In 1826, Benjamin represented Habersham CO in the Georgia House of Representatives, beginning a long period of public service by himself and his five sons. He served in the House from 1826 through 1834 and as Justice of the Inferior Court 1821-1825, 1829 and 1833-35. By 1834 he had moved his family to Gilmer CO, GA and settled on the Toccoa River.
During the year of 1826, he served as an agent of Indian Affairs. The following letter attests to that fact: "Elijay Decr. 19th Sirs: Yours of the 4th instant is now before me and the contents noticed in answer I would say that Benjamin Chastain did exercise the duties of agent during the year 1836. But his being situated in a remote part of the County I know but lettle of his actings. For the last year there has been no agent in this county. On inquiring for some person who would be willing to serve as agent and who at the same time would be relied on for the faithful discharge of said office I am urged upon by my friends to recommend to your notice Benjamin M. Griffith who is my son and feeling a delicacy in doing so, in consequence of the relation I refer you to the next page." (The reply:) "B. Griffith Georgia, Gilmer County. We take a pleasure in recommending to his Excellency George R. Gilmer, Benjamin M. Griffith as a fit and suitable person the States agent of this County Decr. 19th 1837."
Benjamin Chastain is buried at the Antioch Baptist Cemetery in Fannin CO. Rebecca is buried next to him. Benjamin and Rebecca Denton Chastain must have raised their children to be aware of and active in their community, religious and political affairs. One son was a preacher, two of their daughters married preachers, a third married the son of a preacher, and all six sons were active in some extent in the political arenas of their particular counties. Rebecca S. DENTON and Benjamin CHASTAIN had the following children:
3163 i.
Mary CHASTAIN was born on 3 May 1801 in Pendleton District, South Carolina.
3164 ii.
Rev. Jonathan Davis CHASTAIN was born on 22 May 1803 in Pendleton District,
South Carolina. He died on 28 Nov 1847.
3165 iii.
Jeremiah S. CHASTAIN was born on 28 Mar 1805 in Pendleton District,
South Carolina. He died in 1860 in UT. Jeremiah served Lumpkin Co, GA in the
House of Representatives and the
Convention in 1839. He was Sheriff of Lumpkin CO 1842-46 and also served
as Clerk of Inferior Court. It appears he was not in favor of the Civil
War and he and his family left Georgia a few years before 1860 to go to
California gold fields. Evidentally he planned to stop on the way and he
died in Utah around 1860.
3166 iv.
Maj. John Bunyan CHASTAIN was born on 20 Feb 1807 in Pendleton District,
South Carolina. He died on 1 Jan 1886 in Fannin CO, GA. John represented Union
CO, GA in the 1833 Convention, the Senate in 1835, the 1839 Convention, the 1850
Convention and in the House of Representatives in 1852. He served in the Seminole
Indian War and had the title of Major. He is buried at Lebanon Cemetery in Fannin
CO.
3167 v.
Benjamin Franklin CHASTAIN was born on 16 May 1809 in Pendleton District,
South Carolina.
3168 vi.
Nancy A. CHASTAIN was born on 10 Jun 1811 in Pendleton District, South
Carolina. She died on 11 Aug 1890 in Gilmer County, Georgia.
3169 vii.
Col. Elijah Webb "Lige" CHASTAIN was born on 23 Sep 1813
in Pendleton District, South Carolina. He died on 4 Apr 1874 in Northern GA.
He was buried in Fannin CO, GA. Both Elijah and Clarissa are buried at Toccoa
Baptist Church Cemetery,
Fannin CO, GA. In the 1850 Gilmer CO Census, Elijah's occupation is listed
as a lawyer and the value of his real estate is listed as $10,000. Elijah
had the most colorful political and civic career of all of Benjamin and
Rebecca's sons. He joined the Gilmer CO Volunteers as a Captain on Sept.
27, 1837. He served that county as a Senator 1840-43; the 45th District in
the Senate 1845-47; and represented Gilmer CO in the 1850 Convention. He
served in Congress from March 4, 1851 to March 3, 1855. In addition, he
represented Fannin CO in the Secession Convention. He served in the
Seminole War and in the Civil War during which time he held the rank of
Colonel for the Confederacy. Elijah was the attorney for the Georgia
Railroad (Western & Atlantic) from it's beginning until his death. He was
swept from his horse while fording a swollen North Georgia stream.
3170 viii.
Rebecca Denton CHASTAIN was born on 18 Mar 1816 in Pickens County,
South Carolina. She died in 1876 in Gordon County, Georgia.
3171 ix.
Jemima CHASTAIN was born on 10 Jun 1818 in Pendleton District, South Carolina.
She died on 14 Jun 1907 in Cleveland, White CO, GA.
3172 x.
Martha Denton CHASTAIN was born on 16 Jun 1821 in Habersham County, Georgia.
She died on 7 Sep 1895 in Blue Ridge, Fannin CO, GA. She was buried in Blue
Ridge, Fannin CO, GA.
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