368 LEE COUNTY. 



land, and adjoining uplands. Average product of cotton, per 

 acre, is 800 pounds ; corn, 20 bushels per acre ; wheat, 10 

 bushels. To orchards little attention is paid. The average 

 value of the best lands is f 10 per acre. 



Original Settlers. — Among the first settlers were Wil- 

 liam Howard, Aaron Jones, Lewis Bond, and John Bullbright. 



Post Offices. — Starkville, Chenuba, Palmyra, Sumter- 

 ville, Chickasawhatchie. 



Population, Taxes, Representation. — In 1845 the popu- 

 lation was 2,370 whites, 2,706 blacks; total, 5,076. Amount 

 of State tax for 1848, $2,066 41. One representative to the 

 Legislature. 



Minerals. — The minerals are burr-stone and various fossils, 

 such as pectens, asplanorbis, spantangus, &c. 



Caves, Subterranean Streams. — There are a great many 

 small caves and subterranean streams in this county. 



Roads and Bridges. — These are commonly kept in good 

 order. 



Religious Sects, Education. — Baptists, Methodists, and 

 a few Presbyterians and Episcopalians. Education has not 

 engaged much of public attention. There are some good 

 schools in the county. 



Rivers and Creeks. — The Flint river forms its eastern 

 boundary. The creeks are, Kinchafoona, Muckalee, Fowl 

 Town, McClendon's, Middle, Chickasawhatchie, Sugar, Moss, 

 Chehaw, Butler's, Chokeefichickee, Muckaloochee, Hiloka, 

 and others. 



Name. — On the 7th of June, 1776, a member of Congress, 

 from the State of Virginia, moved " that the colonies declare 

 themselves free and independent." That member was Richard 

 Henry Lee, to honour whose eminent services this county was 

 named. He was born January 20, 1732, and received his edu- 

 cation in England. Upon his return home, he spent much of 

 his time in the pursuits of literature. When 25 years old he 

 was elected a member of the House of Burgesses, and in all 

 the debates of that assembly took a leading part, evincing 

 proof of uncommon powers of mind. To this gentleman has 

 been attributed the credit of originating the plan of corres- 

 ponding committees between the different colonies, a mea- 



