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The following facts were obtained from different sources but the main source was from the book titled HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY GEORGIA by Dean Broome. The following is only excerpts. The book gives many more details which includes wonderful pictures. If you are reseaching Pierce County , this book is highly recommended.

Arrival of the Automobile

The first automobile was brought to Blackshear in 1910 by a rural mail carrier, Jeff ALLEN. This automobile made a terrible noise and the City Council was trying to decide as to whether or not to put regulations on automobiles. But, because of the noise which the only automobile made, it was agreed it would not be necessary since everyone could hear ALLEN coming from a long way off. Alonzo J. SRICKLAND also had a car in 1910.

The next car, a Model T Ford, was owned by R. W. BELVIN and was sold for $680. Eustace J. McKINNEY, who operated a bicycle shop owned one of the first cars in the town. He became Blackshear's earliest mechanic on automobiles. S. Foster MEMORY asked Mr. BELVIN to go with him to Atlanta in 1912 to buy his first car. P. L. POMEROY went with them.

By 1914, the number of automobiles in Blackshear had increased to the extent that City Council felt the need to set a speed limit on the vehicles. They adopted an ordinance providing that no automobile or motorcycle should be operated at a speed of over 15 miles an hour within the city with the exception of emergency calls. The traffic lights followed and were put up in 1925 at the corner of Main Street and Highway Avenue. These were not changing lights. The green light faced both ways on Main Street and the red light faced Highway Avenue in both directions. The Police Chief H. L. RIGGINS stated many accidents have been averted at this site.

On 10-16-1926 at the corner of Keller Street and Central Avenue an auto driven by William Levi YOUMANS was struck by a train at about 1:00 pm. The driver and his son-in-law Owen K. MURRAY were both killed. William YOUMANS died of a fractured skull and internal injuries and Owen MURRAY died from a fractured Pelvic and shock.

This information was contributed by Larry Youmans William Levi Youmans was his great-grandfather and the son of William Robert Youmans and Elizabeth Sweat.

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Notable Marriages

In 1876:

August, Miss Ella MOORE was married to Seward GRAY, jeweler. They moved to Indian River, FL.

In October, Miss Hester BRANTLEY was married to S. T. MEMORY in the Presbyterian Church.

Daisy OWENS married T. L. STRICKLAND.

Vinnie RIGGINS married Allen HAGEN.

On May 1, 1882, Colonel NICHOLLS, who had lost his first wife the year before, was married to Miss Ida ACOSTA. On June 23, 1882, Miss Kate NICHOLLS, only daughter of Colonel NICHOLLS, by his first wife, married Mr. Wm. G. HENDERSON. The attendats were Kate's cousins, Misses Ella, and Delia FOREACRE, the former whom later married Mr. A. P. BRANTLEY, who was also an attendant. Mrs. T. L. STRICKLAND, a pianist , played the wedding march. Miss Mina DARLING and Mr William ARMITAGE were married that year, and went Florida to live.

Lulu and Lottie HARPER were married in 1886, the first to Mr. William COTTER, and the latter to Rev. George CULPEPPER. Lottie died in less than a year after her marriage, and Lula died in 1912. Joseph A. HARPER, the brother of Lula and Lottie, was married twice, his first wife being Miss Belle KNOWLES, daughter of Captain KNOWLES, and his second wife Miss Mamie HOLZENDORF. John HARPER, the youngest brother, married Miss Gertrude CLARY.

Nancy STRICKLAND married Elias F. STEWART in 1834. Her sister Maria, married Samuel SWEAT in 1835. She was the mother of Col. J. L. SWEAT. The other sisters were Elizabeth, who married Thomas PURDOM in 1845; Elinor, who married Ben HOWARD in 1849; Martha, who married Matthew ASPINWALL, and her half aunt, Margaret SMITH, who married James SMITH in 1840. She was the mother of A. N. SMITH.

In 1861 Missouri ROBERTS, and Dr. Allen BROWN were married. Her sister, Florida ROBERTS , married Mr. Robert WILLIAMS in 1865.

Miss Lou KEMPTON married E. Z. BYRD in 1877 or '79. After her death Mr. BYRD married a young lady from Virginia.

Kate NICHOLLS married Wm. G. HENDERSON in 1882; Ida ACOSTA married Col. J. NICHOLLS in 1882; Mina DARLING married Wm. ARMITAGE in 1882;

Maria STRICKLAND married Dr. Capers DANIEL in 1881; Belle STRICKLAND married Frank HIGGINS in 1879; Carrie BEASLEY married J. L. GRADY in 1883;

Annie SHAW married William SMITH in 1885 or '86; Jessie Kate WESTBROOK married W. G. BRANTLEY in 1883; Christian BRANTLEY married J. M. PURDOM in 1883; Margaret BRANTLEY married A. B. ESTES in 1883 or '84.

