John Morgan's "Old Beat." The Haywood Valley and surrounding mountains. April 2014.

(Continued from here.)

 Today's roadway through Haywood Valley

This old roadway is no longer used, it was closed thirty years ago. In 1876 John Morgan probably walked into Haywood Valley on it.

 The Armuchee Creek runs through Haywood Valley today very much like it has for years.

 Foundation remnants of a church John Morgan taught at in Haywood Valley were found near this site on Armuchee Creek.

Some Armuchee Creek spots were dammed up to form pools for baptisms.

October 16, 1877, Haywood Valley, Georgia. - Went to Uncle Jeter's where we remained part of the day and stayed all night at Bro. Marshalls'. Uncle Jeter came over and informed us that he had some folks to baptize the next morning. 

This is the Fork in the Road. 

Traveling south from Chattanooga on present day Highway #27 will take you to Rome, Georgia. This fork to the left led into Haywood Valley until thirty years ago. Its now closed off.

Dirt Town was John Morgan and Joseph Standing's first Georgia stop on October 5, 1876. The only Dirt Town, Georgia we found is this deli and market.

October 5, 1876, Dirt Town, Chattooga County, Ga. - Left Covington, Indiana about the 20th of September and came to this locality to preach. Have been quite sick, but am better at present. 

October 28, 1876, Haywood Valley, Georgia - Have been preaching here in this locality and with a good prospect for doing good.

December 3, 1876, Haywood Valley, Georgia - Have been very busy preaching and teaching since I wrote my last entry in my journal. Baptized sixteen persons and have a good prospect for the future.

Country roads roam and roll away from Haywood Valley as we traced our way to the Mannings.

Early plantation lands continue to be farmed today.

Mannings Mill Road is presumably named for the family John Morgan frequently stayed with.

This stream and falls once powered the Mannings' Mill.

I got wrapped up in the beauty of this water and did not take a picture of the nearby home. It may or may not have belonged to the Mannings

This similar early home was a mile or two away from Mannings Mill Road and its history posted beneath.

John Morgan very well could have passed this way during his Civil War days. He certainly did during his missionary service to the Southern States.

(To be continued.)

The final leg of our trip into Haywood Valley, Georgia. 2014.

(Continued from here.)

We stopped on Highway #27 before reaching the Haywood Valley Road turnoff because I was attracted to the  beauty and charm of these old structures in the morning rain.

No longer inhabited, the property owners chose to keep and preserve these old buildings.

They were in the woods across the road from the Living Waters Ministries at Little Texas Road  and Highway #27. 

I took the picture of the street sign below to help me later remember and identify where we were when we discovered these buildings.

Later when Mr. Campbell of Haywood Valley talked of this intersection, gave me a copy of his Georgia Church History map, and explained how to pronounce the word Armuchee [Ar-moo-chee], I realized we'd stopped at the site of the earliest Armuchee branch on our drive into Haywood Valley Road that day.                        

We were met at the intersection below by a kind friend of my Rex cousins who drove north from Atlanta that morning to chauffeur us into Haywood Valley and the Campbells' home there.

The Haywood Valley Road looks exactly like the pictures cousin Geraldine M. sent me in 2008 and I posted here and here.

This is the land Thomas "Jetter" Lawrence's, Haywood Valley, Georgia, home stood on in the late 1870's.

All that remains of Jetter's home site is the large rock in the foreground that marks his well. The Campbells presently own and live on the land Jetter Lawrence frequently welcomed John Morgan to during his years in the Southern States Mission.

The Campbells' map illustrates their knowledge and respect for John Morgan's service in their valley and the northwestern Georgia hills. The map is immensely helpful as I recall our travels to Georgia and Tennessee coupled with the history I've learned from the John Morgan journal.

Armuchee, Georgia is first mentioned in John Morgan’s journal on May 7, 1877, Armuchis [sic] Branch: Returned to Chatooga County, crossing some terrible rivers on the way, swift and rapid. Held a general conference of the North Georgia and Alabama Saints [see History of the Southern States Mission here] at Haywood Valley Church. Well attended and good spirit prevailing … Brother Lisonbee and I started on a trip to this branch [Armuchee] and the Beechcreek. Found the brethren generally  enjoying the spirit of God and feeling well the spirit of emigration is taking hold upon the Brethren generally and I am much in hopes that all will try and emigrate this Fall.

