184 CLARKE COUNTY. 



11 Methodist Churches. 

 7 Baptist do. 



2 Presbyterian do. 

 1 Episcopal do. 

 1 Christian do. 



Roads, Bridges. — Some of the roads are in good order, 

 and others much neglected. Over the Appallachee are three 

 bridges. Over the middle branch of the Oconee, four. Over 

 the north branch, one. Over Barber's creek, one. Over San- 

 dy creek, one. 



Name. — General Elijah Clarke, after whom this county 

 was named, was a native of North Carolina ; came to Georgia 

 in 1774, and settled in Wilkes county. He was among the 

 first of our revolutionary worthies. Endowed with hardihood 

 and decision of character, he was fitted for any enterprise. 

 When Georgia and South Carolina were evacuated by their 

 governments, and the forces of the United States were with- 

 drawn from them, Clarke alone kept the field, and his name 

 spread terror through the whole line of British posts, from the 

 Catawba to the Creek nation. Justice has not been done to 

 this meritorious officer. " The first action," says the late Ge- 

 neral James Jackson in his manuscripts, " in which the militia 

 were brought to disregard the bayonets of the British, was 

 gained by him over a British detachment in South Carolina, at 

 the Enoree : and yet the credit has been given to Colonel 

 Williams, who left the ground." It is proper that Georgians 

 should be made familiar with the history of those who, in " the 

 times that tried men's souls," devoted themselves to the cause 

 of freedom, and at the expense of their fortunes and lives, pur- 

 chased the blessings which we now enjoy. In 1776, Clarke 

 makes his first appearance in the history of Georgia, as captain 

 of a company intrusted with the care of some wagons loaded 

 with provisions for the army. Whilst crossing a small stream, 

 he was attacked by a body of Indians, who, after a severe con- 

 test, were put, to flight. In Howe's expedition against East 

 Florida, he rendered important services, which were duly ap- 

 preciated by his commander. In the battle of Ketttle creek, he 

 increased his military fame. On the opposite side of the creek 



