If you’ve ever traveled Georgia Highway 125 between Fitzgerald and Tifton, you probably recognize this house, situated slightly west of Irwinville. I’ve been seeing it my entire life and only learned some of its history today. It was the home of Elbert George McClellan Fletcher (1866-1952), likely built around 1889, when he married his first wife, Mary Jane Elizabeth (Polly) Hobby Fletcher, who died in 1916. Upon Polly’s death, Elbert married Ruth Turner Fletcher (1870-1956) in 1917. The house was built as a dogtrot, and originally contained an annexed kitchen, which has since been removed. It would have been a “fancy” dogtrot compared to the cruder log structures usually associated with the style.
Winston McDuffie shared these memories of the house: Elbert was quite dignified, handle-bar mustache, and walking stick, sitting on the front porch in his rocking chair. I can’t remember him talking much, and Toby and Ruth were together talking so there was not too much for a 5-6 yr old boy to do. There was a fence across the front, the gate had a chain with a weight to pull it closed, and there was a pomegranate bush beside the gate, always a pleasure to pick one. There was a cane-grinding set-up in the right-hand corner (towards Tifton), under the Oak tree. We attended a cane-grinding a couple of times. There was a barn on the left side, back behind the house. I remember Mama and Deal would pick cotton for John (son) all during school. The house had a dog-trot hallway, with 4 doors (2 per side), and opened onto a porch all across the back of the house. There was another dog-trot off the porch to the separate kitchen. The first door on the left was the sitting room, and the other 3 were bed-rooms. Toby and I slept in the one adjacent to the sitting room when we spent the night. There was a full grand-father clock in the room, but I can’t remember what any other furniture was like. No grass in the yard, it was swept clean with gall-berry brooms.
What a pleasure to read the many comments and memories of this house! It also sounds as if it may have connected relatives. Wonderful! You do a lot of good with your site, Brian. Thank you! Hope this posting will bring more replies.
I noticed the name Toby in the old-timers recollection. My grandfather’s nickname was Toby, given name was Clifford A. Young. His parents Luther and Bessie moved him and the rest of the family to south Florida in around 1930-35 time frame.
Who owns the old Fletcher house now I’m a descendant of Elbert fletcher
Elbert Fletcher was my grandfather, Other Lee “Mack” McCollum’s great uncle. Elbert was his grandmother’s (Mary Ellen Fletcher Gay) brother. Although Elbert Fletcher had died by the time my mama was born, she remembers her daddy taking her to this house to visit relatives. She was a young girl and doesn’t remember their names, unfortunately.
Brian, just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. I have no real connection to GA except my folks were married there in Albany (1943) and my 1st ex-in-laws in Douglasville . I spend a lot of time looking at your photos and imagining how life must have been “back in the day”. This one was great with the previous comments of folks who had family connections!!
I sent the picture to.you both ways hope you enjoy.
Robin
I remember the sugar cane grinder in the side yard. That pure cane juice tasted awful! I remember the pomegranate bush in the clean-swept yard. I always wondered what they were for. Surely no one ate those things!The “dog-trot” through the main house led to a connecting porch to the kitchen and dining room. I remember, as a young girl, sitting at this large round table with a lazy Susan in the middle. The Pie-safe stood in one corner where Granny Ruth kept her sweet potato pies. Down the back stairs from the kitchen and across the yard was the out-house…a 2-holer! I guess that was “higher society” than having just a single holer! There was, I don’t know if it’s still there, a huge White Oak in the corner of the yard. One of my favorite playing places! This was my great-grand father’s house.
Uncle Elbert was my Grandpa Joe Fletcher ‘s brother.
Did you know Charlie and Vertelle Fletcher? They lived in Chula with her sister, Velma Pearce. Vertelle and Velma were my great aunts . We visited with them many times.
You informed me as to what a shotgun house was and now due to my ignorance can you tell me what a dog trot is. I loved your history of the house.
Victor, the dogtrot is generally a house of this size with an open hallway through the middle leading to a porch and sometimes a kitchen behind it all.
Thanks. I have been in several dog trot houses.
Great house. Wonderful description.
His father Wiles was my 4th great uncle making Elbert my 1st cousin 4xs removed I found a picture of him with one the wife’s . If you would like a copy email me. I ve seen this house in Irwinville when we go to do a reenactments at the Jeff Davis park. My great grandfather and grandmother are buried in Mystic, ga. One of my great grandfather’s is the person who bought the land where Jefferson Davis was caught running to Mexico. He did the land will always be in hands of a southern person so no damn Yankee could ever own it.lol my name is Robin Sharrow
Hey Robin, I remember Cousin Wiley, wasn’t it? and his wife. Can’t remember her name. Never really heard the term “dog trot” in relation to a house before. Now, a ‘shotgun’ house, you can stand at the front door and see all the way through to the back yard! Elbert’s daughter, Rachel, was my grandmother and she had a “shotgun” house. i guess that was the simplest way to do back then
I would like a copy of the picture you said you have..Is it “papa” Elbert and and a wife? Elbert’s first wife died when Rachel was 13 and that’s when he married “Granny” Ruth.
Dianne do you have Facebook or a email account I can send it too?
Robin
My email is singerdn@outlook.com; and I have a FB page also under my name Dianne Horsley
Where? Specifically. I drive that road every morning to work. My ancestor’s brother owned Bone’s Pond (Crystal Lake). They hung him.
My grandfather, Leon Lewis owned Crystal Lake in 40’s to 53 when he died then my mother and sisters inherited along with Jehu Fletcher
Messed that post up. Leon Lewis and Jehu Fletcher owned Crystal Lake until my grandfather’s death. My mother and her 2 sisters inherited their father’s half and my mother and one sister bought Jehu Fletcher’s half. Not sure who they sold to, but someone before Aycock and Morris.
My great-great grandfather!
I like the house very much !
Fascinating
Sent from my iPhone
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