Stirring Up a Hornet's Nest: - UGA Laboratory of Archaeology ...

Barnard’s Ogeechee River Fort
In 1773 the Georgia Royal Government authorized a British ranger fort to be established on the shoals of
the Ogeechee River. Cashin (2000:59) noted that a fort was authorized under the terms of the 1773 Treaty
of Augusta, which allowed for two hundred acres on a branch of the Ogeechee River for a square fort. It
was to measure 100 feet and be garrisoned by an officer and 20 men. The name of this fort was not
determined but its commander was Georgia Ranger Captain Edward Barnard. Royal Governor Wright’s
land commissioner outlined a plan for this fort which stated,
All Persons Paying Down 10 pounds pr. 100 acres by way of Deposit be allowed 3 months in Lieu of One month to Pay the
Remainder after the Lands are Surveyed and Valued; this Concerns only Immediate Settlers. These (12 & 13) Chiefly
Concern Edward Barnard Esquire, Captain of his Majesty's Troop of Rangers. 12th. That 200 Acres of Land be Reserved for
the uses of the Publick on a High Hill at a Small Runn on the North Side of the North Fork & Branch of Ogeechee River,
About One and a half Miles Above the falls on said North Branch of the River, whereon a Stockade Fort may be Errected for
the Rendezvous of an officer and Twenty men to be sent there by the Desire and on the application of the Inhabitants in
Wrightsborough and Those who have already taken up Lands about Ogeechee and Places Adjacent; who have agreed to
errect or assist in Errecting the Said Fort and other Buildings for the Shelter of the Rangers. The fort to be 100 foot square
(CRG).
The precise location of Captain Barnard’s Ogeechee River British ranger fort has not been determined, nor
whether it was actually constructed or garrisoned. From the preceding description it was probably located
1.5 miles above the fall line and on the northern branch of the Ogeechee, not too distant from
Wrightsborough . This would be in present-day McDuffie County (Davis 1986).
Alexander’s Fort
Alexander’s Fort was another Patriot fort that was probably located in the Ogeechee River watershed.
Micajah Brooks, Jr. stated in 1850 that Captain Samuel Alexander was stationed “on the head waters of the
Ogeechee in Wilkes County” (Footnote.com 2008 [Micajah Brooks W27694]). Samuel Alexander was
granted land on Williams Creek, a tributary of the Little River. That land was located near the Ogeechee
River. Captain Samuel Alexander’s plantation on the Ogeechee River was later known as Alexandria
(Crumpton 2003).
Barber’s Fort
Captain George Barber commanded a Wilkes County militia fort that was located on Long Creek. This fort
is mentioned by Elijah Bankston in 1832. Bankston was stationed at Barber’s Fort in 1781 (Footnote.com
2008 [Elijah Bankston R478]). Captain Barber and his men fought at Kettle Creek.
Fort Chatham
Fort Chatham was built in Wilkes County as early as 1778. It is mentioned in the January 28, 1780 voucher
of Thomas Johnston (Davis 1983:165-166). No other reference to Fort Chatham was located in the present
research.
Clarke’s Station
Elijah Clarke’s farmstead served as a militia station during the war. In 1835, Private John Waddill testified
that he had served under Colonel Elijah Clarke and was posted at Clarke’s Station in 1780. Waddill
described Clarke’s Station, “on the South Side of Savannah River, on Pistol Creek…upwards of 50 miles
above Augusta” (Footnote.com 2008 [John Waddill R10977]). Clarke’s Station, also known as Fort
Clarke, was a relatively important Wilkes County fort. It should not be confused with Elijah Clarke’s
subsequent fort built at Scull Shoals in Greene County, Georgia or Clarke’s post-war residence on the
Savannah River. Clark Creek, a tributary of Long Creek, is located in northwestern Wilkes County west of
Tignall, Georgia. This area today is mostly used as timber land, pasture and agricultural fields. Slaton
(1996:5, 11) provided the approximate location of Clarke’s first homestead (and Clarke’s Fort).
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