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Eli
S. Shorter
Excerpt from
Early Settlers of Alabama
Judge Eli S. Shorter
has been spoken of, incidentally, in connection with Judge Harris . We shall now
give an account of him more in detail. "Amongst the proudest intellects of
Georgia , at any period of her history, none was more commanding, none more
transparent, none more vigorous and subtle in analysis, than that of the Hon.
Eli S. Shorter . He was indeed a man of a century."
He and his brother, Gen. Reuben C. Shorter , were left orphans, losing both
their parents when the former was five, and the latter was eleven years of age.
The General, by hard work and close study, obtained his medical diploma at
Philadelphia in 1809 , and commenced practice. Being successful, he was able to
send his brother Eli to school, and by this means he acquired a pretty good
academic education. In 1811 he commenced reading law. He lost no time, and
possessing uncommon powers of mind, after seven months study, he obtained
license to practice law. He went first to Dublin , and thence to Eatonton, Ga.
From a letter he wrote to a young lawyer many years after, we learn that during
the first year he got but one fee, and that was $6, but he finally succeeded in
getting into a good practice, all over the circuit. After a few years there was
a great pressure in money matters, and numerous suits were brought. Within one
month he brought four hundred and twenty cases for the collection of money, and
his fees amounted to more than $7000.
He married on the 17th of June, 1817 , Sophia Herndon Watkins , sister of Maj.
Robert H. Watkins . She was born the 12th day of May, 1797 . She had black eyes,
auburn hair, and a fine personal appearance. Judge Shorter was also
distinguished in person. "A forehead round, projecting and expanded, with that
beautiful arch so expressive of genius. Perfectly black, keen, flashing eyes,
luminous with intellect, and capable of that intensity of gaze which riveted
court and jury to his arguments.
He was elected to the House of Representatives from Putnam county , a post which
he continued to occupy as long as he wished. In 1822 he was elected judge of the
Superior Court of Flint Circuit, and presided over the first court held in
Macon, Ga. , which was in 1823 . In 1825 he resumed the practice of the law. But
in this short sketch I will not attempt to follow him through his luminous
career. The most exciting contest he was ever engaged in, was in 1828 , when the
Hon. Thomas W. Cobb , who had resigned his seat in the United States Senate for
the purpose of obtaining the judgeship of the Okmulgee Circuit, was opposed by
him for that office. "No instance can be mentioned where intellect and address
in competitors were so nearly equal. It was indeed a contest between giants.
Judge Cobb , too, was a man of extraordinary powers, and a most delightful
companion." And yet Shorter beat Cobb before the Legislature, two to one.
In 1832 Judge Shorter moved to Columbus, Ga. , where he engaged in mercantile
pursuits, and died in 1836 , in his forty-fourth year.
I am indebted mainly for the foregoing facts to "The Bench and Bar of Georgia ,"
written by Mr. Miller . He makes an extraordinary remark about Judge Shorter ;
saying that in the conflicts in which he was engaged, he seemed never to be
pressed to the exhibition of all his powers, and he believed he died without a
knowledge of all his gifts. This opinion he had formed, not from his reputation,
but from trials of strength with the ablest men of his State, which he had
witnessed himself.
Judge Shorter , however, he says, was a man of blemishes and attractions, but
that his good qualities far outweighed all his defects. That he possessed great
vivacity of spirits on all occasions, and was fond of good jokes; and even took
them kindly at his own expense; and bestowed his wit and humor with no
parsimony. He relates a joke, played off in Putnam Superior Court. "Judge
Shorter and his brother-in-law, Hon. Stephen W. Harris , were arrayed against
each other in a very important action of ejectment, and as the court adjourned
for the day, the presiding judge announced the case as first in order next
morning. Shorter knew his danger, and made his best preparation. The next
morning Harris was called, but did not appear. The court waited for him a half
hour or more, when at last he came hurriedly into court. Judge Strong said, "The
Court, Mr. Harris , regrets that you have kept it so long waiting; and hopes
that you will at once proceed with the case." Shorter with a mischievous gravity
appealed to the court in behalf of his rival brother to this effect: "Mr. Harris
ought to be excused as it was evident that he has used all possible expedition;
for the Court will perceive that in his hurry to complete his toilet he has put
on his shirt wrong end upward," alluding to his enormous shirt collar, which was
only a full-grown specimen of the prevailing fashion. Being very sensitive, and
the roar of laughter which filled the Court House, deeply mortifying to him, Mr.
