Covington history, in Newton County, Georgia is vast and ever-growing, and started in 1821. Knowing the history of where you are is both important and fascinating, and makes the places to visit in Georgia more special. Also, haven’t you always wondered just where Newton got its name?
Newton County is named after Sergeant John Newton. Sgt. Newton served as a soldier in the American Revolutionary War, and was a soldier under the “Swamp Fox” – Brigadier General Francis Marion. Born in 1755, Newton lived a short life, dying at the young age of twenty five. However, he had a major accomplishment just one year before his untimely death: he and another well-known Sergeant from this time, William Jasper, made Covington history when they saved a group of captured American patriots who were being held behind British lines in 1779. Newton and Jasper waited by a watering hole until the British soldiers were resting; then, the pair strategically overpowered them, managed to gain the muskets they were carrying, and then set the prisoners free.
Knowing that this county is named after a hero such as Newton is reassuring and comforting. The heroism that he and Jasper displayed have resulted in having many counties named side-by-side throughout the United States, including in the great state of Georgia. Newton passed away on a British ship shortly after he was taken prisoner during the surrender of Charleston in 1780. For more information on John Newton and his heroic story, or for other things to do with Covington History, visit Covington’s webpage here.
