Heron Herrin was a native of North Carolina where he was born about 1770. Nothing is now known as to his early history or when and where he was married or the maiden name of his wife, Ann. He came to Georgia about 1800 and by occupation was a Farm Overseer.
About 1811, Heron Herrin with his family moved to Camden County where became a Farm Overseer for Burwell Atkinson. In the summer of 1817, in a mild argument with his employer, he was killed. Burwell Atkinson was indicted for murder at the ensuing October Term, 1817, Camden Superior Court, but was acquitted on the ground of insanity at the time of the homicide, according to the court minutes. Mr. Atkinson was placed back in jail, there being no state insane asylum or hospital in those days. Some months later, the court allowed him released upon his family posting a $10,000 bond to keep him under strict guard at all times to insure that he would not again be allowed to hurt anybody.
The widow and children moved to Wayne County where she died about 1830. The "orphans" of Heron Herrin drew land in the 1821 Land Lottery Drawing Lot 175, 10th District of Houston County. After they became of age the three orphans or minors who drew the land, sold it March 8, 1827, according to Houston County Records. Heron Herrin and his wife, Ann, had the following children:
Olive, b.- 1793 M. Moses Turner; moved to Hamilton County Florida.
John, b.- 1795 M. Ann Clements, dau. of William. John died 1820.
Nancy, b.- 1798 M. Solomon Robeson, Sept. 6, 1818, son of Wiley.
James, b.- 1800 M. Mary Rooks, 6/10/1827, dau. of William.
Levi, b.- 1804 M. Charity Sears, dau. of David.
William, b.- 1806 M. Caroline........., moved to Columbia County,
Florida.
Daniel, b.- 1810 M. 1st Mehala Kelly 8/17/1833, dau. of William Elizabeth. M. 2nd Jemima Ammons 1/8/1838, dau. of William Note: Mehala Kelly was born 1811, married 8/17/1833, and died about 1836.
The 1820 Wayne County Census shows Moses Turner, age 26-45. He had one female in his household, age 16-26, who I think was his wife, Olive. He had one male, age 16-18, one male, age 10-16, one male under 10, and one female under ten. I think a part of these are the children of Meron. Nancy Herrin who married Solomon Robeson, I do not find in the 1820 Wayne County Census. I find Solomon Robeson in the 1830 Wayne County Census, but he was living by himself. I do not find Ann Herrin the 1820 or 1830 Wayne county Census.
Written by Alvin J. "Pap" Stokes