--part1_1951e43f.24590dcb_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit --part1_1951e43f.24590dcb_boundary Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Return-path: JDixon8671@aol.com From: JDixon8671@aol.com Full-name: JDixon8671 Message-ID: <1951e43f.244bf0b2@aol.com> Date: Sun, 18 Apr 1999 22:36:34 EDT Subject: Re: [GAWILKIN-L] BALL To: tina@tcsn.net MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 4.0 for Windows 95 sub 246 Reply-To: JDixon8671@aol.com Tina: The Oconee River is the boundary line between Wilkinson County and Washington County. Balls Ferry was used to cross the Oconee River until the bridge was completed in March 1939. The Ferry/Brigade is located on the Wrightsville-Toomsboro-Irwinton highway. I have two newspaper clippings dated 31 March 1939. One is a picture of the ferry being pulled across the river and the second is a copy of the newly constructed bridge. There was an artesian well located at the site which flowed freely until the 1950s, possibly 60s. People would stop there to get a drink of water or fill their containers. My grandparents (THOMPSON) owned land that butted against the Oconee River and Balls Ferry. They sold the land in the late 40s to move closer to town. If you would like, I'll try to make a copy of the two pictures. The paper is very brittle and yellowed but it may turn out well enough for you to see the pictures. I have a copy of Mr. Maddox's book, History of Wilkinson County. It states in the book that "Senator John Ball moved to his bounty lands in Washington County and established Ball's Ferry near by. By the way, I saw a notice from GeorgiaWren who is researching the same family tree that I am. We share the same ancestors. Thanks so much for this site. I've gathered quite a bit of useful information from it concerning my "family tree". Diane Thompson Dixon Augusta, GA --part1_1951e43f.24590dcb_boundary--