Homicides of Adults in Franklin County, Georgia, to 1900

NOTE: Ken Wheeler, 8/2001, worked through the Toccoa newspapers, 1880-1900, but he had yet to look at the few earlier Toccoa newspapers, or systematically at the Franklin Co. newspapers, which he's gleaned only for murders.

FRA

Class of crime:

Relationship:

Motive:

Day of week:

Holiday?:

Time of day:

Days until death:

S
Suspect(s

Race:

Age:

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Religion:

Organizations:

Personal history:

Race:

Age:

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Religion:

Organizations:

Personal history:

1788, Oct. 18 FRA

P
Class: probable

Crime: HOM or WAR

Rela: NONDOM INDIAN by SETTLER

Motive: POLITICAL

Intox?:

Holiday?:

Time of day: evening

Days to death: 0

S
Suspect(s
USPECT(s): white settlers [6 or 7 men involved]
VICTIM(s): a Creek Indian

Weapon: musket
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: no
Term:
Court proceedings:

Legal records:

Newspaper:
GSG 10/25/1788 (Sat): HOM of IND by SETTLER in GA: Franklin Co.: letter from T. P. Carnes and G. Walker, Esqs., who arrived in Augusta last Th night from Franklin Co. On Indian raids in nearby SC & on "the Georgia side" of the river. On F the Indians passed over to the Ga. side, "killed a beef & a hog, stole about forty pounds of lead . . . and burnt several houses, the property of a Mr. Briant Ward." On Sat evening, the Indians fired on 2 men who were hobbling horses in the woods near Ward's station. "The men who were in the block house, to the number of four or five only, ran out to the assistance of those who were shot at, and a small skirmish ensued, in which one man was dangerously wounded; they killed on Indian and wounded another, but finding the Indians were too numerous, they were obliged to repair to the blackhouse. The Indians then retired with several valuable horses." About 30 Indians: 12 or 15 Creeks, the rest Cherokees.

Census:

Genealogy:
Accused: ___
Ethnicity:

Race: w

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: [farmer]

Town:

Birthplace:

Organizations:

Victim: ___
Ethnicity: Creek

Race: Ind

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Organizations:

P
Class: probable

Crime: HOM or WAR

Rela: NONDOM INDIAN by SETTLER

Motive: POLITICAL

Intox?:

Holiday?:

Time of day:

Days to death: 0

S
Suspect(s
USPECT(s): party of hunters [assume 5 men]
VICTIM(s): an Indian

Weapon: [shot with musket]
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: no
Term:
Court proceedings:


Legal records:

Newspaper:
Georgia State Gazette 11/15/1788 (Sat): "We hear from Franklin county, that, on Friday the 31st ult. as some men were hunting, they were fired at by a small party of Indians, who immediately ran off; the white people pursued the Savages and killed one of them."

Census:

Genealogy:
Accused: ___
Ethnicity:

Race: w

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: [hunter]

Town: FRA

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

Victim: ___
Ethnicity:

Race: Ind

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Organizations:

P
Class: certain

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM SETTLERS by INDIANS

Motive: POLITICAL

Intox?:

Holiday?:

Time of day:

Days to death: [0]

S
Suspect(s
USPECT(s): Creek Indians
VICTIM(s): Mr. John Cleveland and Mr. McDowall

Weapon:
Circumstances: JC & M of Franklin Co. "went into the nation in pursuit of horses that were stolen from them. A boy, who narrowly escaped the face of his companions, brought the information."
Inquest:
Indictment: no
Term:
Court proceedings:


Legal records:

Newspaper:
Augusta Chronicle 11/20/1790

Census:

Genealogy:
Accused: ___
Ethnicity: Creek

Race: Ind

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Organizations:

Victim 1: John Cleveland
Ethnicity:

Race: w

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: [farmer]

Town: FRA

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

Race: w

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: [farmer]

Town: FRA

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

FILE

Crime: HOM: several adult Indians

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: POLITICAL / GENOCIDE

Intox?:

Day of week:

Holiday?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

S
Suspect(s

Davis, Robert Scott, Jr. Wilkes County Papers, 1773-1833 (Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1979), 201. From the Wilkes County Collection, William R. Perkins Library, Duke University. (201-215)

File [Box 5 159-1-59]
FSC 58: MURDER: Wilkes Co., GA: affadavit of John Thurman [s] stating that be believes that David McCluskey (aka Capt. David McCluskey) of Elbert Co. on 11/__/1792 in Franklin Co. murdered certain Indians of the Creek or Cherokee nation. d.d. 4/13/1793.

