Fitzgerald of Clayton County

The Fitzgerald family of Clayton County, ancestors of the famous Margaret Mitchell of “Gone with the Wind”, model the character of O’Hara from Philip Fitzgerald.

Last Will and Testament of Philip Fitzgerald, Clayton County, Georgia

John Fitzgerald was born 1719 in Lagistown, Tipperary, Ireland, died 1798, married Mary Lanigan, born 1728. They had a son, James Fitzgerald (1759-1836).

James Fitzgerald (1759-1836) was married to Margaret O’Donnell, a daughter of William O’Donnell. They were residents of Lagistown. Two sons, Philip and John Fitzgerald immigrated to America, settling in Fayette County, Georgia.

Philip Fitzgerald was born 1798 in Lagistown and died 5/12/1880 in Clayton County, buried on his plantation in Clayton County. The 1853 tax records of 1853, Fitzgerald owned 2,375 acres and 35 slaves and by 1861 his holdings were larger.

Today, the old manor house is in need of repairs but still stands on the corner of Folsom and Tara Road. During the Civil War the home was a refuge for many nieces, nephews and cousins orphaned by the war. According to a hand written document in the family, the home was raided by Union After the war Philip Fitzgerald built another fortune from the ruin of freeing his slaves, the burning of his corn and cotton and decline in land values. He was a man who refused to accept failure.

Philip Fitzgerald was married in December of 1837 in Harris County, Georgia to Eleanor Avaline McGhan (1818-1893), a daughter of James McGhan and his wife, Eleanor O’Reilly McGhan of Morgan County.

The Fitzgeralds were known to be the only Catholic family residing in south Clayton County and worshipped in the Immaculate Conception Church in Atlanta. Two of the seven children were educated at the convent in Charleston, South Carolina. Sis and Mamie Fitzgerald taught in the one room rural school which was on the plantation.

Children:

· Mary Ellen “Mamie” Fitzgerald (1840-1926), died Clayton County.

· Phillip Fitzgerald (1842-1843).

· Annie Elizabeth Fitzgerald (1844-1934), thought to be the model for Scarlett O’Hara. She was known to have plenty of gumption.She was married to John Stephens, an Irish immigrant, in the Immaculate Conception Church. Stephens was an accountant and captain on the staff of the Commissary General in Atlanta when he met Miss Fitzgerald. According to family lore, John Stephens had been the beau of Annie’s sister, Sarah Fitzgerald. Mrs. Stephens helped to care for the wounded Confederate soldiers during the war. Many things about Annie’s life resemble Scarlett O’Hara. Her first child, Philip Stephens, was born and died during the siege of Atlanta and she left Atlanta on the last train before the yankees burned the city. John Stephens owned a successful grocery store in Atlanta but ultimately prospered in real estate, owning a home in the Jackson Hill area, owning the entire block on North Jackson Street between Cain and North Highland Avenues. The couple had twelve children.

A daughter, May Belle Stephens, was married to Atlanta lawyer, Eugene Muse Mitchell and was residing in her mother’s home on Jackson Hill when Margaret Mitchell (left), author of “Gone with the Wind” was born in 1900.

Margaret and her brother, Stephens,

children of May Belle and Eugene Muse Mitchell.

· Agnes Fitzgerald.

· Sarah Fitzgerald, known as “Sis”, born 1849.

· Adele “Dellie” Fitzgerald, born 1852 Clayton County, died 5/1943 Macon, Georgia.

· Katherine Fitzgerald, born 1855.

· Isabelle “Izzie” Fitzgerald 1857-5/1932.

Ref: Atlanta Journal, Dixie Living, June 15, 1986