Harris lost his self-possession, and with all his acknowledged ability, managed
the case so badly that he lost it for no other reason. So much for a joke, as
cruel as it was artfully applied. Harris found it difficult to forgive it."
Judge Shorter 's wife survived him many years. She was a woman of very decided
character, and died in 1856 an enthusiastic Methodist (Mrs. Harris ). "They left
three children: Reuben Shorter , a clever, intelligent man, of small stature and
blue eyes. Married Miss Kate Ward , daughter of a U. S. Army officer. They
reside in Columbus, Ga. ; Mary Jane , a woman of pleasant manners, fine personal
appearance and strong intellect. Married Dr. John A. Urquhart , of Columbus ;
Virginia , who married a Mr. Oliver , of Florida ," (Mrs. Harris ). It has been
many years since she gave me these notes. I have written for more recent
information, which will appear in a subsequent number.
[From a letter of the Hon. Henry S. Shorter , 1887 .]
"I think that the notes furnished you by the widow of Judge S.
W. Harris are substantially correct; and it is my recollection that the widow of
my uncle, Judge Eli S. Shorter , of Georgia , was dead at the time those notes
were furnished by Mrs. Harris .
You have correctly stated the names and residences of the children of my uncle,
Judge Shorter ; and I am not sure that I can furnish you much additional
information.
(1) Ruben C. Shorter (now dead), the son of Judge Eli S. Shorter , had four
children by his first marriage, as follows: Eli S. Shorter , who died a few
months ago, being a practicing physician in the city of New York . I think he
leaves two or three little children surviving him. He married a Pennsylvania
lady, I think residing in the city of Philadelphia . Dr. Eli S. Shorter was
quite a distinguished physician, a very intelligent and cultured man.
(2) John U. Shorter , the second son is now a lawyer of distinction, residing in
the city of Brooklyn ; he has made a good reputation, and is succeeding well in
a business way. He has fine habits, is very popular, and enjoys a lucrative
practice. He married a Massachusetts lady, and I believe has several children.
(3) Mollie Shorter , the eldest daughter, married Mr. Thomas S. Fry , of Mobile,
Ala. , where she and her husbnnd now reside, and they have six children. One of
their sons is now a cadet in our State University. Mr. Fry is engaged in the
cotton business, in Mobile .
(4) Katie Shorter , the next eldest daughter, married a Mr. Geo. Brown , the
proprietor of the Brown House, at Macon, Ga. , and they have several children -
four I believe. Mr. Brown died a few months ago, and his widow still resides at
Macon, Ga.
(5) Sophy Shorter is the youngest daughter, and is the off-spring of her
father's second marriage. She is now the wife of Mr. John Aldridge , of Atlanta,
Ga. , who is engaged in conducting a family grocery business. They have several
children, but I do not know how many.
You are correct in the statement that Mary Jane , the eldest daughter of Judge
Eli S. Shorter , married Dr. John A. Urquhart , of Columbus, Ga. They had no
children, and have both departed this life.
Virginia Shorter , the second daughter of Judge Eli S. Shorter , married a Mr.
Oliver * of Florida . I am not able to give you, for the want of information,
any report whatever of this family, beyond the fact that Mrs. Oliver died quite
a number of years ago, leaving several children surviving her. (See Oliver
family.)
With my kindest and affectionate regards to yourself, wife, and children, I
remain Very sincerely yours, Henry R. Shorter .
In answer to a second letter asking Colonel Shorter to inform me specially of
his father's history, and also that of his descendants, he said: Montgomery,
Ala. , August 1, 1887 .
Judge Eli S. Shorter
Col. James E. Saunders
Judge Eli S. Shorter
Dear Colonel - Now at the earliest possible moment I send you some hasty notes
of family history, in compliance with your request contained in your letter of
the 14th ult.
Reuben Clarke Shorter , my father, departed this life in Eufaula, Ala. , July
14, 1853 , being then 66 years of age. I presume he was born about the year 1784
, but I have no record of his age; this statement is simply calculation. He was
a native of Culpepper county, Va. , and was left an
orphan, when a mere boy. I have heard him say that he lived and worked among his
kin people in Virginia , and with his work, labor and economy he saved enough
money to receive a common, fair, old school education. After his school days had
ended, he worked for several years, saving his money, and then went to the
Medical University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia , where he graduated as a
physician. He then settled in Eatonton, Putnam county, Ga. , and engaged in the
practice of his profession. He was a man of uncommon energy, great decision of
purpose, strong will power, and I might, with propriety, add of great ambition.
