Time Capsule Plaque Unveiled

A ceremony took place at the old Fayette County courthouse on August 20, 1974, that future generations should remember. A time capsule had been buried two years prior on the east side of the building and a freshly erected plaque was dedicated and unveiled on this date. The plaque reads “Placed by the Fayette County Historical Society on August 20, 1972, to be opened August 20, 2072.” Renowned Atlanta historian, Franklin Garrett, assisted by Fayette County Historical Society president, John Lynch unveiled the historic plate which was mounted on a granite stone. A crowd of approximately 100 guests witnessed the occasion. Among the dignitaries present were State representative John Carlisle, Fayette County Commission Chairman Ferrol Sams, Sr., Mayors Howard Morgan of Peachtree City, and Len Galati of Tyrone. Brief remarks were given by Garrett and Sams, who expressed “we must build for the future while remembering the past.”

Sources: Fayette County News, the Fayette Citizen

By: John Lynch

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Stanley Neely

Robert Stanley Neely was born in Newnan on August 6, 1941. Stanley was very instrumental in the formation of the Peachtree City Fire Department. Stanley and Sallie Satterthwaite headed the effort to start emergency medical service in the city and county. Together they developed an advisory board which worked to bring the first ambulances into the county. As a volunteer EMS the volunteers put in many hours. Stanley would leave work to respond to calls. “I was only part of the accomplishments of the department – I had a lot of help.” He gives credit to many including Sallie Satterthwaite, Brother Leach, John Weber, Malcolm Cameron, Richard Andrews, Gerald Reed and others. He was honored by the City by having a fire station named for him.

His ties to Peachtree City include working with his father’s company, R. H. Neely to build Lake Peachtree.

Stanley died March 31, 2008 and is buried at Westminster Gardens in Peachtree City.

By Tony Parrott

Source: Find A Grave

This Week Volume 18 No. 98

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Richmond Dorman

Richmond Dorman was born August 4, 1817. He was a soldier in the 1836 Creek Indian Wars as a Private in the 55^th Georgia Militia. In 1839, he married Emily Parker. They had a family of eleven children. Richmond operated a blacksmith shop at the corner of Church Street for many years. He did stop work when church services were held. He was a private in Company C, 5^th Regiment of Georgia State Troops in the War Between the States. He died June 17, 1899, and is buried in the City of Fayetteville Cemetery

By Deborah Riddle

Source: Cemetery Records Fayette County Georgia

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Phillip Fitzgerald purchases “Tara”

Henry McElroy owned and operated a cotton plantation of over 1200 acres on present day Tara Road in Clayton County (then part of Fayette County). He competed a home that was partially built and later sold it to Phillip Fitzgerald, great-grandfather of Margret Mitchell, author of Gone with The Wind. Phillip Fitzgerald made additional changes, especially after the Civil War. Phillip Fitzgerald, born in Ireland, had lived in Fayette County several years before purchasing the property. The sale of 8/9/1853 is recorded in Fayette County Superior Court Book G 1851—1857 page 399. The price was $4,800, plus a tract of land in Florida.

By Debi Riddle

Source: McElroy Family File by Suzanne Huckaby (Ancestry File)

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N.W. Kelley

Noah Wilbourne Kelley was born August 29, 1893 at the family farm on Kelley Road near Brooks in the same room where his father was born. The son of Minnie Patterson Kelley and George Columbus Kelley, he was educated in the Brooks schools and at the A & M School in Barnesville, later Gordon College. He moved with his family to Kenwood in 1914. He served in World War I stateside.

N.W. worked for J. B. McEachern until he was elected to the office of Clerk of the Fayette County Superior Court in 1920. After his first race, he ran without opposition until he retired in 1960.

After the death of his father in January 1925, he assumed responsibility of his younger siblings, Martha, and Hoke.

N.W. was active in the community serving as First Commander of the American Legion, and last Master of the Mount Moriah Lodge. He served as a Steward and Sunday School teacher in the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. He served for some years as Chairman of the Fayette County Red Cross Chapter. He was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Fayette County.

In retirement, he served on the Board of Health and on the Zoning Appeals Board.

He died on December 16, 1968 and is buried in the Fayetteville City Cemetery.

