LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, 31 FT OF Class Political and Judicial Divisions OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF GEORGIA. BY CHARLES EDGEWORTH JONES. ATLANTA, GA. JAS. I'. ILuiRiso.v & Co., Printers and Publisher, (FRANKLIN PUBLISHING HOUSK.) 1892. , Political and Judicial Divisions OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF GEORGIA. BY CHARLES EDGEWORTH JONES. ATLANTA, GA. JAS. P. HARRISON & Co., Printers and Publishers. (FRANKLIN PUBLISHING HOUSE.) 1892. TO MY FATHER, COLONEL CHARLES C. JONES, JR., LL. D. THIS TRACT IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED. 228389 EARLIEST DIVISION. " Deeming it conducive to the convenience of the inhabi- tants and promotive of good government, the trustees, on the 1 5th of April, 1741, divided the province of Georgia into two counties, Savannah and Frederica. The former included all settlements upon the Savannah River and upon both banks of the Great Ogeechee River, and such additional territory south of the latter stream as should be designated when a proper map of the country could be prepared. Within the latter were embraced Darien, Frederica, and the entire region lying south of the Alatamaha River." (See History of Georgia, by Charles C. Jones, Jr., LL. D. vol. i, p. 416. Boston, 1883.) PARISHES. One of the most interesting Acts passed by the legislature during the administration of Henry Ellis, the second Royal Governor of Georgia, was that dividing the several districts of the province into parishes, providing for the establishment of religious worship according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England, and for other purposes. This Act was approved on the i5th of March, 1758 (Watkins' Digest, pp. 52-54), and by it the province of Georgia was erected into eight parishes. According to its provisions the "town and district of Savannah, extending up the river Savannah, in- cluding the islands therein, as far as the southeast boundary of Goshen, from thence in a southwest line to the river Great Ogeechee ; and from the town of Savannah eastward, as far as the mouth of the river Savannah, including the sea islands to the mouth of the river Great Ogeechee, and all the settle- ments on the north side of the said river to the western bound- aries thereof," constituted the parish of Christ Church. The district of Abercorn and Goshen, and the district of Ebenezer, "extending from the northwest boundaries of the parish of Christ Church up the river Savannah as far as the Beaver Dam, and southwest as far as the mouth of Horse Creek on the river Great Ogeechee," were constituted a parish by the name of Saint Matthew. The district of Halifax, extending from the northwest bound- aries of Saint Matthew's parish up the Savannah River from the mouth of McBean's Swamp to the head thereof, and from thence to the head of LamboPs Creek and to the Great Ogeechee River, was erected into a parish and called Saint George. " The district of Augusta, extending from the northwest boundary of the parish of Saint George, and southwest as far as the river Ogeechee, and northwest up the river Savannah as far as Broad River," was designated as the parish of Saint Paul. "The town of Hardwick, and district of Ogeechee, on the south side of the river Great Ogeechee, extending northwest up the said river as far as the Lower Indian Trading Path leading from Mount Pleasant, and southward from the town of Hardwick as far as the swamp of James Dunham, in- cluding the settlements on the north side of the north branches of the river Midway, with the island of Ossabaw, and from the head of the said Dunham's Swamp, in a northwest line," were denominated the parish of Saint Philip. Sunbury, in the district of Midway and Newport, and all the territory "from the southern bounds of the parish of Saint Philip, extending southward as far as the north line of Samuel Hastings, and from thence southeast to the south branch of Newport, including the islands of Saint Catharine and Ber- muda, and from the north line of the said Samuel Hastings northwest," constituted the parish of Saint John. "The town and district of Darien, extending from the south boundary of the parish of Saint John to the river Alatamaha, including the islands of Sapelo and Eastwood, and the sea islands to the north of Egg Island, and northwest up the river Alatamaha to the forks of the said river," were formed into the parish of Saint Andrew. "The town and district of Frederica, including the islands of Great and Little Saint Simon, and the adjacent islands," were to constitute the parish of Saint James. (As to these parishes see likewise Jones' History of Georgia, vol. i, pp 524-5, and McCall's History of Georgia, vol. i, pp 285-6. Savannah, 1811.) In accordance with the provisions of an Act assented to March 25, 1765, (Watkins' Digest, p 114), the territory lying between the rivers Alatamaha and St. Mary, which had a little while before been annexed to the province of Georgia, was divided into four parishes. Section II of this Act declares that "all that space or tract of land, lying and being between the river Alatamaha and the north branch of Turtle river, and from the head of the said last mentioned river in a northwest line," shall be known as the parish of Saint David', "and from the north branch of Turtle river to the southern branch of the river Little Satilla, and from the head of the said river Little Satilla, in a northwest line," shall constitute the parish of Saint Patrick-, "and from the southern branch of the river Little Satilla to the southern branch of the river Great Satilla," shall be designated as the parish of Saint Thomas-, "and from the southern branch of the river Great Satilla to the southern branch of the river Saint Mary, and from the head of the said river Saint Mary in a due west line, including all the islands within the said boundary," shall form the parish of Saint Mary. By section IV of the Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Wat- kins' Digest, p. 8), it was provided that from and of the twelve parishes as aforesaid, the counties of Richmond, Burke, Effingham, Chatham, Liberty, Glynn and Camden, should be formed. The parish of St. Paul constituted Richmond county; that of St. George was erected into the county of Burke. The parish