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Altamaha Echoes Library - 2004 Issues

Provided by Myrtle Newberry - Editor

Lower Altamaha Historical Society Newsletter January 2004

LAHS Board of Directors Meeting, January 15, 2004, 4:30 pm — St. Andrew’s Parish House

"Old Meeting House Project — Georgia’s Lost Fort" will be the program, presented by Michael P. Higgins. Both of these locations have significant historical importance to the county, the state and the nation. Michael will explain the significance of these unique sites. An update on the Old Meeting House Project and the planned expedition to locate Fort McIntosh on the Satilla.

Michael P. Higgins, was born in Chicago. His family moved to New Jersey, and then South Carolina. He holds degrees from Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Ga. and The State University of New York Maritime College at Fort Schuyler, New York. Michael was a founder of the Confederate Navy Historical Society and served as Project Manager for the CSS Alabama project. He served as an advisor to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Ocean Law & Policy. His efforts resulted in a treaty between the United States and France, with France respecting U.S. title in the wreck of CSS Alabama and her associated artifacts, and the return of her artifacts to the United States. He sailed on oceanographic research ships for Columbia University and Duke University as scientific crew, and later for American President Lines on container ships and Military Sealift Command tankers. He served as a shore captain and port manager for Wallenius Lines.

Michael and his wife, Cynthia live in Richmond Hill, Georgia.

Two hundred yards west of this spot stood the "Old Meeting House", built before 1750 to serve the Scottish Presbyterians of the District of Darien. A landmark in Colonial days, it was in use until after the Revolutionary War, both as a church and as a meeting place for the citizens of St. Andrew’s Parish on important occasions. It was here that the "Darien Committee" met on January 12, 1775 to choose their delegates to the Provincial Congress at Savannah, and to adopt the six Resolutions which are today among our treasured Revolutionary documents.

LAHS Meeting, February 19, 2004, 7:00 pm — St. Andrew’s Parish House

Dutch Treat Supper, 5:45 pm at B & J Pizza

"OUT OF SAVANNAH -- DOG COMPANY, USMCR" will be the program, presented by the author, James Edward McAleer. In 1950 Communist North Korea invaded South Korea. Several Savannah reserve units were called up to assist South Korea. One of these was Dog Company, 10th Infantry Battalion, United States Marine Corps Reserves. Dog Company consisted of 182 men. McAleer tells many of the experiences of these individuals.

James Edward McAleer was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on November 12, 1944, at the age of 17. Upon his discharge after WWII , he returned to Savannah, completed high school, and was in school when activated with Dog Company, and served in Korea. He has practiced law in Savannah for fifty years. Jim and his wife Grace have four children. BOOKS ON THE BLUFF will have books available at the meeting.

Living on the Georgia Tidewater— The Mill Chimney at Butler Island Plantation is a Landmark of Darien, Georgia. One hundred and seventy one years ago , this steam powered threshing mill was constructed on Butler Island in the Altamaha Delta. In the introduction to "All Under Bank ", Buddy Sullivan gives the account of this chimney. Below, are excerpts from this book.

Most of the rice shipped to the Savannah and Charleston markets from the Georgia plantations was in the form of "rough rice," or rice that had been threshed, winnowed and cleaned of chaff and straw, but not pounded (polished). On some plantations, rice was threshed by means of beating the stalks with flail sticks on elevated threshing floors. Later, many plantations acquired steam-powered threshing engines to greatly expedite the process of preparing rough rice for shipment. Threshing and winnowing on the plantation began in early September and, in the case of rough rice, shipments to market were expedited in stages throughout the fall and early winter.

The most prosperous rice planters usually equipped their plantations with a pounding mill to further process the crop. This entailed a final stage, the preparation of the rough rice into "clean rice," or rice that has been pounded to remove the outer shell then polished by a system of steam-powered stone pestles. However, this equipment was prohibitively expensive for most planters and only the largest of the plantations had their own pounding mills. Roswell King, Jr., was a proponent of on-site, steam-powered, pounding mills, feeling they improved the plantation’s productivity and efficiency.

