Does anyone know if there was any kind of credentials or license needed to become a teacher in west Georgia, 1860? If I had to guess, it would be no. One of my ancestors, Jonathan T. McCrary, was a 19 year old teacher in Lumpkin, Stewart Co in 1860. His parents were poor so its doubtful he had any education beyond high school. In fact, I have found his name among the Talbot County poor school list in 1852 and 1854. Another ancestor, James Nicholson, was a teacher in Woodbury, Meriwether Co in 1860 but I have no information about his early background. Both men listed 'teacher' as their occupation on every subsequent census for rest of their lives. Does anyone know if one should expect to find any type of records associated with the teaching profession in Georgia during the 19th century?