January 29, 1850
The Georgia Telegraph
MARRIED, On the 24th inst. by the Rev. Edward W. Jones, John Field, Esq. to Miss Sarah E., daughter of David Cooper of Powelton, Hancock county, Ga.

February 26, 1850
Southern Recorder
FIRE IN SPARTA. Sparta, Feb. 20, 1850
Messrs. Editors: You will be sorry to hear that a fire broke out last night about 3 o'clock, in the passage adjoining Barnes & Lewis' Law Officer. There is but little doubt that it was the work of an incendiary. All that square, including the Tavern and out houses, except the stables, Dr. Pendleton's office, Dr. Mackie's office, a house owned by Capt. O. J. Murray and occuiped as by Jno. W. Scott as a grocery, Tate's grocery, the dwelling occupied by Mr. Nye, and owned by Tuttle H. Audas, Esq.. Barnes & Lewis' law office, the Post Office, and all that range of buildings down to Cook & Little's store, and Dawson & Cain's law office, were burnt down. It was with great difficulty the fire could be arrested.
  Messrs. Barnes & Lewis lost their law library, their books of account and many valuable papers. Dr. Jas. D. Mackie, who but the other day was burnt out, has again lost every thing in his office, his furniture, books, &c. He had not time to even save a suit of clothes or his watch, and barely escaped with his life. The Doctor's waiting-man finding the stair-case was burnt down, prepared the feather bed at the window up stairs, threw it out and the Doctor upon it. Such as act in a servant is worthy of praise. The boy also escaped by jumping.- Neither of these parties were injured.
  Mr. Tate has been truly unfortunate, and his case, as well as that of others, calls for sympathy from every man that has a heart.
  The loss sustained cannot fall short of thirty thousand dollars.   In haste, yours, &c. D. [Republic

April 9, 1850
Macon Telegraph
   The Savannah Republican of the 2d inst. say, We have with pain to record the sudden death, in this city, yesterday afternoon, of Capt. John L. Swinney. The deceased was a native of Hancock county, in this State, whence came to this city some eight years ago, since which time he has been engaged in the commission business. Capt. Swinney was in Florida with Gen. Scott during the Seminole war, where he commanded the Hancock troop. He was a man of integrity, an upright merchant, and has left many friends to mourn his unexpected death.

July 11, 1850
Savannah Republican
~excerpt
(Correspondene of Savannah Republican)
Sparta, July 6, 1850
  At a meeting of the stockholders of the "Hancock Manufacturing Company" this day, the following gentlemen were elected Directors: James Thomas, Dr. Wm. Terril, Thomas M. Turner, Wm. D. Wynn, Wm. Fraley, B. T. Harris, T. J. Smith; and at a meeting of the Directors, Jas Thomas, Esq. was duly elected President, O. Eldridge, (of the Milledgeville factory,) Superintendent. The other offices are not yet appointed. With a direction of such spirited men and their enterprising President, we may expect soon to see our factory in operation.
  Arrangements are being made to re-build, with handsome brick buildings, the burnt portion of our village, and we hope are long to our beautiful town "itself again."

December 6, 1850
Savannah Republican
HOUSE. &c. FOR SALE. My Place of Residence in the pleasant and healthy village of Sparta is offered for sale; the Dwelling House of stone-and-brick is spacious and convenient, well arranged for a large family, several Houses for Servants, ample Stables and Carriage Houses, a larger Garden with variety of fruit and flowers; the premises comprise one hundred acres of Land, about one-half of which is covered with timber and fuel, all in good condition. For terms, apply to me at Sparta. WM. H. SAYRE, Sparta, Hancock Co., Nov. 30, 1850.

December 10, 1850
The Georgia Telegraph
MARRIED.    In Sparta, Hancock county, by the Rev. Richard Lane, Mr. Lavoisieus L. Lamar of Macon, to Miss Louisa R. Harris of Hancock county.

December 22, 1850
Augusta Chronicle
MARRIED, On the 7th ult, by the Rev. Wm. H. Stokes, WM. M. ALLEN and Miss MARGARET E. CASON, all of Hancock county, Ga.

February 4, 1851
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~ MARRIED, In Hancock county, on Tuesday, 21st ult, by Rev. James R. Gunn, FREDERICK A. BUTTS, Esq., to Miss
SARAH A. BASS, all of Hanock.
 

