INTERESTING BITS OF HABERSHAM COUNTY HISTORY PART 2 HISTORY OF CLARKESVILLE, GEORGIA Mrs. Julia Wales Erwin Wilson, Sister to W. S. Erwin In the early fifties, H. B. Smith had a large and flourishing school here for several years. In 1859, the citizens of the town were much interested in a large school for girls, toward which most of them contributed. Judge William Low gave the site, thirteen acres, to the town, and a large building was erected on "College Hill', now the Martin Place. The school was the Tallulah Female Institute, andRev. R. C. Ketchum was principal. It florished and died. Most of what little education I possess was acquired at the Tallulah Female Institute. The first church was the old Methodist church, 1831, which stood in the cemetery. It was built by all the citizens for the use of all denominations. In 1838 the Episcopalians built their churd. The first vestryman, or trustees, were George D. Phillips, B. F. Patton, S. A. Wales, Alex Erwin and John R. Stanford, mostly Presbyterians. Here the convention was held which elected Steven Elliott first Presbyterian Bishop of Georgia. Some years later, 1848, the Presbyterians built their church on a lot of two acres, given in equal shares, by Robert Campbell, Wi8lliam Smith and George D. Phillips. This church was completed in 1848 and dedicated by Dr. Nathan Hoyt, grandfather of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson. I have also heard her other grandfather, Rev. I. S. K. Axson, preach there, also her father, Rev. Edward Axson and her uncle, Rev. Dr. Henry Hoyt. I have heard too in this church, Dr. J. R. Wilson, father of the President, and Professor James Woodrow, his uncle. Clarkesville boasted a bank in these early days, a branch of the Georgia R. Bank of Augusta. Mr. Dugas, uncle of Dr. Henry Rossignol, was the manager. He built the Berry House where Mr. Joe Stewart lived 1910-1918 (now the pastorium). The bank was in the old Sam Lambert house which burned a few years ago. The hotel which stood where the Mountain View now is was kept for years by Lewis Levy of Augusta, and after him by Mr. Reuben Nash. Mrs. Collier was for many years landlady of the Alleghany House, now the Inn, while Mrs. Fuller had a hotel on the square where is now the Addison house (Foster's store corner). The little town boasted of a paper called "The Argus" in the early days. The North East Georgian was published later by J. F. Patton. In the old cemetery lie at least two Revolutionary soldiers, Mr. McCrocky, grandfather of Mrs. Caroline Hunt and Matthew Rhodes. I have a very faint recollection of the latter as a very feeble old man. The principal physician in Clarkesville for fifty years was Dr. W. J. Rusk, an old bachelor, shy and awkward, but a fine physician and one of the most charitable of men. His old fashioned saddle bags were often full of needed delicacies for those of his patients who were unable to buy them. There was no dearth of lawyers in Clarkesville in those days. Among them were Elihu Barclay, John H. Jones, M. J. Walker, Calvin J. Hanks, Phillip Martin and Thomas J. Rusk. Calvin Hanks was killed by Dr. L. B. Harris. No doubt many of you have noticed the epitaph on his tomb in the old cemetery, "Ye living men as ye pass by." To my childish mind this was the most wonderful and awe inspiring gem of poetry. Thomas J. Rusk was a young lawyer of brilliant promise, but was fast ruining himself by dissipation. Dr. George Phillips, one day after a serious talk with him as to his conduct and future, gave him a hundred dollars and told him to go to Texas and make a man of himself. Rusk took the money and advice, went to Texas and rose rapidly to the front rank in his profession and in politics. He was United States senator, with a bright prospect of being president of the United States, but ended his career by suicide while at the height of his fame. While senator he related to Dr. J. P. Phillips in Washington, t is story of Dr. George D. Phillips. (this is verbatim not a typo) The delightful climate of Habersham County, with its cool breezes, bright skys, gushing streams and fine scenery, soon brought many persons from the low country of Georgia and South Carolina to build summer homes in the vicinity of Clarkesville. Among them were many historic homes. Col. R. W. Habersham was the son of Joseph Habersham, Washington's Postmster General. He built "Azalia," the quaint and lovely old house, now the hom of Mr. Joe Erwin. The Alston House a few miles out of town near Turnerville was built by a close relative, son or nephew of Governor Alston of South Carolina, who married Theodosia, the beautiful and ill fated daughter of Aaron Burr. Sailing from Charleston to New York, to visit her father in his disgrace and old age, she was never heard of again. It was reported that the vessel was captured by pirates and Theodosia Alston, with the other passengers, forced to walk the plank. The "Alston" now belongs to the Middleton family of South Carolina, direct descendants of the signer, Arthur Middleton Junior. John MacPhearson, Attorney General under Andrew Jackson had a summer home here. It's rather a singular coincidence that this place was afterwards owned by Amos T. Akerman, who held the same office under President Grant. Rev. W. E. Eppes, the Episcopal minister beloved by all our people, was a great grandson of Thomas Jefferson and Mr. Robert Waller is a grandson of President Tyler. Andrew Jackson's mother, when her husband was killed, took refuge with her aunt Mrs. John Wilson, my husband's great grandmother. Andrew Jackson lived with Dr. John McKemie Wilson. These are but a few of the historic names connected with Clarkesville and Habersham County. Claresville has always had a great attraction for all sorts of cranks and oddities, who have drifted here from every quarter, besides having her fair share of the same sort of native production. Did the scope of this paper permit, I could relate many tales of interest both grave and gay. I will speak of one story that used to excite my childish sympathy and interest to the highest degree. Many years ago, a Frenchman, calling himself Eugene Pinard, came to Clarkesville, no one knew for what reason. He was a mysterious character, stern and reserved, saying nothing of his past, excpet a few vague hints of a dark past of crime and piracy. A chest of rich clothing and silk and velvet seemed to corroberate his story of having been on a pirate ship. He married a pretty contry girl living as help in General Wyley's family. He remained with her for perhaps three years, then disappeared as suddenly as he came, taking with him a beautiful little daughter, nearly two years old and leaving not a trace to show where he had gone. The sympathy of the whole town was aroused for the heartbroken mother and every possible effort was put forth to locate the little child. Kind friends wrote to the French consuls in New Orleans, Mobile, New York and other ports. Advertisements were inserted in the papers of the principal cities of this country and in France, but all in vain. The fugitives had disappeared as if swallowed by the earth, and the desolate mother never again heard aught of her child. I remember Mrs. Pinard when I was a child a pale, sad woman who made a modest livlihood by nursing the sick, and sewing in families and who grieved as long as she lived for her Victorine. I have tried to be accurate in what I have written but have had to depend to a great extent on my memory of what I have heard the old folks say years ago. Dr. Phillips and my brother, Joe Erwin have given me a good deal of history. I love this dear old town where I was born, and where all my children were born, and I think you for giving me an opportunity of assisting i some slight degree to preserve its memories and traditions. I am proud of my birthplace.