• General Notes

  [3104.ftw]
  
  [Brøderbund WFT Vol. 22, Ed. 1, Tree #3104, Date of Import: Dec 9, 1998]
  
  2nd cousin to John Floyd of Congress.. Major; rem. to GA after 1793; McIntosh Co ;1795; Camden Co. 1800; on frontier during War of 1812; in charge of troops at Savannah, GA 1814; skilled in exercise of arms.  In Camden Co., where he spent most of his life and where he died.  Justice, Samden Inf. Court 1804,1805, etc.
  Camden Co. Deeds (G:476: estate of Gen. Greene to John Floyd and Charles Floyd.  Deed 21 May 1808, conveying Little Cumberland Island, Camden Co. (H:479) from John Crews, 24 Jan 1808, 287 1/2 acres on Great Satilla River.  (H:486) from Charles Scott Murry 1 Aug 1810, 1000 acres on Todd's Creek
  6 Apr 1830 Gen. John Floyd over 60 yrs excused from Camden Co. Jury Duty
  1 May 1807 John Floyd applies as nearest of kin, for adm'n of estate of Ann Maxwell
  
  ref:A Little Family History, written by Mrs. Mary Floyd Hamilton, Savannah, GA.  The Morning News Print 1908.
       After the Rev. War. Charles Floyd sent his only son, John" at the proper age was sent to school and acquired with readiness such plain education as the country afforded, and when old enought, means of supporting himself, bound him to a carpenter's trade for 5 years.  Such great proficiency did he make, being apt, steady and aspiring, that his employer proposed to release him from one year of his indenture, but this he refused; feeling himself bound for the full time though grateful for his kindness.  And no doubt it was for his benefit in the end, making him a more efficient and accomplised workman, as many specimens of his knowledge in this branch spoke in his praise in the town of Beaufort and elsewhere, where his proficiency was exhibited in his work.  He was much aided in the acquirement of some necessary branches of education (which he could not acquire in his limited school days) by Mr. Barnard Elliott, who kindly gave him instruction at night when his day's task was ended, in arithmetic, plain geometry, and other useful knowledge.  He embraced every opportunity to improve himself, and success crowned his laborious efforts.
       In the year 1793, Dec. 12, he married Miss Isabella Maria Hazzard, in Beaufort, SC.  In 1795, he and his father, Mr. Charles Floyd, moved to McIntosh Co., GA and settled on adjoinging farms called the "Thickets.",  where was born the humble writer of these lines. (1 Oct.1795).  This event took place in my grandfather's house where I still remained after being weaned.........After the death of (John's mother) ....went to live with with my parents, being then nearly 9 yrs of age.  I felt almost a stranger among own brothers and sisters, having been unused to children......"
       John m. Isabella Maria Hazzard.  When but a school girl, he met her as she was returning home from school and he from his work.  She was then the adopted daughter of Mrs. Sarah Waight, a distnat relation of her father, a very wealthy and aristocratic lade of Beauford, SC.  The attachment between them being mutual, and rather romantic, they were married, though not without opposition from Mrs. Weight, who wished her to accept some more wealthy offers, as two of her cousins were paying at the same time their devoirs.  In 1794 my parents moved to GA, their first son b. in Carolina 19 Oct of that year. His names was Charles and he died at age of four days.  Their next was myself, called for my two grandmothers, Mary Hazzard......Susan Lodviske Dixon, named for her great grandmother.....
       My grandfather and father lived in McIntosh Co, near Darien, GA, and moved to their respective places in Camden Co in the year 1800, when after a few years' residence in temporary houses, my father built for himself a nice substantial dwelling house, and also one for his father at his place about a mile distant, but in sight of each other, where they lived in peace and happiness and love for each other.
       My father obtained the confidence of those among whom his lot was cast, was elected to military offices, to the State Legislature, and to Congress, and when trying time came, was called to the command of any expedition against the Indians in the fall of 1813 and 1814. In 1812, the Creek Indians, who had for some time been hostile toward the people of GA, openly sided with the British, and began attacks upon the neighboring villages of GA.  In Sep 1813, a force of 3,600 volunteer soldiers assembled at Camp Hope, near Fort Hawkins, on the Ocmulgee River, near Milledgevill.  Gen. John Floyd had command; began his invasion of the Creek nation's territory Nov.1813.  He protected the northern part of the State by founding a line of forts all along the Ocmulgee River.  Completing the line of defense by building Ft. Mitchell, which he garrisoned.  He then moved on to a populous village of the Creek, called Antosee, on the Tallapoosa, near Tallahassee. 
