Sylvania in Screven County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Goodall House

By Mike Stroud, May 2008

1. The Goodall House Marker

Inscription. The two story frame dwelling 200 yards west, built in 1815 by Seaborn Goodall, is all that is left of old Jacksonboro. In it, in 1821, the itinerant preacher Lorenzo Dow found refuge when he was attacked by the rowdies of the town, whom he had denounced for immorality. Goodall, a Godly man, rescued Dow.

Standing on the bridge over the nearby creek, Dow cursed the town but asked God to bless Goodall and his home.

Erected 1953 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 124-5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list.

Location. 32° 49.641′ N, 81° 37.337′ W. Marker is in Sylvania, Georgia, in Screven County. Marker is at the intersection of US 301 and GA 24, in the median on US 301. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sylvania GA 30467, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Washington's Route (here, next to this marker); The 14th Corps (here, next to this marker); John Abbot (a few steps from this marker); Jacksonboro (a few steps from this marker); Jacksonborough

The Goodall House image. Click for full size.

By Mike Stroud, 2008

2. The Goodall House

(about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wesleyanna Memorial Church (approx. 4.9 miles away); Sylvania (approx. 5.4 miles away); Screven County (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sylvania.

Regarding The Goodall House. Jacksonboro turned out to be a rather rough frontier town, a fact which gave rise to the well known legend of "The Curse of Lorenzo Dow." Dow was a colorful itinerant preacher who traveled all over the country in the early part of the nineteenth century. To his misfortune, on a visit to Jacksonboro about 1820, he was treated very badly by the people of the town, although he was befriended and protected by his host, Seaborn Goodall. When he left town, the legend says, Dow stamped the dust of Jacksonboro off his feet, and pronounced a curse on the town, thoughtfully excepting the home of the gentle Mr. Goodall. Within a generation, all that was left of the once thriving county seat was the Goodall home and the story of the curse.

The Goodall home had fallen into disrepair by the mid-1960s when the DAR raised $40,000 and renovated it. Today, while the old Goodall home still stands in good repair, the ruined foundations of Jacksonborough

By Mike Stroud, 2008

3. The Goodall House

dot the woods around it to this day.

Also see . . .
1. Lorenzo's Curse. (Submitted on May 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. Lorenzo Dow's Curse. (Submitted on May 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
3. Shaking Off the Dust. The Curse of Lorenzo Dow, used in a sermon. (Submitted on May 21, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

By David Seibert, August 16, 2005

4. The Goodall House

By Mike Stroud, 2008

5. The Goodall House Marker

There are five markers here: John Abbot, Jacksonboro, Washington's Route, The Goodall House and The 14th Corps

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,601 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on July 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 5. submitted on May 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.