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Blackshear Bank

Blackshear's first bank was the outgrowth of the business firm founded by Benjamin Daniel BRANTLEY in 1857. The bank was chartered by an act of the General Assembly of Georgia, approved on Sept. 11, 1891, and it was organized for business on July 6, 1892. It opened for business at 10:00 A. M. on July 7.

Original incorporater of the bank were:

A. P. BRANTLEY and B. D. BRANTLEY of Blackshear, W. G. BRANTLEY of Brunswick, J. T. BRANTLEY of Marietta, and G. D. FORBES of Baltimore.

Officers were:

A. P. BRANTLEY, president; and B. D. BRANTLEY, vice-president; who along with John C. NICHOLLS, John T. BRANTLEY, and Mills B. LANE, vice-president of the Citizens Bank of Savannah, constituted the board of directors. Upon the death of A. P. BRANTLEY, April 16, 1937, P. L. POMEROY was elected president, and he served until October 16, 1938, the date of his death. Prior to 1937, Mr POMEROY had served more than 15 years as vice-president and cashier, succeeding M. C. McALPIN upon his death.

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Blackshears's First Piano

In 1863, Blackshear's first piano arrived in town and was installed in the home of Dr. Thomas J. DARLING. The piano was for his daughters, Rena, Mina, Dora, and Emma, he imported the town's first music teacher who lived with the Darlings and supervised the girl's education. She taught other children as well in her free time. One of her young pupils was Mrs. Hester MEMORY. Another was Mrs. G. T. HENDRY, the former Emma ARMITAGE, granddaughter of Dr. DARLING.

Through the years the piano brought much pleasure into the Darling home. After it had outgrown its usefulness, the family instructed T. L. SAUL, who was very adept with tools, to preserve the heirloom. It then served as a library table in the home of Mrs. E. L. DARLING SR.

Upon her death the piano was installed in the reception room of Darling Funeral Home.

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Blackshear in 1876

Early in the year 1876 a "dry spell" settled over Blackshear. January was dry, following a dry December. Some $25,000 to $30,000 worth of logs were lying on the banks of the Alabaha and Satilla Rivers in Pierce County, waiting for a shower to raise the waters and permit rafting to market.

A lady in the country had dreamed that Pierce County was to have only two showers of rain all year, and then it was going to quit raining for good and all. It seemed her vision would be verified - except that only one shower had fallen, instead of two.

Blackshear had a new newspaper. It had had at least one previously, the first newspaper the county having been established in 1869 by Robert BURTON. Mr. Burton sold the paper in 1872 to H. W. GRADY, who in 1873 sold it to Mrs. Elias STEWART. J. Mason PURDOM and Keightly STEWART were proprietors for a time. Finally, "The Southeast Georgian" seems to have died a journalistic death, leaving no heirs, and Blackshear was without a newspaper for about two years. Henry M. McINTOSH brought printing equipment to Pierce County in 1876 and the first issue of his newspaper appeared on January 29. In his first Volume, McINTOSH wrote:

"Among the first settlers were Mr. J. B. STRICKLAND, who died some years since, Mr. Jas. A. HARPER who now resides out of this county, and Mr. B. D. BRANTLEY, who still lives here and is one of our wealthiest and most prominent citizens..."

"Died at her residence in Pierce county, on Saturday morning. Jan. 1, 1876, Mrs. Eliza J. YOUMANS, wife of C. S. YOUMANS, Esq. Born in Beaufort District, SC, July 11, 1833, was married to C. S. YOUMANS Dec. 10, 1847, by the Rev. Jacob G. BOWERS, and is the mother of ten children."

Editor McINTOSH wrote his last issue March 18, 1876. A few weeks later he sold his press and printing equipment to Dr. Daniel LOTT, a dentist of Waycross. Apparently no newspaper was published in Blackshear from March 18, 1876, until E. Z. BYRD started "The Little Gem" with the issue of March 1, 1878.

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Blackshear School

Blackshear School had several names:

  • Blackshear Academy, 1860-1891
  • Pierce County High School, 1892-1901
  • Presbyterial Institute, 1901-1913
  • Pierce Collegiate Institue, 1913-1917
  • Blackshear Public School, 1917-1919
  • Blackshear High School, 1919-1973

Blackshear Academy was incorporated in 1860, Incorporators were:

  • J. A. HARPER
  • E. D. HENDRY
  • D. R. MILTON
  • C. S. YOUMANS
  • John W. STEPHENS
  • John T. WILSON
  • Benjamin BLITCH
  • William GOETTEE
  • John M. JENKINS
  • James B. STRICKLAND

The first school was taught by Mr. WELLS. In 1860 the school was in charge of Colonel WARE. In 1861 Mr. Jack JENKINS was in charge, and after that Miss CAMPBELL until 1865, when Mr. GREENLEAF was back and he became the principal, with her as assistant. In 1889, Joseph A. HARPER, Pierce county school commissioner, made a report to the people of the county on the progress of the schools during the six-year period he had been in office. A clipping from the local newspaper dated April 12, 1878 - "Rev. H.P. MYERS has become associated with Rev. J. Albert SMITH in the management of the Southern Blackshear Academy in Blackshear. No place in southeast Georgia offers more advantages than Blackshear for the building of a school. For health, social and religious privileges, it is without a rival. Tuition is $2, $3, and $4 per month. Students can enter at any time as they are charged by the month."

