Electrician Contractor in Sugar Hill, GA

If you are inclined to explore the several historic cemeteries in Sugar Hill, you will find markers for two Revolutionary War heroes.

One marker at the very front of Historic Sugar Hill Cemetery, honoring Isaac Horton, is a cenotaph. Isaac is not actually laid to rest at the site, and the whereabouts of his burial are unknown.

The second marker lies in a modest family cemetery just before Richland Creek on Sycamore Road. The cemetery is enclosed by an old, time-worn chain link fence, just on the edge of the Richland Creek Landfill. The site was neglected and overgrown until Seth Cohen, now a student at the University of Georgia, restored it as part of his Eagle Scout project. Enoch Benson, a patriarch for the Kile family, is believed to be buried in the cemetery under an unmarked capstone made of simple, roughly worn rock.

According to a Revolutionary War pension document filed in the early 1830s through the court system in Gwinnett County with Judge John Mill, Enoch served several tours of duty during the Revolutionary War. The petition contains an impressive history of service that includes being stationed and engaged at places like Fredericksburg, Williamsburg and Yorktown. He took a brief break before Williamsburg by hiring his brother, Zachariah, to finish out a second tour of duty. Enoch then began another tour of duty that ultimately ended at the Battle of Yorktown.

Soldiers involved in the Revolutionary War witnessed historical events and were involved in the making of the United States of America. The Battle of Yorktown was an important moment in the Revolutionary War and in the creation of our country. Enoch was present to witness it firsthand. His memories of fighting under General George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown would have lasted and been a point of pride for a lifetime, even though readers of the pension petition get the idea that Enoch was a modest individual.

The Battle of Yorktown lasted nearly three weeks, from Sept. 28 until Oct. 19, 1781. American Continental Army troops, led by General Washington, joined forces with French Army troops and German mercenary soldiers to lay siege to Yorktown. Enoch would have been one of 18,000 soldiers engaged in the battle under the allied forces of General Washington and Compte de Rochambeau. For nearly 11 days, American and French troops bombarded the 8,000 soldiers fortified at Yorktown under British General Charles Cornwallis. On Oct. 17, General Cornwallis surrendered. Even though the Revolutionary War would not end until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, this battle and the American victory effectively ended the war. From Yorktown and forward into history, the British government could no longer afford to raise and sustain an army on the North American continent. Enoch’s future, and that of his countrymen, would never be the same.

Enoch would end up in Georgia around 1818 primarily because of his son, Willis, and would live to be around 83 years of age before passing away in what is now Sugar Hill in Gwinnett County. Like many Virginians, he had migrated to South Carolina and ultimately Georgia through settlement activities that were happening and made possible through the newly formed country. Revolutionary War heroes, much like veterans of modern times, were honored and celebrated in communities throughout Georgia and elsewhere. The War Pensions Act of 1818, for the first time, made soldiers like Enoch eligible for a pension if they had served in the American Continental Army for at least nine months. He was able to prove to Judge Mill that he had served at least nine months of service during the Revolutionary War. Even some of his new neighbors in Gwinnett County — John Wilson, Robert Adair, William Mattlin, Charles Ramson, Buckner Harris and many others — offered corroboration of his trustworthiness. It is interesting to note that Enoch, as pointed out in his pension request, had never been compensated for his active service during the Revolutionary War. He was owed compensation but had never pursued it.

Enoch was a true hero. It is hard to imagine a richer life — from serving under General Washington at the Battle of Yorktown in his younger years to being a pioneer settler in Gwinnett County and what is today Sugar Hill in the twilight of his life.

Brandon Hembree is mayor of Sugar Hill. He is a 20-year resident of the city, and he uses his interest in history to detail Sugar Hill’s rich past.

FEATURED PHOTO: Revolutionary War hero Enoch Benson is believed to have been laid to rest under the modest capstone in a family cemetery in Sugar Hill. Photos by Brandon Hembree.

In April 1939, the new mayor of Sugar Hill and the new city council held their first meeting at a barbershop. The meeting minutes were handwritten on a ledger. Neither Mayor Alton Tucker nor any of the council members — Theodore Pirkle, Butell Robinson, H.H. Green, Rocky Venable and J.B. Mercier — could have imagined that their documents would have been viewable, in the future, on something called the World Wide Web, the Internet or the Digital Library of Georgia. In later years, the meeting minutes kept by the city clerk would be typed, but, even post WWII, it would have been hard to imagine a time in the future when all the Sugar Hill City Council’s meeting minutes would literally be available at your fingertips on a computer or a phone.