of St. Matthew, and the upper part of St Philip, above Canouchee, were designated as the county of Effingham; while Christ Church parish and tjie lower part of St. Philip, below Canouchee, became Chatham county. The parishes of 8 St. John, St. Andrew, and St. James formed the county of Liberty; those of St. David and St. Patrick composed the county of Glynn; and the parishes of St. Thomas and St. Mary were denominated the county of Camden. The ceded lands north of the Ogeechee river constituted an eighth county, which was called Wilkes. COUNTIES. Georgia at present consists of one hundred and thirty-seven counties. They are as follows: Appling. See Land Lottery Act* of December 15, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 417), establishing it. Named in honor of Colonel Daniel Appling, of Columbia county, who distinguished himself in the war of 1812. Baker. See Act of December 12, 1825 (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 130), establishing it. Called after Colonel John Baker, of Revolutionary memory. Baldwin. See Land Lottery Act of May n, 1803 (Clay- ton's Compilation, p. 101), establishing it. Called after Hon. Abraham Baldwin, Signer from Georgia of the Federal Constitution of 1787, etc. Banks. See Act of December n, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 30), establishing it. Called after Dr. Richard Banks, for many years a leading man in North- eastern Georgia, who resided at Gainesville. *It may be well to state that there have been eight Land Lottery Acts pro- mulgated at various times in Georgia. The first of these Acts passed the General Assembly of the Commonwealth in 1803, and the last to receive the assent of that body bore date December 21, 1831. 1806, 1818. 1819, 1821, 1825, and 1830 are the years with which the passage of the other. Land Lottery Acts is associated. Land Lotteries were devised mainly with a view to the distribution of the public lands acquired by the Commonwealth through treaties with the red men. The subject of Land Lotteries has been discussed by Absalom H. Chappell in his Miscellanies of Georgia, etc. (Columbus Ga., 1874). 10 Bartow. See Act of December 6, 1861 (Laws of 1861, p. 101), by which the name of Cass county (established by Act of December 3, 1832, Laws of 1832, p. 57, and called after Hon. Lewis Cass), was changed to that of Bartow, in honor of General Francis S. Bartow, who fell at the first battle of Manassas. Berrien. See Act of February 25, 1856 (Laws of 1855-56, p. 112), establishing it. Named after Hon. John McPherson Berrien, Judge, United States Senator from Georgia, Attorney-General of the United States during General Jackson's admin- istration, etc. Bibb. See Act of December 9, 1822 (Dawson's Compilation, p. 122), establishing it. Named in honor of Dr. William W. Bibb, Member of Congress, United States Senator from Georgia, etc. Brooks. See Act of December u, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 35), establishing it. Called after Hon. Preston S. Brooks, Member of Congress, etc. Bryan, See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marbury & Craw- ford's Digest, p. 167), establishing it. Named in honor of Jonathan Bryan, the patriot. Bullock. See Act of February 8, 1796 (Marbury & Craw- ford's Digest, p. 169), establishing it. Named after Hon. Archibald Bulloch, President and Commander-in-Chief of Republican Georgia in 1776. Burke. See Sect. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Watkins 9 Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Named in honor of Edmund Burke, the great champion of American Liberty. 11 Butts. See Act of December 24, 1825 (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 130), establishing it. Called after Captain Samuel Butts, who lost his life in the battle of Chalibbee, January 27, 1814. Calhoun. See Act of February 20, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 284), establishing it. Called after Hon. John C. Calhoun. Camden. See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Named after that fearless defender of Colonial rights, the Earl of Camden. Campbell. See Act of December 20, 1828 (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 139), establishing it. Called after Hon. Duncan G. Campbell, one of the two com- missioners appointed by President Monroe in 1824, to treat with Creek Indians for the sale of their lands. Carroll. See Act of December n, 1826, (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 132), establishing it. Called after the Hon. Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, a signer from Maryland of the Declaration of Independ- ence. Catoosa. See Act of December 5, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, pp. 286-7), establishing it. Indian name. Charlton. See Act of February 18, 1854 (Laws of 18534, P- 290), establishing it. Called after Hon. Robert M. Charlton, Judge, United Senator from Geor- gia, etc. Chatham. See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Named in honor of the celebrated Earl of Chatham. 12 Chattahoochee. See Act of February 13, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, pp. 288-90), establishing it. Indian name. Chattooga. See Act of December 28, 1838 (Laws of 1838, p. 77), establishing it. Indian name. Cherokee. See Act of December 26, 1831, (Laws of 1831, p. 74), establishing it. Indian name. Clarke. See Act of December 5, 1801 (Clayton's Compila- tion, p. 35), establishing it. Named in honor of General Elijah Clarke, of Revolutionary mem- ory. Clay. See Act of February 16, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 292), establishing it. Called after Hon. Henry Clay. Clayton. See Act of November 30, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 26), establishing it. Called after Hon. Augus- tin S. Clayton, Judge, Member of Congress, etc. Clinch. See Act of February 14, 1850 (Laws of 1849-50)* p. 126), establishing it. Named in honor of General Duncan L. Clinch. Cobb. See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 57), establishing it. Called after Hon. Thomas W. Cobb, Judge, Member of Congress, United States Senator from Georgia, etc. Coffee. See Act of February 9, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 294), establishing it. Called after Hon. John Coffee, of Telfair county, Member of Congress? etc. Colquitt. See