A year’s later three hundred acres were transferred to James Maxwell, Kenneth Billie, and John Stevens of the Midway District for the purpose of dividing it into lots. One hundred acres was set aside as a town commons. The name of Sunbury was for the original Sunbury-on-Thames in England, near the city of London.

It is said that as many as seven ships entered the port in a day. It was made a port of entry in 1761 and its first appointed officers were, Thomas Carr, collector; John Martin, naval officer; Francis Lee, searcher. The town had a commission form of government which continued until 1825 after which continued until 1825 after which no elections were held and the town gradually dwindled away.

Sunbury was the county seat of Liberty County until 1797 and the first session of Liberty County Superior Court was held there. Member of the Midway community as well as the citizens of the port of Sunbury, which was eleven miles away from Midway Church, made up the list of the county’s first grand jury.

The Sunbury Academy was the chief seat of learning in this part of Georgia. Further reference of the famous old school is elsewhere in this edition of The Herald. Possessions of its noted principal, Dr. Wm. McWhir are to be seen on exhibit in Midway Museum.

The Sunbury Baptist Church, organized in 1806 by rev. Charles O. Screven, listed among the Baptist ministers that it sent out into Georgia and other states some of the leading clergy men of that denomination.

Sunbury Baptist Church is said to have been of the same architecture as the Midway Church building. The soldiers of the Union army burned it during the Sixties as a signal to the Union gunboats in the outer waters that the land forces had taken command of the town of Sunbury.

The late J.W. Morgan who lived in the old Screven house on the water front at Sunbury told in an interesting way how he furnished the torch to the Union soldiers to burn the church. As a boy at the time he obligingly gave the enemy soldiers a torch presumably to light a camp fire. At his death he was probably the oldest citizen of Sunbury section who remembered the event.

The old Screven house, so typical of the architecture of the period, stands on the Sunbury waters edge in a state of decay. Nearby is the old Sunbury cemetery where are buried so many of the early settlers. Sunbury business men carried on thriving trade between them and the other ports – especially the West Indies and the town at one time had a population of nearly a thousand.

The inhabitants lived the easy lives of typical Southern planters and the hospitable homes were the scenes of a gay social life. Perhaps the important revolutionary fort, Fort Morris, is Sunbury’s chief claim to military fame and the ruins of the old fortification are still in evidence. The earth works fort cover an acre in size.

Colonel John McIntosh of the Continental Troops perpetuated the history of the fortification’s brave stand when he sent back his famous message to the British command to surrender when he replied, “Come and take it.”

SOURCE: Liberty County Herald November 26, 1959

Why not treat mom to a Mother’s Day Tea at the Midway Museum on May 11th call 912-884-5837 for more details!

FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE IN MIDWAY
The following is a news item published in the Savannah Morning News, April 27, 1915, telling of the large crowd that attended the unveiling of the General Steward and Screven monument.

BIG CROWD WELL HANDLED
Scattered over an area of several acres, there were fully five thousand people on the grounds surrounding old Midway Church at noon yesterday when a recess of an hour was taken between the two ceremonies for a basket picnic. Newly 3,500 of that number traveled to Midway by automobiles from Liberty, Bryan, Tattnall, and other South Georgia Counties. Many more came form that section and from South Carolina and Florida by fail. The seaboard Air Line Railroad operated two special trains from Savannah in the morning, carrying 1,300 from this city to the event, and handled the crowds well.
In spite of the numbers, however, the crowd was in every way orderly and regardful of the sacred respect in which the spot is held by those to whom it is most dear. Not a case of intoxication or disorderly act was observed or reported to the marshal of the day, Col.A. Gordon Cassels, who probable was the busiest man of any who had anything to do with the arrangements, Troop B, First Georgia Cavalry, better known as Liberty Independent Troop of Liberty, under the direct command of Maj. W.P. Waite, did special police duty but had no calls for exercising their authority.
Here and there minding with the crowds of grey uniforms and whiskers of veterans of the Confederacy were to be seen, proudly bearing their scars and years. Everywhere they accorded respectful attention, for the numerous flags of the Confederacy which decorated graves in the cemetery could not fail to remind one that the occasions was also Memorial Day.
Old Midway church was the center of interest before the ceremonies began. Thousands climbed the winding stairs into the old fashioned balcony and looked down upon the colonial pulpits form which so many ministers of the Gospel of National fame have in by gone days propounded the Presbyterian doctrine. Notably among these was the great-grandfather of the late Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, wife of the president. More than 2,000 people entered their names on the pages of the book placed in the church yesterday for that purpose.

