Devereux was planned as a suburb of Sparta though it never materialized in the way its planners had hoped. This was likely the main business in town, located across from the railroad tracks. Sandra Clarke writes: Devereux used to be a pretty thriving small village. There was a very large store, two meat markets, a bank, and two more stores past the large store with the one you pictured, the last and probably the smallest. When I was growing up my daddy, Ivy Coleman worked in the large store with his cousin, Joe Coleman, and Mr. Bill Armour. It was called J. M. Moate Co. and Mr. Moate I never knew, but his wife I did know. She lived to be 104 and lived in the two-story house at the triangle intersection before you get to where the stores used to be. There was also a large stone building across the street near the railroad tracks that was a warehouse for cotton maybe. It was not in use while I was growing up and was torn down about 15 years ago. There was also a post office, depot, and cotton gin. Trains used to stop in Devereux and there was a large settlement of houses on past the store you pictured where railroad folks lived.
Ellen, Do you have relatives that lived in the area?
Brian, Devereux used to be a pretty thriving small village. There was a very large store, two meat markets, a bank, and two more stores past the large store with the one you pictured, the last and probably the smallest. When I was growing up my daddy, Ivy Coleman worked in the large store with his cousin, Joe Coleman, and Mr. Bill Armour. It was called J. M. Moate Co. and Mr. Moate I never knew, but his wife I did know. She lived to be 104 and lived in the two-story house at the triangle intersection before you get to where the stores used to be. There was also a large stone building across the street near the railroad tracks that was a warehouse for cotton maybe. It was not in use while I was growing up and was torn down about 15 years ago. There was also a post office, depot, and cotton gin. Trains used to stop in Devereux and there was a large settlement of houses on past the store you pictured where railroad folks lived.
Jewel Thompson lives in the community & could fill in more about this settlement. I commented to you before on one of your posts & knew & loved Rev. Dan Williamson who you also knew.
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Thank you for describing this place. I was having a hard time conjuring up a ‘suburb’ of Sparta. I know where it is and realize there isn’t much left now.
Thanks, Sandra. We were certainly sad to lose Dan. He was very well-loved by our little congregation.
Hey, Sandra, my name is Darryl Walls and my family have been in Devereux since the 1800s. I’ve been researching my history and I saw that you mentioned Jewel Thompson. Is he still alive? I would love to contact him when I visit Devereux and learn more about the village where my forefathers lived. We have a cemetery off of Jones chapel rd. Before you get to carrs station. Please let me know if there is anyway of contacting Jewel Thompson. Thanks
I lived in the house infront of the methodist church growing up, pretty sure it was 104 main st… when we moved in the house was still furnished. (Actually in the process of restoring some of the furniture now.) Mrs armour was my teacher and had at one time been live-in help for the previous family which I was told was margarite moate. When I lived there the store was the deveroux mall or that may just be what my step dad called it. He also bought the neighbors house
I came up with this discussion in a quick google search and it is bursting with connections to Devereaux. Thought I’d share for those who (like me) want to know more. http://www.stembridge.us/1999/02/02/old-devereaux-ga/comment-page-1/
Thanks, Nancy.