Act of February 25, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, pp. 108-9), establishing it. Called after Hon. Walter T. Colquitt, Judge, United States Sena- tor from Georgia, etc. 13 Columbia. See Act of December 10, 1790 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 163), establishing it- Named in honor of Christopher Columbus. Coweta. See Act of December n, 1826 (Dawson's Compila- tion, p. 132), establishing it. Indian name. Crawford. See Act of December 9, 1822 (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 122), establishing it. Called after Hon. William H. Crawford, one of Georgia's most distinguished citizens. Dade. See Act of December 25, 1837 (Laws of 1837, p. 65), establishing it. Called after Major Francis Langhorne Dade, U. S. A., who was killed by the Indians in Florida, in December, 1835. Dawson. See Act of December 3, 1857 (Laws of 1857, pp. 32-3), establishing it. Called after Hon. Wil- liam C. Dawson, United States Senator from Georgia, etc. Decatur. See Act of December 8, 1823 (Dawson's Compila- tion, p. 126), establishing it. Named in honor of Commodore Stephen Decatur. DeKalb. See Act of December 9, 1822 (Dawson's Compila- tion, p. 122), establishing it. Called after Baron DeKalb, who fell in defence of American free- dom at the battle of Camden, S. C., August 19, 1 780. Dodge. See Act of October 26, 1870 (Laws of 1870, p. 18), establishing it. Called after Hon. William E. Dodge, of New York. Dooly. See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 1821 (Dawson's Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Named *fa honor of Colonel John Dooly, who was mur- dered by the Tories in 1780. 14 Dougherty. See Act of December 15, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 296), establishing it. Called after Hon. Charles Dougherty, of Clarke county, Judge, etc. Douglas. See Act of October 17, 1870 (Laws of 1870, pp. 13-14), establishing it. Called after Hon. Stephen A. Douglas. Early. See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (La- mar's Compilation, p. 417 ), establishing it. Called after the Hon. Peter Early, Governor of Georgia, etc. Echols. See Act of December 13, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 38), establishing it. Called after Hon. Robert M. Echols, of Walton county. Effingham. See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Watkins' Digest, p. 8)j establishing it. Named in honor of the Earl of Effingham, an ardent supporter of Colonial rights. Elbert. See Act of December 10, 1890 (Marbury and Craw- ford's Digest, p. 163), establishing it. Named in honor of his Excellency, Governor Samuel Elbert of Georgia, General in the Continental army, etc. Emanuel. See Act of December 10, 1812 (Lamar's Com- pilation, p. 197), establishing it. Called after the Hon. David Emanuel, Governor of Georgia, etc. Fannin. See Act of January 21, 1854 (Laws of 1853-4, P- 298), establishing it. Called after Colonel J. W. Fannin, who was killed by the Mexicans at Go- liad, in March, 1836. Fayette. See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 1821 (Dawson's Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Named in honor of the Marquis de LaFayette. 15 Floyd. See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 57), establishing it. Named in honor of General John Floyd, Member of Congress, etc. Forsyth. See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws ot 1832, p. 56), establishing it. Called after the Hon. John Forsyth, Governor of Georgia, Secretary of State under President Jackson, etc. Franklin. See Act of February 25, 1784 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 330), establishing it. Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. Fulton. See Act of December 20, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 300), establishing it. Called after the famous Robert Fulton. Gilmer. See Act of December 3, 1832, (Laws of 1832, p. 57), establishing it. Called after the Hon. George R. Gilmer, Governor of Georgia, etc. Glascock. See Act of December 19, 1857 (Laws of 1857, p. 35), establishing it. Named in honor of General Thomas Glascock, of Richmond county. Glynn. See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Wat- kins' Digest, p . 8), establishing it. Called after John Glynn, Esq., distinguished for his unwa- vering support of the Colonies. Gordon. See Act of February 13, 1850 (Laws of 1849-50, p. 124), establishing it. Named in honor of Wil- liam W. Gordon, of Savannah, "the pioneer of works of internal improvement in his native State, and first President of the Central Rail- road and Banking Company of Georgia." Greene. See Act of February 3, 1786 (Marbury and Craw- ford's Digest, p. 162), establishing it. Called after Major General Nathanael Greene. 16 G-winnett. See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 418), establishing it. Named in honor of Button Gwinnett, Signer from Georgia of the Declaration of Independ- ence, and President and Commander-in-chief of Republican Georgia in 1777. ffabersham. See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 418), establishing it- Called after Hon. James Habersham, acting Royal Governor of the province of Georgia in 1771, during the absence of Sir James Wright. Hall. See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (La- mar's Compilation, p. 418), establishing it. Called after Hon. Lyman Hall, signer from Georgia of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Georgia, etc. Hancock. See Act of December 17, 1793 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 164), establishing it. Named in honor of John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress, signer from Massa- chusetts of the Declaration of Independence, etc. Haralson. See Act of January 26, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, pp 110-12), establishing it. Called after Hon. Hugh A. Haralson, Member of Congress, etc- Harris. See Act of December 14, 1827 (Dawson's Compila- tion, p. 137), establishing it. Named after Hon. Charles Harris, of Savannah, Judge etc., who, in his day, "was regarded by many as the most profound lawyer in the State." Hart. See Act of December 7, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, PP- 302-3), establishing it. Called after Nancy Hart, of Revolutionary memory. 