Education

In the early years of the nineteenth century, there was a demand for some sort of public education in all parts of Georgia. The only system of public education approved by the state legislature was privately operated schools. The only such school in Liberty County was Sunbury Academy.

Legislation providing state funds for the institution said:

“Dividends upon the bank stock set apart for the endowment of counties, and also all monies now in the treasury which have arisen under the several laws of this state upon the sub­ject of escheats and of confiscated property, be and the same are hereby directed to be divided among the several counties of this state.”

The confiscated property referred to, in most cases, was that previously owned by the British or Tories. Escheats referred to property deserted by its owners, or belonging to persons who died and left no descendants to claim the property.

Under legislation enacted by the state in 1800, each coun­ty was to receive an equal amount of the sum distributed, until each had received $2,000, including the amount they had already received in cash or confiscated property. The legislation specifically designated that the funds would be used to establish or improve existing schools in the counties.