HISTORY OF HOWARD MANOR
The property located on the US Hwy 1 in Wrens, Jefferson County, Georgia, was originally owned by Mr. Beasley. In the mid-1880’s Dr. Charles Henry Raley (Railey), born March 17, 1853, to John R. “Jack” Raley (1833-1882) and Mary Ann Laodicia Pool (1836-1917) on Jones Farm, Warren County, Georgia, purchased this property. Charles married, Lavonia Williford in December 29, 1871, in Warren County, Georgia. She was born August 27, 1854, in Warren County, Georgia, and died June 5, 1926, in Wrens, Jefferson County, Georgia. They had six children: Lillie Lee Raley; James Edgar Raley, Sr.; William Ernest Raley, Lena “Lener” Raley; Elias Raley; Mary Ann Raley.
Dr. Raley attended the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and was licensed to practice in 1882 according to the Directory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804-1929. Property Tax Digest in 1882 reveals that Dr. Raley lived in Warren County before moving to Pope Hill District, Jefferson County, Georgia according to the1883-1887 Property Tax Digest. The purchase of the property located on US Hwy 1 in Wrens would have been during this time. The house is believed to be the oldest residence built in what was then the Corporation of Wrens, Georgia. The house was originally a one-story house with a small house on the south end of the property. The small house was used as Dr. Raley’s office. The Speering place adjoining the property to the South and the Doctor’s office caught fire in 1907. The Raley home was saved only because a small negro boy (Gardner Stapleton) climbed on the roof and continually spread wet blankets on it. The roof was scorched in the fire and in 1910 the roof was removed, and the second story added. About this time the present little house was built.
Dr. Raley was an active member of the community. He was a founding member and deacon of the Wrens Baptist Church, constituted in 1892. At that time, the Rev. E. J. Barber was the pastor. According to the 1900 Census, Dr. Raley was 47 years old, a practicing physician and who lived on main street in Wrens, Jefferson, Georgia.
The 1920 Census recorded that Dr. Raley, age 62, lived at North Main Street, Wrens, Jefferson, County, Georgia. Dr. Raley came to an untimely death in 1920 in a train wreck. Mrs. Raley died in 1926, and they are both buried in the Wrens Memorial Cemetery. The property was purchased in 1926 by Milo Howard, Sr. The property remained in the Howard Family until the death of Milo Howard, Jr. on Jan 9, 1999.
Milo Lee Howard, Jr. Milo Jr. was a mail carrier and a caterer. The John Franklin Wren Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, held their monthly meetings at The Manor since 1965, and Mr. Howard catered their lunches. Mr. Howard bequeathed half of the property, the house and the little house to the chapter. The town bell used to warn of fires in the town or area is located on the property.
Howard Manor is a part of the history of Wrens, Georgia, and needs a strong commitment from the community to preserve this historical property. The location is a landmark for visitors and travelers passing through on US Hwy 1. As a landmark, it sends a message to those passing through and to the citizens of Wrens that we are committed to making Wrens a place one would want to visit or live in. The John Franklin Wren Chapter is proud to be the custodians of this property, and members give as we can to its upkeep. However, we must have the help of the community to ensure it remains a vital part of the history of Wrens.
Board
Officers
Dr. Hanna Wren Fowler, Chair
Hannah Wren Fowler, EdD.
Retired, GA State Department of Education
Hannah grew up in Wrens, GA (Jefferson County). She graduated from GA Southern College with a BS in Art Education. She earned a Master of Educational Leadership and Specialist in Educational Leadership from Augusta College and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. During her professional career, Hannah served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. When she retired from the McDuffie County School System, she then worked for the GA State Department of Education, School Improvement Division and later as educational consultant. Hannah is an active member of an international professional educators’ organization where she has haled various positions at the local, state, and international levels.
Hannah believes in preserving the history of America and the mission of this board to preserve and maintain Howard Manor, a piece of American History.
