NEWTON COUNTY. 451 



Amusements. — In the lower part of the county, there is 

 some horse-racing. Hunting, fishing, and parties are the prin- 

 cipal amusements. 



Character of the People. — The people are generally 

 well informed. In the late war with Mexico, many of the 

 citizens of this county did themselves much honour. The 

 Legislature of 1847, passed resolutions expressive of the thanks 

 of the people of Georgia, " to the brave and gallant officers and 

 privates of the Newton County Cavalry." (See Acts for 1847.) 



Climate, Diseases, Longevity. — The climate is salubri- 

 ous, although there is more sickness in particular sections of 

 the county, than formerly. Congestive fevers and pneumonia 

 are the prevalent diseases. The instances of longevity are 

 the following : Mr. Richmond Terrell is living, aged 89 years ; 

 Mr. Robert Pullen, is 80 ; Jim, a free coloured man, is 100 ; 

 Mrs. Weathers, who was over 90, died last year ; Mrs. 

 Bowery, died at the age of 94 ; Mrs. Shell, over 90 ; Mrs. 

 Bass, died over 90; Mr. Thomas McClean, over 100; Char- 

 lotte, belonging to Rev. Mr. Saunders, died in 1847, at the age 

 of 120 years ; Mr. Tretwell, died at the age of 100. 



Religious Sects. — Methodists are the most numerous, 

 There are also Missionary and Anti-Missionary Baptists, Pres- 

 byterians, a few Episcopalians and Roman Catholics. There 

 are in the county 13 Methodist Episcopal churches, and 3 

 Reformed Methodist churches. 



Education. — This important subject is better attended to 

 than formerly. Number of poor children, 481. Educational 

 fund, $418 04 cents. 



Original Settlers. — Rev. Charles H. Saunders, Dr. Con- 

 yers, Dr. Bates, Cary Wood, Judge Sims, Moses Milton, J. P. 

 Henderson, Daniel Kelly, Henry Talley, Rev. Mr. Colley, and 

 George Cunningham. 



Towns. — The county town is Covington, situated upon 

 Dried Indian creek, 67 miles from Milledgeville, 18 from Mon- 

 roe, 28 from Lawrenceville, and 40 from Atlanta. Population 

 between 5 and 600. It has a brick court-house, jail, one female 

 academy, one church, eight stores, &c. About 120,000 worth 

 of goods are sold per annum. The place was named after 

 General Leonard Covington, an officer of 1776. Incorporated 

 in 1822. 