By Lamar P. McEachern

Source: Fayette County Georgia Heritage Book

Kelley Family Records

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John Lynch, Named County Historian

John Lynch was named Fayette County Historian on August 11, 2019.

John was involved in the compiling and writing the “The History of Fayette County, Georgia 1821-1971”, and published in 1977. He was one of four people who put up their own money to finance the printing of the first book dedicated to Fayette County history. John was a part of the group that put together the book “All Known Cemeteries of Fayette County Georgia” which identified the graves of Fayette County in 2005 and is a valuable resource for family research. He is a Lifetime Member of the Fayette County Historical Society and is still active 47 years later.

With knowledge and inspiration gained in researching the above-mentioned books, he decided to write two books of his own “The Dorman-Mashbourne Letters: With Brief Accounts of the Tenth and Fifty-Third Georgia Regiments C.S.A.” and “Scarlett’s Neighbors”. Both books recount stories of his family’s 175 years in Fayette County.

In 2017, the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council awarded John the Award for Local History Advocacy. He is a great protector of the history of our county, and has spent many hours, days and weeks of his life serving to preserve the history of Fayette County through his work with the Historical Society, General Lafayette McLaws Camp of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the General Marquis de LaFayette Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He is a Charter Member of all three organizations.

The Fayette County Historical Society is proud to have our member John Lynch named County Historian.

By Jane Strickland

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Flat Creek Baptist Church

Flat Creek Baptist Church was constituted on August 31, 1826. It was established as a mission church of Whitewater Baptist Church, and early on, was called “The Church of Christ at Flat Creek.”

Its first building, a log structure, was erected in 1827 near what is now Sumner Road in today’s Peachtree City. The first Deacon Ordination was in 1838. A great revival in 1866 added 137 members. A new building was constructed in 1876, with help from Mt. Ebal Masonic Lodge, which met in the church. Sunday School began in 1891.

In 1910, the congregation moved to its present location on what is now Flat Creek Trail in Fayetteville and built a wooden sanctuary. The church emphasized missions throughout the 1920s through its Woman’s Missionary Society, Young Woman’s Auxiliary, Royal Ambassadors for boys, and support of the national campaign to advance missions worldwide. The church today maintains its mission’s emphasis and focus on children, youth, and families.

“Full time” (every Sunday) service began in 1955, and a new sanctuary was dedicated in 1957. Flat Creek held services and events throughout 1976 in recognition of its 150th Anniversary.

The church experienced exponential growth through the remainder of the 20th century with progressive increases in membership and building programs for a large modern worship center, educational space, and a children’s facility.

Flat Creek Baptist Church looks forward to its 200th anniversary in 2026 and continued ministry to the community and beyond.

By Janis Hooper

Source: Flat Creek Baptist Church records

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First Bale of Cotton 1944

Mr. J E Robinson has delivered the first cotton to the gin, making a 480-pound bale. He also reported the first blossom in June. He expects a bumper crop, as his cotton has dried on the stalk.

Sources: Fayetteville Enterprise September 8, 1944
By Jane Strickland

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Fayetteville Gets a Dentist

On August 12, 1964, the Fayette County News reported that Fayette County and Fayetteville have finally obtained a dentist, after many unsuccessful attempts to lure one to the county. For more years than anyone could remember, Fayette County residents had no dental services in the county and had to go to Jonesboro, Newnan, Griffin, and Atlanta to get dental treatment. But through the efforts of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, with Sam Jones as their chairman, Dr. Sidney Waters, and his wife, Fredna, who is also a dentist, have located their offices in Fayetteville. Dr. Waters and his wife also have a dental practice in Decatur and agreed to split their time here and in Decatur. The Fayetteville office is located upstairs of the Hollingsworth Building on Stonewall Avenue. The Drs. Waters plan to move to Fayetteville as soon as possible

Source: Fayette County News

By John Lynch

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Fayette Seminary Established

A meeting was held on August 5, 1856 at the Courthouse led by Miles M. Tidwell who voiced interest in establishing a local learning institution. It was decided at this meeting that the Fayette Seminary would be built to serve the education needs of the children in Fayette County.

On August 15, 1856, a contract was entered into with local contractor Elam Ashcroft to build a new learning institution. It was to cost $2,500. Brothers Morgan and George Looney were approached to set up the curriculum. Both men were hired as teachers at the Fayette Seminary.

By Deborah Riddle

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