Tag Archives: Georgia Federal Architecture

Seaborn Goodall House, 1815, Jacksonboro

10 Replies

This iconic home (also known as the Dell-Goodall House) was built by Seaborn Goodall in what was then the Screven County seat of Jacksonboro. Jacksonboro had a reputation as a wild frontier town in those early days, purportedly having more saloons than houses. During what would come to be known as “The Troubles” or “The Jacksonboro Curse”, well-known itinerant Methodist minister Lorenzo Dow came to town in 1821 to bring revival and to preach salvation to the unruly citizens. After having his service suspended by clamorous townsfolk who had spilled out of the saloons with that purpose in mind, he charged into one of the establishments and began to smash whiskey barrels. At that point he was nearly killed by the angry mob but was rescued by Seaborn Goodall who took him to the safety of his house and put him up for the night. As he was leaving town the next day, a mob approached him again but he was allowed to go. As he crossed the bridge over Beaver Dam Creek, he asked God to bring vengeance upon Jacksonboro, with the exception of Mr. Goodall’s home and family. Within a few years, every structure in the once-thriving town was gone except this one.

The house is protected by fencing today and was restored and is owned by the Brier Creek  Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Sylvania. The information here comes from a brochure they distribute, with a history by C. D. Hollingsworth, Sr. Many thanks to Kenneth Dillon Dixon for making me aware of this wonderful place.

National Register of Historic Places

Jones-Smith House, Circa 1833, Springfield

2 Replies

I’ve been fascinated by this house since I first saw it. Likely among the oldest in Springfield, it appears to be of the transitional Federal style. The date may well be earlier than 1833 but further confirmation is needed.

Thanks to Kenneth Dixon, who does such wonderful research on the families and dwellings in this section of Georgia, for the identification. He shares this description from Images of America: Effingham County: The Jones-Smith House in Springfield. The Jones-Smith House, built in the early 1800s near the courthouse, was owned by the Jones family in early Springfield. It was said that Brad Jones was hung for being sympathetic to the Northern cause in the 1860s. The house was operated as a “public house” during the 1830s. Later, Mrs. Ethelyn Mock bought the home and passed ownership to her daughter Monteen.

Springfield Historic District, National Register of Historic Places