*Below information is taken from (online) DAVIDSON'S HISTORY OF WILKINSON CO., GA. This info relates to our Watkins & Fountain families of Wilkinson Co.,GA & earlier from Edgec.Co.NC Watkins brothers... below "Wealthy Watkins" is daughter of MITCHELL WATKINS, SR., R.S., of Edgec. Co. NC.* *Tina/CA* FOUNTAIN - GARRETT - KNIGHT PROLOGUE >From the Fontaine Family by Edward C. Meade, Albermarle E. Va-Rich. Times-Dispatch, Aug. 9, 1903, we have the following: "The original name `Fountain' was evidently one of location; that is Jean de-la-Fontaine or John of the Fountain, living as is supposed, near some noted fountain in the province; but the `de-la' is a sign of nobility, so we find him in the King's service during the reigns of Frances I, Henry II and Frances II, until Charles IX, when he resigned. The de-la was retained until about 1633, when it was dropped by his grandson, James, from motives of humility, under the persecution. "This Jean de-la Fontaine had two sons, James and Abraham. James died in 1633, leaving a son, James, born in 1628, who also left a son, James, born in 1658, and lived at Jenonville, France. This James (born 1658) became a Protestant preacher and, being persecuted for his faith, escaped from France in 1685. He married in 1686, Elizabeth Boursignot and settled in Bridgewater, England, but eventually moved to Dublin, Ireland, where he died. James Fontaine left six sons: James, Aaron, Peter, Moses, Francis and John, and two daughters, Mary Ann (or Molly), and Elizabeth. "The sons were seemingly of a roving disposition. James, the eldest, with his wife and child, emigrated to Virginia in 1717, settling in Henrico County. Aaron died in Ireland in 1699. Peter graduated in law in 1711, but was ordained a minister in London in 1715, emigrated with his wife to Virginia in 1716. Moses became an engraver and settled in London. Frances also became a minister and emigrated with his wife about 1719, settling in King William County, Va. John, the youngest of the children, was the first to come to the new world. He landed in Massachusetts in 1714, and visited the country as far as Virginia. He then returned to England. "The Rev. Peter Fontaine had seven children: Peter, Moses, Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph, Aaron, and a daughter who married a Winston. It is from these Fontaines that the Fountains of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia are descended. The Fontaines - Fountains have ever manifested a love for learning and culture and many of the name hold high rank in the professional world. They are characterized by a deep sense of religious tendency and a love for liberty and justice. "The Arms of the de-la-Fontaine family as brought over by Rev. Peter Fontaine are the same as found in the Heralds College England, which are ornate and described as follows: "Argent, fesse embattled between two elephants' heads, rased with tusk depressed in Chief; in base three masted ship, with sails and pennan spread. The crest is an elephant's head, rased, with tusks depressed." Among the pioneer families of Wilkinson County were Fountain, Garrett and Knight. The first by the name of Fountain in said county was Israel. The earliest official record we have of his is his witnessing a deed for land lot 241 in Wilkinson County, Georgia (said lot now owned by the Allen family) in 1816, between Ethelred Fountain of Jefferson and David Ingram. It is interesting to note that three years previously Ethelred Fountain and Ellender Ingram had been married in Jefferson County. We presume that the thoughtful husband bought the aforesaid farm from his father-in-law and brought his homesick wife back to live. Israel Fountain was born about 1775. He married Delphia (called Welthy) Watkins (see later Watkins connections), and they lived for a time in South Carolina. The first of their children was born there. In about 1799, they came into the wilds of Georgia, bringing with them the story of Israel's descent from the French Huguenot Fontaines who were refugees into the colony of Virginia, thence into North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. In the early history of the family was one Jacques who was very distinguished and whose memory is revered to this day by the descendants. In one branch of the family in North Carolina there were two sons, Francis and John. It was the custom of Francis Fontaine (Fountain) to keep a diary, and in 1754 there appears this entry: "John has married and we learn that he has married well." An interesting bit of information, but about all that has been learned of John and his marriage - not even the name of his spouse. We have reason to believe, however, that John, brother of Francis, was the father of Israel Fountain of Wilkinson County, Georgia. Originally the name was "Fontaine" but after coming to America an Anglicized form "Fountain" was frequently used. An example of this variableness may be found in the family record of one Aaron "Fontaine." The form "Fountain" appears six times in the eleven recorded. The following is quoted from "The Douglas Register of Virginia," page 195: "(Record of Aaron Fontaine's Family). "Mrs. Barbara Tyrel, Mrs. Fountain, was born Sept. 3, 1756. "Mr. Aaron Fontaine was born Nov. 30, 1754, and married May 19, 1773. P. 144. "Register of Mr. Aaron Fountain and Barbara Tyrel, their children and family, Jan. 12, 1797. "Peter, born Dec. 15, 1744. "James Tyrel, Nov. 19, 1776. "Mary Anne, born Oct. 14, '78. "Elizabeth, born Sept. 5, '80. "Matilda, born Sept. 13, '82. "Patsie Minor, Mar. 14, '85. "Sallie Sarah, Mar. 17, '87. "Mariah, Feb. 16, '89. "America, Mar. 10, '91. "Will Maury, Jan. 16, '93. Barbara