Unknown family, possibly from Walton County, Georgia

My father gave me several photos that once belonged to Prince Albert Burnette, who was born in Walton County, Georgia. Unfortunately, we don't know who this family is.

Margaret Tilly McElroy celebrates 98th birthday

February 13, 1913 / Mrs. M'Elroy Celebrates Her Ninety-Eighth Birthday
Norcross, Ga., February 13-(Special.)
Descendants of the fourth generation were gathered yesterday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. O. Estes, Clarkston, to celebrate the ninety-eighth birthday of Mrs. Margaret McElroy and to hope that she will pass the century mark as hale and hearty as she is at the present time. Mrs. McElroy was Miss Tilly, of Pendleton, S.C., born February 12, 1815. She came to Georgia with her parents when only 11 years old and lived in DeKalb county, where she joined the Methodist church, now known as Prospect church, where her husband, William McElroy, was buried during the war. She has been a member of the same church for eighty-seven years and is regarded as the oldest Methodist in the south. Among those present at the dinner were: S. T. and J. E. McElroy and Mrs. Nath Lankford, children; Mrs. E. M. Matthews, Mrs. Press Huddleston, Atlanta; Mrs. Wade Born, McRae; Mrs. John Cobb, Jacksonville, Fla.; W. M. Lewel, L. and Newt T. McElroy, Norcross, W. C. Lankford, Powersville; Mrs. F. B. Nesbitt, Norcross; Mrs. Candler White, Americus; Mrs. E. P. Collingworth and Mrs. T. O. Estes, Clarkston, Ga.; Mrs. Margaret McElroy, grandchildren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

William Hoyt Vest

William Hoyt Vest, son of Andrew Jackson Vest Sr. and Bessie Elliott, was born in Catoosa County, Georgia on August 7, 1905 and died in San Diego, California on April 30, 1987. He lived in Tunnel Hill, Georgia for many years but moved to San Diego late in life to live with a son. Hoyt was a diabetic and eventually lost both of his legs due to the disease. The woman in this picture is unknown. I wonder if it's his mother.

Four generations of Overton's

James H. Overton, born August 04, 1832 in Newton County, Georgia is pictured here with his son John Matthew Overton, grandson Zenas Elihue Overton, and great-grandson George Glenn Overton. James was the son of Abijah Overton and Elizabeth Ann Rhodes of Rockdale County. From the "Atlanta Georgian and News," Apr. 29, 1910 -- page 2.

Thomas P. Janes, Georgia's First Commissioner of Agriculture

Weekly Constitution, Sep. 1, 1874

Commissioner of Agriculture.

Yesterday the Governor commissioned Dr. Thomas P. Janes, of Penfield, Greene county, as commissioner of agriculture. The senate of the next general assembly consenting, his term of office will extend four years.

We understand that there have been sixteen applicants for this very important office, who were recommended by over three hundred citizens of the state. Rev. C.W. Howard and Major T.G. Holt, who were warmly sustained by many friends, withdrew their names some time ago.

Dr. Janes appeared to be “worthy and well recommended.” Among the prominent gentlemen cordially urging his appointment we note the faculties of the State University, the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and Mercer University; eleven members of the executive committee and the secretary of the Georgia State Agricultural Society, together with many of the delegates of its convention at Columbus last year, comprising very prominent and influential gentlemen; the secretary, treasurer and steward of the general state grange; Messrs. W.L. Jones, editor and proprietor of the Southern Cultivator, George Hillyer, Wm. McKinley, D.A. Vason, Wm. H. Felton, J.B. Jones, J.H. Echols, and a host of others.

We learn from these recommendations on the public files of the executive department, that for over a quarter of a century Dr. Janes has taken a very active and zealous part in the interests and usefulness of the state agricultural society. Since 1846 he has served it as vice-president or on its executive committee. He has been well known for a number of years as the energetic and able president of the “Greene county agricultural and mechanical association,” and otherwise at all times and in many ways as popularly identified in the honorable standing and solid advancement of the great commanding interests of agriculture throughout the state and country, being fully alive to its wants, capable and experienced in all matters thereto appertaining. The faithful discharge of his public duties is a marked assurance that his appointment is meritorious and appropriate; that it will give general satisfaction to the planting community of the state and fulfill the designs of the agricultural act of the last general assembly.

He is represented, moreover, as a very expert, hard-fisted, practical and successful farmer and planter, in fact, has devoted his life to successful farming; not confining himself to corn and cotton, but growing clover and the grasses, so as to be “known and read of all men.”

