Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

3268 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANSfor nearly a century as the home of the Berrien family, built and owned byJohn Berrien the Second and inherited by his eldest son, John MacphcrsonBerrien, who died there January 1,1856. It was from the portico of this historic home, where many of Georgia's distinguished men had been guests, thatthe illustrious statesman and orator, the man who possessed the lofty and commanding qualities which sway senates and guide the course of empires, HenryClay, in March, 1844, addressed the citizens of Oglcthorpe's County. He wasgreat in the 'forum of nations' and great in the 'multitude of men,' controlling them by his 'gleaming finger' as with the charm of a sorcerer."John Berrien the Second, who came to Georgia a lad in 1775, was theson of Justice John Berrien of New Jersey, who was appointed colonialjustice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey by Governor Franklin and tookthe oath of office February 21,1764, was justice of the Supreme Court, colonial tax commissioner of New Jersey, trustee of Princeton College from 1763until he died, and a member of the Assembly in 1769."Lord Chief Justice John Berrien of Trenton, New Jersey, August 16,1759, married Margaret Eatton, a niece of Lord John Eatton. Her sister,Johannah, married Rev. Elihu Spencer of Pennsylvania. Spencer Baird, sowell known, is descended from this marriage. Her sister, Valeria, marriedDr. Peter Le Conte, the father of William Le Conte, who moved early toGeorgia and was a member of the Provincial Congress as early as July 4,1775. We find his name among the members of the Provincial Congresswhich met at Tondec's Tavern in the long room at Savannah. He was adelegate from Saint Mathew's Parish, afterwards Liberty county, and tooka very active part in the proceedings. Thomas Eatton, her brother, alsomoved to Georgia early, was a merchant and lived on Bay Street and ownedand built the first wharf in Savannah on water lot No. 7. He died at Savannah, and his will was probated February 16, 1767. His nephews, WilliamLe Coute and Dr. John Le Conte, were the executors, both of Georgia. So itappears that the Eattons, Lc Gontes and Bcrriens all moved to the Georgiacolony before the Revolutionary war."John Berrien the Second espoused the cause of the Rebels, and at theearly age of fifteen we find him in Georgia commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Second Company, Oliver Bowen captain, for the first battalionordered to be raised for the protection and defense of the colony of Georgia,under Col. Laehlan Mdntosh. He rose to first lieutenant and was commissioned captain, May 27,1777, of the Eighth Company of the first battalion ofGeorgia Continental troops. His commission was signed by John Hancock,president, and attested by Charles Thompson, secretary. After the difScnlrybetween Colonel Mdntosh and Governor Gwinnctt, in which the latter waskilled in a duel on Hutchison's Island, near Savannah, General Washingtonordered Mdntosh to repair to headquarters, first selecting only two officersfrom his battalion, a deputy adjutant general and a brigade major. To hisson, Laehlan, he gave the first office and commissioned John Berrien theSecond, but ordered him to leave his battalion in Georgia and proceed toNorth Carolina and there to raise a brigade."Georgia territory then extended to the Mississippi River, but was sothinly settled that it was only assessed by the Continental Congress for onebattalion of 750 men, while North Carolina was assessed nine battalions, underorder of the Continental Congress, in June, 1775. General Mdntosh servedunder General Washington in the Northern Army and General Washington's orderly book kept at Valley Forge shows the days that Major Berrienserved as officer of the day. He was wounded in the head at the battle ofMonmouth by a ball from a British musket. After the war he returned toGeorgia and we find him commissioned as captain of a troop of Dragoona inChatham county of the First Regiment of Georgia Militia commanded byCol. James Jackson, March 1, 1786. His commission was signed by Edward