 MILITARY START HOME
Probably for the first time in the history of commercial telegraphy, a telegraph station was operated yesterday within the walls of such an historic cemetery. All day long the Western union Telegraph Company sent out messages over the special Midway wire direct to friends of the senders as souvenirs of the event. Two messages to President Wilson went over the wires direct from Midway to Washington.
Scores of automobiles and other conveyances met the special trains from savannah at Dorchester in the morning, but few were on hand to transport passengers back to the station after the ceremonies. Hundreds tramped the distance of one and one-half miles behind the troops on foot. In numerous spots along the road the sand lay four inches deep and it was a hot and fatiguing walk. The returning “specials” reached the city at 6:30 o’clock at night.
Troop A, First Georgia Cavalry, witch rode to Midway last Saturday, broke camp late in the afternoon and started on the home march under the command of Capt. Frank P. McIntire. Adj. Gen. J. Van Holt Nash is with them. They are due to reach the city early this morning. The other troops returned by train, (A report of the unveiling ceremonies was contained in another article.)

Join the Historical District of Midway ( 10 miles south of Richmond Hill on highway 17),
April 27 Th, 10-4pm. Free admission to festival and parking for the day.
We will be celebrate homecoming weekend with the Midway Church founded 1792, and offering tours of the Church, Museum and Cemetery by descendants of the Midway Society.
Artists, Authors, Crafters, Musicians, and Food Vendors are invited to complete attached form and make a donation $25 to the Midway Museum for an opportunity to display and sell your ARTS. The Midway Museum Inc. is a 501-C3 non profit organization.
Booth space is limited, email for more information to: themidwaygallery@yahoo.com or call 884-3726.
Come celebrate the ARTS with us in Historic Midway!

WILL UNVEIL MONUMENTS TO STEWART AND SCREVEN
IN LIBERTY CO. APRIL 26

An event of state-wide interest is that of the unveiling, on April 26, of the handsome monument erected by the United States government at old Midway church, in Liberty county to those two gallant generals of the war of the revolution, General Daniel Stewart and General James Screven, who lie buried in this historic churchyard.

The monument, which was erected at a cost of more than $10,000, stands in the main walk which runs through the center of the graveyard, with General Stewart’s grave lying to the left and General Screven’s to the right.

Extensive preparations have been made for the unveiling. Governor Slaton and his staff have been invited; the two United States senators from Georgia, the Georgia congressmen, the members of the Georgia legislature and the statehouse officers. Adjutant General J. Van Holt Nash will accompany the Georgia Hussars of Savannah, who will attend in a body; also the Savannah Volunteer guards and other militia organizations.

Colonel W.C. Langfill, United States engineer, will formally turn the monument over to Chairman N.J. Norman, who will preside at the unveiling. Colonel A.S. Way, of Liberty county, has been selected to speak for the descendants of the old Midway society. He will be followed by Congressman Charles G. Edwards, who after a short address will introduce the national speaker. This will be some one chosen by President Wilson to represent him upon this occasion.

This tardy recognition by the United States government of the heroic reviee rendered their country in the struggle for independance by these two generals (service in which General Screven lost his life) encourages the Daugthers of the American Revolution to hope that some day, with the help of the government, all of Georgia’s important revolutionary battlefields and all of the graves of our revolutionary heroes may be splendidly marked. It is a duty we owe to those who won for us liberty and independence.

Source: The Atlanta Constitition, April 18, 1915, page 5

STEWART-SCREVEN MONUMENT
To be unveiled at Midway, Liberty County, Monday, April 26

Savannah, Ga., April 21. — [Special] — Every detail has been prepared for the unveiling tomorrow of an imposing granite memorial to two of her heroes of Liberty county, “the cradle of liberty” and historic old Midway. Today the monument is shrouded within the Stars and Stripes. Tomorrow, released by the fair hands of Miss Helen Quarterman and Miss Eliza Maxwell Stevens, two of the thirteen sponsors, the folds of Old Glory will fall away and reveal fitting testimony of the reincarnation of the spirit of the patriots in those which have been instrumental in erecting the memorial to two famous Georgians, that their names and deeds might be prepetuated to posterity.

