Thomson in McDuffie County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Sen. Thomas E. Watson

“Sage of Hickory Hill”

Photographed by David Seibert, May 14, 2011

1. Sen. Thomas E. Watson Marker

Inscription. Born near Thomson, Sept. 5, 1856, Thomas Edward Watson, gifted writer, eloquent speaker and longtime political leader of Georgia, spent most of his life in this section. His home, “Hickory Hill,” bought and remodeled extensively by Sen. Watson, has a long tradition of hospitality and gracious living. Sen. Watson, descended from Quaker families that settled near here in 1768, attended Mercer University, taught school, practiced law in Screven County and returned to Thomson as a young lawyer in 1876. In 1878 he married Georgia Durham, of Thomson. After serving in the Georgia legislature and becoming known as a friend of the farmer, he was elected to Congress on the Farmers’ Alliance ticket in 1890. There he introduced the resolution that led to Rural Free Delivery. After becoming a member of the Populist Party, he was Populist candidate for Vice-President in 1896 and for President in 1904 and 1908. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1921 until death in Washington, Sept. 26, 1922. A prolific writer, Senator Watson edited several papers and magazines and wrote a number of books.

Erected 1956 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 094-3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music

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• Communications • Education • Government & Politics • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 5, 1871.

Location. 33° 28.202′ N, 82° 30.278′ W. Marker is in Thomson, Georgia, in McDuffie County. It is on Main Street (U.S. 78) 0 miles north of McDuffie Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker stands on the east side of the McDuffie County Counthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 337 Main Street, Thomson GA 30824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Piedmont

and in Greater Augusta.

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 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Thomas Edward Watson (within shouting distance of this marker); Rear Admiral Richard Ellington Hawes (within shouting distance of this marker); McDuffie and Columbia Counties Confederate Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Nancy Hart Highway (within shouting distance of this marker); McDuffie County

Hickory Hill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Watson-Brown Foundation, 2015

2. Hickory Hill

Courtesy of the Watson-Brown Foundation.

(within shouting distance of this marker); VFW Post 6672 KIA Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); VFW Veterans Monument (about 300 feet away); Woodman of the World Supreme Sacrifice Monument (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thomson.

Also see . . .
1. Senator Thomas E. Watson. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry (Submitted on May 26, 2011.)

2. Hickory Hill House Museum. This site includes photos, floor plans and more about the Hickory Hill House and more information about Thomas Watson. (Submitted on January 20, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Photographed by David Seibert, May 14, 2011

3. Sen. Thomas E. Watson Marker

Looking north on Main Street (US Highway 78)

Photographed by David Seibert, May 14, 2011

4. Sen. Thomas E. Watson Marker

The marker and the McDuffie County Courthouse

Sen. Thomas Edward Watson image. Click for full size.

5. Sen. Thomas Edward Watson

Photograph from the Georgia Historical Society, courtesy of the New Georgia Encyclopedia

Hickory Hill, ca. 1910 image. Click for full size.

6. Hickory Hill, ca. 1910

Courtesy of the Watson-Brown Foundation.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,354 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 24, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on September 11, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 24, 2011, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 6. submitted on September 11, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.