On Friday, the State of Georgia Society United States Daughters of 1812 met at Fort Wilkinson to mark its historical significance as one of the first forts along the Federal Road in 1812. The Nancy Hart Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution rededicated its marker to the fort.
Located off Vinson Highway, Ft. Wilkinson Road already hosts a road marker placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution. The U.S. Daughters of 1812 have marked every fort in the state and wanted to make their mark at this historical site as well.
The marking ceremony began with state president Lynne Allen Tate welcoming those in attendance and introducing public officials who made their way to the fort for the dedication. Tate noted that the sale of the shooting star pins worn by some members helped fund the marker.
Before the marker's dedication and unveiling, Milledgeville Mayor Pro Tempore Denese Shinholster read a proclamation on behalf of the city and thanked the chapters for making an effort to highlight local history.
She noted that the fort is the cornerstone that made the building of Milledgeville possible.
“For such a small spot, it played an exponentially large role in what has become our Milledgeville of today,” said Shinholster.
Fort Wilkinson was established in 1797 and was an early trading post for Creek Indians receiving agricultural supplies. In 1802, the Treaty of Limits took place between the U.S. and Creek Indians, which extinguished Indian titles to land westward to Commissioner’s Creek.
After the marker's unveiling, most in attendance headed further up the road to the fort's actual site, where the DAR rededicated its existing memorial.
“Nothing is really ended until it is forgotten. Whatever is kept in memory still endures; therefore, we, the members of the Nancy Hart Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, dedicate this marker in grateful recognition of the significance of this site. May it help to keep alive an appreciation of our heritage,” said Maggie Shiver, regent of the Nancy Hart Chapter.
The fort site rests near the bank of the Oconee River, where the families of soldiers lived just outside the fort. In 1807, the garrison was moved to Ft. Hawkins on the Ocmulgee River.
Amelia Pelton, chaplain of the Nancy Hart Chapter, noted the importance of continuing celebrations like these and spreading the word to younger generations about the significance of understanding and appreciating history.
“We have 8,000 members in Georgia of all ethnicities and genders, and we welcome anyone who can prove lineage to a revolutionary patriot who fought or gave aid, both men and women, during the American Revolution,” said Pelton.
Following the ceremony members and guests made their way to the Milledgeville Country Club for a luncheon and program where guest speaker Maurial Jocelyn gave a history of the fort.
After a welcome from Tate and lunch, Jocelyn spoke about relationships between white settlers and the Creek Indian nation and the beginning of the fur trade system at the fort. She continued by recalling the fort's history.