Near Griffin in Spalding County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

John McIntosh Kell

Photographed By David Seibert, November 15, 2001

1. John McIntosh Kell Marker

Inscription. Near this site was the home of Captain John McIntosh Kell, Executive Officer of the Confederate cruisers Alabama and Sumter. After entering the United States Navy at the age of 17, he served in the Mexican War and in 1853 on Perry’s expedition to Japan. Upon Georgia’s secession from the Union, Kell was the first U.S. Naval officer to offer his services to the South. After the Civil War, at his home here in Sunny Side, Kell entertained his friend, the famous Georgia poet Sidney Lanier, who, during a visit in 1874, wrote the poem "Corn." Kell served as Adjutant General of Georgia from 1887 until his death here in 1900.

Erected 2001 by Georgia Historical Society and Griffin-Spalding Historical Society, replacing a marker originally erected by the Works Progress Administration in 1940. (Marker Number 126-1.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.

Location. 33° 20.099′ N, 84° 17.352′ W. Marker is near Griffin, Georgia, in Spalding County. Marker is on Old Atlanta Road, 0 miles south

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of Minter Road, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Griffin GA 30223, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cavalry Skirmish at Bear Creek Station (approx. 3.1 miles away); Hampton Depot (approx. 3½ miles away); David Ragan (approx. 3½ miles away); Dr. W.E. (Brother Bill) Brannon (approx. 3½ miles away); Darrell Waltrip (approx. 3½ miles away); Davey Allison (approx. 3½ miles away); Bobby Allison (approx. 3½ miles away); Bruton Smith (approx. 3½ miles away).

More about this marker. Originally a WPA marker also titled "John McIntosh Kell" stood within 100 feet of where the new marker was erected. The WPA marker has been missing for over 25 years, although a section of the pole remains.

Also see . . . Recollections of a Naval Life. Including the Cruises of the Confederate States Steamers, "Sumter" and "Alabama." (Submitted on September 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

John McIntosh Kell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain

2. John McIntosh Kell

Photo of Kell taken during the Civil War, dated just before he sailed on the CSS Sumter.
[From the U.S. Navy Historical Center]

Photographed By David Seibert, January 25, 2010

3. John McIntosh Kell Marker

John McIntosh Kell Marker Monopole image. Click for full size.

Photographed By David Seibert, January 25, 2010

4. John McIntosh Kell Marker Monopole

The monopole from the 1940 WPA marker still stands, a very short distance south of the new marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,932 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on September 23, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on September 16, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on September 23, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on February 7, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.