Greensboro in Greene County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Justice Francis H. Cone

(September 5, 1797-May 18, 1859)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024

1. Justice Francis H. Cone Marker

Inscription. Justice Cone was born on the 5th of September 1797, and died at his home in Greensboro on the 18th of May, 1859. Judge Cone never seems to have aspired much to political prominence. In 1841, Cone was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Four years later he was elected to the position once again. In 1856, Cone was elected state senator of Georgia. As a judge and legislator he probably had no superiors. But his intellectual greatness and his learning as a jurist shone to its greatest excellence during his long professional life at the bar.

Cone is also remembered for stabbing Alexander Stephens, future Vice President of the Confederacy, in a confrontation in Atlanta. Stephens never fully recovered use of his right hand and Cone was fined $800. In the years prior to his death Cone managed to reconcile with Stephens, and the two resumed their cordial relationship of earlier years.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 1859.

Location. 33° 34.848′ N, 83° 10.881′ W. Marker

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is in Greensboro, Georgia, in Greene County. It can be reached from Richland Avenue east of Memorial Drive, on the left when traveling east. It is in Row O of Greensboro City Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 104 East Richland Ave, Greensboro GA 30642, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Lucy Adaline Gresham (a few steps from this marker); Honorable Thomas Willis Cobb (within shouting distance of this marker); Jonas Fauche (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Irving (within shouting distance of this marker); Gwyn Allison (within shouting

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 26, 2024

2. Justice Francis H. Cone Marker

distance of this marker); The Mounger Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Edgar Harvey Armor (within shouting distance of this marker); Peter Early (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensboro.

Regarding Justice Francis H. Cone. The photo on the marker is of Alexander Stephens. Cone's $800 fine for assaulting him would have equaled more than $32,000 in 2025 dollars.

Also see . . . Judge Cone's Assault upon Mr. Stephens. On the steps of the old Thompson Hotel, in Atlanta, during the fall of 1848, there occurred an incident which well illustrates the courage of Mr. Stephens. It will also serve to show that he bore a charmed life. At this time he encountered somewhat unexpectedly Judge Francis H. Cone, of Greensboro, with whom he was then on strained terms. (Lucian Lamar Knight, Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends …, vol. II, 1913; via Internet Archive) (Submitted on March 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.