Northeast Georgia Mountain Travel Association

Counties

Banks County

Banks County was created by Act of Dec. 11, 1858 from Franklin and Habersham Counties. It was named for Dr. Richard Banks (1784-1850), whose reputation as physician and surgeon extended over north Ga. and S.C. Especially noted for treating Indians for smallpox, he practiced medicine in Gainesville from 1832 until his death. First officers of Banks County, commissioned March 19, 1859, were: William P. Richards, Sheriff; James Anderson, Clk. Sup. Ct.; William H. Means, Clk, Inf. Ct.; Archibald McDonald, Coroner; Pierce C. Key, Surveyor; Fountain C. Moss, Ord.; Thomas Ausburn, Tax Col; Elijah Owens, Tax Rec. Marker is at Courthouse in Homer.

Dawson County

This County, created by Act of the Legislature Dec. 3, 1857, is named for William C. Dawson who died in 1856, having served in Congress from Dec. 1836 to Nov. 1842, and in the U. S. Senate from 1849 to 1855. He also commanded a brigade in the Creek Indian War of 1836. Among the first County Officers were: Sheriff Samuel R. Fendley, Ordinary Henry K. Mikel, Clerk of Superior Court Daniel P. Monroe, Clerk of Inferior Court John Matthews, Tax Receiver David H. Logan, Tax Collector John Bruce, Treasurer James B. Gordan, Surveyor Andrew I. Glenn and Coroner John W. Beck. Marker is at the Courthouse in Dawsonville.

Elbert County

Created from Wilkes County by Act of December 10, 1790 Elbert County was settled in 1784 by General George Mathews and a group from Virginia and Carolina. Clark Hill Reservoir covers the site of Petersburg, the original settlement and third largest town in Georgia in its day. Nancy Hart, celebrated Revolutionary patriot, lived in this county. Elbert County was named for General Samuel Elbert, Revolutionary soldier and Governor of Georgia (1785-1786). A native of South Carolina and resident of Savannah, he was a member of the Council of Safety and fought at Savannah (1778) and Briar Creek (1779). On Jan. 20, 1791, the first session of Elbert County Superior Court was held at the home of Thos. A. Carter on Beaverdam Creek, some 5 miles NW of here. George Walton, Georgia Signer of the Declaration of Independence, was presiding judge. The Carter plantation house stands today. Nearby is the family cemetery. First officers of Elbert County were: Matthew Talbot, Clerk: Robert Middleton, Sheriff; Robert Cosby, Collector of Taxes; W. Higginbottom, Register of Probate; Thos. Burton, Receiver of Tax Returns; Richardson Hunt, Surveyor; and James Tate, Coroner. Marker is at Courthouse in Elberton.

Forsyth County

Forsyth County was created by Act of Dec. 3, 1832 from Cherokee County. It was named for Gov. John Forsyth (1780-1841), a native of Frederick Co., Va., a graduate of Princeton, and gifted Georgia lawyer. He was Attorney-General of Ga., Congressman, Senator, Minister to Spain, Governor, and Secretary of State under Presidents Jackson and Van Buren. First officers of Forsyth County, commissioned April 20, 1833, were: John Blaylock, Clerk of Superior Court; Thomas Burford, County Surveyor; Alston B. Wilborn, Coroner; Hubbard Barker was commissioned Sheriff, Jan. 31, 1834. Marker is at the Courthouse in Cumming.

Franklin County

This County, created by Act. of the Legislature Feb. 25, 1784, is named for Benjamin Franklin, Revolutionary patriot and statesman. It was formed from lands obtained from the Indians by the Treaty of Augusta, 1783. Capt. James Terrell Of the Revolution was an early settler. Volunteers from Franklin Co. under Capt. Morris distinguished themselves at the Battle of Pea River Swamp, Mar. 25, 1837, in the Creek Indian War. The present County Site was established by Act of November 29, 1806, at Carnesville named for Thomas B. Carnes, member of the Third Congress, 1793-97. Marker is at the Courthouse in Carnesville.