A group of Pierce county men formed a corporation on February 4, 1891, to gain a charter and establish Pierce County High School. Members of the corporation were A.P. BRANTLEY, John C. NICHOLLS, J.M. JOHNSON, John BAXTER, William DAVIS, J.A. HARPER, J.S. BENNETT, Henry HYERS, R.H. RAWLS, W.B. BAKER and Joseph DICKSON. Because of lack of support, the Academy had ceased operation a few weeks after the 1891 school term began. The lack of support was caused by the parent's knowing of plans to build a new school, and they would not send their children to the run-down Academy building. The new school was managed by Professor and Mrs. A.F. HILL. Prof. and Mrs. Hill left when the spring term ended. That fall Prof. Z.B. ROGERS and his sister, Miss Alpha, took over the school for one year. The enrollment had been aroun 50, much less than the company owners had hoped. In the fall of 1893 a local man, Robert G. MITCHELL, Jr., became the principal. He stayed one year and then went back to practicing law. J.H. O'QUINN was secured in the fall of 1894, and he stayed until the fall term was over in 1896. From about 150 children in the city the enrollment had increased to around 80. During the next four years the school had four principals, the Rev. M.P. CAIN, J.E. TWITTY, S.A. HEARN and M.M. MURPHY. In the fall of 1899, J.H. O'QUINN was hired again as principal. He had been popular at school as well as in the town, and soon the enrollment went over a hundred. By Oct. 12, 1899 it was 139. Seventy of the students were from towns other than Blackshear, the majority of them boarding in town. Prof. O'QUINN stayed for two years.

On May 31, 1901, J.M. PURDOM and the Rev. C.M. LEDBETTER appeared before the Savannah Presbytery board of trustees and presented an offer from Blackshear and Pierce county for establishing a high school in Blackshear. The offer was accepted and Pierce County High School went out of existence, and Presbyterial Institute came into being. The school opened in October with Prof. Thomas J. FARRAR, Ph. D., principal. His assistants were Misses Kate F. GUTHRIE, Corra WESTON and Nellie V. MILLS. By Sept., 1903, when Thomas G. WILKINSON took over as principal, the school listed seven people on its faculty. One, Miss Agnes EQUELL, was the music teacher, another, the Rev. A.L. PATTERSON, was pastor of the Blackshear Presbyterian Church.

Pierce Collegiate Institute, established in Blackshear by the South Georgia Methodist Conference, opened for the first time on September 10, 1913, with the largest attendance in the history of Blackshear schools. President W.A. HUCKABEE had seen to it that many new features had been added. The dormitories under the care of Mrs. INGRAM were real homes, while the dining room, as managed by Mrs. WARD, was unlike any boarding school to be found, the food being prepared like "Mother used to cook" and seved in a most tempting styles. After the 1917 spring term ended, the Methodist Conference withdrew their sponsorship and turned the school and property back to the city.

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First Stores

Jasper REEVES, father of J.M. REEVES, kept the first store ever run in Blackshear. John MINCHEW was the "first to build a store-building in the new county-site of Blackshear," although it does not appear that that he ever lived in the new town. He had formerly lived in Ware County but sold lots he owned in the Waycross area to B.F. WILLIAMS (grandfather of O.S. WILLIAMS and Miss Marion WILLIAMS) and moved across the Satilla River into the new county of Pierce. Benjamin Daniel BRANTLEY and his wife moved to Blackshear from Waresboro in December, 1858. It is believed that Mr. BRANTLEY had already opened a store at Blackshear in 1857. Mr. BRANTLEY put up a store and went into the business of merchandising, the firm name being Brantley & Douglas.

Another early store was the firm of Harper and Strickland begun in 1858; it changed hands once or twice. Other stores were built the same year. It was not unusual in those days for wagon trains containing wool, hides, wax, poultry and cotton to arrive in Blackshear. B.D. BRANTLEY would make trips himself to Savannah to obtain merchandise.