17 Heard. See Act of December 22, 1830 (Laws of 1830, p. 48), establishing it. Called after Hon. Stephen Heard, President of the Executive Council, and dt facto Governor of Georgia in 1780. Henry. See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 1821 (Dawson's Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Named in honor of Patrick Henry, of Virginia. Houstoun. See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 1821 (Daw- son's Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Called after Hon. John Houstoun, Republican Governor of Georgia in 1778, and Governor of Georgia in 1784. Invin. See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (La- mar's Compilation, p. 417), establishing it. Called after Hon. Jared Trwin, Governor of Georgia, etc. Jackson. See Act of February n, 1796 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 168), establishing it. Called after his Excellency, General James Jackson, Governor of Georgia, United States Senator from Georgia, etc. Jasper. First laid out and known as Randolph county (See Act of December 10, 1807, Clayton's Compila- tion, pp. 357-8). Name changed to Jasper, in honor of Sergeant William Jasper, by Act of December 10, 1812 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 199). Jefferson. See Act of February 20, 1796 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, pp. [69-70), establishing it. Called after Thomas Jefferson, of glorious memory. Johnson. See Act of December 11, 1858 (Laws of 1858, p. 32), establishing it. Called after Hon. Herschel V. Johnson, Governor of Georgia, etc. 18 Jones. See Act of December TO, 1807 (Clayton's Compila- tion, p. 358), establishing it. Named after Hon. James Jones, Member of Congress, etc. Laurens. See Act of December 10, 1807 (Clayton's Compi- lation, p. 358), establishing it. Named in honor of Colonel John Laurens, who was killed in.the Revolutionary war, near Combahee, S. C., Au- gust 27, 1782. Lee. See Act of December n, 1826 (Dawson's Compilation, p. 132), establishing it. Called after Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, who, on June 7, 1776, in his place in the Continental Congress, moved u that the colonies declare themselves free and independent." Liberty. See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. As a tribute to the early and conspicuous devotion of the citizens of St. John's Parish to the cause ot freedom, this county was so called. Lincoln. See Act of February 20, 1796 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 170), establishing it. Called after Major General Benjamin Lincoln. Lowndes. See Act of December 23, 1825 (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 128), establishing it. Named after Hon. William J. Lowndes of South Carolina, Member of Congress, etc., whom Henry Clay pronounced to be " the wisest man he had ever known in Congress. " Lumpkin. See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 56), establishing it. Called after Hon. Wilson Lumpkin, Governor of Georgia, United States Senator from Georgia, etc. 19 McDuffie. See Act of October 18, 1870 (Laws of 1870, p. 20), establishing it. Called after Hon. George McDuffie, United States Senator from South Carolina, etc. Mclntosh.See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 167), establishing it. So named to commemorate the services of the Mc- Intosh family (Colonel John, General Lachlan Mclntosh, etc.) Macon. See Act of December 14, 1837 (Laws of 1837, pp. 66-7), establishing it. Named in honor of Nathaniel Macon, of North Carolina. Madison.- See Act of December 5, i8n (Lamar's Compila- tion, pp. 181-2), establishing it. Called after James Madison, President of the United States. Marion. See Act of December 14, 1827 (Dawson's Compi- lation, p. 137), establishing it. Named in honor of General Francis Marion. Meriwether. See Act of December 14, 1827 (Dawson's Compilation, p. 137), establishing it. Called after General David Meriwether. Miller. See Act of February 26, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, pp. 114-15), establishing it. Called after Hon. Andrew J. Miller of Augusta. Milton. See Act of December 18, 1857 (Laws of 1857, pp. 36-7), establishing it. Called, according to one authority, after John Milton, an officer of the Georgia Continental forces, who was subse- quently Secretary of State of the Common- wealth; according to another, the county is named after Colonel Homer V. Milton, of Jefferson county, Georgia, an officer in the old United States Army. 20 Mitchell. See Act of December 21, 1857 (Laws of 1857, p. 38), establishing it. Called after General Henry Mitchell, a resident and one of the early settlers of Hancock county. Monroe. See Land Lottery Act of May 15, 1821 (Dawson's Compilation, p. 246), establishing it. Called after James Monroe, President of the United States. Montgomery. See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 167), establishing it. Named in honor of General Richard Mont- gomery, an early martyr to the cause of Ameri- can liberty. Morgan. See Act of December 10, 1807 (Clayton's Com- pilation, p. 357)> establishing it. Called after General Daniel Morgan, of Revolutionary memory. Murray. See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 57), establishing it. Called after Hon. Thomas W. Murray, of Lincoln county. Muscogee. See Act of December n, 1826 (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 132), establishing it. Indian name. Newton. See Act of December 24, 1821 (Dawson's Compila- tion, p. 119), establishing it. Named in honor of Sergeant John Newton, of Revolutionary celebrity. Oconee. See Act of February 25, 1875 (Laws of 1875, PP- 109-10), establishing it. Indian name. Oglethorpe. See Act of December 19, 1793 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 166), establishing it. Named in honor of General Oglethorpe, the founder of the colony of Georgia. 