Greensboro in Greene County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Gwyn Allison
(Died in 1865)
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024
1. Gwyn Allison Marker
Fortune had smile on him and his fertile acres had yielded bountiful crops the proceeds of which had netted him around $35,000.00. His brothers were likewise successful farmers. That he was interested in the welfare of the poor children of Greene County, is evidenced by his will, a paragraph from which appears on the tablet that was erected over his grave that had remained unmarked for seventy-five years. It reads as follows:
Gwyn Allison
Died 1865
He Educated Poor Children
I give and bequeath to the Inferior Court of Greene County twenty thousand dollars the interest on which is to be used for the education of poor children belonging to Greene County but no part of the principal is to be used for that purpose.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Charity & Public Work • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is April 20, 1865.
Location. 33° 34.871′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Antebellum Trail and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in 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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mary Irving (here, next to this marker); The Mounger Square (a few steps from this marker); Jonas Fauche (within shouting distance of this marker); Lucy Adaline Gresham (within shouting distance of this marker); Honorable Thomas Willis Cobb
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024
2. Gwyn Allison Marker
Regarding Gwyn Allison. The inscription is an excerpt from History of Greene County, Georgia, 1786-1886, a 1961 book by Thaddeus B. Rice. After listing the contents of Allison's estate, the book continues:
After deducting special bequests to three brothers, one nephew and bequests of $100.00 each to his male slaves, and $20.00 each to his women slaves (to be paid in silver), and making provision for winding up his estate, the net balance was $20,000.00. However, the Confederate notes and certificates proved valueless and many of the bank bills greatly depreciated in value, therefore, the actual value of what was turned over to the Inferior Court was considerably less than the stipulated amount.
This money, or the income from it, was judiciously used to educate poor children up to the time that free schools were established in Georgia. After that, the income was used to augment the free school fund, and is still being used. Bank failures have taken their share of the original fund but there is still left the sum of $5,500.00.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 175 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
