In this issue:

• Upcoming Speakers and Events
• Society Earns City of Milton's Legacy Award
• Five Years of Fun - Autumn Shindig
• Young Milton Historian
• Did You Know? Ball Ground Historic District?, Remember the Ladies, and more
• Could You Deliver Mail in 1959 Milton?
• From the Archives - Milton High Volunteer
• Cherokee Gold - A Legend
• New Book Corner - "The Ride"
• Family Holiday Recipes from the Editorial Board

Join Milton history buffs for the following programs in the Georgia 250 Lecture Series, a Milton Library-sponsored event in cooperation with the Alpharetta and Old Milton County Historical Society and the Milton Historical Society:

Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 6:30 p.m. Milton Branch Library - "John and Abigail Adams" by Dr. Marianne Holdzkom, Kennesaw State University

Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m. Milton Branch Library - "The Revolution in Georgia" by Dr. Greg Brooking, North Springs High School

"At the City of Milton’s Annual Awards Dinner Thursday, November 6, 2025, Mayor Peyton Jamison presented the Milton Historical Society with the City’s community-nominated Legacy Award in recognition for MHS’s visionary leadership, selfless service and enduring contributions to the City of Milton. In seven short years, our Society has left an indelible mark on our community that should inspire future generations.

"Thank you all for your nomination for this award. We should take pride in our exemplary contribution to the Milton community."

With Appreciation,

Jeff Dufresne

The Award reads:

In recognition of a lifetime of visionary leadership, selfless service, and enduring contributions to the City of Milton. Your unwavering dedication has left an indelible mark on our community, inspiring future generations. Your legacy will continue to shape and enrich Milton to years to come. 

November 6, 2025

While only minutes before the sound of muskets filled the air, the plaintive call of a Native American flute, with brief harmonica riffs and the steady pulse of a drum, floated across Wildberry Creek Farm and mingled with the September breeze. The music threaded through the crowd of over 200 people, from grandparents to young children, setting a reverent tone for the Milton Historical Society’s fifth annual Autumn Shindig held on September 28th. 

Sons of the American Revolution helped open the Shindig

Photo credit: Leslie Watson

Flutist John Ousley with wife Lisa

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

History enthusiasts gathered beneath open skies on a perfect autumn afternoon to share stories, browse artifacts, and reflect on the past while looking ahead to the future of Milton. President Emeritus Jeff Dufresne praised the society’s work to safeguard Milton’s story - reminding guests that Milton is more than a suburb of Atlanta and that preserving its character matters for generations to come. He acknowledged Byron and Laura Foster, who have been generously hosting the Shindig on their farm for the past five years.

Laura and Byron Foster

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

The Heard - L-R: Larry Germain, Ricky Payne*, Sally Stites*, Cindy Olsen, Doug Olsen, Bill Long*

*Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame Honorees

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

While the bluegrass band, The Heard, played in the background, a steady stream of people queued for lunch, provided by ’Cue Barbecue and tasty craft beverages generously donated by Six Bridges Brewing and Craft Spirits, a long-time sponsor of the Society.

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

Both children and adults gravitated to activities like hayrides that passed grazing cows (including a newborn calf!), beautifully restored antique cars, a display about the restoration of the McConnell-Chadwick House and a demonstration on traditional brickmaking.

Society Patron and Volunteer

Jack Miller

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

1909 Cadillac courtesy of Jim and Linda Farris

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

By day’s end, the Shindig brought the community together to honor the past, thank the volunteers who continue to keep local history alive, and reinforce a shared commitment to preserving Milton’s unique heritage. 

Parking by Milton Cadets with Officer Rebecca Tidwell

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

Society Patron and kids’ activity volunteer

Marley Bollinger

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

Kids’ activities volunteers Mason Christiansen and

Landon Penman

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

Local woodworking artisan Cyndi O’Rourke and husband Tom

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

 Jake, the burro from Jack of Trades

Donkey Rescue, with admiring fans

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

2024 Shindig craft event: weaving by Lynn Tinley with Gena Brown

Photo credit: Becky Fricton

  We hope to see you next year at the Shindig!

Ruby Burgess, a talented local student, received FREE Student membership in the Milton Historical Society for one year for her creative and colorful submission to the Autumn Shindig and Crabapple Festival coloring contest. 

