How Tritt Property Land Deeds from 1840 Survived the Civil War

Remnant of Sewell Mill on Sewell Mill Road (photo by B&E Roberts Photography)

These Land Deeds for the Tritt property from as early as 1840 are incredibly rare, because most every land deed in Cobb County was destroyed when the Marietta Courthouse burned in 1864 during the Civil War.  ​

This deed says that in 1840, Samuel Sewell bought 40 acres of the Tritt property from an original winner of the 1832 Georgia Gold Land Lottery, Angus MacMillian.    

In another Land Deed from 1856, it says Samuel's brother Isaac Sewell bought the other 40 acres of the Tritt property, also from an original winner of the 1832 Georgia Gold Land Lottery, Samuel M. Devereux.

Samuel and his brother Isaac Sewell owned the Sewell Mill, the ruins of which you can see today, on Sewell Mill Road.

According to genealogy records, by 1840 both Samuel and Issac "had moved their young families to Cobb County, Georgia. Isaac was a prosperous merchant in antebellum Marietta; Samuel a farmer and well-known Methodist minister."  

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The Sewells who bought the Tritt property also owned the Sewell Mill, which ground corn and wheat into flour for bread and other baked goods.  This is a current view of some of the Sewell Mill ruins visible from Sewell Mill Road.  You can view more images and read the history on what's left of the Sewell Mill here.  ​

Sewell Mill Ruin on Sewell Mill Road (photo by B&E Roberts Photography - click for website)

Interestingly, East Cobb Park was part of the original Tritt property the Sewell brothers owned and later sold to the Delks by the Civil War.  The property was later sold to the Delks, and then the Lassiters, before Odessa Tritt Lassiter willed the property to her nephew Norris Tritt in 1948.  More on that story here. ​

The 4 original land deeds are held by the Tritt family and will be part of the East Cobb History Center planned to be located in the Tritt family house at the new Tritt Park next to East Cobb Park.  ​This is what is written in the 4 framed deeds, although there's more written on the other side of the deeds, but an archivist will have to read them.  

(Frame 1)
 
This indenture maid and entered into this the 29 twenty ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight Hundred and forty (1840) between Arthur T. Whitehead of Cobb County and state aforesaid of the one part and Isaac Sewell other part witnesseth that the aforesaid A. T. Whitehead hath this day bargained sold and conveyed unto the aforesaid Isaac Sewell his heirs and assigns all that lot or parcel of land lying and being in the sixteenth district and second section of formerly Cherokee now Cobb County containing forty acres more or less known by the No. {965} nine hundred & sixty five drawn by Angus MacMillian lying in such shape and form as doth appear in said grant convey for the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars in hand paid the receipt where of is here by acknowledged by said Whitehead and the said Whitehead doth here by warrant and for ever defend the titles of said lot of land to the said Isaac Sewell his heirs and assigns free from the claims of any and all other persons to their own proper use benefit and behoof in fee simple in testimony where of the said Arthur T. Whitehead doth assign my name and affix my seal in the presents of us testify
 
Arthur T Whitehead AT (seal)
 
(Witnesses)
 Joseph Chastain
J.C. Carpenter J.P. (Justice of the Peace)
 
(Smaller folded document in the frame)
 
Power of Attorney
Angus M Millon
No 965-16-2
 
Georgia Cobb County
Clerks Office Superior
Court. Registered this
3rd day of April 1840
in Book F. Page 147


(Frame 2)
 
Georgia Hancock County - This indenture made this the twenty-third day of June eighteen hundred and fifty eight (1858) -- Between John Graybill and John B Rodney executors of the last will and testament of Samuel M. Devereux deceased of the one part and Samuel Sewell of the other part witnesseth that the said Graybill and Rodney as executors as aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred & seventy dollars to them in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivering of these presents the receipt whereof is herby acknowledged - do hereby grant bargain and sell unto the said Samuel Sewell his heirs and assigns all that contain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in the County of Cobb - known and distinguished as lot No. nine hundred and sixty six (966) in the sixteenth district second section of originally Cherokee now Cobb County - containing forty acres more or less to have and to hold said bargained land together with all the rights members and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto him the said Samuel Sewell his heirs and assigns to his and their own proper use benefit and behoof for ever in fee simple.-- And the said Graybill and Rodney do herby covenant and agree with the said Samuel Sewell his heirs and assigns that they are the legal representatives of the Estate of Samuel M. Devereux deceased and they further covenant and agree that they are by law entitled to convey all title of the estate of said ... (probably more on the other side)
 
(Smaller folded document in the frame)
 
1840 Deed from Norman McRae
by power of attorney from McMillion
 
Georgia Cobb County
Clerk's Office Superior
Court Registered this
3rd Day of April 1840
in Book F. Page 147.
E. R. Mills
Clerk

Part of the vision for the Tritt property, besides saving greenspace, is to have a place to preserve the history of East Cobb and all the families who first settled here and were so prominent in making East Cobb what it is today. 
 
East Cobb has a rich legacy and history we feel is important to save and pass on to future generations before those stories fade away.  Just as Roswell and Marietta have retained their historical identities, we also want East Cobb to do the same.
 
We can compile stories and pictures from families to create a place where our history isn't forgotten.  Let us know if you would like your family story told from the early days of Cobb County.   Email [email protected] to get in touch with us.  ​​​