Shoals on the Ogeechee Marker

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Jewells Mill in Warren County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Shoals on the Ogeechee

By David Seibert, November 14, 2004

1. Shoals on the Ogeechee Marker

Inscription. First called Lexington, Shoals was the site of what was probably the first woolen mill and iron foundry in Georgia. In 1794, Col. William Bird, Revolutionary soldier from Pennsylvania, and Benjamin A. Hamp bought several thousand acres of land including the shoals, a natural site for a dam, where they built the mill. The race was made by alternately burning pine logs on the granite and pouring cold water over it so the stone would split off. Hamp soon sold his share in “Bird & Hamp” to Col. Bird. After Col. Bird's death in 1812, his heirs sold the property to Thomas Cheely, who built a grist mill for grinding wheat and corn. This, with the woolen mill, was burned by Sherman's forces in 1864. In later years there have been grist mills and ginneries at the site operated by the Coleman family who own most of the original bird property.

“Aviary,” the home of Col. Bird and his wife, Caroline Dalton Bird, with its family cemetery where both are buried, was on the hill overlooking the dam. Among their descendants were William Lowndes Yancey, “Orator of Secession,” and Benjamin Yancey, Jr., minister to Argentina under President Buchanan.

Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 149-4.)

Location. 33° 15.276′ N, 82° 45.305′ W. Marker is in Jewells Mill, Georgia, in Warren County. Marker is at the intersection of State Highway 123 and Shoals Road, on the left when traveling south on State Highway 123. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mitchell GA 30820, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Beall Springs (approx. 4.3 miles away); Rockby (approx. 10.9 miles away); Site of First Washington County Jail (approx. 11 miles away); Warthen (approx. 11 miles away); President Jefferson Davis (approx. 12.4 miles away); Gov. William Rabun (approx. 12.4 miles away); Powelton Baptist Church (approx. 13.8 miles away); Camilla and Zack Hubert Homesite (approx. 14.7 miles away).

Regarding Shoals on the Ogeechee. While the mill was burned in the Civil War and the Bird home burned 30 years later, the Cheely-Coleman house (built circa 1825) still stands a short distance from the shoals. The historic marker for that home has been removed by the current owners.

Credits. This page originally submitted on December 24, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 356 times since then. Last updated on December 30, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photo 1. Submitted on December 24, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.