ELBERT COUNTY. 241 



British troops after the fall of Charleston, Col. Elbert having 

 been exchanged, went northward, and offered his services to 

 Gen. Washington. They were gladly accepted by this excel- 

 lent judge of human character, and at the siege of Yorktown, 

 in Virginia, Col. Elbert was honoured with the command of 

 the grand deposit of arms and military stores, a post of great 

 trust and responsibility ; and by his strict adherence to his 

 orders, merited and received the approbation of the Com- 

 mander-in-chief Here also he contracted other friendships. 

 Here he became intimate with Lafayette, and corresponded 

 with him several years. One of his sons was called Lafayette 

 in consequence of this intimacy. 



Col. Elbert was gradually advanced in rank by the Legis- 

 lature of Georgia, and finally made Major General, the highest 

 military rank in the State. In civil offices he was also fa- 

 voured, having been elected Sheriff, an office then considered 

 the most desirable, the most profitable in Georgia. In 1785, 

 he was elected Governor by a vote almost unanimous, at a 

 time when the affairs of the State required to be conducted 

 with energy, judgment and decision. The State has gratefully 

 perpetuated his good name by calling one of its best cotton 

 counties " Elbert." 



On the 2d of November, 1788, Gen. Elbert died in Savan- 

 nah, after a lingering illness, at the early age of 48 years, 

 leaving a widow and six children. His funeral was honoured 

 by the attendance of the Cincinnati Society, the Masonic 

 Lodges, and all the military of that city. Minute guns were 

 fired by the artillery, and a funeral sermon delivered by the 

 Rev. Mr. Lindsay. His remains were interred in the family 

 cemetery on the mount at Rae's Hall, three miles above 

 Savannah. His honour, patriotism, and valour, are com- 

 mended as examples to future generations. 



