BAKER COUNTY. 121 



Byron is a small place.in the north part of the county, for- 

 merly the seat of justice. 



Early Settlers. — The Howards, the Dennards, Jordens, 

 Catons, and others. 



Roads and Bridges. — The roads and bridges are much 

 neglected. 



Climate, Diseases, Longevity. — The climate is un- 

 healthy. Chills, fevers, &:c., prevail, and often prove fatal. 

 There may be some localities where health is enjoyed ; but 

 these are few. There is a lady now living in this county, 82 

 years of age, who has had 21 children. 



Religious Sects, Education. — Baptists and Methodists 

 are most numerous. There are a few good schools in the 

 county ; but generally, education is neglected. 



Face of the Country, Nature of the Soil. — The 

 face of the country is level. The soil is uncommonly fertile, 

 perhaps more so than any other portion of Georgia. The 

 pine lands have the reputation of being very productive ; 

 almost every thing grows well. Cotton averages from 800 to 

 1200 pounds per acre; corn, from 10 to 40 bushels per acre. 

 Wheat does not appear to succeed, and little is sown. Sugar 

 cane flourishes, and many of the citizens make sugar and 

 syrup. 6000 bales of cotton are annually produced. 



Mills. — One steam saw-mill, and one about to be built. 

 There are several saw and grist-mills. 



Minerals. — Very superior burr stone on Flint river. 

 Shell rock abounds, filled with fossils. 



Character of the People. — The people are hospitable, 

 and are improving in habits of industry and temperance. 



Name. — This county was named after Colonel John Baker. 

 In the year 1752, three families of high respectability emi- 

 grated from Dorchester, South Carolina, and formed a settle- 

 ment in St. John's Parish, now Liberty county, which they 

 named Medway. Among these, was the father of Col. John 

 Baker, a gentleman who had been a soldier under Oglethorpe, 

 in the expedition against St. Augustine, and who, in the early 

 annals of Liberty county, is represented as having acquired 

 much distinction for strength of intellect, kindness of temper, 

 and steadiness of conduct, as well as for his patient endurance 



