Travels in Georgia

Susan had never been to Georgia, and since my Dad's family has roots here, I wanted to show her a bit of my family history, and especially the beauty of the the old city of Savannah. So a few days before Christmas, we rented a car, and drove to Screven, Georgia, about 70 miles northwest of Brunswick.
Screven is the small town where my father, Leon A. King was born and raised. He and my mother, Texas C. King (T.C. to all her friends) are both buried in the King family plot in Screven, alongside my paternal grandparents, and many of their closest friends and relatives. I hope it doesn't seem morbid to you all, but I've included some photos of the family plot here.

My grandmother's home is still standing, is occupied and well maintained to this day by distant cousins. Susan was mildly impressed that Granny King's house is located on "King Street". It does provide some insight as to how long the family was there...

My Grandparents: Walter Berry King and Mattie Ritch King

My parents: Leon Ambrose King and Texas Cornelia King


Savannah was founded in 1733, and is the best-preserved of the old English Colonial cities in the South. It has the distinction of being the final resting place of four of the original signers of the Decalaration of Independence.
The Civil War is known here as "the War of Northern Agression", or "The Recent Unpleasantness". During that war, as General Grant's army was approaching, riots and looting broke out in the city, so a committee of leading citizens actually invited the Union army into the city as peacekeepers, thereby saving it from distruction by civil disturbance, or by the Union troops who would have laid seige to the place. The city cemetery was used by the troops as a campground, and unfortunately, some of the gravestones were defaced and/or uprooted. We found it a fascinating place. Savannah was laid out by its founder in a grid which included 24 parklike public squares planted with oak trees, which now provide shady areas for fountains, statuary, benches and walking paths.
Savannah - one of the 24 squares



The "Old Town" historic district is about two and a half square miles, bordered on the North by the Savannah River, which is still a busy seaport. The old waterfront district is fun, providing bars, saloons, and taverns, interspersed with shops and art galleries. Many of the old cotton warehouses, factor's buildings, and quayfront buildings have been converted to upscale offices and loft condominiums.
Susan and I had Christmas Eve dinner at Churchill's Tavern. They specialize in typical English fare, which is wonderful, as well as many varieties of European beers. We shared Bangers and Mash, a Shepherd's Pie, and Baked Brie, washing it down with Harp's light ale and white wine. We recommend the place for its hospitable staff and warm, traditional atmosphere.