LIBERTY COUNTY. 373 



Climate, Diseases, Longevity. — Liberty county for many 

 years after its first settlement was very sickly, but for ten or 

 fifteen years past it has proved to be as healthy as any other 

 county with the same population in our State. Dr. Harden, 

 in an article on the climate of Liberty county, remarks : "Many 

 causes have contributed to bring about this state of things. For 

 many years after its first settlement the culture of rice was the 

 chief business of the inhabitants. At present the dry culture 

 system is every where adopted, and nothing but cotton and 

 corn is raised as articles of export. Some of the people early 

 introduced the custom of removing from their plantations 

 during the summer and fall seasons ; but it was not generally 

 adopted until of late. It is now very rare for families to 

 reside on their plantations during the sickly seasons, and in- 

 deed many have entirely abandoned them for healthier loca- 

 tions in the pine lands. But probably a more important 

 cause for the improved health of the county may be 

 found in the change of the habits of the people. The 

 black population is better fed and clothed now than formerly, 

 and the habitations of both white and black are greatly im- 

 proved. The use of intoxicating drinks has been almost en- 

 tirely given up, and less drastic and poisonous medicines are 

 now employed." The most common diseases are fevers, 

 rheumatism, and bowel affections ; two or three cases of goitre 

 have occurred. Many instances of longevity are found among 

 the blacks. 



Religious Sects, Number of Churches. — The religious 

 sects are the Congregationalists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and 

 Methodists. There are about twelve churches in this county. 



Education. — The people of Liberty, from their earliest 

 settlement, have paid much attention to the subject of educa- 

 tion. Excellent schools are found in different portions of the 

 county ; and it is believed that a greater number of young 

 men from Liberty county graduate at our colleges, than from 

 any section of Georgia. Indeed, it has become proverbial 

 for furnishing able ministers and instructers. Number of poor 

 children, HI. Educational fund, $96 26. 



Societies. — The Medway and Newport Library Society 

 was formed in 1752, and has about 700 volumes, kept, we regret 