File [Box 5 159-1-59]

NOW FOR THE FACTS.

Some Indians (whether Cherokees or Creeks is not yet reduced to a certainty) killed Mr. Yarborough and his son, on the Oconee river [Mr. Seagrove has intimated they were killed by lightning, but he lies wilfully; there were bullet holes through them both]; a while after, a Mr. Bobo was killed on Broad river, not very far from my residence, and soon after that, a Mr. Thompson in the same neighbourhood. Mr. Doolin was then sent to the Cherokee nation, under the sanction of a flag to try and recover prisoners and property; in violation of which, when he attempted to return home, they murdered him about a mile from the town where he delivered the message. Their next stroke was on Mrs. Crocket and family, a respectable widow lady, and an equally respectable family; where their conduct was such that modesty, humanity and philanthropy shrink from the idea, like a snail when his borns experience a rough touch. They killed and scalped the whole family (consisting of eight) amongst whom were the old lady and two amiable daughters, whom they not only scalped, but skinned the lower part of their bellies and pudendums, and carried them off as Knoxonian thropies of refinement in ferocity.

Blush K___, for forming such a base alliance (if it is possible for thee to blush) and blush Forsyth for supporting it; and blush ____ ____ ____, and all the long &c's--if thou hadst any hand in one or t'other.

Those respectable aborigines carried off property, from the neighbourhood and habitatino of Mrs. Crocket, to the amount of several hundred pounds, and I forsooth, because I followed and tried to recover some of the plundered property, and in so doing necessarily made some trifling reprisals--am persecuted by the Federal and State Governments, and made a foot ball, to be bandied backwards and forewards, as whim, or rthe spirit of vindictiveness may alternately prevail.* I collected a few men and pursued, I did not mean plundernor indiscrimnate retaliation. I followed their trail and passed several of their towns, molesting none but that in which they had taken refuge. I returned in the same peacable manner, after having taken a partial vengeance only, on the town which afforded an asylum to the hostile savages.--The towns I passed were all in my power: They were three in number. I passed and repassed them in the night, undiscovered, and so near to some of them, that we could see their fires very distinctly.

Soon after our return from the excursion, the Governor of Georgia issued a proclamation, wherein, amongst other wise injuctions, he strictly charges and enjoins all persons whomsoever, not to suffer their stock (should they straggle across the line) to bite off any blades of Indian grass.--His next will probably prohibit our pigeons to cross the Appalachee river, lest they, perchance, pick up a few acorns, and thereby prevent the Indian Bears and Deer from getting quite so fat as they night otherwise do.

At Elbert court Major Forsyth arrested me, (none about me); but so far was he from bringing me off, by threatning me and my coadjurors (as he pompously says) with the strong arm of the Union, that he condescended to sooth and persuade me, till I agreed to go voluntarily, having first received his promise, that if I was not admitted to bail, his house should be my only gaol, and such I found it, where I experienced every species of polieness and genteel treatment I could wish for or expect, from the Major, his lady and family.

Conscious innocence fears nothing.

At Elbert court-house, a number of friends assembled and proffered to release me, but I chose to stand trial.--Fifteen miles from thence we crossed Broad river, then very high. I carried the Major over, and then carried back the boat, to fetch his and my horses.--If I wished to escape, what then hindered me? There was a rapid river between us, he on foot and I on horseback. I could have pushed the boat out into the strem, and there was not another within ten miles. Eighteen miles from Broad river we came hither, where some of the most respectable gentlemen (till then strangers to me) proffered to release me, which I again refused.--From Washington, major Forsyth rode off, leaving me with the gentlemen who had proffered to release me, and desired me to follow him on.--I rode more than a mile before I overtook him.

When arrived in Augusta, I lived in Major Forsyth's house, where I was treated (as before observed) with every degree of politeness and hospitality; and except the mere nominality of being a prisoner, was as much at liberty, during my stay there as any man in the town. Did these things shew him apprehensive of my attempting an escape?