21 Paulding. See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 58), establishing it. Called after John Pauld- ing, one of the captors of Major Andre. Pickens. See Act of December 5, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 306), establishing it. Named in honor of General Andrew Pickens. Pierce. See Act of December 18, 1857 (Laws of 1857, p. 41), establishing it. Called after Franklin Pierce, President of the United States. Pike. See Act of December 9, 1822 (Dawson's Compilation, p. 122), establishing it. Called after General Zebulon M. Pike. Polk. See Act of December 20, 1851 (Laws of 1851-2, pp. 52-3), establishing it. Called after James K. Polk, President of the United States. Pulaski. See f Act of December 13, 1808 (Clayton's Com- pilation, p. 470), establishing it. Named in honor of Count Casimir Pulaski. Putnam. See Act of December 10, 1807 (Clayton's Com- pilation, p. 358), establishing it. Called after Major-General Israel Putnam. Quitman. See Act of December 10, 1858 (Laws of 1858, pp. 28-9), establishing it. Called after General John A. Quitman. Rabun. See Land Lottery Act of December 21, 1819 (La- mar's Compilation, pp. 429-30), establishing it. Named after Hon. William Kabun, Governor of Georgia, etc. Randolph. See Act of December 20, 1828 (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 138), establishing it. Named in honor of John Randolph of Roanoke. 22 Richmond. See Sec. IV., Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Watkins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Named in honor of the Duke of Richmond, a warm friend of American liberty. Rochdale. See Act of October 18, 1870 (Laws of 1870, pp. 16-17), establishing it. So called because of the geological characteristics of the locality, and the underlying granite formation. tichley.See Act of December 22, 1857 (Laws of 1857, p. 42), establishing it. Called after Hon. William Schley, Governor of Georgia. Screven. See Act of December 14, 1793 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, p. 165), establishing it. Named after General James Screven, who fell at the affair near Midway church, in November, 1778. Spalding. See Act of December 20, 1851 (Laws of 1851-52, pp. 58-9), establishing it. Called after Hon. Thomas Spalding, Member of Congress, etc. Stewart. See Act of December 23, 1830 (Laws of 1830, p. 50), establishing it. Called after General Daniel Stewart, of Liberty county, an active partizan officer in the Army of the Revolution. Sumter. See Act of December 26, 1831 (Laws of 1831, p. 76), establishing it. Called after Major General Thomas Sumter, of Revolutionary distinction. Talbot. See Act of December 14, 1827 (Dawson's Compila- tion, p. 137), establishing it. Called after Hon. Matthew Talbot, Governor of Georgia, etc. Taliaferro. See Act of December 24, 1825 (Dawson's Com- pilation, p. 129), establishing it. Named after Hon. Benjamin Taliaferro, Member of Con- gress, etc. 23 TattnaU. See Act of December 5, 1801 (Clayton's Com- pilation, p. 34), establishing it. Called after Hon. Josiah Tattnall, Governor of Georgia, etc. Taylor. See Act of January 15, 1852 (Laws of 1851-2, p. 61), establishing it. Called after General Zach- ary Taylor, President of the United States. Tel/air. See Act of December 10, 1807 (Clayton's Compila- tion, p. 358), establishing it. Called after Hon. Edward Telfair, Governor of Georgia, etc. Terrell. See Act of February 16, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, p. 117}, establishing it. Named in honor of Dr. William Terrell, of Hancock county. Thomas. See Act of December 23, 1825 (Dawson's Compi- lation, p. 128), establishing it. Called after General Jett Thomas, one of the early settlers of Baldwin count}'. Towns. See Act of March 6, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, p. 121), establishing it. Named after Hon. George W. Towns, Governor of Georgia, etc. Troup. See Act of December n, 1826 (Dawson's Compi- lation, p. 132), establishing it. Called after Hon. George Mclntosh Troup, Governor of Georgia, United States Senator from Georgia, etc. Tioiggs.-See Act of December 14, 1809 (Clayton's Compi- lation, p. 566), establishing it. Named in honor of General John Twiggs, of Revolutionary memory. Union. See Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 56), establishing it. For the probable origin of the name of this county, see Sherwood's Gazetteer, 3rd ed., p. 245 Washington City, 1837 where we are informed that it was called Union because none but Union men resided in it; i. e., Union men in contradistinction to States' rights men or Nullifiers. 24 Upson. See Act of December 15, 1824 (Dawson's Compi- lation, p. 127), establishing it. Called after Hon. Stephen Upson, of Oglethorpe county, an eminent lawyer, and one of the first men of his day in Georgia. Walker. See Act of December 18, 1833 (Laws of 1833, PP 32-3), establishing it. Named in honor of Major Freeman Walker, U. S. Senator from Geor- gia, etc. Walton. See Land Lottery Act of December 15, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, pp v 4-i 7-i 8), establishing it. Named after Hon. Ge*brge Walton, signer from Georgia of the Declaration of Independ- ence, Governor of Georgia, etc., etc. Ware. See Act of December 15, 1824 (Dawson's Compila- tion, p. 127), establishing it. Called after Hon. Nicholas Ware, U. S. Senator from Georgia. Warren. See Act of December 19, 1793 (JMarbury & Craw- ford's Digest, p. 1 66), establishing it. Named in honor of Major-General Joseph Warren, who fell at the battle of Bunker Hill. Washington. See Act of February 25, 1784 (Marbury and Crawford's Digest, pp. 330-31), establishing it. Called after General George Washington. Wayne. See Land Lottery Act of May u, 1803 (Clayton's Compilation, p. 101), establishing it. Named in honor of Major-General Anthony Wayne. Webster. See Act of February 21, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, p. 414), changing name of Kinchafoonee county (established by Act of December 16, 1853 Laws of 1853-4, p. 304) to Webster county, in honor of the great statesman and orator, Daniel Webster. 25 White. See Act of December 22, 1857 (Laws of 1857, pp. 44-5), establishing it. Called after Hon. Hugh L. White of Tennessee. Whitefieid. See Act of December 30, 1851 (Laws of 1851-2, p. 56), establishing it. Named in honor of the Reverend George Whitefieid, the celebrated preacher. Wilcox. See Act of December 22, 1857 (Laws of 1857, p . 