William Henry Hodges, ( 1770- 1849 )Pioneer Settler and Sheriff of Tattnall County, GA

William Henry Hodges was a pioneer settler of Tattnall County, Georgia in the 1790's.  He was a charter member, helped build Anderson Church and was the first burial there after his death on August 24, 1849. He was a farmer, civic leader and Sheriff of Tattnall County, 1832-1834.  He was born on June 19, 1770 in Beaufort Co, N.C. to John Robert Hodges, Sr., Revolutionary Soldier and Tabitha Little Hodges of Bertie County, North Carolina.  He came with his parents to Georgia soon after the Revolution, and they settled in that part of Burke County made into Screven County in 1793. 
William's first wife was Ann ( 1780- 1815 ), daughter of Abraham Blitch of Effingham.  Their children were:  James M.  ( m. Ann McCall), Cynthia ( m. Irvin Moore), Elizabeth( m. Obediah Garrett), William Riley (m. Nancy Leigh: Wm Lee, Mary, James Jackson, Willis Alex, John Riley, Martha Eliz., Henry Jesse), Samuel ( m. Elizabeth Daniel) and Willis Alexander Hodges (m. Mahala Jones) .  
He served as a private in the Effingham County Militia in 1794 in Capt. Nathaniel Hudson's Company.  In the War of 1812 he served in Capt. Robert Quarterman's Company, Second Regiment (Pray's), Ga. Militia, Liberty County. 
William Henry Hodges' second marriage was to Hannah Colson (Oct 1, 1787-August 30, 1870) the daughter of Benjamin Martin Colson.  Hannah had migrated here from Screven County, GA with her brother Benjamin Martin Colson, Jr.  and her mother (also named Hannah) after her father died in 1798.  William Henry Hodges and Hannah first settled on a farm near Anderson Church and later lived near what is now Bellville, GA on a spring head near the entrance of GA Pacific.  It was common for log homes of this era to have dirt floors.  Children of William and Hannah were Seaborn R., Samantha, Irwin Jackson and Phillip Powell Hodges.

Tattnall County Deed recorded September 4th, 1849 made by William Hodges on July 18, 1849;  " for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which he has and bears to his son Seaborn R. and Irwin J. Hodges and his son in law Elmore Callaway hath given granted and conveyed and does by these presents give grant and convey unto the said Seaborn R. Hodged, Irwin J. Hodges and Elmore Callaway - 300 acres granted to Charles B. Mulford dated November 1, 1814.  Also one other tract containing 83 acres granted to Lewis Williams dated December 8, 1818."  Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Simon Smith, Benjamin Brewton and James B. Smith, J.P.    William W. Rogers, Clerk.    William Hodges (his mark)

Tattnall County Deed recorded November 15, 1830 made December 25, 1815.  William Hodges, planter, purchased land from Paul Bevell and wife Sarah of Screven.  The 400 acres in Tattnall County was bounded at the time of survey by vacant land.  It is of note that William's first wife, Ann, died in 1815 and William married Hannah Colson mother of Seaborn R. Hodges born April 26, 1816 in Tattnall County.


Tattnall County Deed recorded November 18th, 1850.  Seaborn Hodges and his mother Hannah administrators of the  estate of William Hodges sold two tracts of land, one containing 300 acres granted to Charles B. Mullford, grant dated 1st November 1814 and another tract containing 500 acres it being a part of a tract containing 830 acres granted to David Henessey, grant dated the 7th December 1815.  Tracts were sold to Benjamin Brewton at the price of six hundred sixteen dollars being the highest and best bidder.  Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Irwin J. Hodges and James B. Smith c. s. c.   
Seaborn Hodges       Hannah Hodges

References:  Anderson Church Cemetery,  Sadie Hodges Presson, Lucille Hodges & Jewel Branch Hodges Interviews, Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia Volume V by Folks Huxford, Tattnall County Census, Deed & Court Records, Georgia Genealogical Magazine, Volume V.