Elberton in Elbert County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Elbert County
Created from Wilkes County by Act of Dec, 10, 1790. Elbert County was settled in 1784 by Gen. George Mathews and a group from Virginia and Carolina. The site of Petersburg, the original settlement and third largest town in Georgia in its day, is covered by the Clark Hill Reservoir. Nancy Hart, celebrated Revolutionary patriot, lived in this county. Elbert County was named for Gen. Samuel Elbert, Revolutionary soldier and Governor of Georgia (1785-1786). A native of South Carolina and resident of Savannah, he was a member of the Council of Safety and fought at Savannah (1778) and Brier Creek (1779).
On Jan, 20, 1791, the first session of Elbert County Superior Court was held at the home of Thos. A. Carter on Beaverdam Creek, some 5 miles NW of here. George Walton, Georgia signer of the Declaration of Independence, was presiding judge. The Carter plantation house stands today. Nearby is the family cemetery. First officers of Elbert County were: Matthew Talbot, Clerk: Robert Middleton, Sheriff; Robert Cosby, Collector of Taxes; W. Higginbottom, Register of Probate; Thos. Burton, Receiver of W. Higginbottom. Register of Probate; Thos. Burton, Receiver of Tax Returns; Richardson Hunt, Surveyor; James Tate, Coroner.
Erected 1959 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 052-13.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1854.
Location. 34° 6.595′ N, 82° 52.098′ W. Marker is in Elberton, Georgia, in Elbert County. Marker is on S Oliver St. (Georgia Route 77). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Elberton GA 30635, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. In the Year 1803 (here, next to this marker); In Memory (a few steps from this marker); Grave of General Wiley Thompson (a few steps from this marker); Elbert County Courthouse (a few steps from this marker); Old Post Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Nancy Hart (within shouting distance of this marker); Elberton Granite Bicentennial Memorial Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Dead (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Elbert (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Seaboard Airline Depot (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elberton.
Also see . . .
1. Elbert County, Georgia. Located on 374 square miles of rolling hills, Elbert County lies on the South Carolina border and has a population of 20,500. (Submitted on May 1, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
2. Samuel Elbert. Samuel Elbert (1740 – November 1, 1788) was an American merchant, soldier, and politician from Savannah, Georgia. (Submitted on May 1, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
3. Nancy Hart. Nancy Morgan Hart (c. 1735 – 1830) was a heroine of the American Revolutionary War whose exploits against Loyalists in the Georgia backcountry are the stuff of legend. (Submitted on May 1, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
4. George Mathews. George Mathews (August 30, 1739 – August 30, 1812) was an United States planter, merchant, and pioneer from Virginia and western Georgia. (Submitted on May 1, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
5. George Walton. George Walton (1749 – February 2, 1804) signed the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Georgia and also served as the second Chief Executive of that state. (Submitted on May 1, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
6. Petersburg, Georgia. The dead town of Petersburg, Georgia was an upriver market located in Wilkes County, Georgia (now Elbert) County. (Submitted on May 1, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,170 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 23, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 3. submitted on May 1, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 4. submitted on August 23, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 5. submitted on May 1, 2012, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.