46) , establishing it. Called after Captain John Wilcox, one of the early settlers of Telfair county. Wilkes. See Sect. IV, Constitution of Georgia of 1777 (Wat- kins' Digest, p. 8), establishing it. Called after John Wilkes, the great champion of American liberty. Wilkinson. See Land Lottery Act of May ti, i8o3( Clay- ton's Compilation, p. 101), establishing it. Named in honor of General James Wilkinson. Worth. See Act of December 20, 1853 (Laws of 1853-4, p. 308), establishing it. Called after General William J. Worth. By Paragraph II., Section I., Article XL of the State Consti- tution of 1877 (Code of Georgia, 1882, p. 1325), it is declared that "no new county shall be created." Apropos to the naming of the several counties, it may be mentioned that the Rev. George White's Statistics of the State of Georgia (Savannah, 1849), and his Historical Collec- tions of Georgia (New York, 1854), throw much light upon the subject. 26 The area of Georgia with respect to land surface, as com- puted by the census of 1880, is 58,980 sq. mi. The two largest counties in the Commonwealth are those of Decatur and Tatt- nall. The former contains 1,160 sq. mi., and the latter 1,100 sq. mil. The areas of Appling, Charlton, Emanuel and Burke counties all transcend 1,000 sq. mi. Coffee county contains 980 sq. mi., and Bulloch and Clinch counties embrace an area of 900 sq. mi. Nine counties in the State contain more than 700 sq. mi., and five more than 600 sq. mi. There are sixteen counties in the State which contain 500 sq. mi. or the rise, and thirty-two which have an area of 400 or more sq. mi. Twenty-seven counties contain 300 sq. mi. and the rise, and twenty-three 200 or more sq. mi. Fifteen counties con- tain more than 100 sq. mi. Grlascock county is the small- est county in Georgia, and contains 100 sq. mi. 27 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. Under the Federal Constitution of 1787 Georgia's appor- tionment of Representatives in Congress was three. On the 8th of December, 1790, the Legislature divided the State into three congressional districts. (See Stevens' History of Georgia, Vol. II., p. 394, Philadelphia, 1859.) By l ^ e ^ rst census of the United States the representation of the Common- wealth in the Lower House of Congress was fixed at two members, they being elected on the general ticket. Under the second census Georgia had four Representatives; under the third she had six, and under the fourth seven. By Act of December 22, 1825 (Dawson's Compilation, pp. 161-2), the State was laid off and divided into seven congressional dis- tricts. This statute was, however, repealed in the following year (see Act of December 18, 1826, Dawson's Compilation, p. 168); and it was not until 1843 that the congressional dis- trict system came again into play.* In pursuance of an Act approved December 23d of that year (see Laws of 1843, pp. 54-56), Georgia was divided into eight congressional districts. Twenty-eight years later, when an Act to lay out and estab- lish congressional districts in this State in conformity with the last apportionment of representation in the Congress of the United States (see Act of July 30,1872, Laws of 1872, pp. 12- 13), passed the General Assembly, the number of districts was increased to nine . The present status of congressional districts dates from 1883. By an Act assented to August 28th of that year (Laws of 1882-3, pp. 121-2), the Commonwealth of Georgia was divided into ten congressional districts. This was done in pursuance of, and in conformity with, an Act of *See section II. of Census Act of June 25, 1842 (United States Statutes at Large, Vol. V., p. 491), whereby it was declared that, in every case where a State was entitled to more than one Representative in Congress, the mem- bers should be elected by districts, each district electing one Representative. 28 Congress approved on Feburary 25th of the preceding year. (U. S. Statutes of 1881-2, pp. 5-6.) It was provided in the enactment above referred to, that of August 28, 1883, that the First Congressional District should be com- posed of the counties of Appling, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Glynn, Liberty, Mclntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Ware and Wayne; that the Second Congressional District should consist of the counties of Baker, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Lowndes, Miller, ?>iitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, Thomas and Worth; that the Third Congressional District should be composed of the counties of Coffee, Dodge, Dooly, Houstoun, Irwin, Laurens, Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Pulaski, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Telfair, Webster and Wilcox; that the Fourth Congressional District should consist of the counties of Carroll. Chattahoochee, Coweta, Harris, Heard, Marion, Meriwether, Muscogee, Tal- bot, Taylor and Troup; that the Fifth Congressional District should be composed of the counties of Campbell, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Henry, Newton, Rock- dale, Spalding and Walton; that the Sixth Congressional Dis- trict should consist of the counties of Baldwin, Bibb, Butts, Crawford, Jasper, Jones, Monroe, Pike, Twiggs, Upson and Wilkinson; that the Seventh Congressional District should be composed of the counties of Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cobb, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Murray, Paulding, Polk, Walker, and Whitefield; that the Eighth Congressional District should consist of the counties of Clarke, Franklin, Ef- bert, Greene, Hancock, Hart, Madison, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam and Wilkes; that the Ninth Con- gressional District should be composed of the counties of Banks, Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Grwinnett, Hall, Habersham, Jackson, Lumpkin, Milton, Rabun, Pickens, Towns, Union and White; and that the Tenth Congressional District should consist of the counties of Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Jefferson, Johnson, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren and Washington. 