Screven County

Screven County was first organized from parts of Burke and Effingham counties in 1793. It had been part of the colonial parishes of Saint Matthew and Saint Phillips. Later Screven County gave up part of its territory to form Bulloch and Jenkins counties. Screven County was the fourteenth county created, and it was named for General James Screven, a Revolutionary War leader.

The first county seat and courthouse was the home of Benjamin Lanier at what is now Rocky Ford on the Ogeechee River, the western boundary of the county. The now extinct town of Jacksonboro followed Rocky Ford as county seat, and finally the government moved to Sylvania which had been founded in 1845, its name derived from the Latin word meaning forest. Courthouses at Sylvania have been destroyed by fire twice – in 1860 and in 1896.

The Revolutionary War Battle of Brier Creek took place in Screven County March 3, 1779 when British troops attacking through a swamp routed American forces.

President George Washington lodged at the Inn of Stephen Calfrey Pearce in Screven County in the spring of 1791. The Pearce family reportedly prepared lavishly for his visit and would accept no payment from the President.

Source: Foundations of Government - The Georgia Counties, Association County Commissioners of Georgia, 1976.

Latest News in this County

Barrow to Host “Congress on the Corner” in Jenkins, Bulloch, Screven, and Candler Counties

February 23, 2010

On Saturday, February 27, 2010, Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) will be hosting "Congress on the Corner" in Jenkins, Bulloch, Screven, and Candler Counties.  "Congress on the Corner" is an opportunity for citizens to meet one-on-one with Congressman Barrow and to talk about what's going on in Washington.

Barrow Announces $32,375,000 in Direct Allocations of Recovery Zone Bonds for Communities in Georgia’s 12th District

June 12, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that the U.S. Treasury Department has made $25 billion in bond authority available under the Recovery Zone Bonds program.  Of that money, $32,375,000 will be available to communities in Georgia's 12th District.  Recovery Zone Bonds were created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which Congress passed and President Obama signed into law earlier this year.  Recovery Zone Bonds are targeted to areas particularly affected by job loss.  They will help local governments obtain financing for much needed economic development projects, such as public infrastructure development, at lower borrowing costs.

GEORGIA’S 12TH DISTRICT AWARDED $266,319 IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER PROGRAM

April 9, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that $266,319 has been awarded to the 12th District of Georgia by the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).  Federal funds totaling $100 million were made available to the EFSP, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to bring immediate relief to communities to address unemployment, poverty, and other needs during the economic crisis.

Barrow Announces 12th District Schools to Receive an Estimated $70.9 Million

April 1, 2009

Washington, D.C. - Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) announced today that an estimated $70,969,000 in emergency education funding has been released for schools in Georgia's 12th District to help save education-related jobs and maintain programs for low-income students and students with disabilities. Schools in the 12th District will receive an estimated $42,376,000 in Title I funds and $28,593,000 in IDEA funds. 

Barrow to Host “Congress on the Corner” in Rincon, Sylvania, Statesboro, and Claxton

January 6, 2009

This Saturday, January 10, Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) will be in Rincon, Sylvania, Statesboro, and Claxton hosting "Congress on the Corner."  "Congress on the Corner" is an opportunity for citizens to visit one-on-one with Congressman John Barrow and discuss the issues that matter most to them.