The first ceremonies of the day will begin at 11 o’clock. Judge Newton J. Norman, president of the Stewart-Screven monument commission will be master of ceremonies and introduce the several speakers. With him on the platform, besides the speakers, will be seated the thirteen sponsors, practically all of whom are direct descendants of either General James Screven or General Daniel Stewart; twenty members of the monument commission; Mrs. W.L. Wilson and four others officers of the Georgia Society, Colonial Dames of America; Judge Richard B. Russell of the state court of appeals; Adjutant General J. Van Holt Nash, and Major General Walter harris, of the state military department; William harden, secretary of the Sons of the Revolution; Colonel G. Noble Jones, president of the Society of the Colonial Wars; Miss Margaret A. cosens, regent of the Lachlan McIntosh chapter, and Mrs. J.S. Wood, regent of the Savannah chapter, D.A.R., George F. Tennille, representing the Society of the Cincinnati; Captain George W. Drummond, representing the Sons of the American Revolution, and a few others guests.

The ceremonies will open with the presentation of the tablet commemorating the restormation of a portion of the wall surrounding the Midway cemetery, by General Peter W. Meldrim, president of the American Bar association for the Georgia Society of Colonial Dames.

colonel J.B. Way, of Hinesville, will make the speech of acceptance for the Midway society. At the conclution of this feature, an hour or more will be devoted to a basket picnic on the grounds. Thirteen fair young sponsors will participate in theunveiling of the Stewart-Screven monument at 1 o’clock.

Source: The Atlanta Constitution, April 25, 1915, page B8

The old Midway church, in Liberty County, Ga., still standing, had for its pastor between 1785 and 1791 Dr. Abiel Holmes, the father of Oliver Wendell Homes, and when President Washington paid his celebrated visit to Georgia in 1790, Dr. Holmes was made the chairman of the committee appointed by the congregation of Old Midway church to greet him. Dr. Joseph LeConte, professor of chemistry in the University of California, says a correspondent of the Boston Transcript, “is one of the products of the Midway church. So also is United States Senator A.O. Bacon, and many people will be surprised to know that Governor Theodore Roosevelt, of New York, is also of this same stock, deriving his connection with Old Midway church through his mother, who was born in Liberty County, and whose progenitors were prominent and influential members of the church.

Source:
The Marion County Patriot, August 24, 1900, Page Two

In memory of, Mrs. Mary Jones Daughter of Col. Andrew Maybank who departed this life on May 13th 1804 on the sixth day after the birth of her fourth infant. Aged 22 years, 6 months and 14 days. Farewell my friend. Departed worth farewell. On thee the fond, the tender, thought shall dwell.
Laura Matilda The pet lamb of out flock Born May 16, 1843 died March 22, 1854
Edward Joseph Jones aged 2 years and 6 months.
Elliot Maxwell Jones aged 18 months.
Thomas Scriven Jones aged 2 years children of Joseph and Elizabeth S.L Jones.
Jesus said, suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
__________________________________________________________
Capt. Joseph Jones.
Age 66years, 10months, 19 days.
The honored, the revered,
The tender beloved head of a numerous family cut off by a sudden stroke of divine providence in the vigor of a green old age from the midst of energetic usefulness and active and untiring industry.
Died: October 18, 1846.

The protector of the orphan
the friend of widow,
the benefactor of the poor,
the patriotic and highly respected citizen.

Distinguished in all the relations of life for justice, courage, humanity, benevolence and generosity.
His memory in encircled by a halo
of the brightest virtues,
and his death illumined by the Christian’s hope
Full of Life and Immortality
Oct. 18th 1846.
____________________________________________________
My Husband
James Newton Jones Born Sept. 14, 1825 Died Oct. 8, 1854 Blessed are the dead which die in the lord that they may rest foe their labours and their works do follow them.
Lifes duty done as sinks the day. Light from its load the spirit files. While heaven and earth combine to say, How blest the righteous when he dies.
Father not my will but thine be done

In memory of Sarah Jones Daughter of Cap. David Anderson who departed this life Sept. 8, 1817. Five months and 9 days after the birth of her eighth infant.
Aged 34 years 2 months and 9 days.

Beyond this vale of tears
our treasure lives
and Hope still blossoms tho frail nature dies.