29 By an Act to divide the State of Georgia into eleven congressional districts, in conformity to an Act of the Congress of the United States, approved February 7, 1891,* assented to September 26, 1891 (Laws of 1890- '91, Vol. I., p. 193)) it vvas provided that the First District shall be composed of the counties of Chatham, Burke, Screven, Emanuel, Bulloch, Effingham, Bryan, Tatt- nall, Liberty and Mclntosh ; that the Second District shall consist of the counties of Quitman, Clay, Randolph, Ter- rell, Calhoun, Dougherty, Worth, Early, Baker, Miller, Mitchell, - Colquitt, Berrien, Decatur and Thomas; that the Third District shall comprise Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Lee, Dooly, Wilcox, Schley, Pulaski, Twiggs, Houstoun, Macon, Taylor and Crawfoid counties; that the counties of Muscogee, Marion, Talbot, Harris, Meriwether, Troup, Coweta, Heard, Carroll and Chattahoochee shall constitute the Fourth Congressional District; that the Fifth District shall be composed of Fulton, Douglas, Campbell, Clayton, DeKalb, Rockdale, Newton and Walton counties ; that the counties of Bibb, Baldwin, Jones, Monroe, Upson, Pike, Spalding, Fayette, Henry and Butts shall form the Sixth District; that the Seventh Congressional District shall con- sist of the counties of Haralson, Paulding, Cobb, Polk, Floyd, Bartow, Chattooga, Gordon, Walker, Dade, Catoosa, Whitefield and Murray; that the Eighth District shall com- prise Jasper, Putnam, Morgan, Greene, Oconee, Clarke, Ogle- thorpe, Madison, Elbert, Hart, Franklin and Wilkes counties; that the counties of.Fannin, Union, Towns, Rabun, Haber- sham, White, Lumpkin, Dawson, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Forsyth, Milton, Gwinnett, Jackson, Hall and Banks shall be included in the Ninth District; that the Tenth District shall embrace the counties of Richmond, Columbia, Lin- coln, Jefferson, Glascock, McDuffie, Warren, Taliaferro, *See U. S. Statutes, iSpo-^i Vol. II., pp. 735-6. The Act declares that the proposed change in apportionment shall not take effect until after the third of March, 1893. Washington, Wilkinson and Hancock; and that the Eleventh Congressional District shall be composed of the counties of Glynn, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Dodge, Telfair, Irwin, Coffee, Appling, Wayne, Pierce, Ware, Clinch, Echols, Lowndes, Brooks, Charlton and Camden. STATE SENATORIAL DISTRICTS. Senatorial districts were first established in Georgia by con- stitutional amendment in 1843. Section II. of an Act ap- proved December 23d of that year (Laws of 1843, pp. 17- 19) declared that the State should be divided into forty-seven senatorial districts. All of those districts, with the exception of the first or Chatham county, were to consist each of two counties. From every one of them a State Senator was to be chosen. By paragraph I., section II., article II. of the Constitution of Georgia, as amended by the State Convention which assembled at Savannah in 1861 (Code of Georgia, 1861, p. 964), pro- vision was made for the establishment of forty-four senato- rial districts instead of forty-seven as theretofore. Each dis- trict was to be composed of three contiguous counties, and was entitled to one Senator. This order of affairs, in the main, still obtains, and paragraph I., section II. , article III. of the Constitution of Georgia of 1877 (Code of 1882, pp. 1295- 6), declares that of the forty-four State Senatorial Districts the first shall be composed of the counties of Chatham, Bryan and Effingham ; the second of the counties of Liberty, Tattnall and Mclntosh ; the third of the counties of Wayne, Pierce and Appling; the fourth of the coun- ties of Glynn, Camden and Charlton ; the fifth of Coffee, Ware and Clinch counties ; the sixth of Echols, Lowndes and. Berrien counties ; the seventh of the counties of Brooks, Thomas and Colquitt; the eighth of the counties of Decatur, Mitchell and Miller; the ninth of Early, Cal- houn and Baker counties ; the tenth of Dougherty, Lee and Worth counties ; the eleventh of the counties of Clay, Randolph and Terrell ; the twelfth of Stewart, Webster and Quitman counties : the thirteenth of the counties of Sumter, Schley and Macon ; the fourteenth 32 of the counties of Dooly, Wilcox, Pulaski and Dodge; the fifteenth of the counties of Montgomery, Telfair and Irwin ; the sixteenth of Laurens, Emanuel and Johnson counties ; the seventeenth of the counties of Screven, Bulloch and Burke ; the eighteenth of Richmond, Glas- cock and Jefferson counties ; the nineteenth of the coun- ties of Taliaferro, Greene and Warren ; the twentieth of Baldwin, Hancock and Washington counties ; the twenty- first of the counties of Twiggs, Wilkinson and Jones ; the twenty-second of the counties of Bibb, Monroe and Pike ; the twenty-third of Houstoun, Crawford and Taylor coun- ties ; the twenty-fourth of the counties of Muscogee, Marion and Chattahoochee ; the twenty-fifth of Harris, Upson, and Talbot counties ; the twenty-sixth of the counties of Spalding, Butts and Fayette ; the twenty- seventh of Newton, Walton, Clarke, Oconee and Rock- dale counties ; the twenty -eighth of the counties of Jas- per, Putnam and Morgan ; the twenty-ninth of Wilkes, Columbia, Lincoln and McDuffie counties ; the thirtieth of the counties of Oglethorpe, Madison and Elbert ; the thirty -first of Hart, Habersham and Franklin counties ; the thirty-second of White, Dawson and Lumpkin coun- ties ; the thirty-third of the counties of Hall, Banks and Jackson ; the thirty-fourth of the counties of Gwinnett, DeKalb and Henry; the thirty-fifth of Clayton, Cobb. and Fulton counties ; the thirty-sixth of Campbell, Coweta, Meriwether and Douglas counties ; the thirty-seventh of the counties of Carroll, Heard and Troup ; the thirty - eighth of the counties of Haralson, Polk and Paulding ; the thirty-ninth of Milton, Cherokee and Forsyth counties ; the fortieth of Union, Towns and Rabun counties ; the forty -first of Pickens, Fannin and Gilmer counties ; the forty-second of the counties of Bartow, Floyd and Chattooga ; the forty- third of Murray, Gordon and Whitefield counties ; and the forty-fourth of the counties of Walker, Dade and Catoosa. 33 By paragraph II., section II. of the same article we are advised that, while it is permissible for the General Assembly of the State to change these senatorial districts after each census of the United States, neither the number of districts nor the number of Senators from each district shall be in- creased. 