John Wilkins (1808-1886) married Mary Catherine Gnann (1816-1905) in 1839. It is not known exactly when he arrived in Effingham County.

The 1860 census described him as a farmer. He had purchased a 600-acre farm in 1858, located northwest of Guyton on the Ogeechee River. They had 11 children and nine slaves. After the Civil War, he moved to Savannah where he opened a shop and manufactured furniture at a location between Abercorn and Lincoln streets. John Wilkins’ works are late expressions of the early 19th century federal style. A few of his pieces are in the Georgia Salzburger Museum at Ebenezer.

In February of 1877, Theodore Jasper Wilkins (1843-1918) married Alice Josephine Lee (1858-1913). Five children were born of this union. During the War Between the States, Theodore enlisted as a private in Company I, 54th Regiment of the Georgia Infantry on May 6, 1982. He was elected second sergeant. On May 1, 1865, he was paroled at Greensboro, N.C. They are buried in the Guyton City Cemetery. One of their sons was John Benjamin Wilkins.

Henry Joseph Wilkins (1926-2003) married Elsie Marise Rahn (1931 -  ) in 1951. They have four sons and one daughter.

Henry was the son of John Benjamin Wilkins (1880-1937) who married Louise Petache in 1910. Henry Wilkins was a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He served as tax commissioner of Effingham County for two terms of office. Henry served on the first of board of directors for the Veterans Park of Effingham County in Springfield, which became a reality with the dedication in 2002 of this memorial. He is buried in the Guyton City Cemetery and his widow resides near Guyton. 

This was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos, comments or information to share, contact Susan Exley at 754-6681 or email her at: hesexleyherald@aol.com.