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Page Four
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"Battle Hymn of the Republic" |
William Calloway, Jr.
was commissioned to make a survey of the county to find
the center. This was accomplished and
100 acres were set aside for courthouse and public buildings. A committee composed of William Mead, William Leftwich, William Trigg, James
Buford, Henry Buford and Charles Gwatkins studied the situation and reported to the court in July 1782 of a 100
acre tract of land on Bramblett's Road owned by William Downey and Joseph Fuqua. These men donated the land to the
County. The Court House was built and court was held in this new building on August 25, 1782.
A town was
established and given the name of
"Liberty". What inspired this name is not definitely known. It may have been Patrick Henry's famous speech (Liberty or Death).
It may
have been due to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown which established Liberty and Independence from the English Crown. It was said this name was "Sweet to every Patriot" and was the first community to be called "Liberty".
The
100 acres
of land were vested in William Meade, William Callaway, William Leftwich,
Robert Clark, James Buford, James Turner and James Wright, gentlemen, trustees, to be by them, or any four of them, laid out into
lots
of half an acre each or more, with
convenient streets. The
said trustees shall proceed to sell the said lots in such manner as they shall think best.
Courthouse
The rude, wooden structure originally used as the courthouse was found inadequate and on September 14. 1787, a brick courthouse was ordered to be built This building was so near the street that the noise of voices and passing vehicles disturbed the holding of court.
A New Courthouse
was built on the same lot but back 30 feet from the street. Court was held in temporary quarters
until the new courthouse was ready, in approximately
1838.
This beautiful two story, brick building of colonial design with its stone steps, iron
railings, leading up to the portico, which was ornamented with large white pillars, was used also as a house of worship at times and it was with the regret of many citizens that it was torn down to make way for the present
building.
According
to records, Liberty,
in the year, 1834, had a population of 350.
The mail arrived and departed 15
times a week. Besides the county buildings there were 70 houses,
two Baptist and one Free church, Masonic Hall, two taverns, five mercantile
stores. Also mentioned were nine attorneys and four regular physicians.
