History of Carrollton
Mrs.Joseph Kingsbery mentions in a column from Carroll Free Press in 1907 the following founding of Carrollton.
"In 1829 when Gen. Andrew Jackson was inaugurated President of the United States; when Atlanta was only a few houses called "Marthasville"; when steam was just beginning to be applied to railroads, and before the Creek and Cherokee Indians had been removed from Georgia, the present town of Carrollton was incorporated by the legislature. Then Began the removal of the old town to its present site. This was done because it was too far from the center of the County for the convenience of the citizens.
"A tract of Virgin Forest was purchased for $150.00, about 75 cents an acre, from Henry Curtis. It was two years later that the town was relocated. Court records reveal a most interesting fact concerning this move. Those appointed to purchase land for the new town were instructed to buy lot no. 129, but on the day set for the transaction the owner could not be located. The committee decided to purchase lot no. 128 instead. Had the first man remained at home that day, the center of town would have been about at the ante-bellum home, Oak Lawn. last home on Roam St. on the right. The first sale of lots took place May 2, 1831. These lots were advertised in the "Columbus Enquirer" the nearest newspaper.
"Mr. Kingsbery opened the first store for general merchandise, but was soon followed by Terrence (Thomas) McGuire and others (Y. J. and John Long, General William Beall and I. E. Cobb). He found that among his most profitable customers were the upper Creek Indians, whose chief was William McIntosh, a warm and true friend of the white people. The Indians would come to town to trade, camping back of Mr. Kingsbery's store and it was serious and deliberate business with them, for they would only buy one article at a time and pay for it before buying another.
"Mr. Kingsbery bought his goods in Augusta hauling them in wagons 220 miles.
"The busiest citizen of the new town seemed to have been Giles S. Boggess. He cleared the square and first four streets, built the first courthouse, the first hotel and was a very active sheriff and leader of the "sticks" who banded themselves together to protect the town from the lawless element who belonged to the "pony club."
"The first hotel was two log houses joined together by a passageway. It was located on the square, north side of Newnan St., and was kept by Giles Boggess, afterwards by John Long; northwest corner of square at Rome St. I am told that on one occasion a W. B. Gilly rode a horse through the building, daring anybody to put up a horse to race against him.
"The first liquor store was on the southwest corner of the square. The sale of liquor always brings the need of a jail, so the jail was moved from old Carrollton by Calloway Burke for $60.00 and put up on the west side of Rome St.
"The town had an area of 1,000 yards (1907) in a circle with extensive suburbs.
"Since the earliest days a bold spring has gushed without fail in a romantic hollow between hills, within walking distance of the square. It was deeded to the town by Tom Chandler and is called "Chandler's Spring." Marvelous cures of rheumatism, kidney trouble and dyspepsia, are said to have been brought about by the daily use of its waters. The water is delightfully clear, cold and sparkling, especially in the early morning. It is a popular resort."
The town was incorporated in 1829. Mr. Mandeville states that on the reliable authority of Dr. Long of Newnan that the first log cabin that was built within what are now (1907) the incorporate limits was a cabin put up by Giles S. Boggess on the corner of College and Robinson Ave. on the south side where the Robinsons and Merrells have lived since 1871. It was built in 1830, and Dr. Long, then 12 years old, waited on the workmen during its construction.
The first
lawyer was Tom Chandler.
The first church was the old Methodist completed in 1847.
The Baptist were also founded in 1847 but had no church so they
worshiped at the Methodist Church.
P. G. Garrison built the first brick store in 1873.
Eli Benson was the first mayor in 1872. Prior to that time the
city authorities were called commissioners.
Old Carrollton families are Kingsbery, Stewart, Long, Chandler, Grow, Mandeville, Beall, Cobb, Merrell, Thomasson, Sharp, Hamrick, Lovvorn, Tanner, Meadows, Benson, Fitts, Kramer, Griffin, Aycock, Cole, Spence, Murrah, Baskin, Robinson, Perry, Cheney, Bradley, Smith, Brown, Turner, Hale, Simonton, Harris, Adamson, Martin, Wynn, Boykins, Johnsons. Black families were Galls, Wells, Mullins, Benson, Amyes, Powells, Williams and Baileys.
The above was taken from "The Sesquicentennial-Bicentennial Edition" of "The Carroll County Story as told by The People." You can obtain a copy of this edition at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce for free. There are many interesting stories and photos in the edition.