Discover the Rich History of Wilkes County, Georgia

Let us guide you through the major historical themes of Wilkes County, including its role in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, black history, and its status as a center for business and religion in early Georgia.

You will want to see artifacts and significant building and sites from the Revolutionary War in Georgia, Georgia black history, Civil War in Georgia, Georgia Railroad and the agrarian South with old Georgia plantation homes.

• Revolutionary War in Wilkes County
• End of the Civil War
• Black History
• Religious Foundations
• Economic Development
• Historic Sites and Buildings
• Prominent Citizens

Historical Significance

Washington-Wilkes is steeped in a vibrant history that reflects key moments in both state and national narratives. From its origins as an agricultural hub to its significance during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the area is rich with historical sites, landmarks, and cultural heritage.

The history of Wilkes County Georgia is relevant to so many aspects of US history. National Historic Landmarks in Georgia are plentiful so you can see where key events happened and historic Georgia homes where important period figures resided. Wilkes County boasts twenty-nine entries in the National Register of Historic Places, including several districts within Washington. And, being spared from destruction during the Civil War in Georgia it has more than 100 historic Georgia homes.

Founding of Washington-Wilkes

Wilkes County was the first county in Georgia formed under the Georgia Constitution of 1777. Established on February 5, 1777, it was named for American Independence supporter and British Parliamentarian John Wilkes. No relation to John Wilkes Booth.

Washington, the county seat, was incorporated just three years later on January 23, 1780, and became the first chartered town in the United States named in honor of George Washington.

Initially, Wilkes County encompassed a much larger area. Six counties were later cut from the original Wilkes County: Elbert, Lincoln, Greene, Oglethorpe, Warren, and Taliaferro.

 

Revolutionary War in Wilkes County

Washington-Wilkes has played a pivotal role in not only Georgia's history but also holds an important place within the history of the United States. The Revolutionary War battle of Kettle Creek was fought and won in Wilkes County on February 14, 1779. It was the only Revolutionary War battle in Georgia that the Patriots won. This battle was responsible for stopping Loyalist raids and contributed to the broader efforts to drive the British from Georgia.

Kettle Creek Battlefield

The Kettle Creek Battlefield is now a National Historic Landmark in Georgia and is open to the public for educational tours and reenactments. Visitors can walk the grounds where this decisive battle took place, learn about the strategies employed by Patriot leaders like Elijah Clarke, and understand the battle's lasting impact on the region.

During the Revolutionary War in Georgia, Washington was originally named Heard’s Fort by Patriot Stephen Heard. Heard’s Fort was designated the Seat of Government for Georgia on February 3, 1780. The Executive Council met and transacted the affairs of the State in this temporary Capital until early 1781.

 

End of the Civil War

As a prominent political and commercial hub prior to the Civil War in Georgia, Wilkes County also witnessed significant events during this era.  Washington hosted the last cabinet meeting of the Confederate Government in May 1965.

The historic marker where the old Bank of Georgia building stood on the Square commemorates this event, marking a significant moment as the Confederacy neared its end.  It was also the last place that the infamous Confederate gold was tracked. A chest that once held it is on display at the Mary Willis Library.

The historic Georgia home, Holly Court, was where the wife and children of President Jefferson Davis stayed during the meeting of the Confederate Cabinet while fleeing from Richmond after the surrender at Appomattox.

Robert Toombs House Historic Site

Another Georgia historic home is the Robert Toombs House Historic Site provides insight into the life of the Confederacy’s Secretary of State and brigadier general. Toombs also served as a US Senator and was integral to the revision of the Georgia Constitution in 1877. The house reflects the architectural style of the period and offers guided tours that delve into Toombs’ contributions to both Georgia’s history and the Confederacy. It is a Georgia State Historic Site.

 

Black History

Wilkes County's history is also rich in African American heritage.  A memorial in Washington prominently placed on the Washington Square honors the contributions of African American veterans of the Revolutionary War. An estimated 5,000 black patriots served in the Continental army.

The memorial features a bust that represents the best-known black patriot of Georgia, Austin Dabney. As was common in Georgia black history Dabney served as a replacement for his owner in military service. He was present at the Battle of Kettle Creek on 14 February 1779 a pivotal battle in Georgia during the Revolutionary War. Dabney was granted his freedom, a military pension and land in Wilkes County as a reward for his service.

Important Black History Sites

Callaway Plantation: An important agricultural region since its founding Wilkes County had a significant number of enslaved African Americans working on plantations. Callaway Plantation has been preserved to showcase the historical context of plantation life. Buildings that surround this old Georgia plantation home, an 1860s Greek Revival constructed from brick, include the Daily Slave Cabin and the 1790 Grey House log cabin, a one-room schoolhouse, a smokehouse and a general store.

Jackson AME Church: Established in 1867 was the first church erected in Wilkes County by newly freed men. The church has been recognized as a Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation site for its role in Georgia black history.

The history of Jackson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church is tied to the Gaines family. Following the Civil War, Rev. William Gaines and Bishop Wesley John Gaines established AME churches across Georgia. They also co-founded Morris Brown College.

Cherry Grove Schoolhouse:  Built in 1910, the one-room, wood frame building was constructed on the grounds of the 1875 Cherry Grove Baptist Church. This historic structure has been recognized by The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation as a rare example of a rural African American school building in Georgia. Preserved in 2023 as an important Georgia black history artifact the Cherry Grove Schoolhouse serves as a significant heritage tourism site, not only for Wilkes County but for the entire state of Georgia. 

