American History & Genealogy Project |
| The following is from Historical Collections of Georgia, by Rev. George White, published in 1854. This [Washington] county was established [25 February] in 1784. It then included all the territory from the Cherokee Corner, north, extending from the Ogeechee to the Oconee, south to Liberty County. In 1786 a portion of it was added to Greene; in 1793, a part to Hancock; in 1807, a part to Baldwin; in 1811, a part to Laurens; and in 1812 and 1826, more to Baldwin. The streams are the Oconee, Ogeechee, and Ohoopee, besides a number of creeks. Fine burrstone [a tough limestone once used for millstones] is abundant. Near Saundersville [Sandersville] are five or six lime-sinks, or caves, in which fossil teeth, ribs, and shells of endless variety are gathered in almost any quantity. Saundersville is the capital, 28 miles east of Milledgeville. The climate is moderate. The instances of longevity which have come to our knowledge are, Wm RACHEL, who died at the age of 118 years; Mr. BEDGOOD, at 112; Mr. PEACOCK, 85; Elisabeth HANSON, 93; Wm WILLIAMS, 86; Thomas LOVE, 90; and Mr. John JOURDON, a Revolutionary soldier, at a very advanced age. Major Nicholas CURRY died in this county, aged 67. He entered the Revolutionary army a private soldier, and left it with the rank of Captain of Dragoons, after a hard service of five years. During that period he shared in many of the perils and hardships of the war, and was always active and efficient upon the field of battle. Among the early settlers of this county were Alexander IRWIN, John RUTHERFORD, Wm JOHNSON, Elisha WILLIAMS, Jared IRWIN, Jacob DENNARD, John ROBERTSON, Joseph BEDDINGFIELD, Philemon FRANKLIN, Aaron SINQUEFIELD, Joseph AVENT, John SHEPPARD, Jas. THOMAS, John DANIEL, William IRWIN, Joshua WILLIAMS, Samuel SINQUEFIELD, Benjamin TENNILLE, John MARTIN, John BURNEY, Hugh LAWSON, John SHELLMAN, Wm SAPP, Miles MURPHY, John JONES, John H. MONTGOMERY, John STOKES, Mr. SAUNDERS, John IRWIN, James THOMAS, George GALPHIN, John DENNIS, John NUTT, D. WOOD, Geo. FLUKER, Wm WARTHEN, Jacob KELLY, and Wm MAY. The first Superior Court for this county was held on the 22nd day of May, 1787, his Honor Hanry OSBORNE, Judge. Alexander IRWIN, Foreman Elisha WILLIAMS Wm JOHNSON Philemon FRANKLIN John ROBERTSON, Sen. John BURNEY John MARTIN James THOMAS Benj. TENNILLE Joshua WILLIAMS Samuel SINQUEFIELD Joseph AVENT Wm IRWIN Wm SHIELDS John SHEPPARD John RUTHERFORD Jacob DENNARD Joseph BEDDINGFIELD Aaron SINQUEFIELD John DANIEL, Sen. Other facts about Washington County, Georgia: Incorporated cities, in addition to Sandersville, include Davisboro, Deepstep, Harrison, Oconee, Riddleville, and Tennille. Washington County was created from Creek and Cherokee land cessions, and was the first in the nation to be named for President George Washington. Its first settlers were Revolutionary War veterans, who were given land grants for their service to the country. Washington County lost its courthouse to fire in 1855 and 1864. Washington County is the "Kaolin Capital of the World." One of Georgia's most important minerals, kaolin is a white, alumina-silicate clay used in hundreds of products. Two of Georgia's governors called Washington County home: Jared Irwin and Thomas W. Hardwick. |
