Clinch County, Georgia - Chapter 2, 1916

Chapter 2

A CCORDING to the best available information, the first yA-% permanent white settlers in what is now Clinch County were Josiah Sirmans, Sr., and his family, including his sons, Benjamin, Joseph, Jonathan and Abner Sirmans; also Moses, John and William Tomlinson, three brothers, and David Johnson, afterwards of Indian war fame. These came here in 1822 and settled near the Allapaha River in Irwin now Clinch County.

Josiah Sirmans and his family came from Emanuel County. This early pioneer was born in 1767, and was married to Miss Artie Hardeman, a daughter of Thomas Hardeman, Sr. By this marriage he became an uncle of the three Tomlinsons named above whose mother was a sister of Mrs. Sirmans. He settled in what is now called the Mud Creek district, and lived there until his death in 1830. His sons were Benjamin, Abner and Joseph Sirmans, all of whom became prominent citizens of the county, while another son, Jonathan Sirmans, settled in what is now Berrien County, where his descendants of to-day are quite numerous.

David Johnson was born in 1802 in this State, and his wife's name was Miss Nancy Burnett. By this marriage he had nine children, some of them holding county offices of trust and honor. Mr. Johnson afterwards engaged in the wars against the Indians and achieved renown. In those wars he achieved the rank of general, and has since been known as "General Dave" Johnson. It is doubtful if Clinch County ever had a better citizen than this noble man.

Moses, John and William Tomlinson were sons of John Tomlinson, Sr. They came from Bulloch County and settled on the Allapaha River in the vicinity of the present town of Stockton. William was born in 1781, John in 1784 and

Moses about 1788. Moses and William Tomlinson married and had several children and their descendants in Clinch County to-day are quite numerous. John Tomlinson who settled here, was a cripple from boyhood and could never walk; on this account he was better known as "Cripple" John Tomlinson. By judicious management he became very wealthy and at his death owned a good many slaves besides much other property. He is buried at Prospect Church in this county.

About the next settler to come here was William Smith. He was born about 1763, and was a minister of the Primitive Baptist Church. He came here about 1823 and settled on Red Bluff Creek, where S. A. Lastinger now lives in this county. He lived here until his death, about 1845. He was buried at Arabia Church. He was married twice, and among his sons were John, Jesse, James M., and Manning Smith.

Another old settler was Lawrence Smith, who came from South Carolina and settled in this section about 1825. He was married twice and among his sons were John, James C, David D., William E., Elbert M. T., and Frank Smith, the latter being a half-brother to the others. Lawrence Smith died in this county in 1859, ^"^ '^ buried on his old home place near Antioch Church.

In 1824 another pioneer moved in, Jeremiah Chancey, who settled about five miles northwest of where Homerville now is. He came here from what is now Lowndes County, where he had previously lived a short while. He was born in North Carolina, September 5th, 1782, and married Miss Elsie O'Steen, who was a cousin of John R. O'Steen. They had eleven children. Later, Mr. Chancey settled about two miles northwest of Homerville, on lands now owned by S. L. Drawdy, where he died January nth, 1861. He was buried on his home place. His grave is unmarked, resting in an old field with a few others.

About 1830, John Bennett, of Sampson County, North Carolina, settled just above where Stockton now is. He lived here until his death, about 1851. He married Miss Sallie Register and by her had eight children. Numerous descendants throughout the county represent this old pioneer. He was about 80 years old at his death and was buried at Cow Creek Church.

About the same time (1830), Col. Elijah Mattox settled at Waresboro, coming there from Tattnall County, where he was born in 1798. He later settled on the Florida line, just inside Clinch County. He had extensive land dealings and was well-known throughout the county. Colonel Mattox was aide-de-camp to Governor Charles J. McDonald.

About 1833, Benjamin Cornelius settled here, coming from Pulaski County. He first settled near where Dame's Millpond now is, later moving to the place now owned by S. D. Findley, near Homerville. Mr. Cornelius was subsequently taxreceiver of Clinch County for more than twenty years, and died in 1874.

