Cary

The land creating our county was ceded from the Creek Indian Nation in January

of 1821. That means we are an original county and not created from any others. We are

the 49th county created in Georgia.

That first year was spent laying out land lot lines, creating squares of land, 202-1/2

acres each.

These squares of land were put into districts and we had four of them. Each district

number and land lot number was put on an

individual piece of paper to be given out in a

lottery system.

Those living in the already established counties east of us had an opportunity to draw

free land under these conditions: if you were a veteran of the Revolutionary War, War

of 1812 or Indian War, with a three-year residence in Georgia, you got two chances to

put your hand in the "fish bowl"; if you were

a widow with minor children, you also got one chance to draw; married men, with a wife

and/or minor son under 18 and/or an unmarried daughter, having lived in the United States

for at least three years and having lived in

Georgia for at least three years, you got two

chances, etc.

Now, let's say that we each live on one acre, and you know what you paid for that acre.

The people drawing a 202-1/2 acre square of land only had to pay a $19 filing fee for the

whole kit and caboodle!

Again, that first year was spent surveying and there were a few hardy souls who began

to come and see just what kind of land paying out $19 had gotten them.

The county had to have a name, and we are reasonably sure that there were a number

of Revolutionary War veterans who drew land here. It is also reasonable to assume that

several of them probably fought under General Marquis de LaFayette and decided to name

us "Fayette County."

The State of Georgia told each new county that they had to select a site for the

County Seat, and it had to be equidistant in the

county. Now I know what you're saying Fayetteville is not equidistant in the county.

But remember what I wrote previously: that in 1821 our county went up to Atlanta over to

the other side of Jonesboro. It was right in the middle of our boundary lines at that time.

The State of Georgia also decreed that besides creating a county seat equidistant in

the county and establishing a courthouse, land must also be set aside for a Methodist

Church, a Baptist Church and a Presbyterian Church,

to be given them at no cost.

Can't you just imagine the State decreeing that now?

More on just how this was done next time.

Carolyn Cary is Fayette County's official

historian and editor of "The History of Fayette County,"

published by the Fayette County Historical Society.

<!--##############