Ker, Dec. 25, '94. "Ann Overton, Ap. 19, '96. P. 144. "Aaron "Fontaine and Barbara Terril, Patsy Minor, Mar. 14, 1785. Baptized Ap. 16, 1785. P. 114. "Aaron Fountain and Barbara Terrill a child Sarah, Mar. 17, 1787. Baptized Mar. 30, 1787. P. 118. "Aaron Fountain and Babie Tyrrel a child Moriah, Feb. 16, 1789. Baptized Mar. 29, 1789. P. 122. "Aaron Fontaine and Barbara Terrell his wife and son born 16 January 1793, Wm. Maury Fontaine. Baptized, 1793, Mch 19. P. 127. "Aaron Fountain and Barbarah Tyrrel a daughter, Ann Overton, born Ap. 19, 96. Baptized June 3, 1796. P. 127." In the court records of Wilkinson County one hundred and fifty years later we find I.J. Fountain, a grandson of Israel Fountain, giving his official signature "Fontaine" and "Fountain" as he chanced to write it. Israel Fountain and his wife, "Welthy," settled near Gordon, more importantly known at that time as Ramah Church. When Israel established his home in Wilkinson County he also built his school house. This location is marked now by a lone mulberry tree and a pile of bricks. He planted his orchards, cleared his fields, and acquired enough land to give a large plantation to each of his children as they married - and there were many portions to be given. Tradition says that Israel had sixteen children. If this is true, several must have died young, as his will (and records of Ramah Church) mentions only the names of eleven. Israel and Ethelred lived in the same community. When quite old they were spoken of in whispers by the great-grandchildren (several of whom are now living) as "Miserable" and "Dreadful" because of their very severe, austere religious views which equaled those of our Puritan fathers. Israel, his wife, "Wealthy," and several of his children belonged to Ramah Church, one of the first Baptist Churches of Georgia. Israel died at the age of 92. His widow remained in the home until her death, which occurred shortly after the close of the war, at the age of 104 years. (The house and plantation now belong to a great- grandson, Lewis Fountain). "Wealthy" was not alone in her old age. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren eagerly took turns in staying with her. Very few of these "children" are living today, but sweet memories of "Grannie's" enchanting apple orchard, her well-kept house, delicious cooking and gracious kindness, brighten their lengthening days. The children of Israel Fountain and his wife, Delphia Watkins, were: daughters - 1. Keziah, 2. Elizabeth, 3. Hezikah, 4. Mary, 5. Sabrina; Sons: 6. William, 7. James, 8. Job, 9. Jackson, 10. Lewis and 11. Mitchell. 1. Keziah Fountain was born in 1799 in South Carolina, and was married to Enoch Garrett in 1820 in Wilkinson County, Ga., (see Garrett family). 2. Elizabeth Fountain married Bartley Stevens and their children were: James, Eliza, William, Mitchell, Mary Elizabeth and Bartley G. Stephens. James Stevens married Elizabeth Lyster (sister of Thomas Lyster, who was second husband of Sabrina (Fountan) Batchellar. James Stevens and wife, Elizabeth Lyster, had nine children, Margaret Elizabeth (Pace), Sarah Jane, William, Thomas, Bartley, Lewis, Mary Anna, and Martha Caledoina. 3. Hezekah (or whatever that almost illegible may be) evidently married a Darden (from Ramah Church Roll). Her children were William, Bartlett, Elizabeth and Mary. 4. Mary (Polly) Fountain married (1) Nalus and (2) James Webb. There were children by both marriages, but we have the name of only one, Priscilla Webb. 5. Sabrina, the youngest of the children of Israel and Delphia (Watkins) Fountain, was born in 1820. She married (1) John Bachellar: their children were John, Richard and Sarah Bachellar. Her (2) marriage was to Thomas Lyster. Names of Lyster children not traced. 6. William Fountain married Elizabeth Budd. 7. James Fountain married (1) a Miss McCarty and had several children. [(5), Benj, Sara, Epsey, Wm and Rachael He married (2) Betheland (Bethel) Jones. It is through this marriage that the distinguished Judge Rigsby of Cairo, Georgia is connected with the Fountain family. James Fountain and many of his descendants are buried at Ramah Church. 8. Job Fountain, not traced. 9. Jackson Fountain married Rebecca Batchellar and they had several children. 10. Lewis Fountain married Elizabeth Pickren and had several children. Some of their descendants live at Sycamore, Ga. 11. Mitchell Watkins Fountain married (1) a Miss Pattisall (2) Mary Hannah Patterson, by this second marriage he had seven children: William Oscar, Lewis Jerusha, Dalonega Wilson, Martha Caroline, Mary Elizabeth, Columbus and Ivy Ann Sabrina. Of these, Lewis J. Fountain married (1) Blanche Fountain and they had three children. He married (2) Martha or "Mattie" Patterson, a descendant of Thomas McGinty, Henry Castleberry and Benjamin Cooper, pioneer settlers of Wilkinson County. Rose, daughter of Lewis J. Fountain, married Thomas Dennard and they have a daughter. With the exception of Keziah, wife of Enoch Garrett, and Lewis Fountain, both of whom moved to Taylor County, Ga., about 1847, these children married and settled in Wilkinson County not far distant from the old home. Today their descendants are scattered over the entire United States, but many still remain as good citizens of their native county. Israel Fountain is buried in Ramah Church yard and Delphia, his wife, is buried in the Fountain cemetery about two miles from Gordon. As the south grows older, it treasures these fragments of information concerning its first staunch settlers, and so we add a thread to this tapestry of the past woven of fact and bits of folklore - the history of the Georgia branch of the Fontaines - Fountains.