Thursday, June 16, 2011

Day 351: History Lesson, Part II

Confession: I am officially obsessed with the genealogy of our homestead's early settlers.

It just so happens the author of the book I mentioned in my previous post is literally a product of the marriage of two of the famous settlers of Atlanta, the Johnsons and the Medlocks.

Check out this great excerpt from a genealogy site, written by Ms. Matthews:

The John Williams Medlock plantation in Atlanta was on what later became Ponce de Leon Ave. and reached as far as the present site of Sears - Roebuck. Their old home was on what is now Boulevard at the intersection of St. Charles Ave. The family burying ground was near the corner of St. Charles. There those who died were buried, but when Atlanta began to make streets and building lots of the land, the graves were later moved to Decatur cemetery.

The famous Ponce de Leon springs was on the Medlock property, and it was very popular for friends to gather there on frequent occasions "to take the waters". Many would drive from Gwinnett to see their old neighbors and friends, and to enjoy the spring.

During the War Between the States all five of the sons of John Williams Medlock and four sons - in - law served in the Confederate Army. Thomas died as a result of the war. William Parks was wounded in both hands, the bullet remaining in his left hand until his death.

Written for Volume II of The History of Gwinnett County from information found in the Federal censuses, county records, cemetery and Bible records, and reminiscences of Medlock descendants, by a granddaughter of William Parks Medlock, Antoinette Medlock Johnson (Mrs. Wm. Collins Matthews).

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