Mathews, John Frank, Plantation

Located along U.S. 80 in Prattsburg, Talbot County, Georgia, this plantation district centers on a two-story frame main house built in 1859-1860 for cotton planter John Frank Mathews. Local carpenter James D. Cottingham served as builder, and his signed plans survive, the only ones known for a Georgia antebellum plantation house. The Greek Revival house follows a four-over-four plan with a central hall and keeps its original siding, columns, balconies, mantels, stairs, and shutters. Surrounding it are a detached kitchen, smokehouse, privy, barn, corn crib, family cemetery, tenant house, blacksmith shop, and an old store and gas station. In a nearby pine forest lie the ruins of an industrial complex that included a cotton gin, grist mill, sawmill, planing mill, and dipping vat serving a wide area. In 1859-1860 the plantation produced over 106 bales of cotton. The property was listed for its architecture, its ties to Georgia's cotton economy, and its archaeological potential.