Because of hard work by the Sugar Hill Historic Preservation Society, the Digital Library of Georgia now contains many official records of our community. The collection includes official minutes from Sugar Hill’s council meetings from 1939 until the end of 1994. These digitized meeting minutes provide us with an amazing glimpse at our humble beginnings as a city and our evolution as a community. The early- to mid-1990s are interesting because Sugar Hill was transitioning from a rural to a suburban community. Many of the amenities in our community today, like the Sugar Hill Golf Course, were in the early stages of existence. It was also a time of tension between city council members and residents, as well as between some of the elected officials.

For example, on Dec. 12, 1994, then council member Steven Bailey gave a report on the golf course and wastewater treatment facility. In it, he talked about an increase in rounds, an increase in revenue and an increase in resident play at the Sugar Hill Golf Course. Readers of the meeting minute can almost feel the excitement from the written words of Bailey’s report. He also reported on some challenges related to the community’s waste and stormwater system. A manhole backing up with sewage was found to be clogged with a tricycle, two car batteries and tree stumps. It is hard not to smile when reading the words about a timeless problem faced by local governments and the clear chastisement of negligent residents, and voters, by Bailey.

In city council meeting minutes from August 1994, a resident named Tom Watson is noted as publicly asking then Mayor Gary Webster and two city council members to resign. Readers of the meeting minutes can almost picture the resident standing in front of the mayor and council and pointing his finger at each of the three individuals. The minutes also mention an apology by Mayor Webster, but there is no indication of the nature of the offense felt by the resident, so we are left with a mystery.

Also, in November 1994, city council meeting minutes suggest tension between elected officials. Council member Reuben Davis states, in his report, that he resented certain comments made during the meeting. Later, during public comments, a resident by the name of David Edwards is referenced:

“Mr. David Edwards expressed his feelings about this season of the year and stated that he does not like the way the meeting went tonight, and he challenged the Council to work together to find the many good things that can be for this city. He stated that if Council cannot do it alone, ask the residents and they will be glad to help. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas.”

There are many pieces of the puzzle that go into building a sense of community — history is an important component. Through the Digital Library of Georgia’s archives, we now have an important view into our past as a community. Even though Sugar Hill is not a very old city, it is interesting that many of the same community conversations are occurring in our modern society. History has an amazing way of connecting our past, present and future.

Brandon Hembree is mayor of Sugar Hill. He is a 20-year resident of the city, and he uses his interest in history to detail Sugar Hill’s rich past.

From a geographic perspective, Sugar Hill is uniquely situated. Our western border comprises the Chattahoochee River. Sugar Hill’s northern border is Lake Lanier. One was made by nature, and the other was made by man. The Chattahoochee River flows from its headwaters in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. The river and all its tributaries have helped shape and define the geography of our area for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. The hills of Sugar Hill and the valleys in between have been etched by flowing water. Our history as a community has been written by the activities of people along some of the Chattahoochee River’s tributaries, like Level Creek, Richland Creek and Crayfish Creek. Gold mining and moonshining were common along these creeks, and even in modern times, the evidence of these legal and illegal business activities is evident. The creation of Buford Dam and Lake Lanier did not alter the role these creeks and tributaries have played in both shaping our geography and the history of our community.

Level Creek, the most recognized of the tributaries in our history as a community, provided water for farms that were once prominent in Sugar Hill. The area now includes Level Creek Road and connects North Gwinnett High School to our community’s downtown area. The area has level ground, in comparison to most of Sugar Hill, and provided good soil for farming and later flat stretches of earth for railroad tracks on the eastern part of our community. Level Creek starts near First Avenue in the downtown area. Like most of Sugar Hill’s creeks, its source is mysterious and comes from an underground spring. Level Creek flows near the old and new E. E. Robinson Parks. Arrowheads and pottery shards found near the newer park suggest Native-American Indians lived or hunted nearby. The Shelley Family purchased a home near Level Creek in the 1880s and began gold mining operations in the area. Later, other individuals and families would farm and mine for gold in the area. In modern times, Level Creek flows through Gold Mine Park and near one of the old gold mines until it ultimately makes its way into the Chattahoochee River.

