Columbia County GA

Slave Narrative of Ellen Claibourn

Interviewer: Mrs. Margaret Johnson Person Interviewed: Ellen Claibourn Location: Augusta, Georgia Ellen was born August 19, 1852, on the plantation of Mr. Hezie Boyd in Columbia County, her father being owned by Mr. Hamilton on an adjoining plantation. She remembers being given, at the age of seven, to her young mistress, Elizabeth, who afterward was married to Mr. Gabe Hendricks. At her new home she served as maid, and later as nurse. The dignity of her position as house servant has clung to her through the years, forming her speech in a precision unusual in her race. “I ‘member all … Read more

Slave Narrative of Nancy Boudry

Interviewer: Barragan – Harris Person Interviewed: Nancy Boudry Location: Thomson, Georgia “If I ain’t a hunnard,” said Nancy, nodding her white-turbaned head, “I sho’ is close to it, ’cause I got a grandson 50 years old.” Nancy’s silky white hair showed long and wavy under her headband. Her gingham dress was clean, and her wrinkled skin was a reddish-yellow color, showing a large proportion of Indian and white blood. Har eyes ware a faded blue. “I speck I is mos’ white,” acknowledged Nancy, “but I ain’t never knowed who my father was. My mother was a dark color.” The cottage … Read more

Biography of Howard G. Cook

Howard G. Cook, attorney at law practicing as a member of the firm of Cook & McCauley, well known patent attorneys of St. Louis, was born October 20, 1881, at Harlem, Columbia county, Georgia. His father, Harvey A. Cook, was a native of the state of New York and represented an old family of English origin. He was reared and educated in the Empire state and in the latter ’40s removed to Georgia, where he engaged in the lumber business. During the Civil war he served in the Confederate army with the engineering department, remaining with the southern troops throughout … Read more

Biography of Jones, Randall, Capt.

Capt. Randall Jones, one of the historic characters of Fort Bend County, was born in Columbia County, Georgia, on the 19th of August 1786. In 1810 he went to Wilkinson County, Mississippi Territory. When the second war with England broke out in 1812 he joined the American army as a private, but such was his energy and gallantry in battle that he received a captain’s commission, which he held until near the close of the war, or, to be more exact, until 1814. During this service he fought the battle with Indians known as the “Canoe Fight.” An extract from … Read more