Pounding mills employed tidal power until the introduction of steam engines for mill operations during the decade of the 1820’s. Meanwhile, threshing continued to be done by the laborious hand -flailing method on threshing floors. Greatly increased production resulting from the development of steam pounding mills placed unacceptable constraints on the hand threshers to keep pace, thus mechanical processes were soon developed for the threshing stage to maintain balanced processing levels. Consequent upon these technological advances in production was the need for increased cooperage to accommodate the growing amounts of processed rice. More slaves were thus employed in the building of wooden barrels (tierces) for the storage of polished rice as it came from the pounding mill.

In 1832, King successfully prevailed upon Thomas Butler to allow him to acquire a steam engine to power his rice threshing mill and pounding machinery at Butler’s Island. This mill was built near the overseer’s house adjacent to the river landing at Butler’s Island and was ready for operation by late 1833. Because the ground at the mill site was subject to periods of wetness, even occasional flooding, since it was at times below the level of the adjacent river, King employed the slaves in the emplacement of thick pilings in the soil to provide greater stability for the steam engine.

Planters had the option of shipping their rough rice to Savannah where it was sold in bushels of 45 to 50 pounds, and then pounded at mills on the Savannah River, or they contracted neighboring planters to pound their rice for a fee. Clean rice usually brought greater profits to the planter. This rice was shipped in large casks, or tierces, each holding about 600 pounds.

co-sponsors: Lower Altamaha Historical Society, Reggie Jackson chairman: Everett Moriarty

Darien was founded by the Scottish Highlanders, who arrived at the site of Fort King George on January 19, 1736. On February 22nd, 1736 , James Oglethorpe visited Highland settlers at the young town of Darien, and was received with much fanfare. He donned a kilt and slept on the ground with his troops. On February 13, 2004. at 10:00 am., Oglethorpe will arrive by boat and greet and talk with all of the townspeople. The day events will culminate in an evening Scottish meal, hosted by Oglethorpe himself, at the Fort King George barracks.

For more information, call 912-437-4770. Free and open to the public. The dinner will require reservations and a fee will be charged..

LAHS Board of Directors Meeting, March 18, 2004, 4:30 pm — St. Andrew’s Parish House

"Dinah on Scottish Heritage" will be the program, presented by Dinah Jackson. Dinah has a large collection of documented stories of the early Scottish families of McIntosh County. She will share a few of these stories, many which are unrecorded. The love and culture of the allied families that were the mainstay of McIntosh County is prevalent in Dinah. She has professionally researched the stories and will publish at a later date. From early childhood, Dinah heard the oral history of her family from her Great Aunt Sarah Alice Dean (1896 - 1980). Sarah Alice Dean’s mother was Mary Elizabeth Mcintosh. During Dinah’s childhood, Aunt Alice, moved to Macon to live with Dinah’s family. Every summer and holiday was spent at Belleville with Grandfather Samuel A. Dean, Sr.

Dinah Dean Jackson was born and raised in Macon, Georgia. She joined the US Navy in 1963. Her training to be an Air Traffic Controller was at GLYNCO in Brunswick, Georgia. She was stationed both in Brunswick, Maine, and Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Her study of history is an ongoing activity. Dinah is president of Lower Altamaha Historical Society, active in the McIntosh Family Association, active in Darien United Methodist Church. Bill and Dinah Jackson moved to Springfield Plantation in 1999. They have four children, two grandchildren.

Sunday, March 28, 2004 — 11:00 a.m.

The Kirkin’ is an ancient Scottish ceremony whereby the clans annually rededicated themselves to God. The tartan as a symbol of the extended family — was blessed in the kirk (church) at the time of rededication.

The ceremony had its beginning in this country when the late Reverend Dr. Peter Marshall, a native of Scotland, preached a series of sermons in support of the British War Relief His sermon on May 2, 1943, was entitled "Kirkin’ o’ the Tartans." Dr. Marshall , was pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., and it was there that the first Kirkin’ was held. The service rapidly spread over the United States and Canada, and is enjoyed today in every part of the world.