He quickly succeeded in his profession and made and accumulated money and
property quite rapidly. I have heard him say that he was about 30 years of age
when he married Miss Mary Gill , daughter of Mr. John Gill , who lived somewhere
in that neighborhood, and a short while after his marriage he moved to
Monticello , in Jasper county, Ga. , where his prosperous conditions seemed to
follow him up, for he here began to accumulate a good and handsome property, as
a reward of industry and economy, Getting himself and family in a comfortable
condition his next anxiety seemed to go out after his kin people. At that time,
the late Col. Alfred Shorter of Rome, Ga. , who was his first cousin, was in
very poor condition, clerking in a little country grocery store, on Beaver Dam
creek , in Wilkes county, Ga. , and my father sent for him and had him come to
Monticello and live with him in his own home, and with his own family. He
secured for him a position as a merchant clerk in the town of Monticello .
Alfred Shorter developed habits of great industry and economy, and here he
formed the basis and habits of July, 1882 , at Rome, Ga. , honored and
respected, leaving an estate estimated to be worth nearly seven hundred thousand
dollars. He never had any children, but during his lifetime he erected his own
monument in Shorter College, standing on a high hill near the centre of the
city, which he built and endowed at an expense of one hundred and fifty thousand
dollars or more.
My father next directed his attention to completing the education of his only
brother and sister, which was done, to the best of his ability, by sending them
to the best schools within reach. His brother was the Hon. Eli S. Shorter ,
whose character is well known to every Georgian, and by none better than
yourself and estimable wife.
His only sister, Elizabeth Shorter , married Mr. William Stroxter . They both
lived and died without any children at Cusseta , in Chambers county, Alabama . I
do not remember with certainty the year of their death, but it was, I think, in
1850 or 1851 .
My father was successful as a profession and business man at Monticello, and
several times during his residence there he represented Jasper county in the
Legislature, In the fall of 1836 he purchased and settled up a large cotton
plantation on the Chattahoochee river , in then Randolph , now Quitman, county,
Georgia ; and in the fall of 1837 he moved with his family to the town of
Irwinton , in Barbour county, Ala. The name of the town was changed from
Irwinton to Eufaula by an act of the Legislature in 1844 . Here he lived with
his family until the time of his death, on July 14, 1853 , as above stated. My
father and mother had twelve children, and all of them were born in Jasper
county, Georgia ; and now I will endeavor to give you a brief and detailed
report of them:
(1) Emily , who married Mr. David C. Kolb , a cotton factor and commission
merchant at Apalachicola, Fla . Both of them departed this life about one year
after marriage, one about a week or ten days after the other. They left
surviving them one son, Capt. Reuben F. Kolb , who was reared in my father's
house, graduated at the University of North Carolina , and who greatly
distinguished himself as the captain commanding Kolb 's Battery of Artillery in
General Bragg 's Tennessee Army. He is now the Commissioner of Agriculture for
the State of Alabama .
John Gill Shorter graduated in the University of Georgia , at Athens , and
married, in Eufaula , Mary J. Battle , daughter of Dr. Cullen Battle . Here he
commenced his successful practice of the law, and subsequently represented
Barbour county in the Alabama State Senate, and was afterward appointed by
Governor Collier , Judge of the Circuit Court; and on the expiration of his term
of service he was elected by the people to the same office. Subsequently he was
a member of the Confederate States Congress, and his last official position was
Governor of the State of Alabama . John Gill Shorter and his wife both died in
Eufaula, Alabama , leaving surviving them but one child, who is now Mrs. Mary J.
Perkins , a widow, living in Eufaula .
Judge Eli S. Shorter
3. Sarah married Mr. James L. Hunter , a son of Gen. John L. Hunter , who moved
from South Carolina and settled on the Chattahoochee river , in the edge of
Irwinton , about the same time that my father went there. Hon. James L. Pugh ,
now United States Senator from Alabama , married a daughter of General Hunter
's. Mrs. Pugh is now living with her husband in Washington City , one of the
most accomplished and magnificent women in the land. Gen. H. D. Clayton , who is
now the president of the State University, also married a daughter of General
Hunter 's, and Mrs. Clayton is now living with her husband at Tuscaloosa , and
is, like Mrs. Pugh , a most splendid and magnificent woman.
