Travel across several centuries of change in Northeast Georgia from the early American Indian tribes to the present day's unprecedented growth and expansion. In the late 18th century, waves of intrepid settlers made their way down the Great Wagon Road into the virgin wilderness of Northeast Georgia to find new homes and opportunity for land and wealth. Against a dramatic mountainous backdrop, these pioneers carved out farms and small communities in perilous isolation and created an American experience vastly different from that of the plantation-style society established along Georgia's coast. Battling Creek and Cherokee warriors, government intervention, natural disasters, and a landscape not easily tamed, year after year, these men and women of Northeast Georgia stamped their self-reliance, their perseverance, and their industriousness upon generations to follow and upon the very geography they called home. In Northeast Georgia: A History, readers will go inside the American Indian tribes that once made this place their hunting grounds to the present day when both industry and population grew. Truly a world unto itself, Northeast Georgia has served as a haven and destination for all classes over the past two centuries: the bold gold miners of 1829, the stalwart sustenance farmers, the social elite enjoying fresh mountain air at the many summer resorts, a multitude of businessmen seeking opportunity in railroading, cotton, lumber, and poultry farming and bootleggers finding the landscape convenient for clandestine whiskey-making and distribution. These stories and more provide insight into understanding a people and place unique in Georgia.

In the late eighteenth century, waves of intrepid settlers made their way down the Great Wagon Road into the virgin wilderness of Northeast Georgia to find new homes and opportunity for land and wealth. Against a dramatic mountainous backdrop, these pioneers carved out farms and small communities in perilous isolation and created an American experience vastly different from that of the plantation-style society established along Georgia's coast. Battling Creek and Cherokee warriors, government intervention, natural disasters, and a landscape not easily tamed, year after year, these men and women of Northeast Georgia stamped their self-reliance, their perseverance, and their industriousness upon generations to follow and upon the very geography they called home. In Northeast Georgia: A History, readers travel across several centuries of change, from the early American Indian tribes that once made this territory their hunting grounds to the present day, a time of unprecedented growth and expansion in both industry and population. Truly a world unto itself, Northeast Georgia has served as a haven and destination for all classes over the past two centuries: the bold gold miners of 1829, the stalwart sustenance farmers, the social elite enjoying fresh mountain air at the many summer resorts, a multitude of businessmen seeking opportunity in railroading, cotton, lumber, and poultry farming, and bootleggers finding the landscape convenient for clandestine whiskey-making and distribution. These stories and more provide insight into understanding a people and place unique in Georgia.

PAYTON/PEYTON Descendants from Northeast Georgia IV book fourth edition with its genealogical charts and source information in chronological order has been updated and revised as of 6 March 2019. This book is a documentation of William Payton, Junior and his sons, Cornelius, Leroy, William III, Gabriel, Moses and George and their descendants that left Amherst County, Virginia for northeast Georgia after the Revolutionary War in 1784 where land was free. The Revolutionary War left the people in Virginia penniless and restless in spirit. The Virginians had made great sacrifices to secure their country's independence. The Payton's started out poor, like so many of their fellow constituents at that time. William Payton, Jr. and family were first in Washington & Wilkes Counties before they settled on 300 acres of third quality land in Madison County before moving on. The Payton's hunted and fished for a living, while two sons of Cornelius; Richard & Isaac Newton were carpenters that probably built houses or made furniture. The Payton's had no slaves, very few farm animals, probably a one room log cabin, no schools so they couldn't read or write. They also had to contend with the Cherokee Indians and put up with other hardships as pioneers.In this edition, you will find a total of 4,415 Payton/Peyton descendants, 11 generations, 1,500 marriages, 976 different surnames, 254 obituaries, 96 photos/images, numerous short stories and transcribed newspaper articles throughout the book. This updated edition provides the most current known information with 108 type pages from an update file, 615 additional family members, 187 additional families and twice as many obituaries and photos since the second edition was printed. Also new in this edition is the William Payton, Sr. pedigree chart, a hand drawn land plat showing where the William Payton, Jr. cemetery is located. This book is privatized and contains no personal information about living persons ********************************************************************************************REVIEWS of the PAYTONs/PEYTONs of Northeast Georgia book: Joan Allen, Peyton Society of Virginia (PSV) Genealogist wrote: Congratulations and thank you for letting me know that your book is available. I would like to purchase three of your books; one for myself, the Library of Virginia and the National Society of Colonial Dames. Larry's work is recognized as the most thorough and exacting research and transcribing known to me. Raleigh Peyton wrote: I am about halfway through your book and have enjoyed reading every single page, as is my siblings who receive them as Christmas gifts. I can't tell you how humbled I am that a family member (you) who I didn't even know, would go through so much trouble and take so much time to create a history book of my family. I am forever grateful. Anne Barton wrote: The number of sources and the detail you provide are a tremendous boon to researchers and a worthy life opus!! I have not seen its equal in my researches. Congratulations and thanks so much doing this book.John Howard Payton wrote: Larry, I am very happy for you in completion of the book and proud to know the honorable author. I immediately ordered 10 copies with expedited shipping!!! Jerry Evans wrote: Larry, I received the book and have literally spent hours reading it. A lot of detail but a great job! My compliments to you. Theresa Hall wrote: You have done an excellent job on this book. Adding the documentation provides a look into their lives, not just names. Your hard work is very much appreciated.

Thrust sheets that underlie the Greenville quadrangle in northeastern Georgia and in northwestern South Carolina have been selectively metamorphosed and deformed during several Paleozoic prograde metamorphic events.

In 1996, Wilds Lovick Pierce II, owner of the Georgia Northeastern Railroad, and local supporters had a vision for a return of passenger rail travel in North Georgia. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway became a reality and carried its first passengers in 1998. Since then, over a millions passengers have experienced the joys of train travel through the mountains. The story of the scenic railway's inceptions and early days with volunteer staff provides an enjoyable read.