 

Religious Foundations

Washington’s religious roots are diverse, with several denominations establishing their presence in the early years.

Presbyterian Church: Founded in 1790, on July 22, 1790, Washington's Reverend John Springer became the first ordained Presbyterian minister in Georgia. The church in use today by the congregation was constructed in 1825. It was added to the National Register in 1972.

President Woodrow Wilson’s father was pastor of the Presbyterian church.

Methodist Church: Established in 1822 the Methodists built a church in the village near the Masonic Lodge. A hymnbook published in Washington for Methodists was the first ever printed in Georgia.

Baptist Church: In 1827Jesse Mercer, for whom Mercer University in Macon is named, organized the first Baptist church in Washington. He published one of the first hymn books ever printed in Georgia, “Mercer’s Cluster of Sacred Songs.”  He also established one of the first newspapers for Baptists in the South, The Christian index.

Catholic Church: St. Joseph Church in Washington founded in 1845 serves one of the oldest Catholic communities in Georgia.

AME Church:  Jackson Chapel, built in 1867 was the first church erected in Wilkes County by newly freed men. Rev. William Gaines and Rev. Wesley John Gaines established this and AME Churches across the state of Georgia and later co-founded Morris Brown College. The church has been recognized by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation for its importance in Georgia black history.

 

Economic Development

Wilkes County emerged as a commercial center during the 18th and 19th centuries, bolstered by its agricultural economy.

• Cotton Mill: The first cotton mill in the South was built in Wilkes County leading to increased cotton production and processing. . Bolton's Factory on Upton Creek was the first State chartered cotton mill south of Connecticut (c. 1810).
• Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin: Whitney refined his famous cotton gin a few miles east of Washington at John Talbot's plantation, revolutionizing cotton production and significantly impacting the Southern economy. By the eve of the Civil War, the South’s cotton production exceeded a billion pounds annually
• Gold Stamp The first gold stamp mill operation in the United States, which automated the extraction of gold from ore by crushing, was set up by Jeremiah Griffin on Little River in 1833. Jeremiah Griffin, a wealthy farmer led Griffin Mining Company, the largest operation in the area. After gold was discovered in the region in 1823 multiple mines were established. Empty mine shafts still dot the Clark Hill lake's remote shorelines. 
• Georgia Railroad: Its prosperity was enhanced by improved access to outside markets when the Georgia Railroad built a line from Washington to Barnett, Warren County, in 1853. Georgia’s first railroad tracks were laid in the mid-1830s on routes leading from nearby Athens and Augusta, Macon and Savannah and by the 1850s had more rail miles than other Southern states.

 

Historic Sites and Buildings – Visit our Attractions page

While you are here, a walking tour around Historic Downtown Washington is a delight for architecture lovers and history buffs alike.  Wilkes County boasts twenty-nine entries in the National Register of Historic Places, including several districts within Washington. Washington-Wilkes has more antebellum homes per capita than any other city in America - over 100. See the homes of many of the prominent citizens listed in the following section.

 

Prominent Citizens

Genealogy and Research: For those interested in their ancestry and potential connections with these early leaders in Wilkes County and Georgia history , resources for Wilkes County genealogy are available at the Mary Willis Library.

President Woodrow Wilson spent summers here as a child. His father was pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Washington.

Sarah Porter Hillhouse was the first female newspaper publisher in America. Once she published the laws of Georgia, being the first and only woman who was ever State printer.

Morris Marcus was a local merchant whose descendants founded Neiman-Marcus department stores.

James Dunwody officiated at President Teddy Roosevelt’s parents’ wedding in Roswell, Georgia

Robert Augustus Toombs was one of the most important figures in mid-nineteenth century American political life. Lawyer, state legislator, U.S. Representative and Senator, First Secretary of State of the Confederacy, Confederate General and an "unreconstructed rebel" who never regained his right to vote.

Edward Porter Alexander was a graduate of West Point, Confederate General, Chief of Artillery for General James Longstreet at Battle of Gettysburg, and is credited as founder of the Signal Corps.

John Archibald Campbell, Associate Justice of U.S. Supreme Court, resigned to become Confederate Assistant Secretary of War when Georgia seceded. He was on the court that decided the Dred Scott case.

Alexander Stephens served as vice president of the Confederacy.

Ben Fortson served as Georgia’s secretary of state.

George Mathews served as Georgia Governor.

John Clark, son of Patriot Elijah Clark, was twice Georgia governor.

Matthew Talbott, served as Georgia Governor.

Peter Early, the distinguished judge, and afterward Georgia Governor began the practice of law in this county when he came from Virginia.

The Rev. E. M. Bounds, Methodist minister, author, and leader of the holiness movement spent his productive years of retirement at the home of his father-in-law, Samuel Barnett, now the Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum.

A unique note from Washington's modern day is that the city is the hometown of Grammy winning songwriter Hillary Lindsey. She began writing songs at age 10 and has become one of the top songwriters in the nation, having written or co-written such hits as "Blessed" and "This One's For the Girl's" for Martina McBride, "Backseat of a Greyhound Bus" for Sara Evans and "Jesus, Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood. Recordings of her songs have sold more than 30 million copies.