In general, it is claimed by those who know his ability, learning, attainments, public record, practical experience and thorough executive capacity, that he will reflect honor upon himself, and that the appointment will bring out an efficient administration of the duties of the office, and the grand results of the establishment of a department of agriculture.

We believe him to be worthy, qualified and suitable in every respect for the important position for which he, from among many meritorious applicants, has been chosen and honored by the governor of the state.

Remembering a veteran--Luther Terrell Burnette

Luther Terrell Burnette, son of Thomas Terrell Burnette and Elizabeth Jones, was born on September 21, 1893 in Walton County, GA. He registered for the World War I draft in Greene County, GA on June 5, 1917 and served as a Private in the U.S. Army. He was single at the time and listed his occupation as farming in Greensboro, GA. His draft registration card shows that he was of medium height/build, had grey eyes, and brown hair. He married Etta Bell Massey circa 1920 and they had two daughters, Hazel and Frances. Luther died on November 17, 1977 in Greensboro and is buried there in Greenview Cemetery.

Henry Clayborn Jones Sr. Family Reunion

Still have a lot of people to identify. Can you help?

Maj. M’Whorter Elected Foreman of Green County Grand Jury

Weekly Banner, Aug. 18, 1905
Is Father of Judge Hamilton McWhorter

Greensboro, Ga., August 17.—The Greene county grand jury, now in session, is comprised of a number of the most prominent citizens of the county, and is, moreover notable because of its organization.

Upon the meeting of the grand jury Hon. Robert McWhorter was chosen foreman. Colonel McWhorter, who has played an important part in Georgia affairs since his early manhood, is 87 years old, hale and hearty, apparently as ever.

It is a remarkable coincidence that the first grand jury of which Colonel McWhorter was foreman was convened just sixty-one years ago.

Perhaps, there is no instance in Georgia history of a man being chosen to this remarkable office so far separated as in the case, where between his first service and his present one, there has been a lapse of sixty-one years.

Colonel McWhorter is one of the patriarchs of Greene, a man who from his early manhood has been prominently identified with the interests of this county and section. Although a native of Oglethorpe, he came to Green when he was fifteen years old, and has resided here continuously during the more than seventy years that have followed. He has been an active member of the Baptist church for sixty-seven years.

His life has seen many stirring episodes. He was elected to the legislature as far back as 1857, and being re-elected in 1859, he was a member of the legislature by which, after a violent contest, the question of secession was settled. He was a follower of Alex Stephens, and opposed secession; but immediately it was declared he went to the front, leading the first company that went from Greene county. He was subsequently transferred to the staff of General A.R. Wright as major, and continued on General Wright’s staff until the surrender at Appomattox.

When the war ended, he was one of those who promptly accepted the result and turned his attention to the rebuilding of the state. Upon receiving the congressional pardon, he was, in 1868, again elected a member of the legislature, being chosen speaker of the house. He presided during the stormy period of 1870 and 1871; and, later, in 1881, he was elected to the state senate from the nineteenth district. During his entire legislative career, his efforts were always exerted in favor of the development of the state’s resources, and toward the economical administration of the state’s business affairs.

He began life on the farm, his father dying when he was but five, and leaving his mother with a little farm of 75 acres. Later, when he came to Greene, he worked on the farm for his education and then for some years was in the mercantile business at Penfield, beginning as a clerk at a salary of $10 a year, and becoming a partner in a prosperous business. He married twice, his present wife, who was Miss Thurmond, being ten years his junior, who, like Colonel McWhorter himself, looks very much younger than the recorded span of years would indicate.

Third Georgia Regiment Drum

Minor Smith Hobbs, who claimed residence in Greene County, Georgia, enlisted with the Dawson Grays on April 26, 1861 and then enlisted as a private in the Third Georgia Infantry Regiment, Company C. He was wounded at Chancellorsville, Virginia on May 3, 1863. Hobbs was promoted to full corporal 4th class in 1864. He was wounded again on July 30, 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia. Hobbs surrendered at the courthouse in Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865 where he was discharged as a corporal having served the Confederacy with distinguished service.

This kettle drum came to Company C from Greene County when the regiment was first organized in April 1861. Seaborn Barnwell was the first and only regimental drummer. Barnwell beat the calls made for the regiment until the surrender at Appomattox where the drum was hung on the regiment's stacked guns by Barnwell. When it was time to go home, Hobbs was unable to leave the drum and brought it back to Greene County. He kept it for many years before taking the drum to a reunion where he turned it over to Captain William A. Wright. Captain Wright was also a member of the regiment and son of General Ambrose C. Wright, the regiment's first colonel. Captain Wright eventually gave the drum to a survivor's committee to be placed in the Georgia State Capitol where this picture was taken.

