Dr. Randolph “Randall” McDonald, a Scottish immigrant and early settler of Ware County, Georgia, served his community as a farmer, legislator, judge, and later as a physician. A pioneer in every sense, McDonald studied medicine in his fifties, establishing a thriving practice until his death in 1864. He and his wife Catherine raised five children in Ware County, Georgia.
John Bennett was born in 1795 in Effingham County, Georgia, the oldest son of William and Mary Sheffield Bennett. He married Frances “Fannie” Harris in 1813, and they raised their family in Bulloch and later Lowndes County, Georgia. John died in 1836, and Fannie later married Asa Geiger, a cousin of her first husband. Their children included Mary Ann, Richard, Frances, and William, who all married into other early Georgia families. Fannie was born around 1800 in North Carolina and died in 1904 in Manor, Georgia.
Richmond Bailey, born Jul 1816 in Laurens County, Georgia, married Matilda Sears and settled in what is now Atkinson County. A Confederate veteran, their son Tharp served in the 26th GA Regiment. Other children include Mary (m. Matthew Kirkland), Joseph (m. Mary Pearson), Aaron (m. Almiria Law), Catherine (m. Elias Griffis), and Louvicy (m. James S. Royal). The family home stood by Red Bluff Creek near Union Hill Church. Richmond was a Mason and died in 1882. He and Matilda are buried in Union Hill Cemetery in Axson, Georgia. Their family spends generations throughout South Georgia.
James Arnold was born on 30 Jul 1803 in Tattnall County, Georgia, the only son of William and Serena (Foy) Arnold. He married Mary Higgs on 13 Oct 1825, and they later settled in Millwood, Ware County. James passed away on 13 Oct 1880, and Mary in Aug 1887. Both are buried at Mt. Zion Baptist Church near Axson. They had ten children, including Needham Franklin, James Madison, and Mary Jane. James owned 750 acres in Ware County and was an early property owner in Millwood. His estate was administered by Warren Lott, and his town property was sold in 1881.