Gateway to the "Strange Western Country" ~ Georgia's Old Statehouse & the Governor's Passports ~ |
In all of the records located in the archives relating to passports, only two of the passports themselves were found, perhaps application had been made and the passports approved, but never picked up. One of those is shown above; it reads (to the best of my deciphering ability): State of Georgia By his Excellency David B. Mitchell, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of this State and of the Militia thereof. To all to whom these present shall come, or whom the same may concern, Know ye that the bearers hereof Isaac Jackson _?_ _?_ from Anson County, North Carolina have my permission to travel through the Creek Nation, they taking special care to conduct themselves peaceably towards the Indians and agreeably to the laws of the United States. In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Executive Seal of the State to be affixed thereto. Done at the State-House in Milledgville, the 6 day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven and of the Independence of the United States of America, the thirty-fifth. |
Illustration of the statehouse, 1847 |
Above & below, vintage postcards of the building and gate, dates unknown |
Above & below, building and gate, 1930's |
Cadets pictured after the school became Georgia Military College in 1900. |
Below are a few samples of applications from the passport records. 18 October 1803 Whereas William McCall is desirous of exploring the Western Territory of the state of Georgia and some parts of the Orleans in the Spanish dominions, he applied to me for a recommendation. We do hereby certify that we have been well acquainted with the said McCall, both in private and public capacities, and he is of unblemished character. Therefore, we hope for the patronage of any gentleman that should see him in a distressed situation. Signed, Lewis Lanier, Wm. McKennedy, Josiah Everitt, John Lewther, Charles MCall ~~~ 16 September 1809 Whereas the bearer William Simmons being about leaving His place of nativity in Fairfield District, South Carolina, in order to travel into Strange Countries, these are therefore to acquaint all people that he has been brought up under very honest reputable parents and has always behaved himself as behove the character of every honest inoffensive sober industrious young man, and as such we herein recommend him to all inquiring people. Signed, James Alston, Jeremiah Taylor, Lewis Haigood ~~~ 17 December 1819 Evan Price has business of importance to transact in the Creek and Cherokee Nations and he wishes a passport to authorize him to go there. I have for many years been acquainted with Mr. Price and can with propriety recommend him as an honest respectable citizen. Signed, Robert Rees |
Related pages: Old Photographs of Milledgeville Homes Ghost Whispers Photo Credits: 1930's photos: Library of Congress |
If you'd like to see if your ancestors applied for a passport, here's the link to an index of Mary Bryan's books: Index to "Passports Issued by Governors of Georgia" The link to this page is: http://old-new-orleans.com/Milledgeville.html Back to My G-Grandfather's Attic Back to Whispers |
Old Milledgeville Statehouse, the oldest public building of its type in the United States. |