34 JUDICIAL CIRCUITS. According to the Georgia Code (1882, p. 17) the entire State constitutes one Supreme Judicial District. It is divided into twenty-three Judicial Circuits in reference to the juris- diction and sessions of the Superior Courts, which circuits are as follows: (1) Albany Circuit. Organized by Act of October 17, 1870 (Laws of 1870, p. 37). It now comprises Baker, Cal- houn, Decatur, Dougherty, Mitchell and Worth counties. (2) Atlanta Circuit. See Act of February 21, 1869 (Laws of 1869, p. 20), changing the name of Coweta Judicial Cir- cuit (organized by Act of December 16, 1833 Laws of 1833, p. 76) to Atlanta Circuit. Fulton county now composes it. (3) Augusta Circuit. Organized by Act of October 24, 1870 (Laws of 1870, p. 38). It now consists of Burke, Colun-bia, McDuffie and Richmond counties. (4) Blue Ridge Circuit. Organized by Act of November 24, 1851 (Laws of 1851-2, pp. 219-20). Now composed of Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Milton and Pickens counties. (5) Brunswick Circuit. Organized by Act of February 8, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, p. 215). It now comprises Ap- pling, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Glynn, Pierce, Ware and Wayne counties. (6) Chattahoochee Circuit. Organized by Act of Decem- ber 22, 1826 (Laws of 1826, p. 58). Now composed of Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, Talbot and Taylor counties. (7) Cherokee Circuit. Organized by Act of December 3, 1832 (Laws of 1832, p. 60), and now consisting of Bartow, Catoosa, Dade, Gordon, Murray and Whitefield counties. (8) Coweta Circuit. See Act of February 28, 1874 (Laws of 1874, p. 43), changing the name of Tallapoosa Circuit 35 (organized by Act of February 28, 1856 Laws of 1855-6, pp. 216-17), to that of Coweta Circuit. Now composed of Campbell, Carroll, Coweta, Fayette, Heard, Merivvether and Troup counties. (9) Eastern Circuit. First organized by Act of February 9,1797 (Watfcins 9 Digest, p. 620) : An Act to revise and amend the Judiciary system of the State. Reorganized by Act of December 19, r8<8 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361): An Act to lay off six Judicial Circuits in this State including those already laid out. It now comprises Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Mclntosh and Liberty counties. (10) Flint Circuit, Organized by Act of December 24, 1821 (Laws of 1821, p. 46), and now composed of Butts, Henry, Monroe, Pike, Spalding and Upson counties. (n) Macon Circuit. Organized by Act of November 24, 1851 (Laws of 1851-2, p. 220). It now consists of Craw- ford, Houstoun and Bibb counties. (12) Middle Circuit. First organized by Act of February 9,1797 (Watkins' Digest, p. 620). Reorganized by Act of December 19, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361). Now composed of Bulloch, Emanuel. Jefferson, Johnson, Screven, Tattnall and Washington counties. (13) Northeastern Circuit. Created by Act of August 8, 1881 (Laws of i8So-i, pp. 112-13). It now consists of Hall, Habersham, Rabun, Towns, White, Lumpkin and Union counties. (i.j) Northern Circuit. Organized by Act of December 19, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361), and now comprising Elbert, Glascock, Hancock, Hart, Lincoln, Madison, Ogle- thorpe, Taliaferro, Warren and Wilkes counties. (15) Ocmulyee Circuit. First organized by Act of Decem- ber 10, 1807 (Clayton's Compilation, pp. 359-361), and re- organized by Act of December 19, 1818 (Lamar's Compila- tion, p. 361). It now consists of Baldwin, Greene, Laurens, Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Putnam and Wilkinson counties. (16) Oconee Circuit. Organized by Act of December 12, 871 (Livvs of 1871 and '72, p. 32). Now composed of 36 Dodge, Irwin, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair, Twiggs and Wilcox counties. (17) Pataula Circuit. Created by Act of February 8, 1856 (Laws of 1855-6, p. 216). It now comprises the counties of Clay, Early, Miller, Quitman, Randolph and Terrell. (18) Rome Circuit. Organized by Act of February 21, 1869 (Laws of 1869, p. 20). At present it consists of the counties of Floyd, Chattooga and Walker. (19) Southern Circuit. Organized by Act of December 19, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361). It now comprises Ber- rien, Brooks, Colquitt, Echols, Lowndes and Thomas counties. (20) Southwestern Circuit. Organized by Act of Decem- ber 10, 1840 (Laws of 1840, p. 112). It is now composed of Webster, Schley, Stewart, Lee, Macon, Dooly and Sumter counties. (21) Stone Mountain Circuit. Created by Act of Septem- ber 8, 1885 (Laws of 1884-5, pp. 108-9), an d now consisting of Clayton, DeKalb, Rockdale and Newton counties. (22) Tallapoosa Circuit. Created by Act of November 26, 1890 (Laws of i89o-'9i, Vol. i, p. 89), and now consisting of the counties of Polk, Paulding, Haralson and Douglas. (23) Western Circuit. First organized by Act of February 9> X 797 (Watkins' Digest, p. 620). Reorganized by Act of December 19, 1818 (Lamar's Compilation, p. 361). At pre- sent I follow the Superior Court calendar as revised for 1892, which was published with the first volume of Georgia Laws for 1890-91, composed of the counties of Banks, Clarke, Oconee, Franklin, Gwinnett, Jackson and Walton. 37 SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE. In connection with the Judicial Circuits, it may be mentioned that under the Act organizing the Supreme Court of Georgia, approved December 10, 1845 (Laws of 1845, pp. 18-24), provision was made for the laying off and establishment of five Judicial districts. These districts were formed with refer- ence to the sessions of the Supreme Court, and were as fol- lows : The First District was composed of the Eastern and Southern Judicial Circuits; the Second comprised the Southwestern and Chattahoochee Judicial Circuits. The Third District consisted of the Coweta and Flint Judicial Circuits; the Fourth com- prised the Western and Cherokee Judicial Circuits, while the Fifth District was composed of the Middle, Northern and Ocmulgee Judicial Circuits. The Supreme Court continued to hold its sessions at the several points designated within these districts until 1868. By the Constitution then framed it was declared (see Section II., Paragraph II., Article V. of the Constitution of 1868, Code of Georgia, 1873, P 9 J 8), that the ambulatory character of that tribunal must terminate, and that thenceforth its place of meeting should be the seat of Government of the Common- wealth. Since December, 1868, the Supreme Court has been permanently established at the State capital, Atlanta, Georgia. FEBRUARY, 1892,