February 25, 1851
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Sparta, on the 8th Inst., by the Rev. C. P. Beman, Mr. JOHN W, ALLEN, of Mount Zion, Miss SARAH JANE ALFRIEND, of this former place.

March 18, 1851
Southern  Recorder
~excerpt~ Departed this life, on the 25th of February, at his residence in the neighborhood of Mount Zion, Hancock county,
Dr. JAMES O. B. THOMAS, in the 54th year of his age, after a very painful and protracted illness of several years,...

April 22, 1851
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~ last sad tribute of affection and respect to the memory of Dr. JOHN L. BUTTS, J. W., of this Lodge, who departed this life, at his residence in Hancock county, Ga., on the 11th inst., in the 30th year of his age.

June 10, 1851
Southern Recorder
  Died in Sparta, on the 23d of May, RICHARD P. SASNETT, Esq., in the 39th year of his age, after a protracted illness of several months, which he bore with Christian fortitude. He left a wife and five children to mourn their irreparable loss.

June 17, 1851
Georgia Telegraph
Died . In Sparta, Ga., on the 34d ult., Richard P. Sarsnett, Esq., in the 39th year of his age, after a protracted illness of several months, which he bore with christian fortitude. He left a wife and five children to mourn their irreparable loss.

July 15, 1851
Macon Telegraph
Four months after date application will be made to the honorable the Inferior court of Dooly county, when sitting for ordinary purposes, for leave to sell all the real estate, including the houses and lots in Sparta, Hancock county, belonging to the estate of Samuel Turner, late of Hancock county, deceased. W. S. Hamill, Ex'or

October 28, 1851
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Hancock county, on the 23d by Rev. D. Kelsey, Mr. BURTON R. GARDNER to MISS CATHARINE HARPER.

December 9, 1851
Federal Union
MARRIED - On the 20th of Nov., by the Rev. S. G. Daniel, Mr. EVERETT H. PIERCE of Baldwin county, to Miss EMILY F. MULLINS of Hancock county.

January 5, 1852
The Georgia Telegraph
~excerpt
Sparta Male and Female Academies
  The Trustees of the Sparta Male and Female Schools, have the pleasure of announcing to the public, that they have secured the services of Messrs. Thomas C. Neel and Richard M. Johnstone, as Principals, in the Male School for the ensuring year. "
   "They would also announce that those who have Daughters to educate, that they have had the good fortune to secure the service of Rev. John A. Moseley, as Principal in the Female School. "
  "S A PARDEE, T M TURNER, B T HARRIS, H ROGERS, J T MARTIN, Trustees
Sparta, Ga., Oct. 29, 1851"

January 6, 1852
Southern Recorder
A Proclamation. Georgia: By Howell Cobb, Governor of said State.
  Whereas information has been received at this Department, that Newton J. Carr committed murder on the body of George W. Youngblood, in the county of Hancock, on the seventh day, of December eighteen hundred and fifty one, and that the said Newton J. Carr has fled from justice;
  I have therefore thought proper to issue this my Proclamation, hereby offering a reward of one hundred and fifty dollars for the apprehension and delivery of the said Newton J. Carr to the Sheriff of Hancock county in said State. And I do moreover charge and require, all officers civil and military in this State, to be vigilant in endeavoring to apprehend the said Newton J. Carr in order that he may be brought to trial for the offense with which he stands charged.
  Given under my hand and the great seal of the State at the Capitol in Milledgeville, this twentieth day of December, eighteen hundred and fifty-one and of the Independence of the United States the 76th. Howell Cobb. By the Governor: N. C. Barnett, Secretary of State,
Description. Said Carr is about 30 years old, five feet six or eight inches high, weighing one hundred and thirty-five or forty pounds, light complexion, auburn hair, heavy beard, a pug nose, and a large mouth, with yellowish hazel eyes, stoops considerably  in his shoulders, talks but little and speaks very slow. Dec. 23, 1851.

January 27, 1852
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~ DIED, At his residence in Hancock co., Ga., on the 17th Oct., 1851, Maj. JESSE LOCKHART, in the 62nd year of his age. He was born, lived and died within a few miles of the same place.

