Elijah Fenn ^{1 3}

  Noted events in his life were:

• He received a land grant on 6 Jun 1814. The land was located in Laurens County, Georgia.
Georgia} to George Linder Eqr. County Surveyor you are hereby
Laurens County} authorized and required to admeasure and Lay out or Cause to be admeasured and Laid out unto Elijah Fenn on head Rights, a tract of Land which Shall Contain three Hundred acres in Said County taking Special care that the same has not Heretofore been Laid out to any person or persons whatever and you are also Required to Record a plat of the Land in your office and Transmit a Copy thereof together with the warrant to the Surveyor Generals office within the term of Two years from the date Given under our hands this 6th day of June 1814
Null Munroe
John G. Underwood
Barton H. Pitts Justices ⁵

• He served in the War of 1812 as a Private in Captain Thomas' Company of Infantry, Wimberly's Brigade, Georgia Militia from 21 Nov 1814 to 20 Mar 1815.

• On the census taken 1820, Elijah appeared in Laurens County, Georgia. ⁶
male 26-45: Elijah Fann [at 32]
female 16-26 [Martha at 25]
female <10 [Sarah Ann at abt 7]
male <10 [William at abt 6]
female <10 [Letty at 4]
female <10 [Lucile at 2]
female <10 [Eliza at abt 2]
female >45

• He received a headright grant in 1821 for 300 acres in Laurens County, GA. The deed is recorded in book N-5, page 275.

• In Jun 1822, he was appointed as road inspector for the road from Dublin to the road that intersects the road in Montgomery County at Ephraim Turner's. ⁸

• He was appointed as a juror in the Inferior Court of Laurens County, Georgia for the next term of court after Jun 1823. ⁹

• He moved from Laurens County to to Early County, Georgia about 1824.

• He was included on the 1825 tax list for Captain Douglas' District, Decatur County, Georgia. Elijah Fenn was listed as paying 1 poll, and paying taxes on lot 172, consisting of 202 1/2 pine acres in District 17 of Laurence [Laurens] County, and owning no slaves.

• He was included on the 1826 tax list for Captain Douglas' District, Decatur County, Georgia. Eliga Fenn was listed as paying 1 poll, and paying taxes on lot 172, consisting of 202 1/2 pine acres in District 17 of Laurence [Laurens] County, and owning no slaves.

• There was no tax list available for Decatur County in 1827.

• He was included on the 1828 tax list for Captain McElves' District, Decatur County, Georgia. Elijah Fann was listed as paying 1 poll, and paying 46 3/4 cents tax on lot 172, consisting of 202 1/2 pine acres in District 17 of Lawrence [Laurens] County, and owning no slaves.

• He was included on the 1829 tax list for Captain Kellings' District, Decatur County, Georgia. Elisha Fenn was listed as paying 1 poll, and paying 56 3/4 cents total taxes on lot 172, consisting of 202 1/2 acres in District 17 of Laurens County, and on lot 251, consisting of 125 acres in District 20 of Decatur County. He owned no slaves.

• On the census taken 1830, Elijah appeared in Decatur County, Georgia. ¹⁰
male 40-50: Elijah Fenn [at 42]
female 30-40 [Martha at 35]
female 15-20 [Sarah Ann at abt 17]
male 15-20 [William at abt 16]
female 10-15 [Letty at 14]
female 10-15 [Lucile at 12]
female 10-15 [Eliza at abt 12]
female 10-15 [Catherine at 11]
female 5-10 [Mary Penelope at abt 9]
female 5-10 [Melvina at abt 7]
female <5 [Carolyn at abt 3]
male <5 [John at abt 1]
male 70-80

• He was founding member of Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church which was in the part of Early County which is now in Boykin, Miller County, Georgia. ¹ He was buried at Mothers Home Primitive Baptist Church cemetery, which was founded in 1922. Pilgrims Rest-Whites Bridge Church and cemetery are a few miles South on County Line Road.

• He was included on the 1831 tax list for Captain Westers' District, Decatur County, Georgia. Eligah Fenn was listed as paying 1 poll, and paying 65 cents total taxes on lot [number not listed or too faint to read], consisting of 202 1/2 acres in District 17 of Laurens County, and on lot 233, consisting of 250 acres in District 27 of Decatur County. He owned no slaves.

• In the 1832 Land Lottery, Elijah Fenn, soldier, of Captain Gibson's District, Decatur County, Georgia, was awarded land in the 10th District, 3rd Section, Cherokee County. ¹¹

• The Early County court in its Jul 1837 term, "appointed Elijah Fenn, Moses Warren, Delaware Freeman, Council B. Allen, Elijah Fenn and John R. Miller" to a committee to find a site on which to build a bridge across Spring Creek. They "reported in favor of a place on lot 241 in the 13th district, belonging to Moses Warren. This report was accompanied by a petition from a number of citizens of the county asking for the adoption of the report of the commissioners. Whereupon the court ordered the bridge to be built at the point recommended and instructed the commissioners to let out the building of the same, which they proceeded to do. It was bid off by James G. Collier at the price of $465. This is the bridge that is now on the road between Charles Roberts' and the late Henry Batts'--or rather it was built at the same place. The first bridge was built in January, 1838."

