|
The history of Conyers and Rockdale County is diverse and dates back over ten thousand years. Early natives known as "The Mound Builders" were only one of the many groups who visited Rockdale's gentle hills, lakes and streams. Much later, the Creek and Cherokee Nations shared a common border, the "Great Indian Road," now known as Hightower Trail in northern Rockdale. In the early 1800's, this trail was a main route for white settlers moving inland after the American Revolution.
Georgia stretched all the way to the Mississippi River and this Indian Road provided an irresistible magnet for European immigration. State authorities officially opened up what is now Rockdale County to settlers in 1816 and 1821. One of several settlements grew up around Castle's Mill on Big Haynes Creek. This settlement grew to include the first school, a gristmill, a sawmill, a planing mill, and eventually a cotton gin. Salem Baptist Church, which still performs baptisms in the sparkling waters of the old millpond was also part of this settlement. A dozen or more mills appeared quickly including the three-story Kennedy-Baker Mill which used French burrs for grinding corn and wheat, but several were eventually burned down by Indians.
The earliest settlement occurred in the extreme northern edge of the county. The southern end of the county was settled as Scots and Scotch-Irish began moving up along the rivers and streams from what is now Henry County. These early families founded numerous churches including Smyrna Presbyterian in 1827, the oldest Calvinist Campground in the United States.
The first known settler of Conyers was blacksmith John Holcomb, who built a log cabin where the County Courthouse now stands on Main Street. Holcomb protested against the coming of the railroad, but eventually sold his land for $700 to W.D. Conyers, a physician from nearby Covington. The physician deeded right-of-way to the railroad and the village of Conyers Station was born.
By 1845, trains were running regularly between Marthasville (now Atlanta) and Augusta. In 1854, the village had grown to 400 residents and was incorporated as a town called "Conyers".
The City has been destroyed at least partially by fire three times. However, during General Sherman's March to the Sea in November 1864, at least one mill was left standing thanks to the cunning of its owner Aunt Winnie Pucket. Before the Union soldiers arrived at Costley's Mill, "Aunt Winnie" sacked all the flour and hid the sacks in the millpond. The wet flour caked and protected the rest; miraculously, Aunt Winnie's pleas and threats convinced the soldiers to leave her mill alone.
In 1870, the Georgia legislature acknowledged Rockdale as a county. The name reflects the underlying granite strata that runs beneath the surface of the land, creating rocky hills and dales.
During that decade, Conyers quickly grew to 1,800 and boasted 12 saloons and five brothels. This wild town also had 40 stores, a fine hotel, good schools, one college, 12 lawyers, as many doctors, and a large carriage manufacturer. One Conyers resident, Sally Fanny Gleaton, emerged as a leading suffragette during the progressive period following Reconstruction. She was well-educated and traveled extensively throughout Europe and North America, working with Carrie Chapman Catts, Eleanor Raoul and "Kit" Hepburn (Kathryn Hepburn's mother) to see the 19th Amendment to the Constitution become law.
Like many Georgia towns, Conyers takes pride in its "sidewalk churches". Along Main Street today, the Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist churches stand side-by-side. In 1878, First United Methodist began a legacy of joint action in a joint revival with its Presbyterian neighbors. The revival resulted in more than 100 new members and the closing of nine saloons in Conyers. These churches continue to have joint services throughout the year.
|