James L. Hunter departed this life, leaving surviving him two
children, Sallie and Mary . Sallie married Junius K. Battle , and they have both
died, leaving surviving them only one child, Dr. J. K. Battle , now a practicing
physician in Eufaula . Mary , the other daughter married the Hon. John D.
Roquemore , now of Montgomery , and a few years ago she departed this life,
leaving surviving her five children, three sons and two daughters. My sister
Sarah is now living in Eufaula , quite advanced in age, and in very feeble
health.
(4) Martha , married Mr. William H. McKleroy , a merchant at La Grange, Ga. ,
Wetumpka, Ala. , where they lived for many years, and then settled in the city
of New Orleans , where Mr. McKleroy engaged in business as a cotton factor and
commission merchant. They are both dead and but three of their children are now
living. One of them a married lady in Florida , and another a married lady in
Eufaula , and the third is the Hon. John M. McKleroy , now President of the
Anniston Land and Improvement Company.
(5) Eli S. Shorter , who graduated at Yale College, in Connecticut , and married
Miss Marietta Fanin , of La Grange, Ga. , and lived at
Eufaula . My brother Eli S. Shorter practiced law at Eufaula , and twice
represented that congressional district in the United States Congress. He died
leaving surviving him his widow and two sons and one daughter. My brother had
four children, and the first one, Wm. A. Shorter , died a few years ago,
unmarried, in Rome, Ga. The daughter, Annie , married Col. A. H. Leftwich , of
Lynchburg, Va. The next son in point of age is Clement Clay Shorter , who has,
for the last three successive sessions, represented Barbour county in the House
of Representatives. He was named for Hon. Clement C. Clay , formerly United
States Senator from Alabama , and who was the intimate and confidential friend
of his father. The last and youngest son, Eli S. Shorter , who married the
daughter of Col. Henry J. Lamar , at Macon, Ga. , but now lives in Eufaula ; is
engaged in the commercial business.
(6) Reuben Clarke Shorter , Jr., graduated at the University of North Carolina ,
and married Miss Carrie Billingsley , of Clinton,
Jones county, Ga. He settled in the city of Montgomery , and died May, 1853 ,
leaving surviving him two sons, both of whom are now living here - one in the
country engaged in farming, whose name is James B. Shorter ; and the other in
the city of Montgomery , a lawyer, and bears his father's name.
(7) Mary married Dr. William H. Thornton , a practicing physician at Eufaula ,
and one of the best men God ever made. He died a few years ago, leaving
surviving him four daughters, viz: Anna , who married Mr. George H. Estes , and
they now live at Talbotton, Ga. Sallie married Hon. Edward A. Graham , of
Montgomery , who represented the county of Montgomery during the last session of
the Legislature in the State Senate. Laura married Hon. G. L. Comer , who is now
the mayor of the city of Eufaula . He is an able and successful lawyer. Marietta
, the youngest daughter, married Mr. Thos. G. Berry , of Eufaula , who recently
died, leaving surviving him his widow and one child.
(8) Sophia married Col. Tennant Lomax , and died quite early after her marriage
without issue. Subsequently my brother-in-law, Colonel Lomax , married the widow
of my brother, Reuben C. Shorter . Colonel Lomax was killed at the battle of
Seven Pines, in Virginia , leaving surviving him only one child, the present
Tennent Lomax , of the city of Montgomery , who is the State solictor for
Montgomery county .
(9) William Shorter died at Eufaula at about nine years of age.
(10) Henry Russel Shorter , your humble servant married Addie Keitt , from
Orangeburg District, S. C. We have four children, three daughters and one son.
My oldest daughter Adele, is unmarried. Alice , my second daughter is the wife
of W. D. Jelks , who has just moved to Birmingham as business manager of the
"Herald Publishing Co." of the city.
Henry R. Shorter Jr. my only son, is now a member of the Junior Class in the
University of Alabama . My youngest daughter, Louisa , is now 13 years of age.