This creek flows north to south through the area which is present-day Miller County and is wide, with low, shallow banks and a relatively broad, dense hardwood edge which runs back for several hundred yards. The committee shortly recommended that the bridge be built not too far south of the present U. S. Highway bridge at Colquitt. There is still a bridge for local use where the committee recommended.

• On the census taken 1840, Elijah appeared in Captain Wilson's District-Militia District 903, Early County, Georgia. ³
male 40-50: Elijah Fann [at 52]
female 40-50 [Martha Rich at 45]
female 15-20
female 15-20
male 10-15 [John at abt 11]
female 5-10
female 5-10 [Jane at 9]
female 5-10 [Zelphia at abt 7]
male <5
female <5 [Alsia at 5]

• He was included on the 1842 tax list in Captain Slancell Barbarea's district for Early County, Georgia. ¹²
Elijah Fenn, 1 Poll, 2 Slaves
250 acres of PO&H land, quality P, lot 232, district 27, Decatur County
250 acres of PO&H land, quality P, lot 163, district 13, Early County, $1.00
125 acres of PO&H land, quality 3, lot 137, district 17, Early County, $1.48

• He was buried at Mothers Home Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.

• His estate was inventoried and appraised on 23 Aug 1844 in Early County, Georgia. ¹³
Inventory & Appraisement of the Estate of Elijah Fenn decd
Sixty one head of Stock cattle at 3$ per head 9 head Beef do at 6$ per head
1 Bay Horse 36.00- 1 Gray Mare 30.00- 1 Sorrell Colt 25.00- 21 head Sheep 2.00 per hd
35 head Hogs 1.75 per hd - 10 head do 1.50 per hd - 9 do 1.00 per hd 1 Sugar Kettle 20.00
1 Metal Clock 15.00- 1 Bed and Stead 10.00- 2 Bed Steads & hider 4.00-
2 Spinning wheels & 1 Clock Reel 5.00- Bridle & saddle 2.00- 1 Table 1.00-
11 Sitting chairs at 62 1/2 each- 1 Rifle gun & Bag 12.00- 1 Shot Gun 2.50- 1 Loom 5.00
1 hand Mill 4.00- 1 Table, Pail & Peck measure 3.00- 1 Spinning wheel 2.50
2 Kettles 1 Pot, 1 oven 4.00- 1 Lot of Tools 5.00- 1 ps Leather 1.00- 2 pr plow gear 4.00
2 Pans 1 Stand and canister 2.00- 1 Jointer, 1 fore plain & 2 Round Shaves & [cords?] 2.00
1 Bed Stead & hide 2.00- 15 head of Shoats @1.00 per hd- 1 Cart 20.00- 1 Cotton Gin 50.00
1 piece Cotton Bagging 20 cts per yd 1 ps Rope 15 cts
One promissory note on John Wilson due 13th May 1843 for 27.12 1/4
& Account on William Canley for 17.50
& promissory note on Isham Johnson for 45.00 due 1st Jany 1843 for 10.00 35.00
& Account on Willis Hudnel 5.00- 1 Act on Robt Hudnell 2.00- 7.00
& " " Miss Hudnel 5.00 do Janet Hudnel 1.00 6.00
promissory notes on John S. Barbre due 1st Jany 1840 for one hundred and Sixteen Dollars, credited 1st Feby 1840 with 20$ & 5.00 15th March 1840 91.00
Cash on hand at the death of the deceased 30
Negro man named Bill 400.00- 1 Negro woman named Lucretia 400.00
Lots of land Nos 137 & 103 in the 13th District Early County 500.00
We do certify that as far as was produced to us by the Administrator the above and foregoing contains a true appraisement of the estate of Elijah Fenn deceased to the best of our Judgment and understanding, this the 23rd day of August 1844 Burrell Roberts
H. J. Roberts - Appraisers
John Read
Drewry (his X mark) Roberts
I do hereby certify that the above appraisers were sworn to perform their duty as appraisers according to law this the 23rd of August 1844
Collen Cowart J.P.