"Armuchee, was for a time a part of the Chatoogee District of the Cherokee Nation. In 1832, however, the Georgia Legislature made this area a part of Floyd County, Georgia as a matter of law. Thereafter, in defiance of the United States Supreme Court, it became exclusively a part of Georgia as a matter of fact by military might. Government troops forced the Cherokees to travel the “Trail of Tears”, or more literally “The Trail Where We Cried”. Over the Trail of Tears in 1838 the Cherokees were removed to the Arkansas and Oklahoma Territory." 

Note: According to Mr. Campbell's research and the deed of the land he purchased and the people who lived on it in Haywood Valley, the land originally belonged to Thomas Lawrence, who was called Jetter. The nick-name Jetter was given to his grandfather, a "fine shooter" whose grandson, Thomas, was also an excellent shot and was called Jetter—"Uncle Jetter"—by John Morgan. An extra "thank you" to the Campbells for their hospitality and permitting my use of their map here. The John Morgan Journal and papers are now a part of the MWDL. Click John Morgan's picture in the right hand column of this blog for a link to the MWDL site.

(To be continued.)

John Hamilton Morgan is sealed to Mary E. Kilgore.

The earliest mention I can find of a Kilgore in John Morgan’s journal was in July of 1877, near Look Out Mountain, Georgia, where on the 18th he wrote … Came to Mr. Kilgore, who appears to be investigating… Thereafter Kilgore is frequently mentioned in journal entries.

1877 Appears to be written while in Cassandra, Georgia

September 30 – At 9 A.M. I baptized: Wm. C. Kilgore, Jas. T. Kilgore and A. H. Mitchell, they were confirmed by Mr. L. [presumably Lisonbee] At 11 Bro. L. preached to a good house full of people who paid close attention. At 3 P.M. I preached to a tolerable fair audience.

1st October – At 12 – M. [presumably John Morgan] baptized Johathan [sic] Road, confirmed by L. [Lisonbee] and Caroline [presumably Wm. C. Kilgore’s wife] Kilgore, confirmed by M. [John Morgan], and immediately after confirmation left for Horton’s Chapel feeling very well on our arrival at Bart Fawcett’s ...

Other early (1877) Southern State's Mission journal entries are posted here and here on this blog.

Nine years later, in 1886, John Morgan’s wife, Mellie, had traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to be with him. Emigrants from the country gathered to Chattanooga to travel west with them. A Sister Kilgore is among them. Additional journal entries from that trip were posted here on this blog.

1886
November 17 This has been a very busy day and a very inclement one. Rained in torrents a great part of the time. Telegrams and letters came in from every direction giving information of the arrival of the saints at the various stations who are enroute to Chattanooga to join the company leaving for Zion tomorrow. Sister Kilgore and a number of saints came in from the country …

A little over two years later, in 1889, John Morgan stopped in Logan, Utah, on his return to Salt Lake City, from a conference in Franklin, Idaho. He had, by this time, married two plural wives, Annie in 1884, and Mary Ann in 1888.

1889
January 26 took the 8:30 a.m. U. C. train for the north to attend Conference at Franklin, Idaho. Arrived at 3 p.m. and drove from the depot to President George C. Parkinsons. Slept at brother M. F. Cowleys. Extremely cold.

January 27It was 10 degrees below zero this a.m. At 9 a.m. Conference convened. At 10 a.m. a fair attendance. …

January 29It was 21 degrees below zero this morning. … At 12:40 p.m. took train for Logan. Had dinner at brother Fullmers and from there to brother W. C. Kilgores where I spent the afternoon and evening.

January 30Went to the Temple early and at 8:30 a.m. spoke a while to the people. Spent the entire forenoon in the Temple and before leaving had Mary C. Kilgore (dead) sealed to me [NFS Mary E. Kilgore 1857-1880]. Taking the 2 p.m. train, reached home at 6:30 finding all well.

