for manufacturing purposes. Wherever these streams wind they form rich bottom lands. There is scarcely a quarter section in the county without a spring of never-failing water. Whitfield is bounded on the north by Tennessee, on the east by Murray county, on the south by Gordon county, on the west by Catoosa and Walker counties, the latter forming a portion of the southern line also. The Connasauga river divides it from Murray county on the east. Two railway systems traverse the county, crossing one another diagonally at Dalton; these are the Southern and the Louisville and Nashville, through the latter's control by lease of the Western and Atlantic, the state road. Before the removal of the Indians many white settlers had come into the territory and they perfected their titles to the land they had taken up as soon as Georgia had established sovereignty over the territory. One of these early settlers was Captain J. C. Head who came with his father, James A. Head, to what is now Tunnel Hill before 1836. Many years later he wrote a description of the country as he saw it m that early day, which is so vivid and interesting that the following is taken from it: "It was then a forest, perhaps as beautiful and rich as the eye of man ever looked upon. The trees, in great variety on the plains and valleys, were large, tall and straight. On the highlands and ridges they were beautiful, but not so tall, nor so great in variety, being mostly pine and oak of the different va- ---------------- p. 43 rieties, and hickory. "The lands everywhere were covered with luxuriant grass, and vines, forming a very fine range for cattle and horses. "In this territory are numerous hills and small mountains which contribute largely to the beauty of the country, notably Dug Gap, Mount Rachel, Rocky Face and Dick's Ridge and Tunnel Hill Ridge. The best lands lie in the valleys and plains between these hills and mountains, but the lands on most of the hills are fertile and productive, and well adapted to orchards and vineyards. "The whole country is well watered by numerous springs, branches, creeks and the Connasauga river. West of the Con-nasauga, is Cooahulla creek running out of Tennessee in a southerly direction and emptying into the river at a point about seven miles east of Dalton. Deep Springs, one of the largest and most beautiful springs anywhere, forms the Norton Mill creek and flows into the Connasauga. In the northern part of Whit-field county are several creeks formed mainly from beautiful springs and running in a southeasterly direction through good bodies of land and emptying into Cooahulla creek. "In or about the year 1834, while the Indians occupied the country and were waiting for the government to settle the matter of their removal to the Indian Territory, where, according to the treaty made with them a short while before that time, they were to receive lands in exchange for their homes here, a few hardy and adventurous persons, anxious to secure homes in the beautiful Cherokee Purchase, as it was then called, moved in and began to make settlements. "Two years later (in the year 1836) when this scribe, then a boy, came to this country with his father and family, it had come to be generally understood that the Indians were soon to be removed, and a large number of white families, assured of protection by the government, moved in that year from Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. After searching out and finding the section of land, each one claimed title to as drawer or purchaser, he settled down and began to make improvements as he had opportunity and ability, being careful not to infringe on the improvement of any Indian who might be living ---------------- p. 44 on the same lot of land; his right of occupancy having been guaranteed to him until he was legally removed according to the existing treaty. "The first business of the newcomer was to build himself a cabin for the protection of his family, and stalls for his stock, and then clear land to cultivate in com the ensuing summer to make bread for his family. Also to clear and enclose a rich plat to cultivate in potatoes, beans and other vegetables. In the meantime he had to look out for provisions for his family and stock. There was nothing at that time in the country to sell. The Indians sometimes had a venison ham, but no corn, bacon or provender to sell. "Ross' landing (now Chattanooga) on the Tennessee river, was the nearest point where provisions could be obtained. There was then but one wagon road in this section, and that was a government road, leading from the Coosawattee river in a northerly direction to Ross' landing; but soon other ways were opened along the trails through the valleys and over the ridges from settlement to settlement, and from the settlements leading into the principal road to the landing, and to the county towns, Spring Place in Murray county, and LaFayette in Walker county. The writer helped to cut out that section of the Spring Place and LaFayette road passing through Dogwood valley from the point where Mount Vernon church now stands to the