April 27, 1852
Southern Recorder
   ~excerpt~ DIED, at his residence in Sparta on the 12h inst., after a protracted illness of two and a half months, Mr. RICHARD FEARS, in the sixtieth year of his age. He was born in Augusta in this State, and for more than thirty years has been a resident of Hancock co. ...his wife, of a kind and devoted husband, and his children (six in number)

May 22, 1852
Augusta Chronicle
~excerpt~ DIED In Hancock county, Ga., after a protracted illness, on the 22 of April, Mrs. Cynthia,consort of John A. Evans, Esq.
  Mrs. Evans, at the time of her death, was 57 years, 8 months and 6 days old; she had been a member of the Baptist Church at Horeb nearly 24 years; she died as she lived, meekly trusting in God her savior.

June 15, 1852
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Hancock county on the 27th ult., by the Rev. W. J. Harley, Mr. JOHN R LATIMER  to MissSUSAN RACHEL all of said county.
   In Sparta, on the 1st inst., by the Rev. D. Kelsey, Mr. SIMEON C. BODFISH, to Miss ISABELLA ELDRIDGE, all of Sparta.

DIED, In Sparta, on Saturday the 12 instant of inflammatory fever, after an illness of thirteen days, Mrs. MARTHA B. RYAN, aged 58 years.

August 31, 1852
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Sparta, on the 19th day of August, by Lorenzo S. Stewart, Esq., Mr. WILLIAM J. BELDING and Miss NANCY C. TWILLEY, both of Hancock county.

November 16, 1852
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Sparta, on 3d inst. by the Rev. D. Kelsey, Dr. JAS. G. SPIVEY of Thomaston, to Miss SALLIE E. ROGERS, of the former place.

December 22, 1852
Sandusky Daily Commercial Register
Baltimore, Dec. 22
Ten Bales of Cotton are preparing at Sparta, Ga. for exhibition at the New York World's Fair.

January 4, 1853
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On the 5th ult. by T. J. Smith, J. I. C., Mr. ELLISON WORTHEY and Miss NANCY PARRISH, all of Hancock county.
  On the morning of the 23d ult. by T. J. smith, J.I.C., Mr. HENRY JOHNSON to Miss ROBERTIE U. WORTHEY, all of Hancock county.  

March 8, 1853
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Sparta, on the 27th Feb. last, by L. S. Stewart, Esq., Mr. JOEL SHED of Baldwin county, to Miss A. J. Garner.

July 19, 1853
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~Departed this life, on the morning of the 5th inst., in Hancock county, Mrs. SARAH ANN E BURTON, consort of
Dr. Geo. W. Burton, in the 20th year of her age......She has left a void in the community in which she lived and a bereaved husband and two little brothers, which it will be hard to fill.

August 30, 1853
Southern Recorder
   DIED, At his residence on the Oconee in Hancock county, on Tuesday, the 16th inst., Mr. JOSIAH SHEFFIELD, aged 98 years. Mr. S. was one among the first settlers in his neighborhood, having resided where he died for the last forty-nine years, and was always esteemed as a good neighbor and worthy man.

September 13, 1853
Augusta Chronicle
 ~excerpt~ Mrs. Ariana A. Hudson was the daughter of Rev. James J. and Mrs. W. E. Harris, of Glenville, Ala. She was born on the 27th of Feb, 1833, was married to Dr. N. L. Hudson April 3d, 1853, and did in Hancock county, Ga., on the 23d of August last.

October 18, 1853
Southern Recorder
  ~excerpt~MRS. FRANCES HUDSON was born Oct. 19th, 1789, and died in Hancock Co., Ga., Oct. 5th, 1853.

October 25, 1853
Southern Recorder
   MARRIED, On the 9th ult. by Robert L. C. Gumm, Esq. Mr. WILLIAM JOHNSON, of Harris county, to Miss Ada P. A., daughter of James and Rachel Jackson,  of Hancock county.

November 13, 1853
Augusta Chronicle
~excerpt~ DIED, At his residence near Powelton, Hancock county, on the evening of the 7th, after an illness of two years continuing, Mr. JOHN N., JONES, in the fifty-fourth year of his age. Mr. Jones had been an acceptable member of the Baptist Church at Powelton, for the last 10 years of his life.........

November 29, 1853
Federal Union
~excerpt~   Died at the residence of Mark Johnston, Esq., in Hancock county on the 31st ult, his wife,  Mrs. Juvernia Rose Johnston, aged 29 years.
 

December 14, 1853
Augusta Chronicle
~excerpt~ MARRIED, On the 4th inst., at the residence of David Lowing, by Nimrod Childs, Esq., Mr. DANIEL BECKERD (BECKHAM?) and Miss SUSAN SMITH, all of Hancock county.