Lower Altamaha Historical Society Newsletter April 2004

LAHS Meeting, April 15, 2004— 7:00 pm— St. Andrew’s Parish House

Dutch Treat Supper, 5:45 pin at Skipper’s Fish Camp

"Above the Fall Line, The Trail from White Pine Cabin" will be the program, presented by the author Amy Blackmarr. Blackman writes about the natural world with a self-deprecating wit and an uncommon grace. In Above the Fall Line, she begins with the fill-sensory observation skills and creative integrity that nature demands

Amy Blackmarr is a South Georgia native who lived in the Midwest for twenty years. She is best known for her nature essays set in the rustic houses she lived in. Her essays have been broadcast on Georgia Public Radio Network and Kansas City’s NPR affiliate. She is a Madison Self Fellow with a Ph.D. in English from the University of Kansas and presently lives in the North Georgia mountains.

The election of Officers for 2004 --05 and four Board ofDirectors for 2004 —06 will be held at the LAHS Meeting on April 15. In addition to the slate of Officers and Board of Directors submitted by the 2004 Nominating Committee, additional nominations for these positions may be accepted from the floor. Nominations will be accepted for any LAHS member in good standing that has given their consent for the nomination.

The 2004 Nominating Committee: Myrtle Newberry, Peyton Lingle, Jeanne Klippel, Oscar Brinkmann submit

the following slate of persons for LAHS consideration:

                    OFFICERS 2004 — 2005                                  BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2004 — 2006

President                    Peyton Lingle                                                        Harry Clark

Vice — President     Bob Hawkins                                                         Dyson Flanders

Secretary                   Betty Cleveland                                                      Myrtle Newberry

Treasurer                  Laura Nel                                                                 Kaye Traer

LAHS Field Trip — Saturday, May 8, 2004

Two hours up the Altamaha, Guided Narrated Trip by Captain Fendig

Cost is $20.00 per person, payable by LAHS April meeting. The Boat will accommodate 30 people. There are facilities on board. The Water Taxi will leave from Downtown Darien Dock. Departure times will be set in April. A late morning departure is anticipated. Snacks & water may’be brought on board. If there is interest, a meal will be planned at Skipper’s Fish Camp, after the trip.

Information and questions: Jean Hawkins Bank —437 7178 Home —8326588

CONFEDERATE MEMORIAL DAY APRIL 26

For several years, LABS member, Everett Moriarty has honored, remembered and recognized the Confederate Veterans of McIntosh County. Each year on April 26, Confederate Memorial Day, a basket of flowers is placed on the Confederate Monument at the McIntosh County Courthouse, and over 120 Confederate Flags are placed on the graves of McIntosh County Confederate Veterans, Some of the cemeteries where you may observe these flags are’ St. Andrew Ebenezer, Upper Mill, Holland, Plum Orchard, Young Island, McIntosh Family, Baillie Plantation, Reynolds Chapel, Robson Family, and others.

LABS will award a $1000 scholarship for College to a McIntosh Academy student, Applications will be accepted until April 15, 2004. This scholarship is also available to current College Students from McIntosh County. Applications are available at Ida Hilton Public Library and McIntosh Academy.

Mail Applications by April 15, 2004:
Ann Baggett — 95 Belvedere Court — Townsend, Georgia 31331

LAHS needs your continuing support. Projects such as speakers’ honorariums, the Buddy Sullivan Scholarship Fund, Historical Markers, postage and printing, need your financial help in the way of dues. We value your membership.
LAHS operates on a fiscal year May I to April 30. Dues for 2004— 2005 should be paid in May. An increase in dues is effective May 1, 2004.

Individual —$1 5.00 annual, Student — $5.00 annual, Family— $20.00 annual,

Corporate — $100.00 annual, Individual Lifetime —$250.00

Mail dues to: LAHS P. 0. Box 1405 ---- Darien , Georgia 31305

"The Burning Of Darien" Historical Marker was Unveiled on the lawn of Darien City Hall, September, 2001. The marker was made possible by The Georgia Historical Society and The Lower Altamaha Historical Society.

On June 11, 1863 the seaport of Darien was vandalized and burned by Federal forces stationed on nearby St. Simons Island. The town was largely deserted, most of its 500 residents having sought refuge inland. Lost were public buildings, businesses, churches and most private residences. Conducting the raid were units comprised of among the first African-American troops to serve the Union cause, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers under Cot, Robert G. Shaw, and the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers under Col. James Montgomery. The burning of Darien, undefended and of little strategic importance, was one of the most controversial events of the Civil War.

