Thought to have been designed by architect J. H. Russell for Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks (1845-1911) and his wife Kathleen Lamkin Jelks, this house has always been one of my favorites in Hawkinsville, even before its restoration.
I worried for many years that it would be lost, as it had become weather-worn and abandoned. The present restoration was done using a photograph provided the present owners by descendants of Dr. Jelks.
According to a post on Access Genealogy*, which I have abridged : Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks, fourth son of James Oliver Jelks and Mary Polhill, was born July 18, 1845, in Hawkinsville, Pulaski County, Georgia, where he died March 28, 1911. When six years old his family moved to Oglethorpe, Georgia, after two years moving to Hamilton County, Florida, where he received his early education, later studying in Augusta, Georgia. In 1863 he entered the Confederate Army, enlisting in Company I, Second Florida Cavalry, under General Jones…He was wounded at the Battle of Natural Bridge, Florida, March 6, 1865, in which the enemy was defeated. After the Confederates laid down their arms, he surrendered with his command at Baldwin, Fla.
When peace came again to the land, he entered upon the study of medicine, and was graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1868. He immediately began the practice of medicine in Hawkinsville, Ga. In this profession he gained distinction and success, was a member of the Georgia Medical Association, and at one time president of the South Georgia Medical Association…
In addition to his profession he was for many years connected with the drug business, and was one of the leading planters of the county. He was active in civic matters, serving his people whenever and wherever he could. He was one of the earliest members of the board of education that established our present system of public schools. His love and fidelity for his profession were only equaled by that for his church...
December 6, 1870, he married Kathleen Lamkin, daughter of James L. Lamkin, a prominent planter, and Sarah Dillard Lamkin. To them were born seven children: [Kathleen, Edwin Lamkin, Lilly, Needham Polhill, Mary, Maud, and Ruth].
December 20, 1892, Dr. Jelks was married a second time to Kate Pate, daughter of A. C. Pate, a distinguished judge of Pulaski County. To her two children were born: [Pate Anthony, and Georgia].
*-The original source appears to be: Rev. J. L. Baggott, Biographies of Pulaski County Georgia, Daughters of the American Revolution,1935.
My grandmother, Georgia Jelks McGriff, was the youngest child of Dr. Jelks. When I was growing up, her sister, Ruth Jelks, lived here and my grandparents lived next door. My cousins and I spent many hours playing here. Aunt Ruth was one of seven children by Dr. Jelk’s first wife, Kathleen Lamkin. Grandma’s mother was Katie Pate Jelks. I believe that my great-grandfather’s mother was Mary Polhill Jelks. The house is on the corner of Jackson and Merritt Streets.
Hi Brian, my Mama was from Hawkinsville and I remember her always saying we were kin to the Polhills and her genealogy book says the Jelks also. She was a Pate, her Mama was a Taylor and her grandmama was a Brown. Some from marshallvile I THINK. I love ❤️ your photographs!
Thanks, Rebecca! We may be related. I’ve got Pates and Browns from all over the Marshallville area in my family tree.
Please tell me the street name this house is on.
I’m not sure of the street name, Donna, but it is on US 129, just south from the McDonald’s heading toward Abbeville.
It’s on S. Jackson St, on the southwest corner of Jackson and Merritt Streets. Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks was the son of James Oliver Jelks, one of the founders of Hawkinsville, and Mary Polhill, daughter of Judge James Polhill.
Any ability to post a before-and-after since this sounds like a huge restoration project?
Thanks, ‘Nita Parry
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I have before pictures throughout the restoration. I go to different towns taking pictures of the towns and homes as a hobby.
Thank you Jamie for this I was hoping for more photos. I just love these kind of stories in photos!!!
Not to be a smartass, but is it Dr. Jelks or Jenks. Is this Jelks related to the Dr. Jelks who used to practice in Tatnall County and delivered me 67 years ago?
Keep up the good work!
It’s JELKS. It’s already been corrected, and no, I have no idea if he had any connections to Tattnall County.
Big house for its day !
Thanks Brian. Beautiful house. I am often pleasantly surprised how much sophisticated architecture beyond Greek Revival can be found in small southern towns if you just slow down and look around to see it!
Brian that is a Southern Treasure,
Thank you , Andy Jack