December 23 1853
Athens (Ohio) Messenger
     A gentleman namedWm. B. Moss, from Hancock county, Ga., committed suicide in Marshall, on the 20th inst., by cutting his throat with a razor. He had property to the amount of $16,000 with him.

December 25, 1853
Augusta Chronicle
MARRIED. On the 14th inst., by the Rev. L. E. Culver,Miss ANN DAVIS, of Hancock county, and Mr. WM. BRUCE, of Greene county.
   On the 18th inst., by Thos. Hudson, Esq., Miss J. E. H. HUDSON and Mr. JOHN J. GREEN, all of Hancock co.

January 3, 1854
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On the 22d Dec., by the Rev. T. U. Wilkes, Dr. THOMAS JONES, of Sumter county, to Miss ELIZABETH ANTIONETTE, daughter of James Irvin Butts of Hancock county, Ga.

January 4, 1854
Augusta Chronicle
MARRIED, In Sparta on the 25th December, by Dr. H. L. Battle, J. I. O., Mr. JAMES GRAHAM, Esq., of Greensboro, Ga., and Miss DORCAS GLAZE, of the former place.

January 10, 1854
The Macon Telegraph
    A Man named Henderson was killed in Hancock county, Ga., on Saturday, the 24 ult, by a man named of McRae, during a drunken frolic.

January 31, 1854
Southern Recorder
  ~excerpt~Died, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Mary R. Rose, at Oswichee, Ala., on the night of the 25th ult. Mrs. Mary Andrews in the 73 year of her age. Mrs. Andrews was the relict of the late Green Andrews, Esq., of Hancock Co.

February 21, 1854
Federal Union
MARRIED, In Hancock county, on the 11th inst., by Francis Minor, Esq., Mr. Everett Arnold of the city of Macon to MissMildred Melvina Lewis of Hancock.

March 14, 1854
Federal Union
  ~excerpt~ Departed this life on the 28th ult., at his residence near Sparta, Georgia, Dr. Charles Henry Audas, within a few days of 21 years of age.

March 21, 1854
Federal Union
MARRIED - In Sparta on the 16th inst, by the Rev. C. W. Key, Mr. B. H. Bigham of LaGrange, to Miss Mary Jane, daughter of Benj. T. Harris Esq.

March 28, 1854
Southern Recorder
  MARRIAGE AND DEATH -In Hancock county, on the 26ult. , Mr. Joel Jackson was married to Miss Nancy Graham. In four days thereafter, the bridegroom followed the bride to the grave.

May 16, 1854
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~ Mrs. SARAH PINKSTON departed this life on the 22d ult., at her residence near Sparta, Ga., in the 69th year of her age.

June 20, 1854
Augusta Chronicle
~excerpt. Died in Sparta, on the 7th inst., at the residence of Mrs. Sarah Alfriend, after a short  but painful illness, Mattie A., only child of John T. and Sarah J. Allen, aged 1 year and 5 months'

July 4, 1854
Federal Union
DIED. -On the 23rd ult. in  .Hancock County, Charles Pelham Bethea, only son of P. P. and his wife E. J. Bethea; aged two years.
"Our dearest hopes, how quick they fly,
Annd pleasures only bloom to die.".

October 3, 1854
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~ DIED, At her residence in Sparta, on the 12th inst., Mrs. GERTRUDE M., wife of the late RICHARD FEARS and daughter of the venerable Philip Turner, late of Hancock co., in the 45th year of her age.

December 5, 1854
Southern Recorder
   MARRIED, On Sunday evening, the 12th of November last, by the Rev. Benjamin Roberts, Mr. STEPHEN E. PEARSON and Miss IWANONA A. STROTHER, all of Hancock county.
  In Sparta, Ga., Nov. 28, 1854, by the Rev. C. W. Key, Mr. LUCIUS M. McGEHEE, of Alabama, to Miss JOSEPHINE B., daughter of Ben. T. Harris, Esq.
~excerpt~ DIED, In Sparta, Ga., on the morning of December 1, 1854, at the residence of his grandfather BENJAMIN HARRIS, son of Lavvisier L. and Louisa E. Lamar, aged 17 months.

December 12, 1854
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On the 24th ult. by the Rev. Benj Roberts, Mr. CHARLES BOYER and Miss REBECCA PERSON, all of Hancock county.

