312 HANCOCK COUNTY. 



fall thirty degrees in one night. Snow is unusual, not occur- 

 ring more than once in three years. Rheumatisms, catarrhal 

 fevers, are the most common winter diseases. Bilious and 

 intermittent fevers occur in the summer and autumn. The 

 cases of longevity which have come to our knowledge are, 

 Dr. Timothy W. Rossitta, died in 1845, aged 92; was a sur- 

 geon in the navy during the American Revolution, and resided 

 in this county 45 years. Gen. Henry Mitchell, a soldier of 

 '76, wounded whilst bearing the colours of liberty, died at 79. 

 Mrs. Tabitha Marchman, 91. 



Paupers, Poor School Fund, &lc. — 



Number of paupers supported by the county, 21 

 Whole amount paid for ditto, . . ^453 



Poor School fund from the county, $447 



State, . 108—8555 

 Number of poor children in the county, . 228 



138 of whom are taught at the public charge. 

 Deaf and dumb persons, ... 8 



Lunatics, ....... 5 



Education, Literature, Newspapers. — From the earli- 

 est settlement of this county, the citizens have been particu- 

 larly distinguished for their great attention to the subject of 

 education. At this time there are four academies, besides 

 twenty common schools in the county. Rev. Mr. Beman, 

 near Mount Zion, has a select school. The merits of this 

 gentleman as an instructer are well known. The schools at 

 Sparta and Powelton have done much for the cause of female 

 education. Several newspapers have been published in Han- 

 cock. Farmers' Gazette was published in Sparta from 1803 

 to 1806. The Missionary, by the Rev. Mr. Gildersleve, com- 

 menced at Mount Zion about 1819 or 20 ; afterwards published 

 in Sparta, then in Charleston, and has since been incorporated 

 with the Watchman and Observer, in Richmond, Virginia. 

 The Hancock Advertiser, by J. P. Norton, was published at 

 Mount Zion and at Sparta, about 1834. 



Rocks, Minerals. — Granite in abundance. 