       His force also had 400 friendly Creek warriors under the command of the Indian chief, Gen. William McIntosh.  He was successful in the battle of Antosee 29 Nov.1813. And also on Jan.1814 at Callibee.  In another battle with the Indians, he received a wond in his knee in the early part of the fight, but though enduring much pain, never left his horse until the battle was over.  The ball in his knee was never extracted and he was threatened with lockjaw.  His aide-de-camp, Major Joel Crawford, had his horse shot under him and killed (it was after these battles that one of GA's counties was named 'Floyd' on account of his bravery and gallantry.)  In Sep 1814 was given command of the troops at Savannah.   When my father returned home after an absence of several months, he found his little son Samuel but a few weeks old.  But not long had he to enjoy the comforts of his happy home, being in September following appointed to a Major General's command of Troops at Savannah, and did not refuse it.  A visit from the British forces was daily expected, but the decisive victory achieved at New Orleans by Gen. Jackson put an end to the war, a treaty of peace being negotiated at Ghent, when our anxiety and solicitude about Savannah, instead of battle and bloodshed, resulted in peace and rejoicing, and a calm none knew how to realize but those who had bassed through the horrows of war.
       After a proclamation of Peace, a dinner was given to my father and officers at which were several English officers, who accepted invitations extended them through courtesy.  A British vessel of war had been recently brought into this port, captured by one of ours.  Capt. Downs was here, so was Capt Payne, who had been severely wounded and just returned from Bermuda, where he had been a prisoner for several months.  After quiet had been partially restored on the coast, a commodious boat was offered by father to convey his family to their long-abandoned home.  My mother and the younger children embraced the offer.  I and my sister Sarah remained here some time after, boarding with Mrs. Guerineau, living on the corner of South Broad and Drayton Streets.  During my father's command at Savannah, having all his family with him, we occupied the Telfair House, on the west corner of Bay street, being most convenient in case of the approach of the enemy.  It being "Headquarters," we had a continued round of company, and were out a great deal; for being General in Command of an Army, is sometimes an envious position.  We received much kindness and attention from the people of Savannah, and distinguished politeness from the Jewish branch of its population.  My sister and myself received much attention from the officers of the recently disbanded army who were still detained here from business or inclination.  My little sister was much admired she was so gay and bright and social.  During the war my father and grandfather lost much of their property, their plantations being very much exposed and near the water.  "Fairfield" was abandoned by all save one old negro, who was willing to remain in the house, which during a foraging visit from the British were set fire, with a fiew of burning the dwelling.  Old "Daddy Titus" fell on his knees begging them not to burn 'massa's' house for he had a great many children.  In their haste to depart, they did not wait to witness the failure of their incendiary purpose, for the old man soon extinguished the burning papers, and thus saved the building.  The time had arrived for us to leave Savannah and join our mother and the children at home, for our friends had already gone away, among them one, who carried with him the plighted vows of a true and loving heart, an officer on my father's staff, to whom I was engaged with the entire approbation of the family.
       It was a sweet reunion at our dear old home, where we had had so many happy days, and now new hopes gilded the prospect of each succeeding day; and we were happy in assisting our dear mother to get out mutilated home in comfortable order.  I assisted my much honored father in writing, of which he had much to do......"

Details of John's family with Isabella Maria Hazard

Details of John's family with Isabella Maria Hazzard