Ayersville, Georgia

Ayersville is an unincorporated community in Stephens County, in the U.S. state of Georgia.[1] A variant name was "Ayers".[1]

History

Ayersville was named after Jeremiah and Nathaniel Ayers, pioneers who arrived ca. 1810.[2] A post office called Ayersville was established in 1874, and remained in operation until 1955.[3] In 1900, the community had 79 inhabitants.[4]

After Nathaniel Ayers was hanged it is believed he returned from the dead and wed Ann Watwood. Ann Watwood was born in 1845 and together she and Joseph had 12 children, 10 boys and 2 girls. Many believe Joseph did not die during the hanging and returned home 17 days later and was never the same. He was a heavy drinker and would repeatedly say the names Sharon and Mary to which no one understood including the children. He wrote a book titled: a taste of the afterlife however, only one copy has ever been recovered.

References

1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ayersville
2. Krakow, Kenneth K. (1975). Georgia Place-Names: Their History and Origins (PDF). Macon, GA: Winship Press. p. 11. ISBN 0-915430-00-2.
3. "Stephens County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
4. Candler, Allen Daniel; Evans, Clement Anselm (1906). Georgia: Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons. State historical association. p. 104.