top of Taylor's ridge in the spring of 1836. All the white men, liable to road duty, living in the 27th land district, which is nine miles square, were called together to help do this work. The number, according to the recollection of this scribe, was about thirty, and it required three days to open the road. From this statement it may be inferred, that neighbors were not crowded together very closely, but they neighbored together, and were neighbors indeed. They were drawn together in the strongest ties of friendship, and assisted each other as a band of brothers. When one had a cabin to raise, or logs to roll, all in the same neighborhood, extending four or five miles around, cheerfully met at his place and helped him do his work. At such gatherings it was not uncommon for persons to meet who lived seven or eight miles apart. "The every day occupation of the settlers was for the most ---------------- p. 45 part farming, although milling, store keeping, and building were a part of the pioneers' work. "The social and religious events such as corn shucking, log-raisings, and quilting were considered as social events, while church meetings and old-fashioned singing parties and camp meetings were important events in their lives. "When supplies were needed, two or three teams and wagons were banded together and sent to the Landing for such things as were needed by anyone in the same community. This was a sort of necessity, as the roads were new and rough, and the streams which had fords were unbridged and difficult to cross. "This was a time when men felt their dependence, one upon another, and they were ready to combine together to assist and protect each other. Friendships were formed then which continued for life, and may be traced to-day through the second and third generations of those early settlers. "During the fall and winter of 1836, a good many more whites moved in and settled upon the lands to which they usually had some show of title, either as drawer or purchaser, and thus by the summer of 1837, a pretty good force of pale faces could be paraded in case of emergency, and they were ready to respond whenever danger was threatened, or an actual trespass had been committed upon the person or property of any individual." Candler's History of Georgia states that the county is rich in minerals, iron, bauxite, manganese, silica, marble, sandstone and other building stone being found within its borders. The clay in certain portions of the county makes excellent brick. The farming land in the county embraces almost every character of soil from the rich chocolate loam of the river and creek bottoms to white gravelly and rotten shale of the uplands, but none so poor as to fail to respond to intelligent and energetic culture. It is a splendid stock country with many springs and spring branches. The county was laid off into militia districts by the justices of the inferior court, practically as the districts now are, February 19, 1852, by virtue of the following order: "Whereas, by an act of the legislature of this state, creating a new county out of the county of Murray, and for other purposes, it is made the ---------------- p. 46 duty of the justices of the inferior court of the county of Whit-field to lay off said county into militia districts. It is therefore ordered that the said county of Whitfield be divided into districts with the following justices: F. W. McCurdy, John Hamilton, Hugh Burke, Joseph Robertson, Winston Gordon." (Extract from minutes of court, February 28, 1852). DALTON THE COUNTY SEAT The city of Dalton, long a thriving settlement known as Cross Plains, was incorporated in 1847 under the following charter: "Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Georgia in General Assembly met and it is hereby enacted by authority of the same, That from and after the passage of this act, the village of Cross Plains, in Murray county, shall be incorporated under the style and name of the City of Dalton, in Murray county. "Sec. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the corporate limits of said city shall extend one mile in every direction from the Railroad Depot in said city, and the municipal authorities shall be the Mayor and six members of Council with such other officers as they may appoint, or as may be hereinafter authorized, to be styled and designated the Mayor and Council of the City of Dalton. "Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, that on the first Saturday in January in Eighteen Hundred and Forty-eight, and on the first Saturday in January in each and every year hereafter, the inhabitants of the city of Dalton, who are entitled to vote for members of the General Assembly of this State, who have resided for six months immediately preceding the election within the corporate limits of said city, unless absent therefrom on lawful business, and who have paid all taxes imposed by the city authorities and which they have had opportunity of paying, shall elect by ballot a Mayor and Council, of individuals likewise inhabitants, who upon accepting the office shall take and subscribe