December 26, 1854
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On the 13th instant, by Rev. C. W. Stevens, Mr. CHARLES W. GAUSE of Randolph Co., to Miss GERTRUDE E. GONDER of Hancock Co.

~excerpt~ DIED At the residence of his father, near Sparta, on the 8th day of November, FRANCIS MANSFIELD, infant son of Col. Richard M. and Mrs. Mary Frances Johnston, aged 8 months and 22 days. This child was impressed from his birth with a physical infirmity which foretold his early fate to all but his hopeful parents...

January 23, 1855
Southern Recorder
  ~excerpt~ DIED. At her residence in Hancock county, on the 16th inst., after a severe illness of fifteen days, Miss ELIZABETH W. MULLINS, aged fifty-two years and four months.

February 6, 1855
Federal Union
Homicide. A. C. Devereaux of Hancock County, lately a citizen of this place, was killed by Obadiah Arnold, at his liquor shop in the couty aforesaid on Tuesday last. Devereaux lived but a minute after the pistol shot took effect. We have not heard the particulars and cannot offer any opinion as to the cause of the difficulty. Arnold and Devereaux were cousins.

February 13, 1855
Southern Recorder
   Departed this life, on Thursday, the 1st inst., at the residence of the Rev. Wm. J. Harley in Sparta, Hancock Co. Ga, Mrs. Bethia Battle, relict of the late R. T. Battle, in the 67th year of her age. - Mrs. B. was a true woman, because a good wife, mother and mistress, and discharged the duties of her position - such duties as belong in our Southern land, to the christian head of a large family, with fidelity and efficiency.

February 13, 1855
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Hancock county, on the 1st inst., by Francis Minor, Esq., Mr. JAMES T. ALLEN to Miss TEMPERANCE A. MORAN, all of Hancock county.

June 19, 1855
Federal Union
MARRIED, On Wednesday, May 30, by the Rev. Josiah Lewis, Mr. Ingram Bass to Miss Julia Hudson, all of Hancock county.

July 10 1855
Federal Union
Dr. Wm. Terrill, died in Sparta, on the morning of the 4th of July. The event is thus announced by a correspondent of the Savannah Journal and Courier.
  "Sparta, July 4, 3, A.M. "Our much esteemed friend, Dr. Wm. Terrill expired quietly and without a struggle this morning at half past one o'clock. A good and honest man is the noblest work of God. I read and prayed with him and trust he died in the true faith."

August 21, 1855
Southern Recorder
MARRIED. In the city of Augusta, on the 7th inst., by the Rev. Dr. Davis, Mr. JAMES T. GARDINER of that place, to Miss MARTHA E HARRIS daughter of Miles G. Harris, of Hancock county.

September 18, 1855
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On Wednesday, 12th inst., by Judge J. H. Litle, Mr. AUSTIN W. BERRY, of Sparta, to Miss ELEANOR E. BIRDSONG, of Hancock county. 

April 22, 1856
Federal Union
Death of Burton R. Gardner. Our community was painfully started by the intelligence from Sparta on Tuesday morning last, that our highly esteemed friend and fellow citizen, B. R. Gardner, had been shot dead on that morning, in that village, by a man named Powell. Mr. Gardner left here on the Monday previous' to adjust some business matters in Sparta. The news of hi sudden and violent death was truly shocking. We could not understand how a man so amiable, so gentlemanly in deportment, a citizen so quiet and inoffensive, could give an offense that would warrant so deadly a resentment. But with the facts and circumstances of this homicide, we will not, at this time, treat. We will simply state that Mr. Gardner was killed at his own shop, early in the morning, by an armed man, and his brother most severely stabbed with a bowie knife in the hands of a workman of the murderer. Mr. H. Gardner we are pleased to hear is getting well.
  Mr. B. R. Gardener came to this city about a year ago, with his family. In this short time, he had made warm friends of the good and intelligent of all classes in the community, by whom his sudden death is truly lamented. His sorrowing widow and orphan children have the heartfelt sympathies of a large circle of friends, in this, to them, most overpowering bereavement.

April 29, 1856
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On the 2d inst., in the Independent Presbyterian Church, in Savannah by the Rev. Dr. Preston, THOMAS S BEMAN, Esq., of Hancock County, and Miss LUCY M., youngest daughter of the officiating clergyman.

April 29, 1856
Southern Recorder
   MARRIED, near Sparta on the 24th inst. by John T. Berry, J. I. C. Mr. JOHN G. POOL to Miss SARAH A. MCCOOK, all of Hancock County.