LAHS Board of Directors Meeting, May 20, 2004, 4:30 P.M. —

St. Andrew’s Parish House

First LAHS Board Meeting for 2004 — 2005. LAHS members, are always welcome

LAHS Meeting, May 20, 2004 — 7:00 pm — St. Andrew’s Parish House

Dutch Treat Supper, 5:45pm at Skipper’s Fish Camp

"Anna The Letters of a St Simons Island Plantation Mistress, 1817 - 1859" will be the program, presented by Melanie Pavich-Lindsay the editor of these letters. Anna Matilda Page King (1798 - 1859 ) was the wife of Thomas Butler King, a frequently absent slaveholder and public figure. Anna was the de facto head of their Sea Island plantation, "Retreat". Written in the heyday of King Cotton, the letters of Anna Matilda Page King contain much of what makes a good novel. Money, politics, love, pain, power, death, honor, and longing are ongoing themes This volume collects more than 150 letters to her husband, children, parents and others.

Melanie Pavich-Lindsay is a doctoral student in the Social Foundation of Education Department at the University of Georgia. She holds a M.A. History from Clemson University, Clemson, SC, BA. History from Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA, Teaching certificate, School of the Hartford Ballet, Hartford, CT.

BOOKS ON THE BLUFF will have books available at the meeting.

Living on the Georgia Tidewater —In 1875 a former slave acquired an acre of land situated on the OLD UPPER STEAM SAW MILL ROAD in Mcintosh County. In 1999 , the Great Grandson of this slave acquired a portion of this land and gave it the name of Hammond’s Cove. William Hammond Andrew Collins, PD, D.Ph., the Great Grandson of Cain Hammond (1820— ca.1903 ), tells of the evolution of this property and his family.

Dr. William Collins has done extensive research on his family and the property where he now lives. The location was clarified and interpreted by the late Attorney Charles Stebbins as being the present Old River Road. The address of Hammond’s Cove is 804 Old River Road, Darien, Ga. Old River Road begins at 7th Street in Darien as Houston Street on Cathead Creek ends. The road runs five blocks Northwest, then curves at the Upper Mill Cemetery, and goes West through Mentionville. Thus, the Hammond Property is the first plot of land on this old Indian trail which was made into a road in 1739 when Lieutenant Robert Baillie and the Scottish Highianders first marched over the road on their way to invade Spanish Florida.

Cain Hammond ,born a slave in Georgia 1820 , died in McIntosh County ca. 1903. At his death, Cain Hammond was residing on the property known today as Hammond’s Cove. His first child of record was a female named Adelia ,born in slavery, Liberty County in 1840, died as Adelia Hammond Smith in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1950. Just after the War, circa 1865, Cain married, Betsy Waters (1840— ca. 1898). Cain and Betsy had eight children. The oldest daughter of these children was Clara ( circa 1870 — 1934). . Clara married John Williams. This couple’s first child, Sara, was the first grandchild of Cain and Betsy.

Pride in his family and in personal ownership of land is shown when in 1899, Cain deeded one lot of his Old River Road property to Clara Hammond Williams (Mrs. John Williams) as Trustee for his first grandchild, Sara Williams.

In 1902, Cain Hammond sold one-half acre of the property to his daughter Clara for the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00). When Cain passed away, it is assumed that the remainder of the property was left to his eight children, with Clara as executor of his estate. She paid the taxes on all of the property until her death in 1934. Her daughter, Sara (Mrs. Isaac Morrison) then assumed that duty.

Sara Morrison started selling off lots on the Old River Road property in 1950. It would be forty nine years before William Collins would acquire this property in Darien that his Great Grandfather had first purchased one hundred and twenty four years ago.

William Hammond Andrew Collins is the grandson of Cain and Betsy Hammond’s youngest daughter, Mary Hammond Wright —Thomas. He was graduated from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, with a doctor of pharmacy in 1971. After purchasing tbt — -property in 1999, Collins added on to the house; changing it from 887 square feet tc square feet.