Sharon W. Fleming, Recording Secretary
Sharon Fleming grew up coming to the Wrens area as often as her father’s USAF assignments allowed visits with her grandparents. Upon her dad’s retirement in1969, her family settled in Wrens where she graduated from high school, married, and raised her family. She and her husband Jimmy have five children and nine grandchildren.
Sharon attended Augusta College, earned her BS in English Education from the University of Georgia, and an MS in Instructional Media from Georgia Southern University. She taught English for over ten years and was a media specialist for the remainder of her professional career—all in Jefferson County public schools.
After witnessing the unfortunate deterioration and loss of other beautiful old homes around Wrens and after many years of enjoying meetings and social events (including her wedding rehearsal dinner) held at Howard Manor, Sharon is committed to working toward the restoration and preservation of the oldest home in the incorporated city for future generations to enjoy.
Beth S. Usry, Treasurer
Although Beth was born in Sylvania, GA, and as a child lived in various locations, Wrens has always been “home base”. Wrens is where her great-grandparents and grandparents lived and raised their families and where she moved to in the mid 1980’s.
Beth graduated from Bartow High School in Bartow FL and earned an Associate Arts degree from Polk Community College. She earned a BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and a ME in Early Childhood from Georgia Southern University. Beth taught first grade in Harlem, GA for 32 years.
Howard Manor is one of the many older homes, buildings and churches that hold many memories not only to Beth, but other citizens in the area. It’s where friends lived and grew up. It’s where rehearsal dinners, teas, luncheons, and meetings were held. It’s Beth’s desire to have Howard Manor continue to not only be a place where memories are made, but also, a place where present and future generations can learn about the history of the house, town, and area.
Members
Kathy Arrington
Kathy Arrington, A.B.A., RN B.S.N.
Kathy was born and raised in Hawkinsville, GA. She attended Middle GA College graduating with an associate’s degree in business administration. She also earned a B.S. in Nursing degree from the Medical College of Georgia and worked as a registered nurse at both MCG and University Hospital in Augusta retiring from that career in 2012.
While attending college in Augusta, Kathy met and married her husband Paul who grew up in Wrens. They have 2 children. Kathy currently helps manage their family business in Wrens alongside her husband. She’s an avid gardener and loves to travel in her spare time. Visiting historical sites is her favorite. She loves historical architecture and believes strongly that preserving homes with historical significance is important for future generations.
Tammy C. Barbour
Tammy Barbour was raised and educated in Wrens, Georgia. Presently. she resides in Matthews with her spouse, Kevin, and their pets. Tammy is an active member of Woodland Baptist Church and provides in-ho care to the elderly in the county, which she regards as her ministry. Her family has been a part of the community for nearly two centuries. Tammy and her husband have a shared interest in the history and genealogy of Jefferson County, Georgia. Tammy is also responsible for managing the Remember Wrens Facebook page, where she is dedicated to preserving the history and tales of the past.
Mary Carter Betts
Rose Maria Davis
Rose Maria Davis, not a native of Wrens, grew up in nearby Johnson County, Georgia. She and her husband, Dr Mason Davis, engineer, also from Johnson County, were later called to ministry and took their three children, Jeff, Becky, and Greg to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where they graduated and have spent the last 50 years in ministry.
Rose Maria and Mason came to Wrens, GA the first time in 1998 and lived in and served in the area for 10 years until they left for other adventures in Cordele, GA and Nashville, Tennessee. There they worked in Church Revitalization and because of their love for the Wrens area decided to come back in 2019 to retire.
Rose Maria loves history and historical preservation and was captured by the efforts to save Howard Manor in Wrens. She hopes to see Howard Manor live again as a center of the community and a valuable asset from the past with timely lessons for the future. Her vision is for Howard Manor to once more become a center of the community.
“He who does not learn from the past, is destined to repeat it!”
Jerry P. Howard
John J. Rabun, Jr.
Mary Sue Rachels
Gary Smith
Brian Usry