The Samuel Cas Shields family

This photo, ca. 1910, is believed to have been taken at Praters Mill after the family moved to Dalton, Whitfield County, GA. Their oldest son, James Stewart Shields, is not in the picture. Stewart married Hattie Jane Rhinehart in 1909 and they were living with her family in Tennessee. Stewart and Hattie stayed in Tennessee for some years after the rest of his family moved to north Georgia.

Front: Melona Jane Shields in father Samuel Cas Shields' lap, Albert Conley Shields, Pearl Lewcrilly Shields in mother Martha Ogle Shields' lap, Blaine Arthur Shields, Sallie Addice Shields.

Back: Milas Odell Shields, William Elmer Shields, Walter C. Brown Shields.

McWhorter-Davison marriage

Athens Banner, May 30, 1913 -- page 2
McWhorter-Davison
The following invitation has been received in the city.
Mr. and Mrs. James Vason McWhorter request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Coraleta to Mr. Charles Julian Davison on the evening of Thursday the nineteenth of June at half after eight o’clock. Baptist Church, Woodville, Georgia.

R.L. McWhorter house fire

Weekly Constitution, May 17, 1881 -- page 3
Penfield, May 14.—The dwelling house of Mr. R.L. McWhorter with its entire contents was consumed by fire Wednesday night. There was only a partial insurance.

Dorothy and Marshall Bryant

A fellow researcher inherited a box of photos from a family member that lived in Penfield, Greene County, GA. He shared many of the photos with a group working family lines from Penfield. These two photos came from the box. We have yet been able to connect them to a family.

Mr. C.C. Davison Dead In Atlanta

Athens Banner, Mar. 16, 1912 -- page 1
Eldest Brother of Mr. A.H. Davison of This City and Well Known.
Yesterday morning Mr. A.H. Davison received a telephone message from Atlanta announcing the sad news of the death of his eldest brother in a sanatorium in that city. Mr. C.C. Davison, aged about 54 years, peacefully passed away in Atlanta after a long illness, borne with courage and patience of a Christian sufferer. The remains will be carried to Woodville today for the funeral and interment there.

Mr. Davison was one of Greene county’s most honored and respected citizens, loved and esteemed highly by all who knew him.

He is survived by three younger brothers, Hon. R.E. Davison, the present chairman of the Georgia state prison commission, Mr. A.H. Davison, a prominent department store proprietor of Athens, and Mr. Thomas C. Davison, a prominent merchant of Comer. He is survived also by four children—three sons and one daughter. The sons are Rev. C.C. Davison, Jr., Dr. T.C. Davison, a prominent physician of Atlanta, and Mr. Hal C. Davison, who is now attending a medical college. The daughter is Mrs. John Boswell of Greensboro.

Sudden Death Penfield - Robert P. Boswell

I often troll the historical newspapers for genealogy tidbits so will periodically post them. Hopefully someone will find some useful information here.

Athens Banner, Oct. 17, 1914
One of the saddest events that has occurred at Penfield in some time, was the sudden passing away of Mr. Robert P. Boswell on last Sunday morning.

Saturday Mr. Boswell appeared to be in his usual health and spent a very busy day. About 12 o'clock Saturday night, he was taken ill and his oldest son, Mr. Hugh Boswell, was up with him until about one o'clock. Mr. Boswell did not seem to be in any danger, as he had been accustomed to these attacks. He told his son to return to his rooms, and he would call him if he grew any worse.

Sunday morning he seemed to be sleeping unusually late, and finally, the family grew uneasy about him. They went to his room and found that he had died while sleeping some time during the latter part of the night. -- Greensboro Herald

Bairdstown Cemetery

My genealogical research started in Bairdstown, Georgia so that's where I'll start this blog. I'm not sure if this cemetery is called Bairdstown or Bairds Baptist Church Cemetery. I've heard it called both but I do remember walking through it as a young girl and my Daddy telling me we're related to most of the people buried there. Once I seriously started researching my family, I decided I'd do my best to connect everyone together. I haven't completed that mission yet but I have been able to connect many of them directly to my family. And it's been fun.

The cemetery is well kept.




The church is a beautiful small wooden building and is within walking distance from the cemetery. I remember going to homecomings there as a child.