Scared
To the memory of Josephine E.H.
wife of Dr. J.J. Maxwell.
Born 18th May, 1839 Died 15th Sept. 1857
She many a nobble gift from heaven possessed and faith at last, alone worth all the rest.
____________________________________________________

In memory of
H. Augusta wife of Dr, C.W. Maxwell who died in Key West Sept. 9th 1857 in the 29th year of her age and Elliot Le Conte. Their son who Died Sept. 12th 1857 in the 4th year of his age.
To the loveliest joys of earth were given. Beloved life, in death assured of heaven.

Sunbury Colonial Cemetery
Sunbury, Georgia

J.T. Stevens
Born July 2, 1850
Died October 1, 1861

Sacred to the memory of Josiah Powell, Esq. who died at his house near Sunbury on the 21st July 1788 and his age of —- He was through life a sincere friend to his country and a zealous advocate for Liberty. Called by his fellow citizens to office of public trust, he discharged their respective duties with strict Fidelity. In his commerce with the world he was upright and honest to his family he was a blessing; and to all the social and benevolent duties, ever prompt. Reader; Go and do thou likewise.

Revt. Wm. McWhir, D.D who was born in the County Down Ireland 9th Sept. 1759 and died in Liberty Co., Ga 31st Jan. 1851. In 1783 he came to the U.S. and settled at Alexandria, Virginia whence he moved to Ga. in 1793.

Mary McWhir who was born in Liberty Co., Ga 27 Sept 1757 and died at Springfield near Sunbury 16 Dec. 1819. 1st husband Col. Lapina
2nd husband Co. John Baker
3rd husband Rev. Wm. McWhir.

Mrs. Semor Smith the consort of James Smith, Esq. of McIntosh Co. who departed this life on 6 Dec. 1828 age 53 yrs. 22nd day.

Eliza Anne.
Eldest daughter of Edmund and Eliz Richardson
Death: Oct 23, 1831
AET 11 yrs. 9 mo.

Adam G. Dunham
Death: Oct. 28 1867
AET 50 yrs. 9 mo.

Mary Dunham
Death: Dec. 8, 1864
80 yrs. 9 mo.

Revt. Jacob H Dunham
Death: Sept 25 1832
58 yrs. 7 mo.
Minister Baptist Church.

Hannah Mary Dunham
Birth: March 8, 1836
Death: April 1, 1911

Thomas H. Dunham
Death: Oct 12 1870
Aged 30 years. 12 days.

Jacob H Dunham
Death: July 10 1857
13 years 1 month 7 days.

Mrs. Anne H Dunham
Death: May 18, 1854
39 years 2 months 2 days.

Thomas J. Dunham
Birth: July 31, 1810
Death: Sept 9 1885.

George W. Dunham
Death: Sept 16, 1860
52 years 10 months.

Thomas Gould Law
Death: Oct 16, 1853
aged 2 years 2 months.

Revt. Josiah S. Lay Son of Revt. Samuel and Rebecca Law Death: Oct 4, 1853
45 years 8 months

Charles H. Law
Death: 1887
Lieut C.S.A., by U.D.C

Mrs. Temperance Law. 3rd wife of Rev. Samuel Spry Wife Rev. S.S Law
Death: Oct 16, 1857
aged 77

Mary H. Law.
Death: Sept 15, 1832
12 years.

James P. Law
Death: Oct 6 1826
15 years.

Revt. S.S Law
Death: Feb 1, 1825
62 years.

Ann Martha Law
Death: Oct 1, 1825
15mo

Sarah Law
Death: Dec 17, 1822
16 years.

Samuel Ed
Death: Sept 28, 1820
13years.

Mrs. Rebecca G Law,
Death: June 22 1817
age 37 years.

Mary C Fleming
Death October 12, 1838
14 years 5 months.

Eliz. C. Fleming
Death: Nov 3, 1838
6 years 6 months.

Geo. Troup Fleming.
Death: Feb. 3, 1838
3 years 5 months.

Thomas Barrett Law
June 7, 1836
Aged 12 months.

Matilda Emma Fleming
Death Oct 5,1852
4 years

Mrs. Matilda H. Fleming
Daughter S.S and Rebecca Laws
Death: Aug 21, 1853
43 years 2 months.

Capt. Peter Winn Fleming
B. May 1 1817
D. Jan 6 1882

Little Sally
Daughter Josiah Law and Mary Alice Fleming
Birth: Feb. 18 1870
Death: Feb 19 1870.

Josiah Law Fleming
Birth: March 24 1842
Death: May 24 1891