Ruby Burgess and her brother Cannon shown here at the Autumn Shindig.

Photo credit: Oksana Solovei

Ruby is a very active 4th grade student at Summit Hill Elementary. She enjoys reading and art and is very athletic, which we witnessed firsthand at the Shindig! Ruby plays soccer at Rush Union Soccer and tennis for the Milton Tennis Center. Ruby and her family love to travel, and even though she is only 9 years old, she has visited all 48 contiguous states. Ruby has a great future ahead of her!

Wreaths Across America Reminder

Saturday, December 13 at 12:00 noon, Wreaths Across America ceremonies will be held in North Fulton at 10 cemeteries. In North Fulton alone, 340 graves will be honored with wreaths from Maine.

Milton cemeteries holding ceremonies include: Providence Baptist Church and Boiling Springs Primitive Baptist Church. 

To attend a ceremony, please email Jennifer Boren at jfboren52@gmail.com for details. WAA is a program of the Patriots of Liberty Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter in Alpharetta.

A Nearby Preservation Project -

Historic District in the Works for Ball Ground, GA

An update from Preservationist Swathi Jayakumar

“I wanted to share an update on what we have planned for the Ball Ground project.

"During the two-night stay in Ball Ground to carry out the survey, I will walk around the area to identify and document historic buildings, noting their current condition. We also plan to locate additional buildings within a 40-year timeframe near the older historic structures that still retain their integrity.

"After completing the survey, I will fill out the Georgia Historic Resource Survey forms with my findings. We will then have a meeting to review the data for accuracy. Finally, I will convert the findings into a GIS map format that the city can use for future planning and preservation efforts.

"This is what we have planned so far. While I’m not certain how everything will pan out, I hope to complete the work by December. For now, this volunteering opportunity is helping me gain valuable field experience that I can add to my resume.

"Thank you for your support.

"Best regards,
Swathi Jayakumar”

Note: Swathi is volunteering with History Cherokee.

Georgia Historic Preservation Conference - Athens 2025

The McConnell-Chadwick House received some additional state-wide exposure at November’s Georgia Historic Preservation Conference, held in Athens. Swathi Jayakumar was asked to do a presentation on her Capstone project for her Masters in Historic Preservation, earned in May 2025 at Georgia State. Swathi's presentation featured the excellent poster (pictured here) on her assessment of the condition of the house and suggestions for its restoration.

The poster session was organized by Professor Chad Keller, Director of the Master of Historic Preservation Program at Georgia State. According to Keller: 

"This session is an opportunity for current students and recent graduates (no more than 5 years out) to present their work in a professional setting and introduce them to the larger preservation community of Georgia. Oral presentations may be a bit daunting for those new to the field, and a poster session is a great way for them to gain that first conference experience. Topics will focus on issues impacting historic preservation, public history, or related fields."

Swathi's report: "People really liked it. And some people already know about the project, they said they're so happy to see the progress."

Many thanks to these helpers:

• City Engineer Sara Leaders and David Bergmaier for putting together an update on the restoration efforts to date.
• Carl Jackson for photos of the boarding-up progress.

Thanks to everyone supporting the restoration!

Construction News: City staff continues to stabilize the McConnell-Chadwick house. The boarding up of windows and tarping holes in the roof are evidence of the ‘drying-in’ to prevent water intrusion. The plans for structural stabilization are complete. The City is planning steps to proceed with formal bids or quotes. All are necessary steps in preservation.

Thanks to Carl Jackson for these photos from our Facebook page.

Remember the Ladies -

Little-known Women at

the Beginning of our Republic

We know Martha, Abigail, and Dolly but here’s a peek at a few other first ladies!

Elizabeth Kortwright Monroe -

1768-1830

Unlike her predecessor Dolly Madison, Elizabeth Monroe insisted on privacy and refused the hostess role at the White House.

A statuesque beauty, called ‘la belle Americaine’ when she lived in Paris, she helped secure the release of Lafayette’s wife from prison during the Reign of Terror.

• Place of Birth: New York City
• Parents: Laurence and Hannah Aspinwall Kortwright
• Husband: James Monroe
• Children: Eliza, Maria Hester
• Death: Oak Hill, Loudon County, Virginia; later buried in Richmond.

