Publisher's Synopsis
Bartow County, Georgia was created from the Cherokee lands of the Cherokee County territory on December 3, 1832, and named Cass County, after General Lewis Cass (1782-1866) Secretary of War under President Jackson, Minister to France and Secretary of State under President Buchannan, until renamed on December 6, 1861 in honor of Francis S. Bartow. The original county seat was at Cassville, but after the burning of the county courthouse and the Sherman occupation the seat moved to Cartersville, where it now remains.
The 1840 census shows 1035 families in Bartow (then Cass) County with 535 unique surnames although there are a number of close spellings. The population was just shy of 10,000. It took 50 years to double to 20,000, 100 years to double again to 40,000, then only 20 years to top 100,000. This book focuses on the early settlers of Bartow County before the Civil War.
The county was profoundly affected by the Civil War, setting it back economically for many decades. On May 18 and 19, 1864, General Thomas led the Army of the Cumberland after General Hardee's Corps of the Army of Tennessee, and General McPherson led his Federal Army of the Tennessee flanking Hardee's army to the west. This huge army was disruptive and sought food. Elements were out of control and sacked homes depleting meager supplies.
Property destruction and the deaths of one-third of the county's soldiers during the war caused financial and social calamity for many.