Jonathan Knight moved from what is now Berrien County and settled on Suwannoochee Creek in this county in 1836. He was a native of what is now Berrien, where he was born in 1 8 17. He removed back to Berrien County in 1862, where he subsequently died.

Other early settlers of this section were Barzilla Staten, Sr., and his sons, James W., Barzilla, Jr., and Quarterman B. Staten. The elder Staten was wounded in the Indian war and died about 1845. James W. Staten was the first representative from the new county of Clinch, while Quarterman B. Staten was a captain in the Confederate Army.

John J. North, a native of South Carolina, was another early settler. He participated in the War of 1 8 1 2, and in the Indian war, serving as captain in the latter one. He lived here until

David Stanford was a native of North Carolina, where he was born February 3rd, 1799. He came to this section in the thirties. He lived in the southwestern part of the county. His wife was Miss Agnes Aiken, by whom he had nine children, one of whom, Reubin Y. Stanford, was a captain in the Confederate Army. David Stanford died in May, 1871.

Other early settlers were Juniper Griffis, Joel and Berry Griffis and Samuel Griffis. Juniper Griffis was born in 1808 and lived to be 97 years old. Joel and Berry Griffis were distant relatives of Juniper Griffis, and lived below Homerville. Samuel Griffis was born in 1807 and married Miss Naomi Kirkland. The descendants of these men are quite numerous in the county to-day.

Samuel Register was born in South Carolina in 1786, and settled here about 1830. He was the progenitor of the Register family in this section. He had twelve children, among them being Guilford, Ivy, David and William Register. This family has furnished Clinch County many good citizens. Samuel Register died in 1869. His grandson, S. W. Register, was clerk of the Superior Court of Clinch County fifteen years.

George Harnage came to this section from Liberty County and settled in the western part of the county. He was born in 1807, and married Miss Annie Shaw, a daughter of Jerry Shaw, of Lowndes County. He was a deacon of the Primitive Baptist Church about forty years. He died about 1895. His descendants are also quite numerous to-day.

Edmund Mathis was a native of North Carolina. Together with his brothers, John and James Mathis, they came to Bulloch County about 1820, and after living there several years, they came to this section. Edmund Mathis settled in what is now Clinch, while the other two settled in Berrien County. Edmund Mathis was one of the original members of Cow Creek Church when it was constituted in 1847, ^"^ ^f

Prospect Church, in 1859. His wife, who was Unity Register, was also a charter member. Edmund Mathis was commissioned justice of the peace of the 66 ist district, then of Lowndes County, November 30th, 1838.

John Mathis, a son of Edmund Mathis, was born in Bulloch County and came with his father to this section about 1830. He served as a justice of the peace, and after Clinch was created, was its coroner several years. He married Jemima Lee, daughter of Joshua Lee.

Hillery P. Mathis, distantly related to the above named Mathises, was brought to this section an orphan by his uncle, James Edmondson, of Lowndes County. He was born in Bulloch County in 1821, and took part in the wars against the Indians. He married Martha, daughter of Samuel Register, Sr., by whom he had eleven children.

Edmund Stafford was a son of Josiah Stafford, and was a soldier in the Indian war. Josiah Stafford died when Edmund was young and the guardianship of Edmund and his sister, Eliza, was vested in Duncan Henderson, by an order of the Inferior Court, of Ware County, dated September 2nd, 1833. The original letter of guardianship is still in the possession of descendants of Edmund Stafford.

About 1845 Richard H. Burkhalter, with his family, moved to what is now Clinch County from Pulaski County. He settled in the Mud Creek district, and was later ordinary of Clinch County. He died in 1862. He was the forefather of the Burkhalters of Clinch of to-day.