Guest’s description of Elizabeth Monroe at a New Year’s Day reception, 1825:

“Her dress was superb black velvet; neck and arms bare and beautifully formed; her hair in puffs and dressed high on the head and ornamented with white ostrich plumes; around her neck an elegant pearl necklace. Though no longer young, she is still a very handsome woman.”

Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams -

1775-1852

The only foreign-born first lady, Louisa Johnson grew up in London and in Nantes, France where her family took refuge during the American Revolution. She first met her future husband in France on a trip with his father, John Adams.

As first lady she planted a variety of trees and shrubs on the White House grounds, experimenting to find a suitable climate for silkworms.

• Place of Birth: London, England
• Parents: Joshua and Catherine Nuth Johnson
• Husband: John Quincy Adams
• Children: George Washington Adams, John H. Adams,
  Charles Francis Adams
• Death: Washington, D.C; buried in Quincy, Massachusetts

In 1797, Louisa married John Quincy Adams, a foreign minister during his father’s presidency, in London. She moved to America when Adams was elected Massachusetts state senator. They lived periodically in Berlin, St. Petersburg, and Paris while on diplomatic business.

In 1814, she traveled 40 days through war-ravaged Europe with her 8-year old son from St. Petersburg to join John in Paris. In 1824 she hosted a ball for General Jackson at the White House and the next year, hosted Lafayette during his U.S. visit.

Adapted from “The Timechart of Presidents and First Ladies” by Barbara Greenman; Michael Stephenson LLC/Worth Press Ltd 2005

Milton Business Council Meeting

On October 28, 2025, the Milton Historical Society was invited to partner with the Milton Business Council for a joint event. The spacious Roof Top at Crabapple Market was the venue for the breakfast meeting. This informal setting allowed Society supporters to meet, and connect with, members of the Milton business community.

The networking event included displays of Society historical artifacts from our archive collections. Numerous posters highlighted Milton's 28 historical markers; table-top displays included lottery deeds from the Pearson family's Hopewell Road acreage, and authentic John Milton (Georgia's first Secretary of State) letters and signatures. 

James Farris describes John Milton artifacts

Display of Milton's 28 Historical Markers

Byron Foster explains 35 deeds from his family's farm land

Welcoming remarks included presentations by Jeff Dufresne, Milton Historical Society President Emeritus, and Jamie Bendall, Chair of the Milton Business Council. Jeff greeted fellow members of the Milton Business Council and stated that “when we learn about our town’s past, we can honor its spirit." Jeff spoke about Society endeavors in history education, creation of the Milton historical markers, and recent preservation efforts including the McConnell-Chadwick house and the Double Branch Court House. 

Jamie talked about the importance of community groups forming strategic partnerships and working together for mutual advancement. The Council believes that encouraging professional relationships creates opportunities for business connections and engagement.

Mayor Jamison and

Jamie Bendall

Bill Lusk and Society Patrons Howard and Marley Bollinger and Jolanda Van Hook

Special thanks to Sophia Klumb, with the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce (GNFCC), for arranging the meeting and organizing an elegant event. Refreshments were supplied by Society Board members Jenny Doyle and Byron Foster.

About the Council: Formerly the Milton Business Alliance (MBA), Milton Business Council was run by volunteers since its inception in 2020. Over the last five years, the Milton Business Council has been run by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce. The Council focuses on marketing local Milton businesses and providing support for their growth and prosperity. 

MBC hosts quarterly meetings in Milton to attract more attention to Milton businesses as well as working with Milton City Government to support local businesses.

Bailey-Johnson School and Community

Free Documentary Showing in Roswell

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

Roswell Cultural Arts Center - 950 Forrest Street

Honoring a school, a community, and a legacy of resilience.

Presented by Roswell Roots and the City of Alpharetta, this moving documentary by filmmaker Mark Maloney tells the story of the Bailey-Johnson School, which from 1950 - 1967 provided vital educational opportunities for Black students in North Fulton. Featuring interviews, photos, and first-hand accounts, the film celebrates the legacy of the school, the community that built it, and the leaders who fought for equality in education.

The documentary can also be seen on YouTube at the following link. It can also be found on the city’s website under the Arts, Culture, and History section at Learn Local History. The film premiered June 18, 2025 at Alpharetta City Hall to a standing-room-only crowd.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSBolxrdvos

City of Alpharetta website: https://www.alpharetta.ga.us/371/Learn-Local-History

This gem was a handout from the Society’s program on Old Milton County post offices. Presenters sharing their research were Ed Malowney, Connie Mashburn, and Barbara Latham.

