John Twiggs
Encyclopedia
General John Twiggs served as a leader in the Georgia Militia
during the American Revolutionary War
.
in 1750, and his family moved to St. George’s Parish in Georgia
in 1751. He married Ruth Emanuel, the sister of David Emanuel
, who served under Twiggs in his unit and later became Governor of Georgia. Twiggs had six children with the most notable being American Civil War
General David Emanuel Twiggs
.Another son was USMC Major Levi Twiggs
. A great-grandson of General John Twiggs was USMC Major General John Twiggs Myers
holder of the Marine Corps Brevet Medal
.
Twiggs served as a Lieutenant in a militia company raised in St. Paul's Parish (current-day Richmond County, Georgia
), and he was promoted to Captain on June 3, 1774. He led a company that was commanded by Colonel Samuel Jack during the Revolution. Twiggs was later promoted to Colonel, then Brigadier General (August 18, 1781), and finally Major General (September 8, 1791). He was wounded in a battle in Camden, South Carolina
; however, he continued to serve in the military after the Revolution.
Twiggs participated in the commission that selected the site for the University of Georgia
in Athens
, served as a trustee to that insitituion and contributed money for the building of the initial UGA Chapel on its campus. He was also appointed Justice of the Peace for Burke County, Georgia
in 1782 and served as a state Senator
from Richmond County in 1791.
Through a series of land purchases, Twiggs built Good Hope Plantation which stretched throughout Richmond County and into Aiken County, South Carolina
. He died at his plantation in 1816 and was buried there.
Georgia Militia
The Georgia Militia existed from 1733 to 1879. It was originally planned by General James Oglethorpe prior to the founding of the Province of Georgia, the British colony that would become the state of Georgia. One reason for the founding of the colony was to act as a buffer between the Spanish...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
Biography
Twiggs was born in MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
in 1750, and his family moved to St. George’s Parish in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
in 1751. He married Ruth Emanuel, the sister of David Emanuel
David Emanuel (Governor of Georgia)
David Emanuel became 24th Governor of Georgia on March 3, 1801 upon the resignation of James Jackson to become U.S. Senator from Georgia. Emanuel served until November 7, 1801, the remainder of Jackson's term, but did not seek re-election.Emanuel was a member of the Democratic Republican Party...
, who served under Twiggs in his unit and later became Governor of Georgia. Twiggs had six children with the most notable being 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...
General David Emanuel Twiggs
David E. Twiggs
David Emanuel Twiggs was a United States soldier during the War of 1812 and Mexican-American War and a general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
.Another son was USMC Major Levi Twiggs
Levi Twiggs
Levi Twiggs was an officer in the United States Marine Corps during the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars and the Mexican-American War.-Biography:...
. A great-grandson of General John Twiggs was USMC Major General John Twiggs Myers
John Twiggs Myers
John Twiggs Myers was a United States Marine Corps general who was most famous for his service as the American Legation Guard in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion.-Early life:...
holder of the Marine Corps Brevet Medal
Marine Corps Brevet Medal
The Marine Corps Brevet Medal, also known as the Brevet Medal, was a military decoration of the United States Marine Corps; it was created in 1921 as a result of Marine Corps Order Number 26. The decoration was a one-time issuance and retroactively recognized living Marine Corps officers who had...
.
Twiggs served as a Lieutenant in a militia company raised in St. Paul's Parish (current-day Richmond County, Georgia
Richmond County, Georgia
Richmond County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. As of 2010, the population was 200,549. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 199,486....
), and he was promoted to Captain on June 3, 1774. He led a company that was commanded by Colonel Samuel Jack during the Revolution. Twiggs was later promoted to Colonel, then Brigadier General (August 18, 1781), and finally Major General (September 8, 1791). He was wounded in a battle in Camden, South Carolina
Camden, South Carolina
Camden is the fourth oldest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina and is also the county seat of Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States. The population was an estimated 7,103 in 2009...
; however, he continued to serve in the military after the Revolution.
Twiggs participated in the commission that selected the site for the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in Athens
Athens, Georgia
Athens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
, served as a trustee to that insitituion and contributed money for the building of the initial UGA Chapel on its campus. He was also appointed Justice of the Peace for Burke County, Georgia
Burke County, Georgia
Burke County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population was 22,243. The 2007 Census Estimate showed a population of 22,754...
in 1782 and served as a state Senator
Georgia Senate
The Georgia State Senate is the upper house of the Georgia General Assembly .-Composition:According to the state constitution of 1983, this body is to be composed of no more than 56 members elected for two-year terms. Current state law provides for 56 members...
from Richmond County in 1791.
Through a series of land purchases, Twiggs built Good Hope Plantation which stretched throughout Richmond County and into Aiken County, South Carolina
Aiken County, South Carolina
Aiken County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,552; in 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 160,099...
. He died at his plantation in 1816 and was buried there.