CRAWFORD COUNTY IN
RETROSPECT
By W.P.A Writer Hallsworth
(1937)
This article was taken from the Historical Chronicles of South published November 24, 1975.
Crawford County was laid out in 1822. A portion of it was acquired by Upson County in 1824. Territory for Crawford County was acquired from Talbot and Marion Counties in 1827. More land was added to Crawford County from Houston County in 1830, also lands were added at that time from the Creek Indian Reserve. At that time Crawford County was 17 miles long, 17 miles wide, with an area of 289 square miles. This county took its name in honor of Hon. William H. Crawford. Crawford County is bounded on the north by Monroe County, on the east by Bibb and Peach Counties, on the south by Peach and Taylor Counties, and on the west by Taylor and Upson Counties. The county seat of Crawford County is Knoxville, so named in honor of Gen. Henry Knox, a Revolutionary hero, and founder of the Society of the Cincinnati. William Harris Crawford, a truly great Georgian, went from a farm into the United States Senate, and following that honor, was made Secretary of the Treasury, which office he held under two administrations. Mr. Crawford also served as United States Ambassador at the Court of Napoleon. So great was the dignity of his personal bearing and presence, that it was related, the Emperor upon receiving him for the first time involuntarily returned twice the bow which the Ambassador made to him. It was known that Mr. Crawford had a marvelous memory, and was able to quote entire chapters from classical literature. His health failed while he was in the Ambassadorship. A paralytic stroke ended his superb health and he died at the age of sixty one. Col. Benjamin Hawkins was another illustrious citizen of Crawford County. He was born and reared in Burke County, North Carolina. Educated at Princeton College, he enlisted in America's Army of the Revolution. Because of his knowledge of French, General Washington engaged his services to assist at deliberations with the French. After participating in the battle of Monmouth and several others, he was made Commercial Agent in 1780 by the North Carolina Legislature. After receiving this appointment he journeyed to the Island of St. Eustatia to secure ammunition and guns while being shipped to their destination, the stores were seized and held by the British. The next year Colonel Hawkins was elected and went to Congress. Two years later he was appointed Commissioner to hold parleys with the Indians (the Creek and Cherokees). This he managed successfully. In 1786 he returned again to Congress, and three years later to the Senate, where he served for six years. At the end of this period, General Washington appointed Colonel Hawkins Superintendent of Indian Affairs, south. Thereafter he lived among the Creeks and devoted all of his talents to improving them. This included establishment of a large farm, building of houses and mills; and wagons and implements needed in the new country. Colonel Hawkins owned many cattle, and the Indians protected them with the greatest care. However, it was said that after his death the Indians' attitude changed and did not hesitate to steal the cattle which he had owned when he could no longer know of their delinquency. Fort Hawkins (which was formerly the Creek Agency), in July 1817 was the meeting place of several hundred Creek Indians. The United States Agent was General Mitchell, and with him dined every day the principle Indian chiefs. At these times they discussed and decided upon important tribal affairs. At this time the United States Government had given a large amount of money to the Indians. In celebrating this event, some of the young warriors became intoxicated, and and one who was next in command to MacIntosh, killed his nephew. For this the Indian chiefs in council decided that the proper punishment was death. This sentence swiftly decided upon, was executed instantly, all being accomplished in less than an hour after the murder was committed. Crawford County covers 319 square miles Population for 1940 was 7,128; colored population for 1940 was 3,879; illiterates, 617; people engaged in farming 1,831; number of farms 959; acres in farmlands, 131,388; value of crops, $689.671; value of dairy products, $16,002; value of livestock, $266.241. The towns of Crawford County include Moran, Musella, Roberta, Hammett, Vancy, Gallard, Johnsons, Zenith, Lee Pope, Rollo, Allon, and Knoxville, the county seat. The Southern Railroad and Central of Georgia are the only railroads serving the county. According to Dr. George White, among the early settlers of Crawford Co. were John and William Hancock, H. B. Troutman, Stephen Wright, Benjamin Beland, John S. Brooks, Henry Bradford, Samuel Dukes, Benjamin Lightfoot, Elisha P. Turner, Willis Taylor, William Richardson, Matthew J. Jordan, Benjamin Dickson, James Lang, William Aigler, W. C. Cleveland, Mancel Hancock, T. D. Hammock, S. D. Burnett, Green P. Culverhouse, John Culverhouse, William Simmons, George R. Hunter, James Clark, John Perry, John Dent, Ezekiel Hall, Elijah M. Amos, E. Whitington, Adam Files, Wm. T. Brown, James Everett, Henry Crowell, John Andrews, John Robinson, William Williamson, Samuel Calhoun, William Trice, Robert Howe, Archibald Gray, James A. Millar, Rev. Henry Hooten. In 1837 there was a pottery in the eastern part of Crawford County, near the Echeconnee Creek, and considerable earth ware was manufactured by the concern. In 1836 Dr. Ezekiel Hall, who was a South Carolininan, settled in Crawford County. His son was Judge Samuel Hall of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Hiram Warner rose from the practice of law at Knoxville to the Superior Court Bench.
A big thanks goes out to Lewis Andrews Sr. ← for submitting this information!
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