Richland Creek, the most iconic from a name perspective, has a history of both gold mining and moonshining. Our longest creek starts near Little Mill Road and Buford Dam Road and flows from its source through the northern part of Sugar Hill. Richland Creek is a prominent feature at Pirkle Park and, in recent years, has silted up and flooded the area around the park. Like its mysterious source, history suggests its name may have come from our community’s gold mining past. Native-American Indians or early settlers could have referred to the “rich land” in the area. Several years ago, a property owner living near Richland Creek discovered an old moonshine still that had axe marks, indicating that it had been found by law enforcement many years ago and busted up. Amateur gold panning is common along the creek, and old gold mines are still being discovered in the area around the creek. Richland Creek, as its name implies, has a very rich history.

Crayfish Creek is an old creek but new in name. Before Sugar Hill’s mayor and city council named it in 2021, it was an unnamed creek. It begins at a spring below Suwanee Dam Road and flows for about a mile until it makes its way into the Chattahoochee River. Baptisms were held by Riverside Baptist Church at its northern most point near the spring. The baptismal still exists. About midway down Crayfish Creek, George Sudderth was arrested in 1975, when his home was raided by law enforcement. He had been making illegal moonshine on the back of his property, using water from the creek. Gold was also mined and is still sifted by amateurs panning near its outlet into the river. Archaeologist have also discovered arrowheads and pottery in the pebble beds near the southern end of Crayfish Creek, which suggests the possibility of Native American presence in the past.

Water has played, and continues to play, an important role in our community. Even though the waters of our creeks have flowed on into the Chattahoochee River, the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, our community has been changed over time by these forces of nature. Level Creek, Richland Creek and Crayfish Creek have all played a role in shaping our geography and the history of our community.

Brandon Hembree is mayor of Sugar Hill. He is a 20-year resident of the city, and he uses his interest in history to detail Sugar Hill’s rich past.

FEATURED PHOTO: A bridge over Level Creek in Sugar Hill. Photo courtesy of Brandon Hembree.

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SUGAR HILL, Ga., Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TEDxAlexanderPark is hosting a live event February 25, 2023 at the Eagle Theater in Sugar Hill, GA, highlighting ten brilliant thought leaders from all walks of life with a passion to impact the world.

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TEDxAlexanderPark's theme "Back to Basics" comes from Theodor Seuss Geisel also known as Dr. Seuss who in 1971 published a book titled the Lorax, which shares the story of an old man named Once-ler who endows a young boy with the responsibility to save the future of forestry, animals and humanity by planting a last Truffula (tree) seed and avoiding the greed of profit-over-planet that led the Once-ler to nearly pioneer an apocalypse.

"It's amazing to see our community come together around the common intention to impact our local and global community," says organizer Darryll Stinson.

From teenagers to seniors, average salary earners to multi-multi-millionaires, TEDxAlexanderPark speakers will present topics ranging from technology and education to pet adoption, mindfulness, and consciousness. All the talks will be centered around a common event goal — manifesting community impact.

Speakers include: Ocean Robbins, co-founder and CEO of the Food Revolution Network, Ashley Wright, 2023 Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year; Bucky O'Neil, International Speaker and Mentor; Elyssa Fernandez a young filmmaker, artist, and entrepreneur; Lee Richter, Global Leader and award-winning CEO; Ameya Agnihotri, student at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics and Technology; Stephen Schettini, Ex-Monk and thought leader; Iris Grimm, 22 plus year Dog Trainer; Dr. Matisa Wilbon, anthropologist and sociologist; and Travis Hall, lead Pastor of Life Church International.

Former Fortune 100 executive Steven Monahan serves as co-organizer of the event, as well as the City of Sugar Hill Mayor Brandon Hembree.

Seating is extremely limited. Visit: www.tedxalexanderpark.com/attend

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, often in the form of short talks delivered by leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED Conferences, intimate TED Salons and thousands of independently organised TEDx events around the world. Videos of these talks are made available, free, on TED.com and other platforms. Audio versions of TED Talks are published to TED Talks Daily, available on all podcast platforms.

TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; TEDx, which licenses thousands of individuals and groups to host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities; The Audacious Project, which surfaces and funds critical ideas that have the potential to impact millions of lives; TED Translators Program, which crowdsources the subtitling of TED Talks so that big ideas can spread across languages and borders; and the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED also offers TED@Work a program that reimagines TED Talks for workplace learning. TED also has a growing library of original podcasts, including The TED Interview with Chris Anderson, WorkLife with Adam Grant, Far Flung with Saleem Reshamwala and How to Be a Better Human.

Follow TED on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and on LinkedIn.

CONTACT: Darryll Stinson353490@email4pr.com517-414-6647

SOURCE TEDxAlexanderPark