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Businesses in 1900

*W.T. HUGHES & BROS********************************** This firm was formed in 1899 and was operated by W.T. HUGHES, who had been "prominent in Blackshear commercial circles since 1883," said L.J. HUGHES. The Hughes brothers, T.D., W.T., and L.J., were natives of Liberty County, sons of Capt. Wm. Hughes, Jr., who commanded the Liberty Guards during the Civil War.

*T.D. HUGHES******************************************* T.D. HUGHES came to Blackshear in 1886 and worked in various local stores before eventually setting up his own grocery store in the Armitage block. He was assisted in the business by his son, Edwin HUGHES, and it was a well-known local store for several years.

*TONSORIAL PARLOR********************************** W.L. McMILLAN, who was marshall of Blackshear for a number of years, operated a "first class barber shop" next to the old post office facing the railroad. It was in charge of by Will ASPINWALL, who was considered one of the best barbers in this section of Georgia."

*W.C. LOVE & CO. *************************************** The only drug store in Blackshear in 1900 was that of W.C. LOVE & CO. in the Armitage block. The firm also included John THOMAS, also county clerk. In charge of the store was J.W. MARTIN, Ph. G., of Wrightsville, a graduate of the university of Illinois at Chicago.

*GRADY & DARLING************************************ This co-partnership included J.L. GRADY, "than whom no better man exists in this section of the globe," and "the jolly, hustling E.L. DARLING." They sold "everything from a cambric needle to a house and lot" and were said to be "the only men in Blackshear able to take care of the living and dead." They were assisted in the store by C.E. FOSTER and W.B. CULPEPPER. Grady and Darling also had the principal livery and drayage business in Blackshear in 1900.

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News Events

Mr. Robert BURTON was the proprietor of the first paper in Blackshear. It was "The Southeast Georgian." Keightley STRICKLAND set type on that paper.

Eleazar Z. BYRD was one of the most prominent and influential men in Pierce County during the period from about 1878 to after 1900. It was during this time that he served as publisher of the local newspaper, as sheriff, as in other county offices. He came to Blackshear from Florida some time after 1870 and was publishing The Little Gem in Blackshear in march of 1878. The name of the newspaper was changed several times, until it finally became The Blackshear Times. Below is a list of News Briefs from 1878-1900 from The Little Gem.

March 15, 1878 - Dr. Brown has withdrawn his obligation to erect the missionary Baptist Church house on the corner of Broad and Court House street and Mr. William ARMITAGE has taken the contract to complete the same.

November 14, 1878 - A large orange tree on one of B.D. BRANTLEY's places has produced some 500 large sweet oranges which compare favorably as to size and flavor with the Florida oranges. E.Z. BYRD, "Blackshear News", editor, urged Pierce countians to think seriously about going into the orange business.

  • Dec. 19, 1878 - John W. BOOTH says he is not a candidate for sheriff.
  • We've just printed 2,800 election tickets for Ware county.
  • A.J. DICKSON has a meat hog that will pull 400 pounds net.
  • We are informed by timber men that timber is selling at Burnt Fort for $1.25 per average.
  • We have an advertisement from the "Jesup House" in Jesup, Ga., but have not had the time to set it.
  • Isham STONE has moved his bar room up near the depot.
  • H.J. SMITH has just received an assortment of general merchandise, for sale cheap.
  • Our Sunday Schools will have Christmas trees for the little ones.
  • Seward SMITH has filled the other side of his house with liquors.
  • A car load of flour, bacon, etc., just received at B.D. BRANTLEY'S
  • The sound of the hammer and ring of saw are heard about the residence of A.J. STRICKLAND and Capt. E.D.HENDRY
  • One quire of good note paper and 24 envelopes to match, for 25 cents at the News office.
  • Preaching in the Methodist Church next Sunday, at 11 o'clock by Rev. G.J. GRIFFITH.

January 31, 1879 - Elijah ASPINWALL of Pierce county and Miss Celie MOODY of Appling county were married at the home of Mr. George MOODY. The attendants were Hybert WILLIAMSON and Miss Mozel DONALDSON, Thomas J. BYRD and Miss Mary ASPINWALL. Rev. J. W. KIMBRELL officiated. Following the wedding the group proceeded to supper where the dining room table groaned beneath everything that was dainty. Afterwards music and dancing continued until three o'clock in the morning.

September 9, 1882 - William F. SWEAT was nominated by the Pierce county Democratic convention to run for representative of Pierce county in the coming general election. The convention lasted all day. At the First District convention in Savannah, Pierce county's own Hon. John C. NICHOLLS was nominated to run for Congress.

Dec. 11, 1883 - Following the resignation of Prof. LAMBDIN of the Blackshear Acadamy, which left the school temporarily without a teacher, the board of trustees on this date hired Miss Mildred STEED of Barnesville.