About the same time, George J. Tatum settled here. He was born in originally Appling County August 31, 1823, and married Miss Lucy Joyce of this section, July 27th, 1844. They had twelve children. Mr. Tatum lived on what is known as the Frank Dickerson place above DuPont, for many years, previous to his removal to Hillsboro County,

Joshua Lee moved to a place about three and one-half miles north of where DuPont now is, in 1847, from Banks Mill in Berrien County. He lived there until his death in 1857. He was a native of South Carolina, and his wife's name was Miss Martha Ford. They had several children. Both are buried at Prospect Church.

John T. Roberts was a soldier in the Indian wars, and at his death lived in the io6ist district. He first lived below where Stockton now is, and when Cow Creek Church was first constituted in 1847 he was one of its original members. He served in the Confederate Army also. He was born December 7th, 18 10, and died March 24th, 1880. Among his children were Tharp and Isham Roberts. He married Candacy Tomlinson and had fourteen children.

Elihu Morgan was another pioneer, and lived in what later became Echols County. He was born in 1795. Among his sons were Elihu, Jr., John and Joseph Morgan. He was a man of considerable means, owning in 1850 real estate to the extent of $6,000.00.

Isaac Curry came from Tennessee and settled in this section about 1840. He was born in 1781 and died in Mud Creek, December 25th, 1856. His son, Charles W. Curry, who was born in Tennessee in 1828, is still living in Mud Creek. The elder Curry is buried at the Fender graveyard.

Another old family to remove here in the early days of this section, was the Corbitts. Isham Corbitt was the progenitor of this family in this section, and was a native of Tennessee. 1 he Corbitts, Currys and Paffords came from the same section and settled in the same section. The sons of this old pioneer were Harbird, Marshal, Newsom, Martin, William and Hiram Corbitt, the last named dying in infancy. Isham Corbitt died about 1855, and is buried in Berrien County.

above is that of Daniel Corbitt and his descendants. He came to this county about 1840 or 1845. He was born in 1804 in South CaroHna. (See Corbitt family history.)

Duncan Henderson lived in Ware County several years but settled in what is now Clinch during the forties. He was the first clerk of the Providence or Camp Branch Church, which was organized in 1844. He died about 1863.

John E. Taylor moved to this section about 1840 and settled on Cow Creek. He was a native of Chatham County, where he was born in 18 18. He died about 1893.

David and Martin Fender were pioneers of the county. They settled here about 1840. Both lived to be very old men. David Fender, by his wife Mollie, had seven children, viz. : Charles, Jjcob, John, David, Bettie, George and Nellie Fender. David Fender, Sr., died November 14th, 1886, age 100 years. His first wife, Mary, died in June, 1853.

Martin Fender was born September 6th, 1803 and died February 2nd, 1899, being the oldest man in the county at the time of his death. He was married three times and had several children. Other old members of this family were W. D. Fender, born 1818, died 1895 ; John D. Fender, born 1823, died 1907; and J. L. Fender, born 1840 and died 1885.

Irwin R. Booth was a minister of the Methodist Church and a native of Beaufort County, S. C, where he was born in 1812. He died in 1896 and is buried at Antioch Church below Argyle. He came to this section about 1840. He was married twice.

Abraham E. Smith, a native of Barnwell district. South Carolina, came here and settled on the adjoining lot of land to Homerville, in 1848. He sold it in 1866 and moved to a place about three miles from town, where he lived until his death in 1898. He was accompanied here by his brothers,

John G. Rice was a native of Barnwell district, South Carolina, and came to this section about 1825 or 1830. He married and had seven children, his sons being Aaron, Darley, Artemus and Lott Rice. He joined the Confederate Army in 1861 and died in 1863. He was an expert blacksmith.

Elias D. Waldron was born June 7th, 181 1, and died October 20th, 1894. He settled here about 1850 and lived about twelve miles south of Homerville. His wife, Nancy, was born in 1 8 1 1 , and died in 1892.