the following oath: 'I, A. B., do solemnly swear, or affirm, that I will well and truly perform the duties of Mayor and member of Council for the City of Dalton, by the adoption and enforcement of such measures as to me appear conducive to the general welfare and permanent good of the City of Dalton.' "They shall convene the first Tuesday after their election and the said members of council and Mayor shall serve twelve months from the date of their election, and until their successors are elected and qualified. ---------------- p. 47 "Sec. 4. And it is further enacted that John Thomas, Samuel R. McCary and Alexander M. Wallace be and they are hereby appointed superintendents of the election for members of Council and Mayor of said city on the first Saturday in January next, and in the absence of one of those individuals, the remaining two shall have power to appoint some other individual, a citizen of Dalton. CHARLES J. JENKINS, Speaker House of Representatives. ANDREW J. MILLER, President State Senate of Georgia. APPROVED: December 29, 1847. GEORGE W. TOWNS, Governor." *"Much of the land thus incorporated was owned by a syndicate headed by Captain Edward White, a native of Massachusetts, and in laying out the city he set aside tracts for parka, schools, churches and other public buildings on a scale suited to the real city he confidently expected Dalton would some day become. There was then no town of any size between Knoxville, Tennessee, and Augusta, Georgia. At that time Ross' Landing, now Chattanooga, and Marthasville, later Atlanta, were mere clusters of cabins, and Captain White believed his new city would become a metropolis. "The principal streets were laid out a mile in length, and a hundred feet wide, and all the streets were named for prominent citizens. The main business street was named Hamilton in honor of Colonel John Hamilton; the principal residence street, Thornton Avenue for Colonel Mark Thornton; Pentz street for Frederick Pentz, and Morris street for James and Franklin B. Morris. "The city was named in honor of Captain White's mother, whose maiden name was Mary Dalton,** a daughter of General Tristam Dalton, at one time speaker of the house of represen- _____________ *NOTE: The above Information was collected by the late Mrs. Warren R. Davis and published in "Georgia Memorials and Landmarks."—Knight. **From an article in the Atlanta Constitution Nov. 2, 1913, entitled: Origin of names of towns traced by the United States Geographical Survey with the assistance of the Georgia Historical Society "Dalton was so called in honor of General Tristam Dalton, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts." ---------------- p. 48 tatives of Massachusetts. A member of Captain Edward White's family is authority for this statement. "If there ever was a Dalton citizen who deserved a loving memorial in the midst of Dalton's activities, Edward White is that one. He was capitalist, but with a vision, the manager of a New England company, who foresaw the economic relations of the new Southwest to the eastern Atlantic slope. "With the building of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad from Bristol, he used his influence that it might be brought to Dalton. It formed the first direct line of rail from eastern points to this section, and for several years the main artery of travel and traffic between eastern points and New Orleans. When this was accomplished, he conceived the necessity of the Selma, Rome and Dalton railroad and largely with Dalton capital procured charter, made survey and began the grading, which later attracted greater help. This brought larger traffic through Dalton, maintained large transfer forces, and made Dalton hotels—four of them—famous." ---------------- p. 49 HOTELS Even at an early date arrangements were made for entertaining the public and a number of Dalton's hotels have been noted for their hospitality and the excellence of their cuisine. One of the oldest was the Cross Plains Tavern which was located on the present site of the McCutchen home on Thornton Avenue. Another of the oldest was the "Chester House", built by Judge W. P. Chester, who came to Dalton in 1844 and erected a large three story hotel with double deck galleries on the lot now occupied by Mitchell and Ingram Drug Company. An old photograph of this building is in the possession of his grand daughter, Mrs. Ernest Allen. This building was used as a hospital during the War Between the States and left a wreck by the armies. Another hotel built by Judge Chester was destroyed as well as his commodious home at the intersection of Hamilton street and Chattanooga Avenue. The Henderson Hotel owned by Mr. Ed Henderson, the Brown Hotel owned by Mr. Bean Brown, afterward by Major W. A. Camp, who was blind from a gunshot wound received in the war, were well-known hostelries. The National Hotel was owned by Col. W. H. Tibbs, who had been a member of the Confederate Congress. The Duff Green House was a well known hotel owned and managed by Col. Ben E. Green. It was situated on the vacant lot east of the Citizen office. This