Dr. Collins is a member of LAHS, he lives at Hammond’s Cove, A Landmark in the City of Darien, GA. since 1875.

Lower Altamaha Historical Society Newsletter June 2004

Lower Altamaha Historical Society Annual Report

Lower Altamaha Historical Society has again finished a successful year. Our membership has grown by at least one person or family each month and there have been numerous visitors attend our meetings.

Nine programs have been presented and enjoyed by all present. In July 2003 we met at the Sapelo Visitor Center for our annual picnic. There were around fifiy in attendance and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. October was "Show and Tell" month, brought back by popular demand. There were many interesting items and tales shared by all.

Our annual Christmas party was held at Belvedere Island Clubhouse. The warm atmosphere and wonderful food added to the holiday spirit among friends. Of course Everett’s eggnog stole the show.

LAHS sponsored a lecture series by Buddy Sullivan in the fall. We all learned about our beautiful McIntosh County and its people through the years.

There are plans to apply next spring for another historical marker in Darien. Our yearly commitment to Habitat for Humanity was accomplished in May. LAHS members painted for Habitat. This current Habitat home is dedicated to the memory of Tom Chambers. Tom Chambers was a special friend of LAHS.

May 11,2004 a scholarship of $1,000 was presented to a deserving graduate of Mcintosh County Academy. Davina Desdune will have our help in attending Georgia State College in Atlanta. There were six highly qualified students who competed for the scholarship.

Field trips have also been a highlight of the year and Bob and Jean Hawkins have done a superb job of planning. Last spring a group went to Charleston on tour which included visiting the H. L. Hunley, the first Confederate Submarine. Fall of 2003 a trip was taken to Sapelo and the group was served a wonderful low country meal. This May a number of members took a cruise up the Altamaha River.

Georgia Days is sponsored by the Georgia Historical Society. In February 2004 our society again supported and participated in Georgia Days. There was a reenactment of Oglethorpe’s arrival to visit the Scots in Darien. In the evening a Scottish influenced dinner was served at Ft. King George. Two of our members helped with the serving of this meal and Everett along with Ken Akins put all the plans together.

May LAHS continue to grow in numbers and may it continue presenting and preserving history.

Thank You,

Dinah Jackson

President                 Peyton Lingle                 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2003 - 2005

Vice-President         Jean Hawkins                             Ann Baggett

Secretary                 Betty Cleveland                           Oscar Brinckmann

Treasurer                 Laura Nel                                      Howard Klippel

                                                                                       Kelly Spratt

Past-President         Dinah Jackson

COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN                                         Harry Clark

Scholarship            Ann Baggett                                  Dyson Flanders

Finance                 Howard Klippel                               Myrtle Newberry

Altamaha Echoes Myrtle Newberry                               Kaye Traer

Membership         Jeanne Klippel

Programs             Howard Klippel                     Director Emeritus — Buddy Sullivan

Community-Relations     Dyson Flanders

LAHS MEETING, JUNE 17, 2004, 7:00 P.M.

ST. ANDREW’S PARISH HOUSE

Dutch Treat Supper, 5:45 P.M. at Skipper’s Fish Camp

LAHS MEETING. JULY 15. 2004.5:30 P.M. -

SAPELO ISLAND VISITORS CENTER, MERIDIAN

POT LUCK PICNIC SUPPER, 5:30 P.M.

LAHS Board of Directors Meeting, AUGUST 19, 2004, 4:30 P.M. —

St. Andrew’s Parish House

LAHS members, are always welcome

ST. ANDREW’S PARISH HOUSE

Dutch Treat Supper, 5:45 P.M. at Skipper’s Fish Camp

"Windows To The Deep" will be the program, presented by Margaret Olsen. This is a power point slide presentation of the experiences of Margaret Olsen while on board the RV Atlantis. This research cruise was to Blake Ridge and the Cape Fear Diapir which are approximately 350 miles off the coast of Northern Georgia and South Carolina. It is called "Windows to the Deep" because this cruise investigated known and searched for new Methane Hydrate Seep sites which scientists say give them a "Window" into what is going on inside the earth. Mrs. Olsen will also show samples of giant mussels, clams, rocks, and mud taken by Alvin from the sea floor from depths of 2700 to 3600 meters.