The document is an "Official Rural Route Description” of an Alpharetta route dating from December, 1959.

Look closely and you’ll note names of streets we use every day. The canny carrier would need to know many of the residents in order to follow the route.

Salary for the entire route was $5,175.00 per year. Each leg of the route showed the distinct mileage. (The transcription below is pretty much as typed in ’59. Bullets were added to facilitate reading.)

It would be fun to try and follow the route - all you need is a compass and a tank full of gas! A map or a wing man to read the directions might help, too. We wonder how long this trip would have taken?

“Starting at the post office, the carrier will travel as described below:

• Northerly on Mayfield Road to Diana Drive, west and southerly on Diana Drive .35 and retrace, .70 and northerly to Freemansville Road, North to Providence Road, west on Providence Road .25 and retrace, .50 North to Tucker corner .50, and easterly .27 and retrace .54.
• Northerly to WOOD ROAD, .15 ON WOOD ROAD AND RETRACE, .30, and east to Freemansville Road, Northerly on Freemansville Road to Nix Road
• Westerly on Nix Road 1 mile, southwesterly on Birmingham Road .15 and retrace, .30, and north on Birmingham Road to Birmingham
• Westerly on Hickory Flat Road to Rowe corner
• Southerly on Rowe Road .90 and retrace
• North via Chester to Nesbit corner
• North to Johnson’s and northwest to Holland’s
• South .55 and retrace
• Northwest via hendrix to Watson corner
• Easterly via Hartford Cross Roads to Little’s
• Southeast and east to Rhodes corner
• Northeast to Hagood’s .40 and retrace
• Southerly to Bull Pen Road
• Northerly on Bull Pen Road 1:00 and retrace
• South .10 and easterly to Freemansville Road, 1 mile
• Northerly on Freemansville Road .75 and retrace
• Easterly to Henderson Road, Northwesterly on Henderson Road 1 mile and retrace, thence easterly to Day Road, northerly on Day Road .65 and retrace, 1.30, thence easterly to Hopewell Road
• Northwesterly on Hopewell Road
• Easterly to Westbrooks Road, Northwesterly on Westbrooks Road 1 mile and retrace and northerly on Hopewell Road to Pearson corner
• Northeast to Land Road, East and northeast on Longstreet Road 1.65 and retrace to Land Road, North and west on Land Road .40
• North to Latham Corner 2 miles, Northerly .20 and retrace, .40, East to Baker corner, Southwest .60 and retrace, 1.20, and west to Smith corner
• Northerly to Purcell corner
• North .50 and retrace
• Southeast to Camp Ground corner .10, easterly 1.125 and retrace
• Southeast to Lewis corner and east .25 and retrace
• Southwesterly to Henderson corner
• Westerly .90 and retrace, south to Phillips Road .50, Southwesterly on Phillips Road .50 and retrace, South to Wilson corner, 1.40
• Southwesterly to Hopewell .77 southerly to Wood corner .90
• Southwesterly to Densmore Road, northerly on Densmore Road .58 and retrace, thence southwesterly to Watkins Road, Westerly on Wilkins Road .20 and retrace, .40 thence southwesterly to Red Road
• Westerly .50 and retrace, 1 mile, Easterly on Red Road .10 and retrace, .20, and south to Bethany Road .90
• Southwest to Providence .20 southwesterly and south to Mayfield Road
• Southeasterly to Post Office”

Ed Malowney

Barb Latham and

Connie Mashburn

Senior volunteer Samantha Paiva and chaperone Mercedes Brown

Photo credits: Kathy Beck

Milton High School Senior Samantha (Sam) Paiva volunteered on November 19, 2025, at the Society as part of Milton High School’s annual Senior Service Day accompanied by Mercedes Brown. Sam is interested in art history and plans to major in art history after graduating from Milton.

Already collecting books about art history, she is another true history lover in the making. During her morning at the archives, her project scope was to identify/inventory the wall mounted agricultural tools donated by Bill Lusk and create a quick reference wall mount for future visitors. 