I graduated at the University of North Carolina in June 1853 , and practiced law
in Eufaula until the commencement of the war between the States, when I went to
Pensacola, Fla. , and served 12 months as a private in Company A of the First
Alabama Regiment. I subsequently went to Virginia as 1st Lieutenant Aid de Camp
to Brigadier General C. A. Battle , and later on was his Adjutant General. I
continued in the army until the close of the war, and was wounded only once, by
a slight flesh wound across the left breast in the battle of the Wilderness .
After the war I resumed the practice of my profession, and engaged also in
cotton planting until 1870 . I then abandoned it, not finding
I was a factor, in some way, in every political struggle in my section, and all
of my efforts were directed to party success, for I never was a candidate in my
life. The only office I ever had, I now hold, and without my knowledge I was
nominated by Governor O'Neal with two others, viz.: the Hon. James W. Lapsley ,
of Autauga , and Hon. W. B. Modawell , of Perry , and our names were sent to the
Alabama Senate, for the office of president of the Railroad Commission of
Alabama . The law required the Governor to name three competent persons, and the
Senate to select the president. I had the honor to be elected by a two-thirds
vote on the first ballot. I have been reappointed by Governor Seay to the same
office, the law having been changed, giving the Governor the power of
appointment, to be confirmed by the Senate. I have nothing further to add
concerning myself, except (between you and me) I will say that I am "on deck,"
and intend to do the best I can for myself in the future, and I hope at some
future time to receive from the people of Alabama a still higher position of
honor.
(11) Samuel Shorter died in Eufaula, Ala. , when about 6 years of age.
Judge Eli S. Shorter
(12) Laura , the last daughter, my youngest sister, married
Capt. Thos. W. Cowles , and died in Atlanta, Ga. , November, 1886 , leaving
surviving her a husband and three sons, all of whom are now living in Atlanta,
Ga. Yours very truly, Henry R. Shorter .
Major Benjamin Taliaferro married Martha , daughter of James Watkins (the
second), and sister of Maj. Robert H. Watkins . She was born August 22, 1787 ,
and was married on October 10, 1807 . She had a fine personal appearance, and
black eyes. The Taliaferros, in Virginia , are described by Mr. Jefferson as
being wealthy and respectable, Chancellor Wythe , who signed the Declaration of
Independence, and was a great Virginian, married one of them.
Gen. Benjamin Taliaferro , of Amherst county, Virginia , was the father of the
gentleman who married Martha Watkins . He was a captain in the continental line
under General Washington , during the hard service in the Jerseys. At the battle
of Princeton with his company he captured a British Captain with his command;
but when that officer approached, in his splendid regimentals, to surrender his
sword, Captain Taliaferro being bare-footed, was too proud to meet him, and sent
his lieutenant forward to receive it. Late in the war he served with that
dashing partisan officer, Colonel Lee , in many of his most successful exploits
until he was taken prisoner at Charleston , and permitted to return home on
parole. He was then in the full vigor of young manhood. His person was six feet
high, his features handsome, and his understanding good.
He married Martha Meriwether , the only daughter of David M. and his wife Mary
Harvie . She was one of a family of nine brothers and sisters, whose aggregate
weight exceeded 2700 pounds. When Mrs. Meriwether became old, she weighed
between 300 and 400 pounds. The four daughters in this family were all well
favored and all made good wives. General Taliaferro , in 1784 , moved his family
to Broad river in Georgia . He became one of the leading men in the State. He
was President of the Senate, a member of Congress, and filled many other high
offices. He was made a judge of the Superior Court, although he was no lawyer;
and there was then no Supreme Court to correct his decisions. I am indebted for
the foregoing facts to Governor Gilmer 's book on the "Georgians."
Major Benjamin Taliaferro married Martha Watkins , in Georgia ; moved to Alabama
and lived in Marengo county . He was low in stature, but very squarely built,
and in old age weighed largely over 300 pounds. He inherited the fattening
tendency from his grandmother. Major Benjamin T. was of sprightly mind, and
sharp wit; and he had a fund of the best Georgia anecdotes, which made him the
life of every company he entered. His rippling, guttural laugh, much resembled
that of the renowned English actor - Hackett , when he personated Falstaff . He
never "took much thought of the"
There was much beauty with the daughters; and they were taught by their thrifty
mother all the domestic arts. The plainest of the family was Martha . She had
blue eyes and was short of stature like her father, but in industry, piety and
unselfishness she was a prodigy. She sewed and frilled and tucked to make her
sisters more beautiful. She seemed to live for them; and I at one time concluded
that marriage had never been thought of, but it is very hard to tell what is in
a woman's mind. When she arrived at forty years of age she married a very worthy
gentleman, Mr. Blackshear , who was richer than any man married by her sisters.
