This general store, identified by Doris Rhodes as the John Major’s Store, appears to be the older of two stores standing in Danburg. When viewed beside the Lindsey Store, it’s also a good example of differences, even with one style, that can be found in vernacular architecture. Both stores are of the shotgun variety, but this store is characterized by higher walls and windows, as well as a greater depth.
It originally featured a shed porch and had a gas pump out front. A 2008 Google Street View of the location confirms this architectural change.
New Ford Baptist Church began as a white congregation circa 1795, and typical of the times, had African-American members until the Civil War. It should be pointed out that the these men and women were almost certainly enslaved and therefore had no input as to their religious choice but at least in the case of this congregation, they embraced their church. The structure seen here was built in 1832 and purchased by Black members, who retained the New Ford name, in 1879. The two front steeples were added much later, likely the late 19th century.
It is the most historic African-American congregation in Wilkes County and the landmark structure and well-manicured churchyard and cemetery are exceptional. It is a truly inspiring place.
Danburg Baptist Church has its origins in one of the oldest congregations in the state. Established as Newford Baptist Church, a few miles from this location on the banks of Newford Creek, the church later changed its name to New Ford. In its early history, Black members attended, holding separate services. This was a common practice before the Civil War and by the late 1850s, Black members accounted for nearly 75% of the congregation.
In the late 1870s, white members of New Ford built this church near the Danburg crossroads and renamed their congregation Danburg Baptist. Black members purchased the New Ford church and retained the name of the original congregation.
Identifying this very isolated rural church has generated more questions than answers. Though it has generally been referred to as Jones Chapel, due to the fact that the road on which it is located bears that name, Richard Millman of Evans, working with our friends at Historic Rural Churches of Georgia, has confirmed that it was St. Johns Church.
In an article in the Lincoln Journal, Millman wrote: I spoke with an 87-year-old local man who began attending St. John’s church in the 1940s. He was one of the last two members and they closed the church. He also attended the Jones Chapel school that sat adjacent to the church. The school building is no longer standing. The man did not know of a Jones Chapel in the area. There are graves in the overgrowncemetery, but no history can be found on the folks buried there. The fact that the gentleman Millman spoke with knew nothing of the location of Jones Chapel, but that the African-American school associated with St. Johns Church was named Jones Chapel School, is curious. However, knowing that rural neighborhoods often take on the name of local landmarks, it may indicate that the community around this rural road was loosely known as Jones Chapel. Nothing about the location or history of Jones Chapel has been found, thus far.
Dating the structure is also difficult. Various resources date it to 1889, 1909, and 1920. I’m more inclined to go with the circa 1909 date, as I’ve seen many African-American churches built circa 1900-1920 with similar steeples. The vernacular three-bay-deep form was typical for both white and black congregations well into the early 20th century.
Update: The 1909 construction date has been confirmed locally.
All the guesses researchers have made regarding this church are logical, and though the full story may never emerge, it’s safe to say the church is not going to be around too much longer in its present state.
As always, one’s mind goes to many places, imagining the lives that must have been lived in an old homeplace like this one. Even in its abandonment, left to the elements, it still has a lot of stories to tell.
Thanks again to the Vintage Wilkes County group for the identification. This was Danner’s Store. Gloria Ulery wrote that the store was operated by her aunt Alma and uncle Albert. Both Danner’s and Powell’s are now used by the Standard Truck Parts business.
This old shotgun store was first owned by John Maloof but is best remembered for its association with owner John Powell, who had a residence in the back of the building. Rem Remsen was the last person to operate it as a store. Thanks to Bernie Henderson of the Vintage Wilkes County Facebook page for the identification.
Emory Ware wrote: Mr. Powell…was asleep one night when he awoke to see the grill of a Mack truck about 6 ft. in front of his bed , still running! The truck driver was unfamiliar with the road and didn’t stop but drove into the front of the store.
Sybert is a crossroads settlement in western Lincoln County. Other than the fact that it had a post office from 1899-1905, I can’t locate any history related to the community. I did, however, locate a John H. Sybert in a primary source, Lincoln County Will Book H: 1831-1869, via Historical Collections of the Georgia Chapters, DAR, Vol 1, 1926. Transcribed by Andrew Staton. It’s possible this general store or commissary was related to the historic farm mentioned in the previous post.
Looking at the intersection in online mapping surveys, I think hay has been kept at this corner for several years, at least. It surely makes for a perfect rural Georgia scene.
In the nomination form for the individual listing of this home on the National Register of Historic Places, the contributor wrote: The Chapman-Steed House is significant inarchitecture because it is an excellent and highly intact example of the Georgian House type in residential architecture in a small town setting. It retains its character-defining overall form and floor plan as well as many of its original exterior and interior building materials. According to Georgia’s Living Places: Historic Houses in their Landscaped Settings, a statewide context, the Georgian house is an important historic house type in Georgia. The two-story Georgian house is less numerous than the one-story Georgian cottage, but it was alsopopular from the first decades of the 19th century into the 20th century. Most examples of the type were built in larger towns and cities. While the Chapman-Steed House does not contain high-styleornamentation, it retains most of its original materials including its chimneys, stone piers, truncated hipped roof, full-facade, two-story front porch, doors, windows, stairway, and fireplaces with original mantels. Indeed the absence of applied stylistic ornamentation makes this house an excellent and clear example of the Georgian House type. The house was the home to two generations of a locally prominent family who were an integral part of the activities of this county-seat town. The builder andowner, W. C. Chapman , born 1866, built the house shortly after his marriage. Known as “Chapman the Grocer,” he ran a grocery in Crawfordville for many years. The house passed to his daughter, Mary Lela Steed, who was a public school teacher for forty-two years in Crawfordville. The house left the family in 1991.
National Register of Historic Places [individual listing] + Crawfordville Historic District [contributing structure]
