UPSON COUNTY. 577 



the spring is healthy and romantic. There is an Indian tra- 

 dition connected with this spot not altogether devoid of inte- 

 rest. About 150 yards from the present site of the spring, on 

 the side of the hill, is a large circular excavation in the earth 

 somewhat resembling a lime sink, which the Indians say was 

 the former location of the spring ; but a white man in a 

 drunken frolic having spurred his horse into the spring, its 

 presiding spirit, offended at its pollution, caused the spring to 

 disappear, and it burst forth where it now is, at the base of the 

 hill. 



Name. — Upson county was named after Stephen Upson, 

 Esq., an eminent lawyer of Lexington, Oglethorpe county. 

 This gentleman was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1785. 

 He graduated at Yale, in 1804, with a high reputation for 

 scholarship. He then studied law at Litchfield, with Judge 

 Reeves. Ill health rendered it necessary for him to remove 

 to a southern cHmate ; and in 1807 he left his native State, 

 and came to Hanover, in Virginia, where he had letters to 

 Colonel Pope. Here he remained a short time, employing him- 

 self in teaching the Colonel's children, and reading law. The 

 Colonel became much attached to Mr. Upson, and did every 

 thing in his power to render his residence with him agreeable ; 

 but finding that the climate of Virginia did not improve his 

 health, Mr. Upson determined to try that of Georgia. The 

 Hon. William H. Crawford, who then resided in Lexington, 

 and to whom Mr. Upson had brought letters from Colonel 

 Pope, immediately perceived that the stranger was a man of 

 no ordinary merits. His modesty, his industry and intelli- 

 gence, prepossessed Mr. Crawford in his favour, and he ac- 

 cordingly received him as a student in his office, and afforded 

 him many facilities, of which Mr. Upson always retained a 

 grateful recollection. He commenced the practice of the law 

 in 1808. His mind and habits were of such a character, that 

 he soon became distinguished in his profession. To his busi- 

 ness he devoted himself without intermission. Company, 

 amusements, every thing was given up, and he seemed to have 

 no thoughts except _ those connected with his profession. 

 Merit like his could not long remain unrewarded. The citi- 

 zens of Oglethorpe were not slow in perceiving, that if perse- 



