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Tazewell

 A former County seat:  Eight Miles northeast of Buena Vista, is the charming little town of Tazewell, once the County Seat of Marion County.  It is situated on both sides of a small stream called Buck Creek.  For several years after the county was organized, in 1827, the public buildings were at Horry, but on Dec 27, 1838, an act was approved making Tazewell the seat of government by the following commissioners: Arthur W Battle, David N Burkhalter, Randell W Mesten, Zachariah Wallace, and Seaborn L Collins.  Just one year proceeding, on Christmas Day, in 1837, the old Tazewell Academy was chartered with the following board of trustees: Burton W Dodd, James Powers, Joseph J Battle, Robert S Burch, and C B Strange.  Visitors are always interested in the old parade ground, where the militia drills took place before the war, and where many an incident occurred, such as Judge Longstreet describes in “Georgia Scenes”. The first clerk of the court was Burton W Dowd.  Tony Carroll, an early bailiff, was one of the famous Carroll triplets, all of whom lived to be very old men.  John Burkhalter, Benjamin Halley, Jordan Wilcher and Solomon Wall were prominent among the early settlers.

 Capt John E Sheppard, a former resident of Tazewell, now a resident of Buena Vista, achieved a record for gallantry during the Civil War which few if any have surpassed.  Like his highland ancestors, he was a grim fighter, thought withal a most genial gentleman.  On account of a bullet hole in his head, his life hung in the balance for months, but as soon as he could shoulder his musket he was back again at the front.  Not long thereafter, in a fierce battle, his ranking officers were all either killed or wounded, making it necessary for him to assume command of the regiment.  On this occasion, it is amusing told of him, he was not exactly on a war footing, since in lieu of shoes his feet were wrapped in old croker sack.  Hon. J E Sheppard of Americus, a distinguished lawyer and legislator is Capt Sheppard’s son.  One of the oldest residents of Tazewell is William Stewart.  His gifted son-in-law , Hon. E H McMichael, has frequently represented Marion County in the General Assembly and was speaker Pro Tem of the last House.  There are many attractive homes in Tazewell – a conservative and cultured old town, famed for the hospitality of its citizens.

Source: Georgia’s Landmarks, Memorials and Legends by Lucien Lamar Knight, 1914

"Tazewell, the former county seat, is situated in a fertile section.  The adjacent creek lands are very productive. The water power on the creeks here is sufficient to run a large number of spindles.  A fine merchant mill and water gin owned by W T Stewart is situated at the junction of Shoal and Bridge creeks which form Buck creek.  Tazewell has three stores, a blacksmith shop, two churches, a good school and a Masonic Hall.  Dr M R Edwards and Dr S A Murray are Tazewell's physicians.  At that time the prominent citizens were trying to build a railroad which would connect their village with Columbus.  The Owens House was a well kept hotel.  Prof O B Harris has charge of the school." 

Source: History of Marion County, by Nettie Powell, 1931

County Courthouse in Tazewell was built on Lot 230 in the 4th Dist. From 1838-1850, second courthouse in Marion County until it was

moved to Buena Vista.

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