Apr. 7, 1884 - The Pierce County Sunday School Association met with the Methodist Church in Blackshear. Dr. A.M. MOORE, Miss Mollie STRICKLAND of Blackshear and Mrs. KENNON of Hoboken were named delegates to the State Convention.

Sept. 1, 1884 - W.G. BRANTLEY, by a vote of 167 to 39 for D.R. JOHNSON, won his race for Represenative from Pierce county.

Dec. 26, 1885 - The Pierce County Agricultural Society met and Dr. A.M. MOORE was reelected president for the coming year and J.P. HUGHES was named secretary. E.M. CRAWFORD, John BAXTER, and R.G. RIGGINS were elected delegates to attend the state convention at Columbus in February.

June 9, 1886 - S.D. BRADWELL of Hinesville, one of the owners of the "Blackshear Georgian" announced his decision to seek the nomination of the Democratic party as Congressman from the First District.

Sept. 1, 1887 - Col. A.B. ESTES Jr. has the finest piece of long cotton to be found anywhere within the corporate limits of Blackshear. He has three acres planted.

April 21, 1888 - A 250 pound black bear was killed about two miles from Patterson by Randall LIGHTSY. Others on the hunt included James BROWN, Joseph E. GRINER, J.J. DICKSON, John ANDERSON, L.C. WYLLY, Lemuel GRINER, Barnie DICKSON, Edmund THOMAS and a HIGHSMITH.

August 10, 1889 - Pierce county sheriff Tom A. DAVIS escaped serious injury when his black horse fell with him as he left his home in a gallop for Blackshear. The fine horse broke his shoulder and had to be destroyed. Sheriff Davis was uninjured.

August 22, 1890 - George W. (Wash) TUTEN was killed instantly in a sawmill accident at the North Bay Lumber Company in Blackshear. He was a member of the City Council and was mayor pro-term.

May 18, 1891 - the upper portion of Pierce county suffered three hail storms during the afternoon. Each time the size and amount of hail increased until by the third shower the stones were big as hen eggs and covered the ground to a depth of six inches. In most cases crops were completely destroyed. Among those suffering severe damage were Perry YOUMAN, W.R.ANDERS, C.E. MORRIS, Ben GUEST, and William H. PEACOCK.

July 14, 1894 - C.G. TENNANT, a guard at the Offerman convict camps, died of gunshot wounds received on the 11th, when he was shot by Anderson AUSTIN, colored, and ex-convict. A jury pronounced it manslaughter.

February 6, 1896 - Between 90 and 100 relatives attended the dinner in celebration of Mr. William TURNER's 100th birthday. His wife, Aunt Riney, is in her 98th year.

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Officers in 1878

Officials of the town of Blackshear in 1878 were as follows:

      • Mayor, R.G. RIGGINS;
      • Clerk of council, J.M. PURDOM
      • Marshal, A.L. DAUVERGNE
      • Treasurer, B.D.BRANTLEY
      • Councilmen, J.W. STRICKLAND, A.N. SMITH, D.H. BURNEY, A.J. STRICKLAND

On 3rd inst. July 1878, Mr. John ALDRIDGE elected by Town council to fill unexpired term of A.L. DAUVERGNE as marshal. (From the Little Gem, March 29, 1878)

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Satilla Rangers

The Satilla Rangers, who became Company A of the the 50th Georgia Infantry, were mustered into service at Blackshear on March 4, 1862, for the duration of the war. Following is a roster of Company A, Infantry:

OFFICERS

      • John T. WILSON, Captain
      • James a. WATERS, 1st Lieut.Promoted to Captain Dec. 31, 1862. Elected 1st Lieut. Apr. 1864
      • Aaron DOWLING, 2nd Lieut. March 4, 1862. Surrendered at Appomattox, Va., April 9, 1865.
      • John M. ALLEN, Junior 2nd Lieut. March 4, 1862
      • Alonzo C. MARTIN, 1st Sgt. March 4, 1862.
      • John S. ANDREWS, 2nd Sgt., March 4, 1862.
      • W.F. MINSHEW, 3rd Sgt., March 4, 1862.
      • Edmond THOMAS, 4th Sgt., March 4, 1862. captured - 1862, died in Fort Delaware Prison, Sept. 25, 1862.
      • Banner GUY, 5th Sgt., March 4, 1862.
      • Wm. R. WOODS, 1st Corporal, March 4, 1862.
      • Jeremiah E. JOHNS, 2nd Corporal, March 4, 1862.
      • William J. HARRIS, 3rd Corp., March 4, 1862.
      • Lazarus DOWLING, 4th Corp., March 4, 1862. Wounded at Sharpsburg, Md., Sept. 17, 1862. Disablility discharge granted, March 5, 1863.

