St. Marys in Camden County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

City of St. Marys

Photographed By David Seibert, February 2, 2008

1. City of St. Marys Marker

Inscription. This town was built on the north bank of the St. Marys River at a place called Buttermilk Bluff. The original tract of land, containing 1620 acres, was purchased by the proprietors for laying out the Town of St. Marys for Jacob Weed for thirty eight dollars each on Dec. 12, 1787. The city was first laid out by James Finley, County Surveyor, in August 1788 and recorded Jan. 5, 1789. The twenty proprietors were: Isaac Wheeler, William Norris, Nathaniel Ashley, Lodowick Ashley, James Seagrove, James Finley, John Alexander, Langley Bryant, Jonathan Bartlett, Stephen Conyers, William Ready, Prentis Gallup, Simeon Dillingham, and Richard Cole.

The city was laid out a second time as authorized by Act of Dec. 5, 1792. Map of town drawn by Parker, Hopkins, and Meers, certified by James Parker, County Surveyor, Jan. 3, 1792. The town of St. Marys was incorporated by an Act passed Nov. 26, 1802.

St. Marys was the temporary county seat until the first courthouse and Gaol (jail) was erected at Jefferson (Jeffersonton) as authorized and named in Act passed Nov. 29, 1800. Jeffersonton was the permanent county for sixty-nine years (1801- 1871).

An election held Jan. 3, 1871 authorized by an Act passed on Oct. 27, 1870 for removal of county seat from Jeffersonton to St. Marys. St. Marys was the first permanent county

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seat for fifty-two years (1871- 1923). An Act of Aug. 11, 1923 authorized the removal of the county seat from St. Marys to Woodbine.

Erected 1954 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 020-10.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1800.

Location. 30° 43.561′ N, 81° 32.839′ W. Marker is in St. Marys, Georgia, in Camden County. Marker is at the intersection of Osborne Street (Georgia Route 40) and Dillingham Street, in the median on Osborne Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Marys GA 31558, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spanish Occupation of Georgia (here, next to this marker); First Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Marys Methodist Church Established 1799-1800 (about 500 feet away); Washington Pump & Oak (about 500 feet away); George Washington Oak Tree Site (about 500 feet away); Clark-Bessant House (about 700 feet away); Orange Hall (about 700 feet away); First Pecan Trees Grown Here About 1840 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Marys.

Photographed By David Seibert, February 2, 2008

2. City of St. Marys Marker

City of St. Marys Marker along Osborne Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 10, 2013

3. City of St. Marys Marker along Osborne Street

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,349 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 6, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2. submitted on December 7, 2008, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on March 10, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.