Antique tools at the Society office donated by Bill Lusk

If you have been in the Society Headquarters and archive office, you will have seen many tools mounted on the wall, but may not know what they are or know how they were used. She took an enthusiastic interest in this along with her chaperone, Mercedes Brown. We had some great discussions about these tools and life on the farm when Milton was mostly farm land. We now have a numbered photo document with some explanatory text mounted on a cabinet in the center of the office between the two walls of tools.

We are grateful for her time and finished product as seen in the photo. Thank you, Sam and Mercedes! 

Educational tool inventory created by Sam

"Each day cars whiz by a nondescript pile of stone north of Dahlonega, occasionally slowing to read the historical marker. The rocks are the grave of a Cherokee who loved the forest and called the mountains of North Georgia home. Trahlyta, according to legend, lived on a mountain near her grave. She was told to walk along a path, drink from the spring and wish never to grow old by the ‘Mountain Medicine Man’ or the Witch of Cedar Mountain, depending on which legend you believe. "You will become more beautiful with each sip,” the voice told her. She followed the path and drank from the spring. Word of her beauty quickly spread. Desoto the explorer reportedly sent soldiers to investigate her ‘Fountain of Youth’ as witnessed by a Spanish conquistador helmet that was found not far from the spring.

"The Cherokee warrior Wahsega, whom she rejected as a suitor, kidnapped her and took her west to his home. She begged and pleaded for her release, but Wahsega would not permit it. With each day her strength waned, her happiness gone, longing for her mountain forest. Crying tears of pure gold as she lay dying, Trahlyta asked to be buried in the mountain paradise from which she had come. "Strangers, as they pass by, may drop a stone on my grave and they too shall be young and happy, as I once was." She said, "What they wish for shall be theirs!”

"The legend grew, and soon all passersby, would pick up a nearby stone and add it to her grave for good luck. Today her grave is in Stonepile Gap, the spring still exists, and the mountain she lived on, Cedar Mountain, is just a stone's throw away.

"Twice the Department of Highways has attempted to move the grave during road construction. Both times at least one person died in an accident while moving the pile. The stone grave remains today in the same place it has always been. Porter Springs, in the latter 1800s and early 1900s was site of a popular health spa to which people came from all across the planet to soak in and drink the water. The hotel burned to the ground in the early 1900s, but the series of springs are at the foot of the mountain, and they still run sweet and clear."

A Facebook post accompanying the article: “I remember as a child many times on Hwy. 60 from Dahlonega going into Suches, Georgia, we'd pull off the road and get a rock to place on the grave.”

Further information is available at:

Smoky Mountain Living Magazine

“Stone Pile Gap and a Fountain of Youth” August 1, 2017

BlueRidgeHighlander.com

“Mysterious Places in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains - Witch of Cedar Mountain”

Kate Seng of Poe and Company Bookstore has graciously offered to update us on recent history-related publications in our quarterly newsletters.

Paul Revere Monument

The Ride: Paul Revere and the Night that Saved America by Kostya Kennedy was released in March of 2025. Koysta uses relevant details to portray a new twist on a poignant historical account of the famous midnight ride.

He describes a series of events that include multiple riders including William Dawes and Samuel Prescott. This reimagining shines a bright light on the importance of a popular historic event and gives it new life through family letters, diaries, and new accounts.

Kostya is Editor in Chief of Premium Publishing at People, Inc. He is a former assistant managing editor and senior writer at Sports Illustrated. He has been a staff writer for numerous outlets including The New York Times, Time, FiveThirtyEight.com, and The New Yorker.

Notable Review:

“As recognizable as the name is, we did not know the real Paul Revere until Koysta Kennedy revealed the man in full in The Ride. Thanks to a fascinating, detailed narrative, we discover not only Revere’s heroism on that fateful night, but the larger and dangerous role he played with other famous patriots in creating a new republic.”

Tom Clavin, New York Times bestselling author of Bandit Heaven.

1890 Heritage Walk, Suite P101

Milton, GA 30004

770.797.5566

Most of us have a recipe file (usually with a preponderance of sweets) that include handwritten recipes much like Patti’s grandmother’s.

These hand-me-downs from our past connect us with our heritage and recall memories of happy times with a beloved aunt or grandma. We’d love to hear your holiday traditions to include in a future newsletter issue.

Granny Milton's Recipe for

Nut and Raisin Cake

by Patti Dubas, Editorial Board

A few days ago, I was chatting with my sister Elaine when she said, "Guess what I'm doing?" 

