JOSEPH BOND
COLONEL JOSEPH BOND was known as the largest cotton grower in Georgia, who had over 2200 acres on his plantation in counties south and west of Bibb Co., Ga. Colonel Bond had a home which overlooked the City of Macon and the Valley of the Ocmulgee River. His land holdings were extensive, owning and operating six plantations around Lee Co. and lying between the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers.
In 1850 Colonel Bond had seven slaves working for him in Macon. At his death in 1859, his plantations were valued at $426,067.52 and slaves at $476,455.00. Colonel Bond was shot on the Beall plantation by a former overseer, Lucius Brown, with whom he had been having problems. Brown had seized one of his trusted slaves and severely whipped him, claiming that the negro had come upon the premises without permission.
At his death, Colonel Bond left his wife, Henrietta their home in Macon, horses, carriages, servants (Calvin, Alonzo, Eliza and children) and many other slaves, the Colawahu Plantation in old Baker Co. (now Dougherty Co.) containing 3000 acres, and 50 or more negroes belonging to it. Joseph Bond was one of the wealthiest men in middle Georgia before the Civil War. He was the state's largest cotton grower and most successful planter. It's reported that in 1857, he set a world record with a cotton sale of 2,200 bales for $100,000. At the age of 44, Bond was killed by a former overseer who he had fired for mistreating a slave.
The LWT of Joseph Bond dated 10/21/1856, probated 3/26/1859, Bibb Co. Will Book A, page 133, named wife, Henrietta, daughters Marie L., and Mary Jane Moughon.
Issue of Colonel Joseph Bond:
- MARY JANE BOND m. William S. Moughon.
- LEWIS BOND.
- HENRY CLAY BOND.
- MARIA L. BOND.
