Stephen Heard 
Stephen was born on November 13th, 1741 in Hanover, Hanover Co., VA.1 Stephen's father was John Heard and his mother was Heard. His paternal grandfather was CHARLES HEARD and his paternal grandmother is Isabella. He had two brothers and three sisters, named Barnet, John, No. 33, Jane Ann and Maybe No. 259. He was the second oldest of the six children. He died at the age of 74 on November 13th, 1815 in Elbert Co., Georgia. He was buried in November 1815 in Heardmont Cemetery, Elberton (Near), Elbert Co., GA.1 1 General Notes
[Heard.FTW]
Stephen Heard, Governor of Georgia in 1781, lawyer, planter, surveyor and soldier ofthe Revolution, lies buried in the family cemetery. With a price on his head he was captured by the British at the Battle of Kettle Creek and condemned to die. On teh eve of his execution he was rescued by his servant, Mammy Kate with the aid of her husband Daddy Jack, both of whom lie buried near him. Heare's home "Heardmont" once stood nearby in the 10 acre park established by the Stephen Heard Chapter, D.A.R. Comint to Georgia from Virginia, Heard, an Irishman, established Heard's Fort, now Washington,GA in 1773.
Heard County State Historical Marker
Located at the Heard County Courthouse, Franklin, Ga.
(Text)
HEARD COUNTY
This County, created by Act of the Legislature December 22, 1830, is named
for Hon. Stephen Heard, elected President of the Council Feb. 18, 1781,
thus, in the absence of Gov. Howley, becoming Governor de facto. An
Englishman who moved to Wilkes Co. from Virginia, Heard fought in the
Revolution and distinguished himself at Kettle Creek. Among the first County
Officers were: Clerk of Superior Court William Wood, Clerk of Inferior Court
Paschal H. Taylor, Coroner David Cox and Surveyor Jackson Fitzpatrick. The
first Sheriff, Jonathan Mewsick, was not commissioned until 1832.
074-1 GEORGIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1954
This is from the Heard County Web-Site.
Georgia's 77th county was named for Stephen Heard (1740-1815), a hero of the
American Revolution who served as president of Georgia's Executive Council
(an early state government office analogous to governor).
Died at age 75.
Stated it had been and continued to be inconvenient to qualify and declined acting
150 acres about 14 miles from the mouth of the Little River, and about 30 miles above Augusta. County is a guess, based on US road atlas..
?
Off this road (Old Post Road) lies the siet of Heardmont, home of Governor Stephen Heard, 1740-1815, and "god's Acre", the family cemetery where he lies buried. A ten acre park surrounding the site is owned and maintained by the Stephen Heard Chapter, D>A>R A Virginian of Irish descent, Heard came to Georgia, establishing Head's Fort, now Washington, GA in 1773, and fighting with Gen. Elijah Clarke at the Battle of Kettle Creek where he was captured. as President of the cuncil, he was the defacto Governor for the period in 1781. After moving to Heardnont he was one of three who selected the site of Elberton.
Began errection of Ft. Heard here on this day. Town of Washington was founded here some time later.
Petetion for Jesse Heard, Stephen Heard and Joseph Staten to appear in Inferior Court to settle a debt owed to Geo. Walton for various merchandise from Dec 1778 to Oct 1785.
Land was granted. No details
1 Heard.FTW
Further sources/citations:
USGenweb Project Archives, Url: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ @ Heardmont Cemetery, Elbert Co., GA, Elbert County Roadside Historical Markers, Url: http://georgiamagazine.com/counties/eklbert/markers.htm, poole4.ged, Index to Politicians: Heaney to Heartwell, Url: http://political graveyard.com/bio/heaney-heartwell.htm, Wilkes County Georgia Genealogy, Url: http://www.giddeon.com/wilkes/index2.shtml @ Volume I, pages 051-07, "A Few Loose Papers Found in the Attic.", Southern Heard Families @ Page 50
Further sources/citations:
USGenweb Project Archives, Url: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ @ Heardmont Cemetery, Elbert Co., GA, Elbert County Roadside Historical Markers, Url: http://georgiamagazine.com/counties/eklbert/markers.htm, poole4.ged, Index to Politicians: Heaney to Heartwell, Url: http://political graveyard.com/bio/heaney-heartwell.htm, Wilkes County Georgia Genealogy, Url: http://www.giddeon.com/wilkes/index2.shtml @ Volume I, pages 051-07, "A Few Loose Papers Found in the Attic.", Southern Heard Families @ Page 50