Built by Coffee County pioneer Benajah Peterson (1860-1915) and later known as Stapleton’s Boarding House, this Queen Anne landmark now serves as Sims Funeral Home.
Benajah Peterson was the most prominent citizen of late-19th and early-20th century Douglas. He was married to Luvicia “Vicey” Kirkland (1866-1957), who outlived him by over 40 years and remarried, to William Ira Ritchey (1878-1953). The Petersons had a stillborn daughter, Belle, and one son, Oliver Peterson (1885-1920). Oliver Peterson was murdered by Henry Tanner on 14 August 1915.
His obituary in the Douglas Enterprise noted, in the language of the day: Mr. Peterson had been connected with nearly all of the enterprises of Douglas, in one way or the other, since his removal to the city from his birthplace, a few miles out, many years ago. A record of his life would be a history of Douglas, for he once owned the lot of land on which Douglas now stands. He had worked hard all his life, and with his shrewd business acumen, had managed to accumulate what is considered a fortune in this section. He could always look ahead, had confidence in the section in which he lived, believed that Douglas would make a town and grow into a city, and it was this wisdom that assisted so materially in rolling up for him a vast amount of property. He has been the means of assisting hundreds in the county in getting on their feet, helped many people in diverse ways, and up until the last, he performed many acts of charity, that nothing was ever said about. He was strictly business, and at times was possibly criticized by some of his debtors, but at all times Mr. Peterson could be approached and reasoned with, and his heart was always in the right place. He was public spirited and in every instance that we can recall, at least since we have known him, he has responded very liberally when called upon by any enterprise. When Douglas won the location of the Agricultural School, which was a very hard fight over several contesting cities in the district, it was through Mr. Peterson’s liberality that we were able to go our nearest competitor one better and win the school. He helped the city schools, assisted in building the local hospital, donated liberally to the churches, and many enterprises of Douglas are living and existing today, making money, through Mr. Peterson’s liberal donations and stock subscriptions. In politics, he was never conspicuous, but always took a deep interest in it. He kept up with city, county, and state politics, to a limited degree, but was never an office seeker for himself. The only political offices he ever held were those of councilman and as mayor of Douglas, serving out an unexpired term of Hon. Frank Sweat.
Peterson Avenue, the main thoroughfare of downtown Douglas, is named for the Peterson family.
Downtown Douglas Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
My mother, a Peterson, spent much time there with her sister. She took my wife, daughter and I on a tour. It was the funeral home at the time and she walked us through without asking any of the staff. It was though it was still Benajah’s house.
Hello My Mother was a Merritt her name was Mildred Merritt Solomon….her Mother was Mary Peterson Merritt…Mary passed away when my Mother was a very young girl. My Mother passed in 2001. My Grandfather remarried and my Mother and her siblings were raised by my Step Grandmother known as Granny by myself, my brothers and cousins. I have always been curious about the Peterson side of our family. My Great Grandfather was Nick Peterson….I do remember him. My Mother is buried in the Lone Hill Cemetery…as are many Petersons and Merritts. Can someone please share family info? Thank you very much.
Are any of Benajah relatives around
Yes indeed 🙂 My GG Grandaddy Joseph Peterson was Benajah’s brother, there were several homes on the family property which extended from the area of Sims Funeral home through what is now Touchton Woods. My GG Grands house was similar, a little older, and larger than this house but it burned in the 1880’s if I remember correctly. I grew up in the old “caretakers” house, we had the old tobacco barn, sheds, and packhouse on our property as well as the pecan orchard. It was where Dr. Dismukes office now sits near Coffee Regional Hospital. Our old house was moved out near General Coffee State Park. My Dad is Jimmy Kennedy, he still lives in Douglas, he has a huge painted portrait of my GG Grands that survived the fire. My GG Grandmother was Miriam Paulk Peterson. There are many descendents in the area still. Peterson, Paulk, Lott, Kennedy, Turner, Sears, Vickers, Gaskins, Merritt, McMillan, Harper, Tucker, Nobles, and Kirkland are some of the closest descendents still around.
The Benajah Peterson House (Sims Funeral Home) is also a good bit older than what it is dated at 1906. We have family history of it being built prior or during the civil war. The John Peterson house was the larger, on the plantation, it was located on what is now Chester Ave, it burned in 1889. Uncle Benajah had only one child Oliver Peterson who in his twenties was shot and killed at his home which sat where the old Coffee County Bank now sits on Peterson Ave. This ended Uncle Benajah’s direct line.
Are there any known photos of Benajah?
I’ve been here a few times for funerals.
Does anyone know the name of the Stapleton that had a boarding house there? Or , are any family members still in the area? Thanks . Fay Stapleton Burnett, Winder, Ga.
Benajah imported the trees in front of the home, which now houses Sims Funeral Home, from India. He also donated the land that South Georgia College now sits on, as well as the land for the city cemetery where he had planted beautiful Cedar trees which he imported from Lebanon.
I think this is a long past relative.