HEARD COUNTY. 323 



Miscellaneous Remarks. — Colonel Dent, of Franklin, is 

 among the oldest settlers in the county, and he writes to the 

 author of this work in the following manner : " I have never 

 heard of a case of fever and ague here, and only a few cases 

 of bilious fever. There is not a quart of stagnant water on 

 the west side of the river in the county. It is the most hilly 

 and the most healthy county in the State, and holds more valu- 

 able water-power than any other territory that I ever saw of 

 the same area. If the contemplated railroad from Atlanta to 

 West Point is completed, and a bridge erected across the river 

 at Franklin, Heard will be one of the most desirable counties 

 in the State." 



Name. — This county received its name in honour of Ste- 

 phen Heard, one among the most active officers of the revo- 

 lutionary war. He was born in Ireland, and with his father, 

 John Heard, emigrated to Virginia during tlie period of the 

 French war. In those stirring times, education beyond the 

 common branches was enjoyed by few, and Mr. Heard was 

 not among that few. He served under Gen. Washington, 

 during the French war, as a captain, and acquitted himself 

 with honour. In 17 — , when hundreds of the people of Vir- 

 ginia, attracted by the fertility of the lands in what was called 

 the Broad River Country, in Georgia, were leaving the Old 

 Dominion, Mr. Heard came to Wilkes county, and settled on 

 Fishing creek. But little time was afforded him to cultivate 

 the soil ; for hostilities having taken place between Great 

 Britain and her colonies, he hastened to the standard of lib- 

 erty, and under Col. Elijah Clarke, contributed his best efforts 

 in defending the western portions of Georgia against the 

 attacks of a cruel enemy. At the memorable battle of Kettle 

 Creek, he acted a distinguished part, not only by encouraging 

 the Americans by his patriotic speeches, but also by taking an 

 active part in the engagement. During a portion of the time 

 when Georgia was overrun by the British, and when gloom sat 

 upon the countenances of all, he was President of the Execu- 

 tive Council, and in this capacity did all in his power to 

 inspire the desponding people with hope. After the war he 

 resumed his agricultural pursuits, and was among the most 

 influential men in Wilkes. He was Chief Justice of the 