From John Hamilton Morgan Journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah. NFS New Family Search sealing and baptismal dates are in sync with JHM Journal entries. Picture of Logan, Utah Temple from Wikipedia.

The First Relief Society Presidency in the Southern States

After reading The Amateur Mormon Historian’s December 1st post, The First Relief Society Presidency in the Southern States, I couldn’t resist. "Sister Victoria Faucett was unanimously sustained as president, Sisters Sinia Lawrence and Emmeline Faucett, her counselors. Sister Joan Manning, secretary; all of whom were elected for six months." It was organized August 10th, 1878. I have a copy of that portion of the John Morgan Journal at home, so I looked up the date.

1878
August 10Conference met at 10 a.m. Attendance improved. The branch from a distance well represented. Held three meetings including a priesthood meeting.

August 11Conference met at 10 a.m. with a good attendance of saints and few strangers. Our meeting was interrupted by a slight shower. Conference adjourned at 9 p.m. after a good time and a general good feeling on the part of the saints. [“Wrote Deseret News” is written after this entry, by Nicholas G. Morgan (is my guess).]

I spent a little time studying the early part of John Morgan's journal looking for the sisters that President Morgan called to The First Relief Society Presidency in the Southern States.

From the John Morgan JournalCassandra [Georgia] 1877
September 10thWrote letters during the forenoon, in the afternoon went up to Mr. Bailey’s and stayed all night.

11th—Started out early in the morning to look up a place to baptize in. Mr. Bailey accompanying me. Selected a spot and went down to Bart Fawcett’s, from there to Mr. Parrs’. Had dinner, returned to Mr. B. and assisted to fix a baptizing place. At night had meeting and preached a long sermon to a good sized audience. Stayed all night at Bart Fawcett’s.

12th—Went up to Mr. Bailey’s and in the afternoon baptized the following persons:
Mrs. Martha Bailey Sr.
Mrs. Martha Bailey, Jr.
Mrs. Jane Payne
Mrs. Millissa Jennings
Miss Emma Fawcett
Miss Victoria Bailey
Stayed all night at Mr. Kerke’s.

Haywood Valley [Georgia] 1877

October 16th—Went to Uncle Jeter’s where we remained part of the day and stayed all night at Bro. Marshalls’. Uncle Jeter came over and informed us that he had some folks to baptize the next morning.

17th—Went over to the baptizing place and baptized the following persons:
B.F. Marshall [,] Confirmed by Elder L. [probably Lisonbee]
Jas. Keele “ [Confirmed by Elder] J. M. [John Morgan]
Sinai Lawrence “ [Confirmed by Elder] L.
Elizabeth Keele “ [Confirmed by Elder] L.

After dinner we went across the Mountain to Bro. Moyer's where we stayed all night.

John Morgan journal, Special Collections, Marriott Library, University of Utah. Picture from John Morgan descendant Geraldine M.'s visit to Haywood Valley, Georgia, 2008.

John Hamilton Morgan, Missionary

[Editor’s note: I returned to the Marriott Library to read and copy some of John Morgan’s missionary years. I’m interested in what he recorded while teaching in Haywood Valley, Georgia. I’m familiar with the account of his dream (about 1866) , interpreted by Sister Heywood, in Salt Lake City. And I wanted to read what he recorded in his journal while he traveled there. For an account of his dream, search for John Morgan here. I have copied these entries exactly, even though a typo may seem evident. This is his journal in its entirety for this 11 month period.]

Thank you to John and Helen Melvina Morgan’s descendant Geraldine M. for sharing her beautiful Haywood Valley photos. She and her family visited there last year.

Covington, Indiana, July 4, 1876
Have neglected to keep my Journal for the past month. Have been working some, fishing some and reading considerable. Have read the Book of Mormon and am now reading the New Testament. Have held two and three meetings each Sunday but one and done all the good I could by private talking. An overflowing rain has been falling almost all the month. The wheat crop has been seriously damaged and the corn is being damaged very much.

This is the celebration day of the Anniversary of our Republic. Drunkeness, riot and wrong doing will cover the lands today.