hotel was bought by J. Q. A. Lewis who operated it for many years. This hotel gained quite a reputation for Dalton and the trains arranged their schedules so that stops could be made at Dalton for meals. This was before the advent of diners on many trains. The Hotel Dalton, built in 1890, was a credit to any city. It was owned by a company and leased to different managers. For a number of years it was under the management of Mrs. Dollie Lewis Dettor. Under her capable direction this hotel prospered and became well known as a resort for summer and winter visitors. Its hospitality was proverbial and it was a social center for the city. ---------------- p. 50 HISTORY OF WHITFIELD COUNTY This hotel was burned in the great fire of 1911, and for a number of years Dalton had no large hotel but a number of smaller hotels served the public most acceptably, notably the Hotel Horan and the Shell House and others. Hotel Dalton was rebuilt in 1923 and is an up-to-date and modern hotel. (For further description see Chapter Six). In the first ten years of Dalton's growth there were four hotels, two wagon and buggy factories, the Cherokee Furniture factory, the Dalton Machine and Foundry Company, a large cabinet shop, a large saw and grist mill, a tin shop, a jug factory, other small interests and several retail stores. From the birth of Dalton full train loads of hogs and cattle driven over the highways from East Tennessee were loaded and shipped from Dalton. Train loads of wheat from the fields of Whitfield and Murray were shipped from Dalton by the grocery and grain firm of Blount & King. At times grain was piled to the ceiling of the old depot, and all the platforms were filled, clogging the railroad to capacity. Dalton was the shipping ---------------- p. 51 point of the Ducktown copper mines, and the wagon trains came in half-mile lengths. With the beginning of settlement around Dalton, wagon train after wagon train came over the mountains and, as they said, were coming to the new Egypt. In 1844, a German colony under the leadership of Count Frederick Charles settled in the northern part of what is now Dalton, and many of these have descendants still living in this vicinity. Among the settlers were: Peter and Adam Kreischer, Herman and Augustus Yeager, A. Lippman, Charles Knorr, A. Bolander, Henry Rauschenberg, Augustus Guntz, Adam Pfan-cokuche and John Setzefand. In 1845, there were only ten families within the boundary of Cross Plains: Silas Mote, Colonel Mark Thornton, B. C. Morse, A. E. Blount, Judge William I. Underwood, William P. Hackney, Frederick Cook, Finley Riley, Dr. I. S. Waugh, and Colonel John Hamilton. At this time there were only two small stores, a post office, a blacksmith shop and a saloon in Cross Plains. Colonel Malone kept the Cross Plains Tavern situated where the late F. K. McCutchen formerly lived. The first mayor of Dalton was A. E. Blount and the wartime mayor Judge Elbert Sevier Bird. The first ordinary of the county was William Gordon; the first sheriff, Captain Fred Cox; the first clerk of the court, John Anderson, and the first will probated was made by Thomas Wylie. Until the beginning of the War Between the States, Captain White's dream of Dalton's greatness seemed on the way to realization as it was a busy and prosperous little city, with handsome churches, a good business section and many beautiful homes with a refined and cultured people of whom their descendants have a right to be proud. An interview with Ed E. Chapman, published in the July, 1911, issue of the Dalton Argus, states that he came to Dalton fifteen years before Whitfield was made a county, this was in 1836. He also stated that at the time the county was separated from Murray, there were only five houses, and double log houses at that, here. "Mark Thornton, for whom Thornton avenue was named, lived in a double log house on the lot now occupied by the home of Chas. Deakins. ---------------- p. 52 "John Parks lived at the southern end of Thornton avenue on the corner lot on the east side. This was afterward known as the Fischer place. Otto Fischer was the father of Messrs. Will, Lou, and Otto Fischer, jewelers of Chattanooga. "Judge Underwood built on a lot in northeast Dalton, now known as the Doctor Sams home. "Colonel John Hamilton lived at what is known as Hamilton Spring. "Dick Hill lived at the J. P. Daves place. "These were the only families living here then." Some of the early settlements in the county were, Varnells, Cohutta, Tunnel Hill, Red Clay, Rocky Face, Tilton and Dawn-ville. TUNNEL HILL Tunnel Hill was named for the Western and Atlantic railroad tunnel which penetrates the mountain there. The tunnel at the time it was built was considered a marvelous feat of engineering. "Excavation for the tunnel began July 15th, 1848, and the first opening effected October 31, 1849, the first train of cars passed through May 9, 1850. The length of excavation, west end 575 feet, tunnel 1477 feet. "George Towns, Governor, William Mitchell, chief engineer, Benj. C. Morse, chief assistant engineer, B. E. Wells, assistant engineer, John D. Gray & Co., Contractor. Railroad runs directly east and west through the tunnel." The above data appears on the west end of the tunnel. The opening of the tunnel was marked by a great celebration. The Hon. W. L. Mitchell decided to celebrate by the firing of a national salute. He gave the order for a cannon to be made for the occasion and when it came it was placed over the tunnel. Amid a large concourse of people who had gathered to listen to the speeches, the cannon was fired and the salute ended. After that they determined that the cannon should not be used for any other purpose and it was loaded with such a heavy charge that it was blown to pieces. Tunnel Hill was the scene of several sharp engagements in ---------------- p. 53 the war between the states, notably on November 28, 1863; February 23rd and May 6th and 7th, 1864. Some of the early settlers were Jas. A. Head, Joseph M. Cain, Geo. W. Harlan, Benjamin Clark, Absolem Foster. It is said to have been the first town in the country to have had a commission form of government. OTHER EARLY TOWNS Varnells, Red Clay and Cohutta, in the northern part of the county, are old settlements. All are thriving communities and were the homes of many splendid citizens of the county, and have interesting histories. Rev. W. G. Cotter, a noted Methodist minister and writer of his day, mentions the following families who were there in 1840: The Pitners, Nortons, McGuagheys, Stantons, Johnsons, McCombs and others. Colonel Jones had a home near Cohutta and Reverend Jos. Johnson had a large farm in the vicinity. Judge Kenan settled on the Chief Rattling Gourd place, the house was built in 1837. A. R. T. Hambright was another early settler, as was Jesse Wade. The Reverend Peyton Wade had a summer home near Varnells. He is said to have had over three hundred slaves. J. H. Huff owned the house that was the scene of the councils of the Indians at Red Clay, which was one of the council grounds of the Cherokee Indians. Benjamin F. Prater settled near Varnells in 1852, coming as did most of the other families mentioned, from East Tennessee. Rocky Face, in Mill Creek Gap, is located in one of the most picturesque parts of North Georgia. The towering mountains, with palisades along the crest, stretching for miles, all heavily wooded, with smiling valleys below through which winds Mill Creek, make it a place of beauty, and added to this is the historical interest of Rocky Face. Mill Creek Gap has been called the Thermopylae of the Southern Confederacy because at the battles of Rocky Face, in the gap, February 25, May 8, 10, 12, 1864, the Confederates successfully held the pass against Sherman's forces. There are still in existence today (1936) traces of old breastworks and cannon emplacements on the mountains nearby. Mill Creek Gap was the early home of many fine citizens of p. 54 the county. Isham Wood, father of the present county commissioner, Judge Harlan J. Wood, was an early settler. Adam Calhoun was another who came there at an early date. He came with his family in 1850. Dawnville is another early settlement, although it was not named until after the war. Most of these early settlers came from East Tennessee; they were: Isaac Hair, George P. Fraker, Andrew Fraker, Ethelred Tarver (J. P.), grandfather of the present congressman, Hon. Malcolm C. Tarver, John Broadrick, Wilson Norton, D. L. Cline, Lewis Quillian and Milligan Quillian. The settlement now known as Pleasant Grove had some pioneer settlers, notably Andrew Watt*, the first white man to settle in that vicinity, who came from South Carolina in 1836. Charles A. Cook came in 1838, and the Hammonds, Jewells and Stevensons came a few years later. Mineral Springs, another small settlement, was named for the springs that flow out of the mountain which are said to be very beneficial to health. Tilton is on the line of the Western & Atlantic railroad, also on the Conasauga river. Some of the first settlers were the Browns, Treadwells, Maynards and others. Carbondale is another settlement in the southern part of the county. Honorable N. A. Bradford for many years representative of Whitfield county in the legislature, lived there. Hill City is another small community center. Beaverdale and Waring are well known communities. Freeman Springs, now in Whitfield county, was originally in Walker county. Benjamin F. Freeman came there in 1836. Two of his sons, Judge Jesse P. Freeman and W. H. C. Freeman, held official positions in Whitfield county. All these early settlements still thrive and, in their citizenry are still found the descendants of the early pioneers, bearing out not only the names but also carrying on their spirit of enterprise and service, which has won for Whitfield county rank among the most progressive counties of Georgia. ______________ *Authority, Mr. Will Watt, his son. Additional Comments: From: OFFICIAL HISTORY OF WHITFIELD COUNTY, GEORGIA BY WHITFIELD COUNTY HISTORY COMMISSION File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/whitfield/history/other/gms187chapteri.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 31.9 Kb