• The sale for his estate was held on 24 Aug 1844, in Early County, Georgia. ¹⁴
Account of the Sale of the personal property of Elijah Fenn deceased
Sold on the 24th day of August 1844 on a credit of twelve months
1 Gray Mare purchased by Solomon Bright 15.00- 1 Sorrell colt Mrs Fenn 19.00- 34.00
11 head Sheep Lewis Griffin 9.00- 5 do James Donalson 10.00- 5 do S. Thompson 11.25- 30.25
[?] do James Donalson 11.25- 11 head Hogs A. T. O'Bryan 14.37 1/2 25.62 1/2
[?] head Hogs Lewis Griffin 11.00- 12 do Elias Miller 13.00- 2 do Lewis Griffin 1.62 1/2 25.62 1/2
[?] do Stephen Cowart 5.62 1/2- 14 Pigs Lewis Griffin 5.25- 2 do Stephen Cowart 1.62 1/2 12.50
1 Bay Horse B. Wilson 20.00- 33 head Stock Cattle Jef Holder at 3.68 3/4 per hd 121.62 1/2 141.68 1/2
22 head Stock Cattle Jef Holder at 4.182 per hd 119.62 1/2- 9 Beef do Jef Holder 4.25- 38.25 157.87 1/2
[?] Mrs Fenn 18.52 Jesse Owens Mrs. Fenn 34.50 & Bed sted & hide S. Thompson 45 53.75
Amt carried up 481.31 1/4

Account of Sale of the perishable property of Elijah Fenn decd Continued
1 Table Leonidas P. Duke 50- 1 Clock Reel Seaborn Thompson 1.31 1/4 1.81 1/4
1 Spinning Wheel Wm Wilson 1.00- 6 Chairs Wm Fenn 2.12 1/2- 5 Chairs Stephen Cowart 2.12 1/2 5.25
1 Bed Stead & hide Wm Fenn 31 1/4 1 Bedstead, Bed & furniture Mrs. Fenn 1.00- 1.31 1/4
1 Bedstead & hide L. P. Duke 2.00- 1 Metal Clock Isaac Bush 8.50- 1 Spinning wheel S. Cowart 2.00 12.50
1 Loom & [?] Mrs Fenn 1.12 1/2- 1 hand Mill Mrs Fenn 2.37 1/2 1 Table S. Thompson 1.75 5.25
1 Lot Pot ware Mrs Fenn 3.00- 1 Pail & Peck measure Wm Fenn 1.06 1/4 1 Lot [lods?] M Don 50 4.56 1/4
1 " plow gear Wm Fenn 1.06 1/4 & do Isaac Bush 1.12 1/2 1 plow hoe &c Wm Grimes 18 3/4 2.37 1/2
1 ps Leather Wm Grimes 50- 3 hoes & 1 Crosscut Saw do 6 1/4- 1 pt Adze & hand Saw S. Thompson 18 3/4 .75
1 Wedge, Square & drawing knife J Roberts 2.00- 1 pr hand cuffs & hatchet 1 Bush .50 2.50
1 Auger & Square Stephen Cowart 75- 1 Barrel & contents V Hesters 50 1.25
1 Lot Pans &c Mrs Fenn 75- 1 Sugar Boiler David Cowart 20.00 & Bridle Mrs Fenn 43 3/4 21.18 3/4
1 Saddle Seaborn Thompson 56 1/4- 1 Shot Gun do 25 1 Rifle do Frances Grimes 10.12 1/2 10.93 3/4
1 Looking Glass & Shoe Tools Mrs Fenn 37 1/2 1 pr Rope Wm Moye at 8 cts per lb 10 3/4 cts 56 1.23 1/2
1 ps 17 1/4 yds Bagging Wm Moye at 10 cts 1.72 1/2- 1 Cotton Gin Wm Moye 47.00 48.72 1/2
1 Reep Hook Collen Cowart 43 3/4 1 pr Steeyards F. Grimes 43 3/4 1 Basket Wm Grimes 6 1/4 93 3/4
Amt brought up 481.31 1/4
601.27 1/2
Account of hire of the Negroes belonging to the estate of Elijah Fenn decd hired on the 24th Aug 1844 till 1st Janry next, on credit of one year
1 Negro man Bill hired by S. Thompson 15.62 1/2
1 " woman hired by Alfred Moye 17.00 32.62
$633.90

• On 28 May 1845, William Grimes, administrator for the estate of Elijah Fenn, posted the following notice in the Albany, Georgia newspaper: Georgia, Early County: Will be sold before the courthouse door in said county on the first Tuesday in August, next, between the legal hours of sale, all the property belonging to the estate of Elijah Fenn, late of said county, deceased. Sold for the benefit of the heirs and creditors of said estate. (Signed) William Grimes, Adm. ¹⁵

• On After 28 May 1845, William Grimes, administrator for the estate of Elijah Fenn, posted the following notice in the Albany, Georgia newspaper: Georgia, Early County: Will be sold before the Court House door in said county on the first Tuesday in October, next, between the legal hours of sale, all the property belonging to the estate of Elijah Fenn, late of said county, deceased. Sold for the benefit of the heirs and creditors of said estate. (Signed) William Grimes, Adm. ¹⁶

Elijah married Martha Rich, daughter of Stephen Rich and Abiah, between 1806 and 1810 in Burke County, Georgia.^{1 2} (Martha Rich was born on 3 Sep 1795 in Georgia,⁴ died on 10 May 1859 in Miller County, Georgia ⁴ and was buried in Boykin, Miller County, Georgia - Mothers Home Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery ^{1 4}.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• They were buried at Mother's Home Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.