Gadson Town as we know it did not happen by accident. It is the result of faith, prayer, long suffering, careful planning, patience, love, romance, independence and determination to succeed -- handed down from one generation to another, each having his own part to play. The responsibility seems to have fallen on the eldest sons of the family.

It began in the 18th century, when two small boys from the Tribe of Gad were kidnapped and brought to Charleston, SC and sold to a planter.

(The Tribe of Gad was a group of shepherds who settled east of the central part of the River of Jordan following the march to the promised land described in the Bible.)

For entertainment, the planter ordered the newly acquired slaves to wrestle and for a reward the winner was to carry the tribal name while the vanquished would be given a new name. Our beloved ancestor was the victor and was ever after known as Gad. As he downed his opponent, he held his head in the sand until the referee pronounced the decision. His opponent was ever after known as "Sandy" because of the red sand in his wooly head.

Gad grew and became a favorite with his master's household. It was his job to see to it that his master had sufficient light to read to his household at night. Newspapers and magazines were rare, most of the reading was from the Bible.

This had a two-fold effect on Gad. As he crowded close to his master to hold the rich splinter of pine together to keep an even light, his eyes would follow where his master was reading. He soon learned to read, also to learn the Bible. He outgrew this job and was assigned to other duties.

Later he became the plantation minister, or preacher for the slaves. He married the belle of the plantation. Her name was unpronounceable with an English Speaking tongue, but it meant "spoon handle sit on a bench." Their first son was named Isaac Gad, who was familiar with Bible stories of the children of Israel, was sure that some day his seed would go free. All of his sons were named from the Bible.

Gad had to be very careful what he preached, and also keep secret his ability to read. Once he was overheard by his master preaching about freedom, and he was immediately taken into custody for severe punishment. They questioned him about his confederates and plans, but he escaped punishment by assuring them he only meant freedom from sin. He was forbidden to use the word "free", so he changed his phraseology and would say to his listeners that when they got over into that godly land their hours of toil would not be so hot, their huts would have floors in them, the crops would grow better and they would have enough to eat.

Gad's children and grandchildren thought him fogey, but respected his leadership, and hoped for the fulfillment of his prophecy. His son, Isaac, taught his oldest son, Elijah, to read. When Elijah was 12-years-old he resented his mother being tortured and beaten mercilessly by an overseer. His master sold him for $1,500.

At the age of 18, Elijah deserted his master, Jink Knott, and joined the U.S. Army under Elijah Knott. His education caused him to be promoted to an officer's rank. He served the government faithfully for four years, always with two purposes in mind: to preserve the Union and free his people from bondage, and to bring them to that godly land his grandfather so often spoke of in his primitive sermons. He had four years of fighting for the land of his dreams. As he marched through Tennessee, the clear streams, rolling hills and friendly people all made him wonder, "Could this be the place -- it is not too hot in summer not too cold in winter. The slaves fare better than elsewhere, and the lands are rich in minerals."

One day, while taking a walk near camp, he met a milk maid, who was his ideal, and he was hers. He had to move on with the troops, but promised her that when the was over he would return.

But first he returned home to his mother's, where he soon found to goodly land that Granddaddy Gad had spoken of was not to be found in Georgia. The colored soldiers were being called smoked Yankees, and the surroundings were unpleasant and dangerous.
Continued...

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