Near Washington in Wilkes County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Walnut Hill Academy

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

1. Walnut Hill Academy Marker

Inscription. Walnut Hill Academy, one of the famous schools of its time, was established in 1788 by the Rev. John Springer, in a building erected close to his house on this plantation. Among the Students taught by Mr. Springer at the Academy were John Forsyth, afterward Governor of Georgia, Member of Congress, and U.S. Minister to Spain; Nicolas Ware, Senator from Georgia; Jesse Mercer, founder of Mercer University and one of the State’s leading Baptist ministers. The Rev. Hope Hull, noted Methodist minister, was for some time assistant to the Rev. Mr. Springer at Walnut Hill Academy.

Erected 1958 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 157-28.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1788.

Location. 33° 47.48′ N, 82° 45.433′ W. Marker is near Washington, Georgia, in Wilkes County. It is on Tignall Road (Georgia Route 17) ¼ mile south of Twin Oaks Church Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington GA 30673, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: The Rev. John Springer (a few steps from this marker); The Cedars (approx. 3.7 miles away); Site of Wilkes County Academy (approx. 3.7 miles away); Jesse Mercer’s Home (approx. 3.7 miles away); Wilkes County Desert Shield & Storm Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); Wilkes County World War I Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away); Fort Washington Park (approx. 3.8 miles away); Pembroke (approx. 3.8 miles away); Old Wilkes County Jail (approx. 3.8 miles away); Planters Hotel (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Washington.

Also see . . .
1. John Forsyth. John Forsyth, Sr. (October 22, 1780 – October 21, 1841) was a 19th-century American politician from Georgia. (Submitted on November 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

2. Nicholas Ware. Nicholas Ware (1769 – September 7, 1824) was a United States Senator from Georgia. (Submitted on November 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

3. Jesse Mercer. Jesse Mercer (1769-1841) was a prominent Baptist minister and namesake of Mercer University in the U.S. state of Georgia. (Submitted on November 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Photographed by Brian Scott, August 26, 2015

2. Walnut Hill Academy Marker

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

3. Walnut Hill Academy Marker

Looking north on Georgia Highway 17 toward Tignall

Photographed by David Seibert, November 14, 2009

4. Walnut Hill Academy Marker

Two markers now stand at the site of Walnut Hill, including one for The Rev. John Springer. No trace of Walnut Hill now remains.

Photographed by Brian Scott, August 26, 2015

5. Walnut Hill Academy Marker

John Forsyth (1780-1841) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott

6. John Forsyth (1780-1841)

Nicholas Ware (1769-1824) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott

7. Nicholas Ware (1769-1824)

Jesse Mercer (1769-1841) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott

8. Jesse Mercer (1769-1841)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,308 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 16, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on November 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 12, 2015, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.