Jerry Slate traces family history to find ancestor who fought in Revolutionary war.
Jerry and Judy Slate of Rockmart researched family history and discovered ancestors that fought in the Revolutionary War.
Therefore, he is interested in starting a new Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution in Rockmart. He encourages anyone interested in this effort to contact him at 770-257-8871 or email jerryandjudyslate@gmail.com
Slate provided the following history of his family:
“When I moved to Rockmart a year ago, I had no idea how much of my own personal heritage was nestled in Polk County. A little digging into genealogical studies brought forth a gold mine of history, much of which has proven to have brought me back to my roots - men and women connected to this land full of history. They are worth our honor and our remembrance.
“Joel Cornelious Atkins was my greatgreat grandfather who was born July 3, 1805 in Virginia. Somehow his travels brought him to Polk County at Fish Creek where he died on Aug. 11, 1876. He is buried with his wife Mary at Bethlehem Church Cemetery just east of Cedartown. This bit of information left me excited, but with questions: What brought this man to Polk County? What did this land look like during his time? What accomplishments and impact did he make while he was here? A little more digging would give me more insight into their lives here in Polk County, and further knowledge about their connection to the Revolutionary War.
“In 1864 Joel was about 59 years old, and it was during the time of the Civil War. Mary and Joel lived in downtown Rockmart, Ga. Land Lot 1 in Block L fronting Marble Street. Georgia was overrun with evil men who made it their practice to be deserters, robbers, thieves, and who would pillage homes, burn property, or rape the women that they encountered. My great, great grandfather Joel, being a just man and a father of 19 children. could not sit idly by and watch this evil occur. He joined a group called the Reorganized Brown Guards and together, they put a stop to most of the crime.
“Joel Atkins was also a man of faith and of family. In his will dated July 19, 1876 he states, ‘My soul I trust, shall return to rest with God, who gave it, as I hope for salvation through the merits and atonement of the blessed Lord and Savior.’ He speaks of his beloved wife Mary Polly Austin Atkins. ‘I also give and bequeath to my beloved wife in the same unreserved manner, all household items and kitchen furniture and all the seed grown or growing during the present year on lots of land numbers 1050, 1051, 1022, 1923 and 1097 in the 21st district and 3rd section in Polk County, Ga.’
“Again I was struck that here I am, a current resident of Polk County in 2015, and I am walking the same grounds as my great, great grandfather did almost 150 years ago.
“Joel Atkins’ wife, Mary Polly Austin Atkins, moved from Simpsonville, S. Carolina to Dekalb County, Ga., with her parents, Thomas Henry Austin and Susan Wyche. Mary Austin met and married Joel at a very young age. Mary had been named after her aunt, Mary Polly Austin, whose father was the infamous Nathaniel Austin - the War Veteran who was born in York, England and immigrated to the Greenville District of South Carolina, now known as Simpsonville. Nathaniel and his 10 sons all fought in the American Revolutionary War, including the Battle of Kettle Creek in Georgia and the Battle of Cow Pens in South Carolina. At least one of Nathaniel’s sons was wounded during the battle and sadly his daugh- ter Mary was killed in a Cherokee Indian raid on her way home from a quilting bee. My greatgreat-grandmother, Mary Polly Austin Atkins, was named in honor of this young victim of casualty.
“Nathaniel Austin built a plantation home called the Gilder Plantation in Simpsonville in 1769 on 500 acres with sprawling fields and beautiful trees. Gilder Plantation has been rebuilt three times, most recently in 1840, and has housed many generations of Austins. Still there is an oak tree that is over 200 years old. That tree is worn and hollow now after having been struck by lightning. My wife and I had the honor of standing in that old oak not too long ago, full of history and stories to tell.
“Nathaniel’s youngest son William took over the care and oversight of Gilder Plantation and built it up to 22,000 acres. Most of this land has been sold off and some of it is now home to the Holly Tree Country Club and Golf Course. Nathaniel, Agnes, and Mary Polly Austin are buried in a small graveyard next to the 13th tee of the golf course.”