"I’m making Granny's nut and raisin cake." 

I replied, "That's perfect! I was looking for it to share in the Milton Historical Society Newsletter. We have a recipe section, and I offered to provide one this time around.” I then asked her to send it to me, and she quickly texted me a picture of the recipe. It was lovely to see, as it has been passed down through several generations and is handwritten.

There’s a little tradition that accompanies this cake baking, and it goes like this:

Every holiday at Granny and Granddaddy Milton’s was a celebration of family and food. My grandmother had a remarkable gift for preparing feasts that made everyone feel at home. Among the many dishes and desserts, one tradition stood out — the nut and raisin cake. This cake was always present, rich and comforting, serving as a sweet reminder of her love.

Just days before the big meal, the real work began. My task was to head outside with Granddaddy and help gather pecans from the enormous tree that shaded their yard. He used a peculiar tool — almost like a rake handle with a spring coil mounted horizontally at the end. Instead of bending down to pick up each pecan, we would press the coil down like a shovel, and the pecans would pop right in. With just a few presses, we’d gather handfuls without ever stooping. It was simple, clever, and oddly satisfying.

Once the pecans were collected, everyone would drift to the big front porch — the true hub of activity. There, laughter mingled with the rhythmic sounds of corn shucking, pea snapping, and pecan shelling as we prepped the pecans for my grandmother to take over.

The rest of the ingredients were all from scratch and self-explanatory. I hope you will try and enjoy this recipe with your family. Until next time, happy holidays, everyone!

Granny Milton’s Nut and Raisin Cake

1 tsp vanilla

1 stick of butter

1 cup sugar

5 eggs

2 cups self-rising flour

1 box raisins

1/2 to 1 qt. nuts

Note: Patti suggests a large box of raisins; also chop the quantity of pecans you want to use.

Flour the nuts and raisins. Mix all ingredients. Bake in 325 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours.

Morris Family Favorites

by Rebecca Morris Fricton, Editorial Board

The members and friends of Providence Baptist Church compiled a cookbook of Southern favorites in May, 1991. Becky Fricton used this cookbook over the years, as it contained some of the recipes she grew up with in the Morris household on Francis Road. She remembers fondly her aunt, Aubrey Morris’ sister, Grace Morris Collett’s favorite for family holiday reunions - Easy Peach Fried Pies! Becky says that her own holiday favorite was the Fruited Ambrosia.

In Becky’s words, “I loved helping with this assignment. This cookbook was given to me by Bruce Collett, son of Grace. I love to use recipes that my Aunt Grace used.”

We hope you enjoy these classic Southern (and British) holiday recipes from Come and Dine that withstand the passing of time!

The Morris sisters: Susan Morris Moe, Rhoda Morris Owens,

Becky Morris Fricton

Fruited Ambrosia

by Shirley Allen

1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1 8-oz. container plain yogurt

1/2 C. ReaLime juice from concentrate

2 11-oz. cans Mandarine orange segments, drained

1 20-oz. can pineapple chunks, drained

1 1/2 C. grape halves

1 (3 1/2-0z.) can flaked coconut (1 1/3 C.)

1 C. Campfire miniature marshmallows

1 C. chopped pecans

1/2 C. sliced maraschino cherries, well-drained

In a large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, yogurt and ReaLime; mix well. Stir in remaining ingredients. Chill 3 hours or longer to blend flavors. Garnish as desired. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 10 to 12 servings.

Wassail

by Pam Wise

6 C. apple cider or juice

1 cinnamon stick

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 C. honey

3 T. lemon juice

1 18-oz. can unsweetened pineapple juice (2 1/4 C.)

1 tsp. grated lemon peel

In a large saucepan, heat cider and cinnamon stick to boiling. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer 5 minutes. Uncover. Stir in remaining ingredients. Simmer 5 minutes longer. Serve in punch bowl. Makes 16 servings.

Easy Peach Fried Pies

by Pam Wise

3/4 C. sugar

3 T. cornstarch

3/4 C. water

3 peaches, peeled and diced

1/4 tsp. almond extract

1 10-oz. can flaky refrigerator biscuits

Vegetable oil

Combine sugar, cornstarch and water in small saucepan; mix well. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in peaches and almond extract. Set mixture aside. Roll each biscuit out on a lightly floured surface to 1/8” thickness. Spoon about 1/4 cup peach mixture on half of each dough circle. To seal pies, moisten edges of circles and fold in half, making sure edges are even. Using a fork dipped in flour, firmly press dough edges together. Cook in vegetable oil. (I use the microwave to cook the first 3 ingredients.)