Her sister, Elizabeth , married Mr. Drummond , and had several children, one of
whom married Mr. J. F. Yeldell ; Emily , married Mr. Donald in Alabama , and
moved to Georgia ; Theophilus went to California , and married a Spanish lady of
great beauty and wealth; Benjamin Taliaferro was one of the "Red Rovers" (under
Dr. Shackleford ), and was massacred at Goliad ; David , is a lawyer, a man of
genius, remarkable for his wit and pleasantry, and married Mary Neal ; his twin
sister, Anne , married Elbert Thompson , and has since his death married Mr.
Chinn , a lawyer; Amanda , married Mr. Bradley , a fine business man of Marengo
county . One of their daughters married Porter Bibb , Esq., of Limestone county,
Alabama ; and another Rev. -. Ellington . Elmira , the youngest daughter of
Major Talliaferro , married another Mr. Blackshear . (See Thompson Family.)
Jane Watkins , daughter of James Watkins , the second, was born 13th November,
1789 . She resembled her sister (already noticed) in person, and was remarkably
graceful and active. She was married on the 10th July, 1810 , to James Minor
Tait , Esq. He belonged to a family of distinction in the early history of
Georgia . His brother, Judge Charles Tait , was a man of a high order of
talents, but he is now remembered mainly by an amusing incident which happened
on a dueling ground. He had challenged Judge Dooly , one of the wittiest men
that State ever produced, and the parties promptly met with their seconds. Judge
Dooly coolly took his seat on a stump, and his second went down into the woods.
Some time elapsed and the second of Tait approached Dooley , and inquired where
his second was. Dooly answered that he had gone to hunt for a hollow log to
stand one of his legs in, while he fought Tait (who had lost a leg). "Then you
don't intend to fight," says the second of Tait. Dooley responded, "Certainly
not, unless you agree to this," said Dooly , and of course this ended the fight.
Mr. James Minor Tait lost his wife, Jane Watkins , in a few years after
marriage. He moved his family to North Mississippi where the descendants of this
marriage are to be found. They had three children, Louisa , who married Lemuel
Banks ; Antoinette , who married Andrew Sims , who was accidentally killed in a
deer hunt. She married a second time a Mr. Smith ; and George , a physician, of
Panola . He married a Miss McGehee (Mrs. Harris ).
Susan Watkins was born March 17, 1791 . She became the second
wife of Major John Oliver , of Petersburg , the father of Mrs. Robert H. Watkins
. Major Oliver died a few years after this marriage and his widow married Dr.
William N. Richardson , a distinguished physician of the same town. They moved
to Barbour county, Ala. Their children were, 1. Mary , who was married to
Gabriel Toombs , of Wilkes county, Ga. He was a
brother of Gen. Robert Toombs , the great orator. 2. Sarah Willis , who married
Mr. Thompson , a civil engineer, of Barbour county, Ala. 3. Louisa , who married
Mr. Thompson , a brother of the former. 4. Walker , who married Miss Sanford ,
of Barbour county, Ala. 5. William . 6. James , and 7. Martha (Mrs. Harris ).
Eliza , another daughter of James Watkins (the second), was born February 5,
1793 , and was married to William McGehee , the fifth son of Micajah McGehee ,
of Broad river . He was a merchant, and instead of prospering like his brothers,
Abner , of Montgomery , and Edmund , of Louisiana , he lost his property. He
died, and his widow lived with Robert Watkins , near Courtland , until her
death. She had five children, Robert, James and three daughters, who are
somewhere in South Alabama .
James Watkins , the son of James Watkins (the second), was born September 20,
1795 . His youth gave much promise, which his manhood did not fulfill. He was
educated for a lawyer; had a fine person, and married Miss Jane Urquhart , of
Augusta . He became intemperate and died about 1825 , with no issue.
This concludes our account of the descendants of James Watkins (the second,) and
we will now briefly furnish the notice of his brothers who were sons of James
(the first.)
Robert Watkins was born June 7, 1762 . He married Jane Thompson , and lived and
died in Georgia . I am not informed as to his descendants.