April 29, 1856
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On the evening of the 24th inst. by the Rev. Dr. E. M. Pendleton,  Mr. HORATIO W. FORBES to Miss FANNIE PINKSTON all of Hancock county.  

May 13, 1856
Southern Recorder
  A friend writing to us from Sparta, on the 5th inst., says" "H. B. Gardner, who was wounded at the time B.R.Gardner was killed, died last evening about 8 o'clock, and on a post mortem examination, the physicians (Dr. Campbell of Augusta, being present and assisting) decided that the wound was, from its nature, necessarily mortal. The Coroner's jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against John H. Sanders, who, report says, has absconded."

June 3, 1856
Federal Union
MARRIED, On the 23d May, by Rev. C. W. Stevens, at the residence of Mr. Bennet Hall, Dr. Alexander Carswell to Miss
Martha Hall. All of Hancock co. Ga.

June 7, 1856
The Columbus Enquirer, Tri-Weekly
MARRIED.   In Sparta, Ga., at the residence of the bride's mother, on the 4th inst., by Rev. Samuel K. Talmage D.D., Edgar G. Dawson, Esq., of Columbus, Ga., and Miss Lucie, only daughter of the late Hon. Wm. Terrell, M.D.

June 10, 1856
Southern Recorder
  DIED. In Hancock county, on Thursday evening, 29th May, 1856,  Mrs. ABIGAL ROBERTS, in the 61st year of her age. She died in hope of eternal life. She was a member of the Baptist Church."  "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord."

July 1, 1856
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Hancock co., on the 15th inst., by Francis Minor, Esq., JOEL C. BOYER, to Miss SOPHRONIA E. GARLAND, all of Hancock.

July 29, 1856
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, In Hancock county on the 22d inst.,by the Rev. John W. Knight, Mr. WM.  M. WHITE to Miss MARTHA A MEDLOCK, daghter of Benjamin F. Medlock.

July 29, 1856
Southern Recorder
DIED At the residence of her father in Hancock county, on Wednesday evening, the 16th July, Miss REBECCA SUSAN ROBERTS, in the 26th year of her age. The deceased had been an orderly member of the Baptist Church nearly ten years, and died in hope of eternal life.

November 27, 1856
The Columbus Enquirer, Tri-Weekly
~extract. Col. Seymour R. Bonner died at his residence in this city, on Friday night last.  Age 47, leaves widow and six children (five daughters and one son). Born in Hancock county, Ga., one of the earliest settlers of Columbus, moving there in 1826, built first framed house in city. Officer in the Creek war, sheriff of Muscogee county four years, once Representative in the State Legislature.

  In Hancock county, on the 18th of November last, THOMAS ATHALIA, infant daughter of the late Thomas and Mrs. H. P. Jones.

May 19, 1857
Federal Union
  ~excerpt~ DIED near Sparta, the 11th of May, after a long illness, Mrs. Evelina Rosa Sanford, daughter of Mr. Frank and Mrs. Ann H. Brooking and wife of Fred H. Sanford.
  Born in Hancock county, April 4th, 1820, and united with the Methodist Church under the ministry of the Reverend now Bishop Pierce more than twenty years since....

June 9, 1857
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~ Died, at her residence in Hancock county, on the morning of the 15th May, Mrs. ELIZABETH SHEFFIELD, at the advanced age of 95 years. She was born in Columbia county, Ga., where she spent her earlier years. She was the widow of William Sheffield, deceased, who preceded her nearly five years. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church at Island Creek....

June 16, 1857
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~ Died, in Sparta, on the 10th instant MARY PAMELA, youngest child of Wm. E. and Sallie C. Bird, aged 3 years and 9 months....

August 25, 1857
The Columbus Enquirer, Tri-Weekly
Mrs Irby Hudson, of Hancock county, was thrown from a horse while on her way to the house of a relative, on Tuesday last, and so injured by the fall, and by kicks from the horse, that she died in a few minutes.

September 1, 1857
Southern Recorder
  ~excerpt~ Departed this life on the 7th ult. at her home, surrounded by her friends, MRS. SUSAN ANN DAWSON CARR, wife of Josiah Carr, Esq., of Hancock county. She was the daughter of the late Samuel Barksdale of Warren county.
 

