Re: James Smith Burkhalter
-
In reply to:
James Smith Burkhalter
7/20/01
The following is from The Spirit of a People compiled under the auspices of the Statesboro Herald Publishing Co.
In 1946. when Bulloch County was celebrating its 150th anniversay, The Bulloch Times carried mention of the Burkhalter Road as follows:
"One prehistoric highway ran through Bulloch County, an old Indian Trial that did not penetrate a single modern Bulloch County community.Locally, this was known as the Burkhlater Road.This trail began at the junction of Briar Creek and the Savannah River and ran through Screven County to the old Indian town of Tuckaho on the Ogeechee at the Hagin land below Halcyondale by the way of the old Williams home (now owned by General W. A. Hagin [now dec'd - dh]) just above the late Horace Hagin's home by the way of Lower Mill Creek Church [now relocated - dh].This Indian trail was a major source of transportation for the Indian natives who used it to reach points as far away as the Gulf Coast."
Other sources report the road was improved for use during the American Revolution and took the name of the man who improved it.Some believe this person to be Rudolph Burkhlater but I can't substantiate it.I believe John Michael Burkhalter, who was born ca. 1755 and died ca. 1807, lived in this area and operated the Burkhlater Ferry across the Ogeechee River.After his death the ferry was run by Etheldred D. Hagin and Absalom Hagin, who married Margaret and Sarah, daughters of John Michael Burkhalter. My ancestor, Jeptha Hagin, was listed as an heir (not called a son of )of Etheldred Hagin.
I hope this is the information you wanted.
Dot Hope
Gainesville, FL
More Replies:
-
Burkhalter Road
8/29/01