Margaret Olsen is a veteran classroom teacher. After thirty one years in the classroom she took her present position of Education Specialist for the Southeast Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence. Her office is at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium in Savannah. Her husband, Mickey Olsen, grew up on Sapelo Island. Mickey and Margaret Olsen live in Darien.

ST. ANDREW’S PARISH HOUSE

Dutch Treat Supper, 5:45 pm at Skippers Fish House

"When Jefferson Dined Alone: An Evening With Thomas Jefferson" the life and legacy of one of our most enigmatic founding fathers, will be the program, presented by Stan Deaton. From his home at Monticello, to his authorship of the Declaration of Independence, to his relationship with slavery and Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson remains a controversial and fascinating figure. This lecture explores the multi-faceted life and the often-debated legacy of America’s third president and hi.s place in contemporary American life.

Stan Deaton is the Director of Publications for the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah and the Assistant Editor & Book Review Editor for the Society’s scholarly journal, the Georgia Historical Quarterly. A Georgia native, he holds a bachelors degree in journalism and a masters degree in history from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Florida. Stan is an active member of the historical profession, as lecturer, book reviewer, and writer. In his spare time, he loves to exercise, read, and hike. He has hiked along the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains, run the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta and the Savannah River Bridge Run and has hiked all of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Stan is currently revising his first book manuscript, Revolutionary Charleston.

LAHS Board of Directors Meeting, October 21, 2004 , 4:30 P.M. —

LAHS MEETING, OCTOBER 21, 2004, 7:00 P.M. — St. ANDREW’s PARISH HOUSE

"A Great Day for the Georgia Navy" will be the program, presented by Bill Ramsaur of St. Simons Island and Jerry Braddock of Charleston. In early April of 1778, Colonel Samuel Elbert learned that four British vessels were sailing in St. Simons Sound, and detailed 350 men from the Georgia Continental Battalions at Fort Howe to Darien. There, they embarked on Georgia Navy galleys and proceeded to the Frederica River to engage the British vessels. On April 19^th, the three Georgia Navy galleys, Lee (commanded by Jerry Braddock’s ancestor), Washington and Bulloch out-gunned and captured the British ships in the Frederica River. This remarkable victory helped to stiffen Patriot resolve at a critical time in Georgia during the American Revolution

LIVING on the Georgia Tidewater — Burnette Vanstory, in her book Georgia’s Land of the Go/den Isles describes some homes in Darien circa 1830. Excerpts from this book are below:

Ashantilly was the home of the Haynes family from 1918 until the death of William G. Haynes, Jr. 1908 — 2001. The estate is managed by a private trust, Ashantilly Center, Inc.

LAHS needs your continuing support. Projects such as speakers’ honorariums , Buddy Sullivan Historic Scholarship Fund ,Historical Markers (4 markers within three years),Financial contributions to Fort King George and Ida Hilton Public Library, and Publications (three books within recent years, four issues of Altamaha Echoes yearly) , need your financial help in the way of dues and contributions. We value your personal membership. We request your help in acquiring Corporate memberships for LAHS. Corporate membership — $100.00 annual ,— Family membership — $20, — Single membership — $15, — Student membership — $5, Life membership — $250.

John Stobart, from England, now living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is an International Marine Artist. Some of the historical seaports he has interpreted in oil on canvass are Charleston, Savannah, Hilton Head. Among several of the galleries where his works are shown is the "John Stobart Gallery at Harbor Heard’, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

During the past year, John Stobart , with the help of Buddy Sullivan, has been doing the historical research on the waterfront of Darien as it was in 1862. Stobart is an artist with a special talent of interpreting historical research on canvass and bringing authentic life to historical locations such as the Darien waterfront of 1862.

Many thanks to those who painted all interior walls of Habitat for Humanity #3: Howard & Jeanne Klippel, Jeanne Leonard, Ed & Joan Meyer, Chris & Ward Milner, Myrtle Newberry, Harriet Roberson, Lamar & Sandra Williamson.