PRIVATES

      • ALBRITTON, James H.
      • ALLEN, George W., captured Oct. 1864.
      • ALTMAN, Jasper
      • ALTMAN, Samuel, killed at Boonesboro, MD
      • BYRAM, William
      • BRYANT, John
      • BRYANT (or BYRAM), Warren
      • CLARK, Samuel
      • COLLINS, George w.
      • CREWS, Bryant sent to hospital Sept. 1862
      • CREWS, Thomas
      • CARTER, Willis S.
      • CLARK, Daniel, killed in battle at Fredericksburg, VA.
      • DYKES, George
      • DENMARK, James M.
      • DAVIS, James L., died in hospital of disease in VA.
      • DOPSON, William J.
      • DOWLING, David L.
      • DENMARK, James W.
      • DIXON, James J.
      • DIXON, Malachi
      • DYESS, Josiah, died Feb. 3, 1863, Lynchburg, VA
      • DOWLING, Darling W.
      • DOWLING, John H.
      • DOWLING, Jabez J.
      • DAVIS, John H.
      • DAVIS, Charlton S. wounded May 1864
      • DEEN, John
      • DOWLING, M.
      • EDENFIELD, William, killed at Fredericksburg, VA.
      • FLETCHER, John W., wounded in battle Booneboro, MD
      • FORD, Edward M., killed in battle at Gettysburg, PA
      • GODWIN, Jacob,
      • GANDY, Charles
      • GODWIN, John
      • GOODING, William H., missing after battle of Boonesboro
      • HERNDON, Daniel
      • HERRING, John W.
      • HENNESSY, Michael
      • HATTON, John
      • HOWARD, MOSES W.
      • HIGGS, James J. A., captured at Cedar Creek, VA.
      • HARRIS, Ebenezer
      • HARRIS, Lazarus J. S., died Sept. 4, 1862
      • HARRIS, Roberson
      • HIGHSMITH, John M. died in Richmond, VA
      • HIGDON, J.P.Y.
      • JENKINS, William W.
      • KELLY, James P.
      • KNOX, Franklin died in service June 30, 1862
      • LANGDALE, Noan
      • MANNING, Lewis P.
      • McSWAIN, John, captured at Cedar Creek, VA
      • McALHANEY, John T.
      • MUSIC, A.
      • NUNEZ, Alexander, captured Aug. 1864.
      • NETTLES, Jeremiah F. *(see notation below)
      • NEWTON, Ezra
      • NUNEZ, Daniel G., wounded and lost leg at Cedar Creek.
      • O'BERRY, Robert G. wounded at Boonesboro, MD
      • POWERS, George died in Richmond, VA hospital.
      • PHILLIPS, John R. captured at Cedar Creek, Va.
      • PEACOCK, James T. died of wounds, Sept. 14, 1862.
      • PITTS, James H. sick in hospital, Savannah July 1, 1862.
      • RIGGINS, William W. disablility discharge
      • ROBERTS, John L.
      • STRICKLAND, Abraham
      • STEWART, Colquitt killed May 12, '64, Spottsylvania, VA
      • STEWART, James died of disease, '62, Fernandina, FL.
      • STONE, George R. wounded and missing Boonesboro, MD
      • STONE, William H. captured at Cedar Creek, VA
      • THOMAS, James R. killed at Boonesboro, MD
      • THOMAS, Lewis R. wounded at Boonesboro, MD
      • THOMAS, John L.
      • THOMAS, Jackson died of disease, Oct. 8, '62
      • THOMAS, James F. killed in battle, Boonesboro, MD
      • TIPPINS, James T. missing after battle Boonesboro, MD
      • WALKER, Isham died May 2, 1862 in hospital, Macon, GA
      • WOODS, Edward C.
      • WOODS, George W
      • WILSON, Ezekiel
      • WELLS, Jasper W. wounded June 3, '64, cold Harbor, Va
      • WELLS, Newton R.
      • WATERS, W. W. captured at Cedar Creek, VA Oct. 19, '64
      • WALDRON, R.D. discharged July 18, 1862
      • WALDRON, Benjamin wounded in battle Boonesboro, MD
      • WALDRON, George W.

* According to Widow's Pension Application # A11890 filed in Alachua County Florida on August 08, 1903 by his widow Rhoda Nettles - age 84, it states that Jeremiah F. Nettles died on April 03,1863 from pneumonia contracted while he was in service at Fredrickburg, Va. Contributed by Patty Nettles Floyd (Nov. 7, 2003)

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Pension Records

The pension records below have to do with those who applied for pensions or received pensions in the Pierce county ordinary's office.

