Burge Plantation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Burge Farm
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Newborn, Georgia |
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| Area | 603.3 acres (244.1 ha) |
| Built | 1830 |
| Architect | Merritt J. Morehouse |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000467 |
| Added to NRHP | May 11, 2000 |
The Burge Plantation, also known as the Burge Farm, is a historic estate located in Newborn, Georgia. This important site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 2000. It is a large property, bordered by roads like GA 142, Cook Road, Morehouse Road, and Sewell Road.
Contents
History of Burge Farm
The Burge Farm has a long and interesting history, dating back to the early 1800s. It was once a large working farm.
Early Days and Wiley Burge
Wiley Burge bought the land for the farm in 1809. He started farming it with the help of people who were forced to work without pay or freedom. This was a common practice in the Southern United States during that time.
Dolly Burge's Journal
Later, Wiley's son, Thomas Burge, took over the farm. Thomas's wife was Dolly Sumner (Lunt) Burge. Dolly was originally from Maine, a state known for its strong opposition to slavery. She kept a detailed journal from 1848 to 1879.
Life on the Farm
Dolly's journal gives us a rare look into daily life on the farm. It describes the lives of several families who were forced to work there. These families were kept together, which was not always the case for people who were enslaved. Dolly's writings help us understand their experiences.
A Published Record
Dolly's journal is so important that it has been published. It is part of a series called Southern Voices from the Past: Women’s Letters, Diaries, and Writings. This means her words can teach many people about this period in history.
The Civil War at Burge Farm
The Burge Farm played a small but significant role during the American Civil War. Dolly's journal describes a major event that happened there.
Sherman's March
In 1864, General Tecumseh Sherman and his army marched through Georgia. This event is known as "Sherman's March to the Sea." Dolly Burge wrote about the arrival of Sherman's army at the farm. Her account is so vivid that it was even shown in the 2007 film Sherman's March (2007 film).
Burge Farm Today
Today, the Burge Farm is no longer a working farm in the traditional sense. It has been preserved and is now a private club.
Visiting the Historic Site
The Burge Farm is also a part of the Covington Historic Homes Tour. This allows visitors to learn about its past and see this important historical place. It helps people understand what life was like in the 19th century.
