The Old South is still alive and well on the western edge of Jenkins County in a place known as Birdsville. The live oaks are lined neatly down an old county road that leads to the stately antebellum home of The Jones Family. It was known as “The Big House” and has stood the test of time.
The house and the adjoining property are still owned by descendants of Francis Jones, Sr. To go and visit Birdsville today is like taking a step back in time to, what I would call, the glory days of The Deep South. In many ways I would say time has stood still on the hallowed ground of this very special place.
I have been going to visit Birdsville even before I could walk. I have relatives who live in close proximity to Birdsville, so I have been given a very unique opportunity to visit since day one. Even today it is a pure gift for me to go and take in this historic place. In many ways I have been tied to Birdsville all of my life. As time goes on, I have found that I am tied to it in ways greater than I ever imagined.
These days those historic live oaks are used as a backdrop for a multitude of pictures. People come from far and wide to have pictures made in this holdover from the antebellum days. I think people are drawn in by the sheer beauty this place offers, but I doubt very many are aware of the incredible history of Birdsville.
On March 6, 1764, John Lott, Sr. petitioned the governor and council for a tract of land. At that point he had been here for two years and had not received any type of land grant. He wanted 300 acres on the north side of The Mighty Ogeechee River above Buckhead Creek at a place called Walker’s Spring.
On that same date, Drury Dunn, stated in his petition that he was settled in South Carolina, but wanted to move to the Province of Georgia. He also stated that he wanted to bring several families with him. Dunn asked to be favored with 12,000 acres on the Mighty Ogeechee beginning at a place called Bark’s Camp which was four miles above Buckhead and for it to run up the river.
The council reserved for Dunn and his party 8500 acres, but Dunn withdrew his petition when the reservation was reduced in acres. Among the families listed as coming with Dunn was Francis Jones, Sr., his wife and three children. The council reserved 500 acres for Francis Jones, Sr.
Historical records indicate that this was the only land ever granted to Francis Jones, Sr. Anybody that may be familiar with this area of the Mighty Ogeechee and Buckhead Creek can easily see that the land grants of Francis Jones, Sr. and Drury Dunn were in close proximity to one another. Dunn is believed to have deeded his tract to Francis Jones, Sr. a few years later.
It is uncertain whether or not Francis Jones, Sr. ever lived in the area that is now known as Birdsville. It is known that he owned property in the vicinity which included Lott’s Mill. He immigrated from Wales to the Carolinas where he lived many years as the head of a large family.
In the latter part of his life, Francis Jones, Sr. was compelled, once again, by some unseen force to pick up and move his family to Screven County. He, along with his four sons, several years before The American Revolution made their way to the southern portion of the county to a place called Cameron. Seventy-five years later this place became the home of one of his great granddaughters.
I always have to stop and think about the courage necessary to board a ship and set sail for a new country. I have read that people went to great lengths to afford a brighter future for their families. I am in awe of such boldness. I certainly have nothing but respect for the ones who made such a treacherous journey to what we now know as the United States of America. Somehow, by the Grace of God, these people made their way here and so many of our families that we have today, sprang forth from their boldness.
