About

 

 

I am a backwoods bootlegged historian. At an early age, I became intoxicated with the brew of homespun stories about a Wilkes County, Georgia, community called Cohentown.

 

The first Sunday in August was the appointed time that we made our pilgrimage “back home” to the old landmark of Cherry Grove Baptist Church. That was the annual “Homecoming Sunday”. I saw friends and relatives from near and far journey down the Danburg Road. (I have many fond memories of the ever-exuberant Rev. Ervin Norman of Cherry Grove. In earlier years I recall the Rev. A. T. Zellars during his long pastorate at neighboring Mulberry.) Often times a relative or two who also hailed from Wilkes County would join us in the two hour ride from Atlanta. As a young boy, sitting in the back seat of our four-door Galaxy 500 Ford, I heard a multitude of stories; about people, places and events which all seem to have one thing in common – Cohentown, the "Garden Spot."

 

As a youth, this place with the odd-sounding name seemed to be reminiscent of a black version of the fictional city of Oz. But as I got older, and the questions probed deeper, I came to the realization that life was not so idyllic. But their history remains of great interest.

 

I have spent nearly 30 years digging in the archives of our family history. I feel as though I have gathered a great deal. But one thing I am certain of: how much more there is to know!

 

So the digging continues…