September 8, 1857
Federal Union
Man shot by a Woman. We understand that a man by the name of John I. Bass was killed in his own house last week, by a Mrs. Hudson. It appears that Bass came home drunk, maltreated his wife and drove her and her children and Mrs. Hudson and children out of his house.  out of the house. Mrs. Hudson bursted two caps at him; then she went home, and next morning very early, just as Bass was getting up she entered his room, placed a pistol to his breast and fired, killing Bass  instantly. These are the part
Washington County Newspaper Clippings Vol 1 1852-1866, Tad Evans

TRIAL OF MRS HUDSON
(Sparta) The trial of this woman for commitment for the murder of  John Bass of this county came up on Saturday last, before Justices Little, Berry and Turner. Cain appeared for the prosecution and DuBose for the defendant.
  The only evidence of much force, as we understand, was a youth of some twelve years of age, the son of Mr. Bass. He stated that Mrs. Hudson came to his father's on the morning of the second instant and went into the kitchen. Bass followed her, and asked if  wanted to shoot at him again, rubbing his fist in her face. She drew a pistol and Bass retreated behind the door. She following him and shot him in the left breast. He died instantly.
  We suppose other witnesses must have been before the court, favorable to the prisoner, of which we know nothing, as they admitted her to bail in the nominal sum of $800. Her father, Mr. Josiah Collins, who is a planter of respectable means, stood her security.
  Her husband, Mr.Josiah Collins (wrong, this should be Mr. Joseph Hudson,) is now in Milledgeville Jail for shooting a man at the city ferry.  She demeaned herself during the trial as one who had about as much interest in it as any of the bystanders. She appears to be about 25 years of age, is good looking and had nothing in her countenance that indicates the heart of a murderer.
(Note she was sent to prison Oct. 18, 1859.)

November 10, 1857
Southern Recorder
  Died, in Taylor county, Ga., Oct. 16th, 1857 Mr. WILLIAM P. EDWARDS, aged 54 years, and formerly of Hancock county. He was the subject of great affliction for ten years previous to his death. He was at first attacked with spinal affliction, then diabetes, and last with dropsy, during the greater part of which time he was confined to his bed and house. On the morning of the 10th, while conversing with one of his sons, (as well or better off than usual,) he suddenly threw back his head, when he was discovered to be dying, and expired as soon as laid on his bed.
  He joined the M. E. Church in 1832, in which communion he died. His religious profession was not loud, but like the running of quiet waters.- During his protracted affliction, he was never heard to complain, but always cheerful and happy.
  He has left a companion, ten children, and relatives, with prayers, precepts and examples, which, if improved by them, will, by the grace of God, carry them to the same Heaven to which he has gone. SMITH DAVENPORT.

November 17, 1857
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On Tuesday evening, 27th Oct., by Rev. Bishop Pierce, Mr. JEPTHA G. CULVER to Miss MEDIANA V. ROBERSON, eldest daughter of Robert Roberson, Esq., all of Hancock county.

November 22, 1857
Southern Recorder
    ~excerpt~ Died, in Hancock county, Ga., on the 10th ult., WILLIAM B., second  John and Eliza C. Amos, aged 8 years.

December 1, 1857
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On the 19th inst., at the residence of Israel Palmer, Esq., by the Rev. L. R. L. Jennings, Mr. JOHN W. MORAN to Miss EMILY F. BREWER, both of Hancock county..

December 8, 1857
Macon Weekly Telegraph
DIED. In Vineville on the 2, inst., at an advance aged Mrs. Chloe N. Kelsey, widow of the late Capt. Nash Kelsey, formerly of Powelton, Georgia.

December 8, 1857
The Georgia Telegraph
High Prices for Negroes. - At Sparta, on Tuesday  last, forty-one negroes, belonging to the estate of Thos. L. Wynn, late of Hancock county, were sold, averaging $840 each, including old negroes, children and infants. One boy, twenty-two years old, a common field hand, sold for $1600; one girl, sixteen years old, $1500. The sales were on cash terms.

December 8, 1857
The Columbus Enquirer
A Teacher Caned - The Central Georgia of the 3d inst., says:
   The pupils of the Sparta Male and Female Institute recently concluded to give Mr. D. E. Laird one of their teachers, a caning, on his departure for Virginia. This they did effectually by giving him a gold headed cane valued at $8, not over his head, but in his hand.