Mr. John Watkins was born 12th February, 1768 . He lived and died in Georgia .
He married Susan Daniel , of Virginia ; who had blue eyes and a delicate
constitution; and he survived her many years. Whilst I was a student at Athens
he, with his two daughters, Lucy and Sarah , spent a summer at the house where I
boarded. He was in person and manners much like his brothers, of whom I have
already spoken. He was a man of fine judgment and despised all dandyism in
manners and dress. During the "Reign of Terror" in France , many Frenchmen of
distinction and refinement sought refuge in America . Our people felt much
commiseration for them (for they were generally destitute), and freely received
them into their houses. One of those gentlemen was offered a home in his house.
Whenever Mr. Watkins entered he would rise and bow most politely, and hand him a
chair. This amused him at first, but after awhile it became annoying. One
morning in June, when it was showering nearly every day, and the grass growing
fearfully, and things were going wrong generally, Mr. Watkins , after several
hours of turmoil, entered the house, heated and vexed. The Frenchman rose, as
usual, and said; "Mr. Watkins ! do take a chair," and was more profuse in his
attention than usual. Mr. Watkins waved the Frenchman imperiously away, and
said: "Do sit down, and don't be such a fool." The Frenchman could understand
but little English, but he could read "manner," and did not parlezvous around so
mnch, and after that restrained his politeness.
Mr. Watkins was fortunate in the alliances formed by his children. His daughter
Lucy was married to George H. Young , of Lexington, Ga. He graduated at the
University of Georgia with the first honors, and had a reputation even then as
an orator. I saw him first at the commencement at which he graduated. I remember
that Governor Troup (who was an honorary member) was introduced into the hall of
the Phi-Kappa Society. and Mr. Young , who was in the chair as president, made
an impromptu speech of welcome, which was responded to by the Governor. The
speech of Mr. Young was one of the best I ever heard on such an occasion, and we
college boys thought he laid the Governor completely in the shade. He had an
illustrious career before him. But shortly after his marriage, the Indian lands
in Mississippi were offered for sale. In the treaty, each Chickasaw buck was
given a section of land, and every Chief, a principality. The buck uniformly
held his mile square at $1.25 per acre, in silver, and cared for no more, for
$800 was as much as he could tie up in the corner of his hunting shirt. Many of
these lands were very valuable. With Mr. Young there was a conflict between fame
and fortune, but the decision was in favor of fortune. He dealt largely in
lands, and became very wealthy. In eastern Mississippi , Colonel Young , of
Waverly , in his old age, was widely known for his wealth, intelligence, and
hospitality. Of their children, Watkins , died unmarried. Susan , married first
Colonel Johnson , of Georgia , and secondly, Colonel Henry Chambers , of
Mississippi . Josephine , married Sandy Hamilton , Esq. Thomas , married Miss
Butt , of Georgia . Beverly , was killed in battle during the late war. George
Valle , is unmarried. James , married Emma , daughter of Hon. David Hubbard ,
Alabama . Sallie , married Hon. Reuben O. Reynolds , of Aberdeen, Miss. Lucy,
(Lou) married Col. James O. Banks , of Columbus .
Daniel Watkins , son of Mr. John Watkins , was (as were all his daughters)
educated with every advantage. He finished his course in Schenectady, N. Y. ,
and married the daughter of Governor Yates of that State. An amusing incident
occurred when Daniel brought his wife to his paternal mansion. His father went
out to meet them, and a neatly dressed, well favored woman descended from the
carriage first. The old gentleman caught her and gave her a rousing kiss before
he was informed that this was the white maid. When the real daughter-in-law
appeared, of course he had to go through the same salutation. His son-in-law,
Judge Daugherty , who was an irrepressible joker, used to describe the scene
amusingly. He said the first salute was the tragedy, and the second, the farce.
I am not informed as to the descendants of Daniel Watkins .
Sarah , daughter of Mr. John Watkins , married John Banks . There were twelve
children reared to mature years under the parental roof. Three of their sons
were killed in battle during the war between the United and Confederate States.
Lieut. Eugene Banks at Resaca, Ga. , and Captain Willis and private Watkins
Banks in the battles of Atlanta . Their loss was a sore grief to their parents
the remainder of their lives. Gilmer R. (Talassee, Ala. ) represented his
district in the State Senate a few years ago. Two brothers live at, and near,
Columbus, Ga. Josephine A. V. married Gideon J. Peacock , and they with their
family reside in the old family home at Wyanton , a suburb of Columbus, Ga.
Susan (unmarried) lives with her. Sarah Lucy married Edward E. Yongue , and they
live near them. Dr. Elbert lives in New York City .
Martha , daughter of Mr. John Watkins , married James Harris , son of Gen.
Jeptha Harris , and has a number of children; one of whom married Dr. Lanier
(see Watkins family).
Susan , daughter of Mr. John Watkins , was married to Judge Robert Daugherty
(brother of Judge Charles and William Daugherty , of Georgia ). One of their
daughters, Susan , married William D. Humphries , Esq., of Columbus, Miss. , and
another, Sarah , married Robert Leonard .
Thompson Watkins son of James Watkins (the first) was born on 17th August, 1770
. "He married Nancy Taliaferro , a very industrious, economical woman. They
lived near Broad river . They had but two children: Zachariah , the eldest,
married Edna Bibb , daughter of Peyton Bibb . James Franklin married Martha
Marks, daughter of Mr. Meriwether Marks " (Governor Gilmer ). The only child of
this marriage was Rebecca , who married Samuel Matthews . She was very wealthy
but remained a widow for many years. I understand she has married again.
Joseph Watkins , another son of James Watkins (the first), was born May 17, 1772
, and lived in Elbert county, Ga. He married, first, Mary Sayre, and after her
death, her sister Delia . He never had any children.
Dr. Elbert A. Banks , of New York City , reminds me that I had made but a slight
reference to Joseph Watkins (son of James Watkins , the first). That I did not
mention the fact of the connection of his name with the mention of the cotton
gin, and he sends me an article on the subject published in the Montgomery
Advertiser several years since. The following is an extract from that article:
"The cotton gin was invented and patented by Joseph Watkins , of Elbert county,
Ga. At the death of Mr. Joseph Watkins , his papers, with this patent, fell into
the hands of John Watkins , his brother, and at the death of Mrs. John Watkins ,
née Richardson , who married (11) Mr. Harris , who survived her husband many
years, it came into the possession of Mrs. Martha P. Jones , formerly of Wilkes
county, Ga. , and was unfortunately burned, immediately after the late war
between the States. Mrs. Jones was the sister of the second wife of John Watkins
, and the sister of the writer of this article. A short time before Mr. Watkins
' invention (the exact date of which the writer does not recollect), two bags of
cotton had Charleston, S. C. , in the seed; but it was thought it could never
become an article of commerce, on account of the difficulty of separating the
seed from the lint. Great excitement prevailed on the subject, and the invention
of a machine for that purpose was much talked of and discussed.
Mr. Whitney , a school teacher from Connecticut , was then spending his time
with Mrs. Green , on her estate in the neighborhood of Savannah . As he was from
the land of inventions, he was earnestly applied to, to invent a cotton gin. He
immediately became deeply interested in the subject. Mr. Watkins was living at
old Petersburg , on the Savannah river , fifty miles above Augusta , where he
had his cotton gin in successful operation.
Mr. Whitney hearing of this, determined to make him a visit. Mr. Watkins
received Mr. Whitney with the liberal hospitality of a Southern planter, and
during the day he showed him his cotton gin. Mr. Whitney returned home, and made
such alterations, or perhaps improvements, on his machine, as to obtain a patent
on his cotton gin also. We have heard this subject repeatedly discussed in the
Watkins family, and Mr. Watkins was always blamed for not indicting Mr. Whitney
for a breach of his patent right. He was constantly urged to do so, but being a
wealthy Southern planter and amateur mechanic, who pursued his inventions more
for his amusement and the gratification of his tastes, than for the purpose of
money making, never did it. Mr. Whitney , however, never realized anything from
his invention, so called. Not content with the sale of his patent rights, he
claimed a part or the profits of each separate gin. This the planters stoutly
resisted. He was therefore constantly involved in a series of expensive and
ruinous law suits, each one of which was a never failing source of enjoyment to
the Watkins family (Joseph Jones , M. D.).
Isham Watkins , the youngest son of James Watkins (the first), was born February
28, 1774 . He married Emily Talliaferro . She was the daughter of Gen. Benjamin
Taliaferro , of Georgia
Excerpt from Early Settlers of Alabama by
Margie Daniels
4/9/2004
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