Today as my wife and daughters went with my niece to see an enjoyable production of sleeping beauty, me and Jude spent the afternoon with my nephew William. I left it wide open for whatever they desired. Initially they just wanted to drive around Nana and Papa’s house in the gator, but eventually Jude decided he wanted to fire the flintlock. Although offered many times, William chose not to participate although he was a worthy sideline encourager. Jude has always been sensitive to loud sounds so I was a bit shocked when I repeatedly reminded him of the noise. We got out my 1806 Baker Rifle and loaded it up. The Baker was the rifle of the British infantry in the early 1800s. It was unique in that it was built so that it could be fitted with a sword bayonet so the troops could fall in with the British Redcoats carrying the Brown Bess and fight as line infantry if it was not being used as a skirmishing weapon. Jude got in position and pulled the trigger. Spark, Flash, BANG! The gun performed wonderfully. Jude initially stepped back and covered his ears, then started jumping and smiling yelling “I did it, I did it"!” Couldn’t be more proud.

Next the boys decided a playground was in order. Since rain was coming in wen ventured a few miles north to Cherokee Bluffs. I am glad the site is preserved and maintained by Hall County. I have always been taught to call it Puckett’s Rock. Legend has it when the Pucketts came to this area from South Carolina in the 1820s, that they spent the first year using the rock as shelter. (I think the year was 1828 since Solomon Puckett refers to that year as his first year of full residence in Georgia.) The boys enjoyed the playground and Jude played a fine rendition of twinkle, twinkle on the musical device there. The Thunder grew loud and close so we retired to the rock, just like our ancestors. (there is a joke in this somewhere). The boys had the most fun there. Climbing, crawling, jumping they enjoyed nature and were only mildly disappointed that we did not see bigfoot. (although they did see a nice metal cutout of him at “The Laser Guy” store near Wal-Mart). We walked and enjoyed the Cabin on the site, then prepared to leave. William said he did not want to go back yet, I offered to take them to a graveyard and I was surprised with dual barks of excitement.

We rode about 3 miles away to the original Friendship Church Cemetery where we paid our respects to Solomon Puckett. Solomon (my 3X great grandfather) was the son of Harris Puckett. Solomon was born in 1821 in the Pendelton District of South Carolina and came to Georgia in 1828. His father brought the family here to build a new life on recently acquired land. Solomon became a large landowner in the Friendship community resulting in the voting and Militia district using his last name. Although older by the time of the War Between the States, he was drafted into service and was wounded at the Battle of Kolb’s Farm (near Powder Springs, GA) on June 22, 1864. His wound caused the amputation of parts of his left hand including half of his index finger. That amputation can be seen in the portrait of him in possession of the State Archives in Morrow, GA. I wouldn’t have all this fun if not for my dad’s love and installation of history on me and the genealogical labors of my departed Uncle Dorsey.

After viewing Solomon and his wife’s grave site, we also walked the few steps to his son, Solomon and his wives then loaded up for the trip back to Nana and Papa’s. It was a great day for me, I hope the boys enjoyed it.

William and Jude under the rock where their 5X and 4X Great Grandfathers spent their first year in Georgia.

Solomon Puckett’s portrait from the Georgia State Archives, note the finger on his left had. An Injury from the Battle of Kolb’s Farm.

A portion of Solomon Puckett’s post war claim. (on file at the Georgia State Archives)

Solomon Puckett was with Company A of the 2nd State Troops. He would have been with Cumming in this map.