Free and Rowdy Party
Encyclopedia
The Free and Rowdy Party was a political party that operated in Atlanta, Georgia, during the middle of the 19th century. Although the mayoral elections of Atlanta are not contested along party lines, the first three mayors of the city were Rowdies, as members of the Free and Rowdy Party were called. They included Moses Formwalt
, Benjamin Bomar
, and Willis Buell
, each serving one year as per the city charter.
The Rowdies included many owners of distilleries, bars and brothels, represented most of what the city was, especially as an outpost along the railroads. They existed in direct opposition to the Moral Party, which called for temperance and chastity. The two parties were also said to differ on approaches to civil engagement, and so where the Rowdies were the party of militant disorder, the Moral Party promoted law and order.
Atlanta's fourth Mayor, Jonathan Norcross
, was a member of the Moral Party, and used city hall to so harass the Rowdies that many moved out of what was then incorporated into the city, to places like Snake Nation
and Murrell's Row.
The word Free in the party's name did not connote a support of the Abolitionist movement. Indeed, many served the confederate cause during the American Civil War
.
Moses Formwalt
Moses W. Formwalt was the first mayor of the city of Atlanta then in DeKalb County, Georgia. Atlanta was chartered in December 1847 and the first election of officers took place on January 29, 1848...
, Benjamin Bomar
Benjamin Bomar
Benjamin Franklin Bomar was the second mayor of Atlanta, Georgia. Bomar was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina and studied medicine in Charleston. He practiced medicine in America's first gold rush town of Dahlonega, Georgia for a number of years until he tired of the winters in the Appalachian...
, and Willis Buell
Willis Buell
Willis Buell was a native of Connecticut and third mayor of Atlanta. He was the first Justice of the Peace of the 1026th militia district and was said to be a talented portrait painter. He was a member of the Free and Rowdy Party....
, each serving one year as per the city charter.
The Rowdies included many owners of distilleries, bars and brothels, represented most of what the city was, especially as an outpost along the railroads. They existed in direct opposition to the Moral Party, which called for temperance and chastity. The two parties were also said to differ on approaches to civil engagement, and so where the Rowdies were the party of militant disorder, the Moral Party promoted law and order.
Atlanta's fourth Mayor, Jonathan Norcross
Jonathan Norcross
Jonathan Norcross , fourth Mayor of Atlanta, GA. Dubbed the "Father of Atlanta" and "hard fighter of everything." - Henry W. Grady - Personal life :...
, was a member of the Moral Party, and used city hall to so harass the Rowdies that many moved out of what was then incorporated into the city, to places like Snake Nation
Snake Nation
Snake Nation was a band consisting of Corrosion of Conformity members Mike Dean and Woody Weatherman, along with comic artist Brian Walsby on drums. While C.O.C. was on hiatus in 1989, Snake Nation released one album on Caroline Records. The music was a blend of the aggressive hardcore of...
and Murrell's Row.
The word Free in the party's name did not connote a support of the Abolitionist movement. Indeed, many served the confederate cause during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.