Photo taken by my cousin Marshal Brewton, his words below as well
My great uncle, James Milton Brewton, built this house near Claxton about 1895. The house was built of all local materials, and features a wrap-around porch, common in country houses of that era. Milton established a thriving farm which included a number of out buildings.
The house was built on property originally granted to Nathan Brewton in 1831, and was described as 475 acres (later deed transactions indicate 445 acres).
In the disposition of Nathan Brewton's estate in 1856, the property was bought by Nathan's son, Samuel Brewton.
In 1881, Samuel sold the property to his grandson, James Milton Brewton.
With the end of WWI, commodity prices fell, which hurt Georgia farmers.
The boll weevil crisis, in the early 20s, wiped out 2/3 of Georgia's cotton crops. The worst drought in Georgia history occurred from 1923 to 1927. As a result, Milton Brewton defaulted on his mortgage, and the property was sold by the mortgage holder, New York Life.
James Hoyt DeLoach purchased the farm in August 1927. Upon the death of Hoyt DeLoach in 1952, the farm passed to his son James Hoyt DeLoach, Jr.
Mr. DeLoach maintained the home and grounds like a gardens. he enclosed what was a breezeway/porch area on the rear right of the house, which then served as a living room, and the kitchen was modernized, but the remainder of the house is pretty much as it was when the house was built, and is in beautiful condition. From the aerial view of the farm, the newer roof extension can be seen. Most of the out building no longer exist. Mr. DeLoach invited me (Marshall Brewton) to stay at the old farmhouse when I visited the Evans County area, which I accepted. I have many great photos of the house, inside and out. Mr James Hoyt DeLoach, Jr passed away in November 2017.
Around 1990 I worked with my sisters cleaning service, this was one of the homes we cleaned.
The only other Mathushek Upright piano, other than the one I grew up taking lessons on was in that house
My Great Grandfather, Daniel Harrison Smith
married Nancy Brewton, hence my connection with them, but in truth the bloodlines all crisscrossed a lot.
He helped found the Tattnall Campground (a place for religious meetings)
These are some of the sons that survived into the 20th century
Far right is my Grand Father
Many people never traveled more than 10-20 miles from their place of birth, their entire lives. Marrying cousins down the road etc.
I have some ancestors, two brothers who married sisters, so tell me how THAT cousin derivation would be tracked ha ha ha
I don't even show on this old tree.
Ah well, I'm getting old and just wanted to share some family history
"Family roots"
by
Jerry E Smith
©01/05/2023
All images are my family property, or a screen shot
Of a map showing my family property.