Milton Historical Society Receives Gift Of 19th Century Documents

MILTON, GA — The Milton Historical Society has been presented with a donation of a private collection of 35 historic documents by local residents Byron Foster, his sister Shirley Morgan and their cousin Helen Gilleland. The documents consist of original deeds for Land Lots 260, 187 and 246 from the 1832 lottery of 40-acre land lots from lands previously owned by the Cherokee Indians.

Gilleland found the documents in the basement of her house in Sandy Springs which she inherited from her Uncle and Aunt Henry and Corrie Pearson. The documents were in an old cardboard box and had been there for many years according to Gilleland. In addition to the land lot deeds, numerous bills of sales, deeds and other documents were in the box.

Gilleland gave the documents to Foster in part because his property on Westbrook Road in Milton is located on Land Lot 260.

The land lotteries method of land redistribution was organized by the State of Georgia between 1805 and 1833. Under the system, qualifying citizens could register for a chance to win land lots that had been acquired by the state from the Cherokee and Creek Indians.

"These documents have great significance to my family, and we are proud to share them with the citizens of Milton," Foster said. "They have remained hidden far too long. While they are in good condition, time, temperature and humidity have already caused some deterioration."

Jeff Dufresne, President of the Milton Historical Society, noted that “the society welcomes donations of historic documents and artifacts. We will carefully preserve them for researchers and others interested in the story of our past. Often such treasures are found in attics and albums where they may rest unnoticed for generations, suffering gradual deterioration."

The Milton Historical Society is a 501c3 non-profit organization established in 2018 by a group of local citizens who want to share their love of history with the community.