Civil War Articles by Julian WilliamsThe Old-Timers Were Very Concerned About Their Ocmulgee River!
This article was compiled by Julian Williams.
When Gene and Carolyn Boney were kind enough to give me a copy of the picture of an old ferry, supposedly one near Jacksonville, Georgia, I started wondering about the river and how the people used it. To be sure, military roads were a big item back then, but so were the rivers. I get the impression that they were a lot more concerned about them than we are today. I was reminded, in the middle of this sentence, of the importance of looking after water things. The little fountain next to my chair started making funny noises. I had let it run low on water. A little water made it act right again. I like its sound of falling water, but the little booger puts me to sleep! Back to the river.
I suppose no one knows exactly where or when the first ferry was built connecting Telfair and Coffee (or where Coffee is today) or Telfair and Irwin (where Ben Hill is today).
It is recorded that Coffee Road, built by General John Coffee and Thomas S. Swain, began at Swain's Ferry Landing at Jacksonville, Georgia, and extended southwesterly to the vicinity of Tallahassee, Florida. That would have been in 1822, or 178 years ago. Or, roughly, six or seven generations ago, give or take a few years for the odd or slightly unconventional breeding habits of some folks.
But, people did a lot of unconventional things back then. The Georgia Journal notes on June 7, 1815, that road builder and ferry builder, Thomas Swain, of Jacksonville, Georgia, denied accusations about the flailing of a certain fellow whipped for stealing a saddle. "I do further declare, that I know not, nor did I ever know of his having been whipped or having stolen a saddle or anything else. -- Given under my hand, this 18th April, 1815." It sounds like the gentleman was about to sue Mr. Swain.
Robert (Bob) Swain also told me that Uncle Thomas was about to sue some of his kinfolks about some borrowed money. Sounds like Mr. Swain kept his famous attorney, Alexander H. Stephens, very busy.
It is also interesting that the building and maintenance of ferries to cross the river was not the only water transportation concern.
The Georgia Journal, Tuesday, August 12, 1817, had this notice: "Georgia, Pulaski County. Hartford, August 1, 1817. A majority of the Commissioners for the improving of navigation of the Ocmulgee River, having met at this place -- Resolved, that after 30 days notice ... there be books of subscription opened in the following places, to wit: -- at the town of Darien ---, etc."
It is interesting to note that this drive for funds to improve the river for navigational purposes also extended to Telfair County, where William H. Gross and Col. Lawrence (Laurence) Manning were superintendents of said efforts to raise funds. John Willcox and Major James M. Taylor were listed as superintendents for Pulaski County. It is remembered that Col. Manning was the brother and uncle of two South Carolina governors and closely related to a third. Col. Manning lived on a plantation on the south side of the Ocmulgee River. John Willcox, of course, was the father of General Mark Willcox, Indian fighter. There is some discussion about whether Wilcox County is named for John or Mark, or both. Any of the above would seem to be OK. They say family honor is honor for the family. Somewhere in all that, they worked in the Indian fighting and Mark was wounded at least once (Battle of Breakfast Branch in 1818).
The Willcoxes were also big ferry people, too. It is said that the Jacksonville Ferry, about where the bridge is today (actually just below it), remained in the possession and supervision of the Willcox family for over 100 years. Then the 1935 bridge came.
Clearing the river of logs and snags and building ferries were not the only concerns involving the use of the waterway. Obviously, some folks had a habit of "borrowing" other persons to pole their boats.
The following appeared in the Georgia Journal on Tuesday, July 12, 1825: "Presentments of the Grand Jury of Telfair County. The Grand Jury for the county of Telfair, at June Term, 1825, present as a grievance worthy of Legislative interference, The practice indulged by Patroons (something like Captains) of boats and others navigating the Ocmulgee River, of hiring the slaves of persons residing in the neighborhood of the river to pole their boats, without authority of their owners. --" The grand jury listed Noah Parramore as Foreman. Others were: William Hattin (Hatton or Hatten), Reddin Stringer, John L. Lankin, Jeremiah Wells, John W. Lee, Alexander Carswell, Cornelius Ashley, Archibald McKay, John Lawson, Daniel McDonald, Duncan Graham, Griffin Mizell, Griffin Fletcher, Ashley Cowthon (Cawthon), Charles McKinnon (surveyor who laid out Jacksonville, Georgia), Joseph Barron, Jehu McCall, Reddin Wooten, Henry Hulet (Hulett), Alexander B. McRae, and John D. Alston. Lott Warren was the Solicitor General. The Clerk was Duncan McRae.
The Ocmulgee River was important to the people living on its banks. All things had to work together.
I often wondered what they did with the rope or cable on the ferry when a steamboat came by. An old-timer had a quick answer for me. They dropped it to the bottom of the river until the steamer had passed! I suppose steel cables would sink on their own. The ropes might have needed weights - sort of like trotlines. Sometimes the answer is simpler than the question.
So we see, the river was not just left on its own to meander aimlessly through its course, the lives of its people, and history. Oh, the river would change its course and sometimes there was little to do but accept it and as someone said, go with the flow.
But the settlers are to be commended. They cared for the river and for themselves. Their existence and quality of life depended in great part on the river and its performance. It was not something to be taken for granted.
As a boy, I sometimes fished trotlines on the Ocmulgee River, the Oconee, and the Altamaha. I came, in spite of some unwise actions, to have a great respect for the river. It produced fish and income and enjoyment and gave me a sense of its history - the long long tale of its being around a long long time and meaning much to the people who interacted with it.
And it will probably be around another long, long time and interact with a lots more folks - much like you and me.
Credits:
Telfair Clippings From State Newspapers by Tad Evans.
American Memories HAER site on old buildings and bridges.
Gene and Carolyn Boney for their picture of the old ferry.