Fruited Ambrosia

Wassail

Easy Peach Fried Pies

A Neighborly Recipe

by Blanche Tippens

• One tongue that does not slander,
• One mind full of tolerance, 
• Two ears closed to gossip,
• Two eyes overlooking other folk’s faults;
• One heart generous with kindness,
• Two hands extended to help others, One dash each of wit, smiles, sunny disposition, and cheerfulness.

Blend together the above. Form into one being, and serve generous portions daily to everyone you meet.

Come and Dine, Printed and Bound in the United States of America by CALICO KITCHEN PRESS Drawer 606 - Hartwell, Georgia 30643

About Providence Baptist Church, one of the oldest religious congregations in North Fulton, from the cookbook:

Providence Baptist Church is located on Providence Road three miles north of Crabapple, Georgia.

In 1834 two families from the community, Joseph Walker and his wife Drucilla, Abner Phillips and his wife Nancy and their two Negro slaves felt a need to build a church.

When the fall came and the season crops had been harvested, Joseph Walker, Abner Phillips and two Negro slaves cleared a spot in the small secluded valley, beneath the oaks and pines, and there built the first building to house the Providence Baptist Church.

It was a small one room log cabin and in the center of the log church was a six foot fireplace. For 25 years the log church served the congregation. But with increased membership, in 1859 the second church was constructed.

In October 1934 the 100th anniversary of our church was celebrated with 1500 people in attendance. Among the group were 25 Baptist deacons, and 14 Baptist pastors. Also in attendance was Elder Barton A. Phillips, the grandson of Abner and Nancy Phillips, two of the original six founders.

Seventy years later, the church voted to construct the rock church that we now worship in. The rock church was built in 1940 and 1941.

In December 1984 the 150th anniversary of the church was celebrated.

Wooden Shoe Wisdom - (Klompen Wijsheid)

by Sipp Houtman

• Put your wooden shoes on backwards before advising your friend where to fish or whom to marry.
• A wooden shoe carved from green wood dries without cracking—a child disciplined while young grows up even-tempered.
• Find no fault with a man until you have worn his wooden shoes for one winter.
• A man without a wife walks with but one wooden shoe.
• Marriage is like new wooden shoes; one must learn to walk in them.
• A son follows his father’s wooden shoes, not his words.
• Should your child address you in hard words, apply a wooden shoe to his soft parts.
• Father, tuck your temper in a wooden shoe outside the door; give your family tenderness they’ll ask for little more.
• Grandpa said, “Get your Sunday wooden shoes large enough to stuff with straw. Churches are cold and sermons long; warm feet good Christians make."
• Mother’s wooden shoe and daughter’s wooden shoe are of a pattern, as mother is, so daughter likely will be — neat or slattern.
• A rich man lived but to skimp and save, a poor man only spent and gave— each wears but two wooden shoes in his grave!

Barn Raiser Corporate Sponsors - $1,000

Additional Corporate Sponsors

Lithic Genealogy Group

The William B. Orkin Foundation

Savas Digital Creations

Milton Historical Society Patrons

Many thanks for your support!

Lifetime Patrons

Amy and Mark Amick

Larry Chadwick

Patti Dubas

Josephine and Jeff Dufresne

Laura and Byron Foster

Brenda and Brett Giles

Fran Gordenker

Felton Anderson Herbert

Johnny Herbert

Bill Lusk

Cristen Catignani and Tom Matthews

Linda and Robert Meyers

Lynn and John Morley

Adam Orkin

Charlie Roberts

Sarah Roberts

Donna Savas

Marsha and Kevin Spear

Karen Thurman

Kate and Ron Wallace

Kim and Dana Watkins

Mark Amick

Joan Borzilleri

Norm Broadwell

Jeff Dufresne

James Farris

Byron Foster

Kim Gauger

Bill Lusk

Connie Mashburn

Robert Meyers

Charlie Roberts

Sarah Roberts

Kevin Spear

Karen Thurman

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Thanks for reading and supporting Milton's history!