Johnsonville, August 20, 1876
Have been preaching at every opportunity afforded for the entire time that my Journal has been neglected. Generally held two or three meetings each Sabbath. Have written a number of letters for the papers at Covington, which were all published. Brother J. D. H. McAllister and Joseph H. Standing came to me on the 10th day of this month and on the 11th I received my release from President B. Young. On the 12th in company with Brother McAllister I went to the South part of the county and held Church on Sunday and during the week. Three women are seeking the Gospel and desire to be guided by the spirit.

Johnsonville, Indiana, August 24, 1876
Preaching through this part of the country every evening, Very hot, Since prospects of some additions to the Church.

Dist. Town Chattooga County, Ga. October 5, 1876
Left Covington, Indiana about the 20th of September and came to this locality to preach. Have been quite sick, but am better at present.

Haywood Valley, October 28, 1876
Have been preaching here in the locality and with a good prospect of doing good. My health has not been good, but is improving. I am not writing my journal as I should. Must improve in this respect.

Haywood Valley, December 3, 1876
Have been very busy preaching and teaching since I wrote my last entry in my journal. Baptized sixteen persons and have a good prospect for the future.

December 30, 1876
Have been preaching and teaching during the month in Chattooga and Floyd Counties with some success.

Berry Springs, Alabama, April 15, 1877
Since my last entry in my journal I have preached throughout Floyd, Chattooga and Gordon Counties, Georgia, baptizing many and enjoying the spirit of my mission. I left the Brethren in Haywood on the 22nd of March and came to Cherokee, Alabama. Preached in several counties, Cherokee, Dekalb and Dade Counties, Georgia. Visited Green Blake’s and the Browns’ at Sulphur Springs, relatives of Margaret Smoot, also Jack Blake, Alpine, Georgia, and the Grove Oak Branch of the Church in DeKalb.County. Met with Brothers Lisonbee Brewerton and Wightman from Utah with a number of the native Saints. Am now at Chas. H. Paynes, P. O. Alpine, Georgia near where I preached today. Pleasant weather. Met, while on my trip Marion O’Rear, a man that Brother Crosby baptized some years ago. He has become fossilized, also Jas. M. Smith, P. O. Cedar Springs, Ala.

Armuchis Branch, May 7, 1877
Since the 15th of April visited the Grove Oak, Dekalb County branch of the Church. Met Brothers Lisonbee, Brewerton and Wightman and held meeting with them. Returned to Chattooga County, corssing some terrible rivers on the way, swift and rapid. Held a general conference of the North Georgia and Alabama Saints at Haywood Valley Church. Well attended and good spirit prevailing. Brothers Brewerton and Wightman returned to Grove Oak, while Brother Lisonbee and I started on a trip to this branch and the Beechcreek. Found the brethren generally enjoying the spirit of God and feeling well the spirit of emigration is taking hold upon the Brethren generally and I am much in hopes that all will try and emigrate this Fall.

Haywood Valley, May 15, 1877
Came over from the Armuchie Branch last week. Held meeting Sunday forenoon and went to hear a Methodist Circuit-rider preach a mess of stuff about the doing away of prophecy and the Mormon’s delusion, fraud and false Prophet was the burden of his song. His name is Boyd, an Irishman. Went to hear him again on Tuesday night when he had very much softened down.

Held meeting at Uncle Peter Lawrence’s Thursday night. Thursday we came to Major Freeman’s and stopped all night. Gave out a meeting for Sunday. Came on over Saturday and stayed all night at Brother Mannings’. Preached at Major Freeman’s Sunday morning. Close attention paid. Major Freeman badly stirred upon the question of baptism.

Rock Springs, Georgia, June 5, 1877
Brother L. and myself left the brethren in Haywood Valley on the 31st of May. Came to District Town and stopped over night with Wesley Shropshire. Treated kindly, Came to Jas. Mattox for dinner, from there, by way of Lafayette to this place. Stayed all night with Jas. Smith. Obtained a school house to preach in. Preached Sunday to a good audience. Had dinner at Wm. Key’s. Stopped over night at Jas. Wilburn’s. Last night at Mr. Jones. Had dinner at Mrs. Park’s. We are treated kindly in this neighborhood and will probably preach again.