  • ALDRIDGE, John - served four years in Co. D, 26th Georgian Infantry.
  • BARNARD, James G - enlisted in the Army in April, 1861 in Florida.
  • BELL, Lewis - served three years, two months in Co. D, 22nd Regiment.
  • BENNETT, William T. - served three years in Co. C, 4th GA Regiment.
  • BYRD, William F. - soldier in Co. A, or I of the 4th Georgia Regiment.
  • CARTER, William Jr - served in the Army four years in Co. B of 54th Reg.
  • CASON, David - served four years in Co. D, 7th regiment of GA Cavalry.
  • CLELAND, John - served three years eight months in Co. F 26th Regiment.
  • COWART, M.M. - enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Co. B, 20th Regiment.
  • CRAWFORD, Reuben M. - enlisted in the Army in January, 1862, Co.
  • D. DAVIS, James C.C. - born Feb. 15, 1847, served in the Army as private.
  • DIXON, John - enlisted in Army May 17, 1862, in Company E, 7th Reg.
  • DOWLING, J.J. - enlisted in the Army March 4, 1862, in Co. A. 50th Reg.
  • ECHOLS, George S. - was a soldier in Capt. HENDRY'S Company.
  • HENDERSON, John J. - sergeant, was 75 years old Sept. 5, 1908.
  • HENDRY, Enoch D. - served as captain in Atlantic and Gulf Guards.
  • HENDRY, George S - enlisted Feb. 28, 1862, Damp Claghorn in GA
  • HOWELL, Elijah - pvt. in Captain HENDERSON'S company of GA.
  • JAMES, R.T. - enlisted about Sept., 1862, and served up to Apr. 9, 1865.
  • JOHNSON, Samuel D. - resided in GA from Dec. 25, 1827, enlisted in 1862.
  • KIMBRELL, William - served three years in Co. I of the 4th GA Regiment.
  • LAUGHINGHOUSE, John C. - served fours years in Co A. 4th Regiment.
  • MARTIN, Joseph J. - enlisted April 18, 1861, in Co. E, 26th Georgia.
  • MOODY, John - resided in Georgia from March 15, 1833, Company A.
  • NUNEZ, W.P. - soldier in Co. K, 26th GA Regiment, Gordon's Brigade.
  • PHILLIPS, G.W. - resided in Georgia from Feb. 15, 1834, Company G.
  • PROCTOR, James C. - enlisted in Co. I, 9th Georgia, sick and was discharged.
  • RIGGINS, Thomas - resided in Georgia from Feb. 22, 1831, Company G.
  • RIGGINS W.E. - enlisted in the Army in Sept. 1861, in Co F, 26th Reg.
  • RIGGINS, William - resided in GA from May 31, 1838, in Company A.
  • SILLS, Newton - served two years and 10 months in Co. D, 9th Reg.
  • SMITH, William W. - served in Conf. Army first in Independent Cavalry.
  • TIPPINS, Phillip - a soldier in Co. K of 54th Regiment of GA Infantry.
  • WALKER, Berry - died July 6, 1875, leaving a widow, Mary B.
  • WALKER. WILLIAMS, Robert - resided in Georgia from july 15, 1844, in Co. K.
  • WOODARD, William - served three years in Co. F, 4th Georgia Cavalry.
  • YOUMANS, Charles S. - served three years in Mercer's Partisan Rangers.
  • YOUMANS, Perry - enlisted at Screven, GA, in Co. K, 4th GA Cavalry.
  • YOUMANS, James S. - Company C, 4th GA Regiment of Volunteers.
  • YOUNG, William - soldier in Co. G, 7th Georgia, wife was named Adeline. Back To Top

Cemetery Listings

Pierce county has a number of old cemeteries, the oldest of which is Shiloh, located three miles northeat of Blackshear. Other old cemeteries are: Blackshear (very large and manicured), Old Mill Creek, Foster Clay, Foster Sand Hill (also known as Sheppard Davis cemetery). Below is a listing of white cemeteries:

  • Patterson
  • New Mill Creek
  • New Home - off of New Hope Church Road
  • Bristol
  • Mershon
  • Ramah - off Hwy 121 and Horsehoe Road
  • Beulah - off Beulah Church Rd onad Peacock Rd.
  • Ben James
  • Rehobeth - 7.5 miles west of Blackshear
  • Waters
  • Enon
  • Thomas - off of Hoboken Rd. and Thomas Cemetery Rd.
  • Youmans - off Old Alma Road
  • Raulerson - off of Trudie Rd. and Raulerson Rd. (see note below)
  • Prospect - 14.5 miles east of Blackshear.
  • Mollie Brown
  • St. John's - off of St. Johns Church Rd.
  • Alabaha - seven miles north of Blackshear
  • Strickland
  • Hershal Davis
  • Byrd - off Hwy 121 and Honeysuckle Lane
  • Martha Memorial
  • Aspinwall Cemetery - off of Tyre Bridge Rd and Aspin. Cemetery Rd.