December 9, 1857
The Charleston Mercury
Death of a Very Old Negro Man. - The Milledgeville Recorder says that a negro man named Val Bellamy, died at the advanced age of 100 years, in the neighborhood of Island Creek, Hancock county, on the 29th ult. He was a cook for the American troops stationed at Charleston during the Revolutionary war.

December 15, 1857
Southern Recorder
 Married in Hancock county, at the residence of Thomas M. Hunt, Esq., on the 25th inst. by the Rev. Johseph H. Echals, Mr.
T. M. MERRITT of Forsyth, and MissANNA HAMLIN, eldest daughter of the late Col. James G. Lewis of Hancock county.

February 9, 1858
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, At the residence of D. R. Howell, on the 31st of December, 1857, by Lovett Sanders, Esq., Mr. WM. J. REYNOLDS to Miss EMILY E. HOWELL, all of Hancock county, Ga.

March 30, 1858
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On Sunday morning, the 15th inst., by Asa A. Shell, J. P. Mr. WILLIAM H., CRAWFORD to Miss JULIA F. GARY, all of Hancock county, Ga.

May 11, 1858
Southern Recorder
~excerpt~ Died, in Sparta, May 6th, 1858, in the 26th year of her age, after a lingering illness of many weeks, at the residence of her mother, Mrs. Sarah H. Alfriend, Mrs. SARAH JANE, wife of John W. Allen, Esq. of Mount Zion, Ga.

May 11, 1858
Federal Union
MARRIED, On the 28th April, by the Rev. Lucius A. Simonton, Mr. Oliver C. Wilbur, Jr. and Miss Mary L. Pardee, all of Sparta.

June 1, 1858
Southern Recorder
  Married, at Sparta, Ga., on 26th May, 1858, by Rev. James S. Lane, Mr. JOHN G. COLBERT, of Cass Co., to Miss REBECCA S. AUDAS, daughter of T. H. Audas, Esq.

June 1, 1858
Southern Recorder
   Died, in Hancock county, on the 17th day of May, 1858, little WILLIAM ARCHABLE DUGGAN, youngest son of Archable and Mary E. Martin, aged one year five months and four days.

June 8, 1858
Southern Recorder
Died at the residence of his father in Sparta on Thursday monring 24th ult, WM. BURWELL FRALEY of Hancock county. He suffered long with a pulmonary disease,...left a young and disconsolate wife, who twelve months ago was his blooming bride to mourn his early fate.

August 17, 1858
Macon Telegraph
   excerpt~The Sparta Times publishes the following marriage notice: Married in Madison county, Ar., Joseph Rogers, formerly of Sparta, aged ninety-two years, to Miss Nancy Chandler, aged 25 years-By the marriage Mr. Rogers becomes brother-in-law to his grandson-his grandson having married his wife's sister some 15 r 20 years since.....

March 1, 1859
Southern Recorder
    Died, at Pleasant Valley, near Mount Zion, Hancock county, Georgia, on the 10th February, 1859, Mrs. ISABELLA PONCE, consort of Dimas Ponce.

May 10, 1859
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, At Culverton on Sunday evening May 1st, by W. H. Brantly, Esq., Mr. JOHN SAY of Putnam county, to Miss MARY STONE of Warren County.

May 10, 1859
Southern Recorder
MARRIED, On the 19 of April, by Rev. John H. Caldwell, Mr. LUCIUS F. BERRY and Miss BEATRICE ROBERSON, all of Hancock county, Ga.

May 17, 1859 
Southern Recorder (Milledgeville)
   MARRIED. In this city on Saturday morning 14th inst., by Rev. J. L. Warren, Mr. SIMON D. SLADE and Miss ANN ADAMS, all of Hancock County.

June 14, 1859
Southern Recorder
  DIED, On the 23th May at the residence of her father, Wm. L. Wilson, of Hancock county, Ga., Mrs. MOLLIE J. BREEDLOVE, consort of Dr. D. E. Breedlove, of Whitesville, Ga., after a  lingering illness of several months, in the 23d year of her age.

August 23, 1859
Southern Recorder
  DIED, On the 6th inst., Mrs. DORCA ARNOLD, in the 78th year of her age. For thirty years past Mrs. A. has been an acceptable member of the Island Creek Church, in Hancock county.

  In Hancock county, on the 7th day of August, NATHAN YOUNGBLOOD, in the 90th year of his age. He had for more than fifty years been a consistent member of the Baptist Church, and died as he had lived, in hope of a blessed immortality. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." R. R.