Gazetteer of the State of Georgia

Consider author Sherwood's laudable effort to collect the earliest facts, descriptions, and data about the state of Georgia and add to that the historical perspective of this early statistical work produced in 1837, almost thirty years before the Civil War, and what emerges is a literary treasure for Georgia natives in particular and history lovers in general. Topics of interest include a history of the settlement of the state which mentions first, Sir Walter Raleigh, reputed to be the discoverer of Georgia, and then the arrival of James Oglethorpe and the first colonists in 1773, which is followed by a timeline of events from the Revolutionary War. There are countless tables of data on population, land acquisition, industry, agriculture, finance and government expenditures and lists of roads, post offices, counties, and governors, among numerous others. Arranged in alphabetical order are brief histories of towns and settlements of note, but don't look for Atlanta; it won't exist for another decade! Early maps of thriving communities like Macon, Savannah, and Milledgeville are interspersed throughout this section and enhance the appearance of this collected history. Part of the book's singular appeal is the author's personal view of the world as it was and he conveyed it to his audience in a charming, readable prose. Sherwood shares his vision of the local countryside and describes the geography, vegetation and wildlife found throughout the state. His depictions of the local citizens are affectionate and insinuate a native pride which no doubt compelled him to produce this chronicle. A multi-page appendix includes biographical sketches of prominent Georgians and a miscellaneous collection of items of interest like the first press and existing papers of the time, and the market prices of edibles and household goods, followed by a timeline of events from the Revolutionary War. Early maps are included.