Montgomery County Georgia Web Portal

This is a summary of some of what can be learned about old Montgomery County from the Federal Census Records. Montgomery County was not created until after the l790 census. The census records are missing for Georgia for 1790, 1800, and l8l0. Statistics were published from the Federal Census for this time period. With this Federal Census data we are available for gain a broad picture of the people and activity in the area. 

 Using even official federal census records to understand a place like Montgomery County can be difficult. From 1790 to 1820 the County’s boundaries shifted too much for the population figures to have any comparative meaning. 

This is a picture of the Chesley McLemore cabin built in 1864. It is located on the Old Savannah Road, south of Vidalia. It has been completely restored.

1790: 

What became  Montgomery County was originally part of Washington County.  The population for the county in 1790 was given as 3856 free whites, 694 slaves, and 2 other free persons, for a total of 4552.

1800: 

Montgomery County was present day Montgomery, Toombs, most of Emanuel, Tattnall, Chandler, Johnson, and part of Jefferson, Jenkins, and Laurens counties. The population for Montgomery County of 1800 was given as 2742 free whites, 435 slaves, and 3 other free persons not Indians, for a total of 3180.

l8l0: 

Montgomery County was what is present day Emanuel, Treutlen, most of Johnson, Candler, parts of Montgomery, Toombs, Tattnall, Jenkins, and Jefferson Counties. The population of Montgomery County according to the federal census records in 1810 was given as 2190 free whites, 747 slaves, and 17 other free persons not Indians, for a total of 2954 persons. The state census of 1810 however, reported 132 free families, 2166 whites, and 793 slaves.

1820 – 1880: 

Montgomery County was basically what we consider to be modern Montgomery, Treutlen, Wheeler, and part of modern Toombs Counties.  The  total area of Montgomery County at that time was 763 square miles.