JAMES BUSH
EARLY PIONEER OF EARLY COUNTY, GEORGIA
This is one of the pioneer, as well as one of the
most enterprising and influential families in southwestern Georgia, its founder,
James Bush, having settled on Colomokee Creek, in Early County, not far from
Fort Gaines, in 1818, being one of the four white men in the county.
The grandparents of James Bush came from Germany some years before the
Revolutionary War and settled on Trent River, In North Carolina. Here two sons,
John and William, were born. While quite young, their father died and their
mother married a Mr. Blackshear, by whom she had seven children: Brig.-Gen.
David E. Blackshear, who gained distinction in the war of 1812, being one of
them. In the latter part of the last century the family came to Georgia and
settled in Laurens County. Here William Bush reared his family of children, one
of whom was James Bush, father of Judge Isaac Bush and Dr. Elijah B. Bush, of
Miller County, Georgia.
James Bush, born in 1794, was 1st married to Miss Nellie Glass, in Laurens
County, who bore him three children: William J. Bush, David V. Bush and James C.
Bush, all of whom died.
Bereaved of these children's and his wife's death, he removed to Early County,
Georgia in 1818. There he married his 2nd wife, Miss Mary Caraway, who bore him
twelve children: Mourning Bush (Mrs. Charles G. Roberts), Isaac Bush, Charles W.
Bush, Rebecca Bush (Mrs. William Battle), Arkansas Bush (Mrs. A. C. Sheffield),
Usual J. Bush, Mary V. Bush, Missouri D. Bush, Thomas J. Bush, Amanda K. Bush,
Burden B. Bush and another infant who's name is unrecorded.
Losing his second wife by death, James Bush contracted, April 25th, 1844, a 3rd
marriage with Miss Nancy Grantham, by whom he had five children: Nancy Bush
(Mrs. George Tabb, Arcola, Miss.), Monterey S. Bush, Robert E. Bush, Elijah B.
Bush, M.D. Colquitt, Georgia and Edith Bush.
Nancy Grantham having passed away, James Bush took a 4th wife Miss Effie Tennet,
who survived him when he passed away, November 10, 1869.
James Bush was a man of great energy of character and did much to advance the
material interests of his section, Miller County.
Reference:
Sketches of Miller County
History of Miller County, Colquitt Garden Club
Written By:
Timothy Allen Jeter
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July 03, 2005