Raulerson Cemetery was consecrated in the 1830's with the burial of Noel RAULERSON a great-uncle of Thomas S. RAULERSON, grandson of Jacob RAULERSON, who owned the farm on which the cemetery was located. Jacob RAULERSON purchased the farm from Alexander NUNEZ in 1817.

A listing of Black cemeteries as reported by "HISTORY OF PIERCE COUNTY GEORGIA", directions are from Blackshear.

  • Shilo - one mile north
  • Nunn - 2 miles southwest
  • Ivey - 3 miles southwest
  • Mershon - 13.5 miles north
  • Gethsemane - 10 miles northeast
  • Ridge - 7.5 miles northeast
  • Offerman - 11.5 miles northeast

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Weather Reports

Warren P. Ward's "History of Coffee County," published in 1930, says a severe storm, presumably a tornado, orginated about three miles north of Douglas about 1857 and moved eastward in a straight path, passing on to the coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. "Not a tree was left standing in the path of the storm," which was about one mile wide.

Part of Pierce County may have been in the path of this storm, giving names to Hurricane Creek and Little Hurricane Creek which flow into Pierce, and to communities in both present Bacon County and Coffee County which still bear the name Hurricane.

The first tornado to hit Blackshear after it was chartered struck about noon on November 10, 1880. The new two-story home of Jessee MILTON which was nearly completed was blown down. The dwelling house and kitchen of Mrs. Nancy STEWART was destroyed. The tornado moved up Church Street, striking the A.N. SMITH home and the Town Hall, in which the Blackshear News was printed. The store room at the H.J. SMITH place was upset and a part of B.D. BRANTLEY'S kitchen was torn away.

On Sunday, October 2, 1898, Blackshear and Pierce county was visited by one of the worst hurricanes ever to hit this section. One person, Mrs. Jack DICKSON, was killed when her kitchen was blown down on her. The Times report, describe the damage: "Main street from BRANTLEY'S hardware store to Dr. BREWER'S office has been stripped of every China tree except one or two and they are badly damaged. The school house in the pine thicket near the residence of William DAVIS was blown down, and some one said it was turned around. Mr. AHL'S kitchen at the 'Norman Place' was blown down and torn to pieces. An old woodshop out at Mrs. M.J. HOWARD'S was blown down. A shed-room at Joe GRAY'S was torn loose from the house and leans from the house about two inches. Mr. A.P. BRANTLEY'S wind-mill up at his house was blown over and badly damaged. Mr. G.W. TAYLOR, naval stores manufacturer, is the heaviest loser we have heard of up to now. He lost about 75,000 boxes besides other losses. We haven't seen Mr. TAYLOR but we understand that he places his loss at $5,000 and is tempted to abandon the whole business. Mr. D.J. WALKER'S store down in Patterson was unroofed and the damage to his stock of goods will amount to several hudred dollars. E. ASPINWALL says the storm damaged his turpentine business at least $1,200. A portion of W.F. RAYBON'S house was carried away and the Masonic hall was moved about 12 inches out of plumb." A letter to the editor from A.J. DIXON at Mershon reported: "My gin-house was demolished and my fodder, which I had just before the storm stored therein, was badly damaged. The little house in which the post office was kept was blown down and torn to pieces. All the pine timber in front of my house was leveled to the ground, being blown up by the roots."

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Great Fires

The worst fire for Pierce County to date was March of 1875. The fire started in the store operated by a Mr. MALONE. In this fire the Pierce county courthouse and all the stores on the west side of the railroad were burned, with the exception of B.D. BRANDLEY's. Nearly all the Pierce county records were destroyed as the courhouse burned.

In January of 1880, fire destroyed the Pierce county jail. Sheriff E.Z. BYRD reported that a prisoner in the jail lit a piece of paper to warm his feet and lay down to sleep with the paper still burning. The prisoner, un-named, was rescued but the building was a total loss.

On the morning of April 21, 1899, a fire was discovered in one of the brick stores owned by William ARMITAGE and occupied by T.D. HUGHES grocery. The blaze spread to the William DAVIS building and all stores in the Armitage building, including W. T. HUGHES & Co., Thos. D. HUGHES place, T.F. LAKE store, Grady and Darling, E.J. McKINNEY's bicycle shop and the law offices of ESTES & WALKER. These establishments were a total loss except that everything removable was taken from the buildings, as it became apparent they were doomed. The Times reported the following week: "Col. STURGIS' office is now in the courthouse, Cols. ESTES & WALKER have offices in The Times building upstairs, Col. Walter MILTON's office is between the Baptist Church and The Times office, T.F. LAKE opened up in the Willaim DAVIS' old store formerly occupied by Will DARLING. The post office is in the same building for the present. C.W. LOVE, formerly clerk in the City Drug Store, has rented the Converse store from Jos. A.