Americans (Georgians in particular) have fought to a fine purpose under the banners of the immortal Washington, if [sic: yet] Indians are to be suffered (nay courted) to murder and plunder our citizens with impunity, and citizens dare not retaliate, lest they draw on themselves the wrath of minions, and 'the strong arm of the Union.' A blssed arm indeed, as hitherto exercised.--It is like a termagant step-mother, always ready to scourge, but never to protect.

The oppressors of Georgia roll in their coaches, and loll on the couches, gorging on the fruits of their various peculations, extorted from the labors of the honest industrious planter and farmer, and whilst rioting in all the luxury of Eastern Nabobs, are trying to follow the example of king David, when he took the poor man's only lamb--[I do not mean that passion called the lust of women, but of riches and power]--; and in the interim they have their toad eaters strewed throughout the Union--but more plentiful in Georgia than elsewhere--buzzing in the people's ears, 'The President is infallible, Hamilton almost ditto, Jefferson a mere Muser, whilst his brothers Arron, and K__x, a mngrel, begotten by the d___l on an angel of light, and therefore a very proper object to execute diabolical sc[h]emes, exhibited to the public view by the white side only.

K__x, hast thou maturely deliberated, whether thou mayest not hereafter become an abbreviature of Cardinal Woolsey.

D. M'CLUSKEY.

"Conditions cash.

R. COSBY, S. E. C.

June 1, 1796."

Race: w

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: planter

Town: ELBERT

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations: militia captain

Victim 1: ___
Ethnicity: Cherokee

Race: Ind

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Organizations:

Race: Ind

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Organizations:

P
Class: certain

Crime: HOM or WAR: 2 adults

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: POLITICAL

Intox?:

Holiday?:

Time of day:

Days to death: 0 and [7]

S
Suspect(s
USPECT(s): three Cherokee men
VICTIM(s): ___ Towery and William Flemming

Weapon: prob. with knives & axes. T: killed and scalped. WF: "who received one wound through the arm, another in his hip, a third through his thigh, and though he made his escape, we are informed he is since dead."
Circumstances: T: on Chawgee creek, between Tugalo and Kiowee. WF: on Grove fork, of broad river. Both attacks occurred near the South Carolina frontier
Inquest:
Indictment: fled
Term:
Court proceedings:


Legal records:

Newspaper:
AC 4/27/1793: HOM by INDIANS in GA: Franklin Co.: "A party of Cherokees killed and scalped a man of the name of Towery, on Chawgee creek, between Tugalo and Kiowee, and carried off a number of horses, desperately wounded William Flemming, on Grove fork, of broad river, who received one wound through the arm, another in his hip, a third through his thigh, and though he made his escape, we are informed he is since dead. This murder was committed by three Cherokee Indians on or near the frontiers of South Carolina.

When this information was received, Gen. Twiggs, we hear, issued orders to the militia of his district, to hold themselves in immediate preparation to act according to such circumstances as might require the exertion of their valour."

Race: Ind

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Organizations:

Victim 1: ___ Towery
Ethnicity:

Race: w

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: [farmer]

Town: FRA

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

Race: w

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: [farmer]

Town: FRA

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

P
Class: probable

Crime: HOM or WAR: 2 adults

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: POLITICAL

Intox?:

Holiday?:

Time of day:

Days to death: [0]

S
Suspect(s
USPECT(s): Cherokee Indians
VICTIM(s): 2 men

Weapon:
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: fled
Term:
Court proceedings:


Legal records:

Newspaper:
Augusta Chronicle, 5/4/1793: "On Thursday the 25th inst. two men were killed in Franklin, 40 horses carried off, and since the accounts published in our last, all the inhabitants on the frontiers have retreated into forest without arms or ammunition, at one meeting of near 40 persons they could only muster 5 old muskets, to heighten the horror of their condition the Indians were momently expected.

As similar murders are daily committed it called upon the spirit of 800 gallant fellows, who have marched, last week, against the savages, determined to avenge the cruelties indiscriminately perpetrated on the infant, the mother, and the defenceless."

Accused: ___

Race: Ind

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Organizations:

Victims: ___
Ethnicity:

Race: w

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: [farmer]

Town: FRA

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

P
Class: probable

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: POLTICAL / GENOCIDE

Intox?:

Holiday?:

Time of day:

Days to death: [0]

S