Hiram Kight was an old settler of this county. He was born July loth, 181 1, and married Sarah, daughter of Lawrence Smith. He settled near the present town of Homerville about 1845, ^^^ lived there until 1863, when he sold out to Robert B. Crum. Later he lived below Homerville a few miles. Mr. Kight was a veteran of the Indian war and his widow now draws an Indian war pension. He was married a second time, Sarah Ann Griffis, who survived him. He died about 1890.

Dr. L. C. Mattox settled on a place about three miles east of Homerville in 1855. He lived there until his death in 1898. He was a very successful farmer.

William Hughes settled in this county about 1840. He was born in South Carolina September 5th, 1812. He was married twice. He had several children. Mr. Hughes and his wife were murdered and robbed by three negroes late in the afternoon of November 6th, 1889. They were killed with axes. The negroes were captured and two of them hung while another was killed resisting arrest. This was the most brutal murder ever perpetrated in Clinch County. Among Mr. Hughes' sons were Francis M. Hughes, C. H. Hughes, Jeptha Hughes and James H. Hughes.

settled on what Is known as the Reubin Jewell place in Clinch County and reared a family of ten children, and died there. Among his children were John, David, Jacob and Abram Minshew. The elder Minshew died about i860.

Jacob Minshew, a son of the above, was born in this county February 1 8th, 1 834, and married Ellen Jordan. They had ten children, his sons being Henry, Isaac, John R., David J. and Lewis Minshew. The elder Minshew served in the Civil War and was later justice of the peace of the 1389th district. He died August 27th, 1907, and was buried at Camp Branch Church.

John and Benjamin Stalvey were among the earlier settlers of this county also. Another of this family, B. S. Stalvey, lived in Echols County, where his descendants are now numerous. The latter was born February 22nd, 1829, and died October 8th, 1874, and is buried at Wayfare Church. He was elected tax collector of Echols County in 1861. Benjamin Stalvey lived in the 970th district of Clinch County and died January i8th, 1890. He has many descendants now living here.

Cornelius and Henry Joyce, Jr., were early settlers of this section. They settled here about 1840. Henry Joyce, Sr., died about 1845, ^J^*^ his widow, Sarah Joyce, and Miles J. Guest were administrators on his estate. Cornelius Joyce was at one time sheriff of Clinch County, Henry Joyce served a term as tax collector of Clinch, and Miles J. Guest was sheriff of Ware County.

William Lastinger was an early pioneer of the County. He settled here some time about 1835, and became quite wealthy. He owned a large tract of land above DuPont, which he traded to Joshua Lee in 1848, for the famous millpond now known as Banks Mill-pond, and also the land where Milltown, in Berrien County, is now situated. He reared a large family of children. Seaborn Lastinger, another member of this family, died in the Civil War in 1861 at Savan-

Tharp and Isham Roberts and James Daugharty, who were living here in 1 833 ; Joshua Kirkland, Henry Daughtery, Moses Giddens, John Fender, Eaton and Barzilla Douglas, Richard Lee, Abraham Starling, Joel Griffis and Kindred Griffis, all of whom lived here in 1845 5 John Sears, William S. Bennett, William M. Thompson, James J, Lee, Allen Corbitt, John Brack, John Timmerman, William Touchston, James Whitehurst and Charles and George Kinard, all of whom lived here in 1850. Besides these might be mentioned John C. Kirkland, R. G. Dickerson, Shimuel Timmerman and Martin Nettles,

Indian War Soldiers

Of those who took part in the Indian war of 1836-8, a complete list is not available. In compiling the following short list reference is had chiefly to the descendants of those named. The list given is not given as being complete but will serve to save the names of those given, in connection with this war, from oblivion.

Levi J. Knight commanded the troops in this section as major and colonel. He lived all his life in what is now Berrien County, but he was closely identified with Clinch County. David Johnson attained the rank of general. He was a citizen of this county until his death in 1879. John J. Johnson and John J. North and Daniel E. Knowles were captains. The following served as privates: