Updated November 25, 2022
Background
Settlement of this area began in 1784 with a small group of Revolutionary War veterans and other pioneers who ventured into the newly ceded lands of Franklin County. The first permanent communities were on Sandy Creek at Groaning Rock, Yamacutah (near present-day Commerce), Hurricane Shoals, and in 1786 on the Middle Oconee River near the Tallassee Shoals. The population had swelled to 350 by the time the county was formed by legislative act in February 1796.
Named for Revolutionary patriot and Georgia statesman James Jackson, the county originally covered 1800 square miles. However, from 1801 until 1914 portions were taken to form parts of the present counties of Clarke, Oconee, Madison, Gwinnett, Hall, Walton, Banks, and Barrow.
By 1801, the settlement at Hurricane Shoals included homes, a church, a grist mill, a small iron foundry, and the first school in Jackson County. Records exist for as many as 247 schools in the county history. Perhaps the most well-known was Jefferson's Martin Institute, begun in 1818 as Jackson County Academy. It was renowned by the quality education it provided students who came not only from nearby areas, but also other states and some foreign countries.
Overview
Robert GILLIAM of Cumberland County, VA, lived in Jackson County, GA around 1799. He later removed to Greene County, GA.
Deeds
18 Apr 1799
Know all men by these presents that I, Robert Gilham, of the county of Jackson and the state of Georgia for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds Sp___ie to him in hand paid by Robert Taylor of the County of Powhatan (and State of Virginia) the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have granted bargained and sold and do hereby grant bargain sell and deliver unto the said Robert Taylor one Negro man by the name of Peter that I bought of John Sandridge in Cumberland County. To have and to hold the said Negro unto the said Robert Taylor him heirs and assigns forever and I do herby oblige myself my heirs, executors and administrators to warrant and forever defend the title of the said Negro unto the said Robert Taylor, against the claims, rights and titles of all and every other person or persons whatsoever, as witness my hand and seal this eighteenth day of April one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine:
Teste Hughes Taylor
John Lawton
At a Court held for Powhatan County December the 18th 1799. This Bill of Sale from Robert GILLIAM to Robert Taylor was present in open court and proven by the oaths of Hughes Taylor and John Lawton the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
Powhatan County, VA, Deed Book 2, page 630
1 Aug 1799
Charles Daverson and wife Judith of Jackson County, GA, Aug 1st 1799 to Robert Gilliam of sd County and state, land in Cumberland County, VA on James River & Cannon’s Branch, bounded
by Codrington Carrington and William Daverson
Teste Wm Strong JP, George Stovall, William McClure, John Moore.
Jackson County, GA, Deed Book ____, Page 48-49
Taxes
1799, Cunningham District
Robert GILLIAM
Georgia Tax Index, 1789-99
Wills
9 Nov 1829
Will of John Justus
Sons: David, Henry, Allen, Stephen.
Daus: Keziah, Patsy McCutcheon, Dolly Blalock.
Grch: Elvira Justus, eldest dau. of son, Stephen; James Johnson Justus, Bess Gillium Justus, Thirada Justus, heirs of my son, William, decd.
Son in law: Aaron Combs, and Henry Justus, exrs.
Wits: Edward Pharr, David Bradford, George Bradford.
Rec: 3 Jan 1831
Sources
- Georgia Tax Index, 1789-99
- Jackson County, GA, Deed Book
- Powhatan County, VA, Deed Book 2, page 630