Pierce County Historical Society members stepped into the 1800s past Monday night, October 24, admiring the Satilla River home of former Pierce County School superintendent W. D. Strickland and his wife Susan, former director of nursing at Altamaha Technical College, Jesup. The group captured the magnificence of today —breathing in the beauty of the two-story home on land once occupied by Creek Indians and today a residence captivating everyone’s attention with its historic oaks, landscaped grounds and inside architecture of yesterday and today.
It was an evening to long remember and had a large group of us historical society members wishing they could share the home and its magnificent location with everyone,’’ said Society President Bert Walker. “Oak trees, deemed over 300 years old, have mystical, beautiful moss draperies hanging over the home and grounds which are adjacent to a bend in the flow of the Satilla River, called Indian Bluff. Everyone mentally looked back as the home which was enjoyed and admired years ago was built in 1840 by Russell Raulerson.
Then in September 1942, 80 years ago, A. J. Strickland Sr. bought the home and property of 97 Pierce County acres. Just think Georgia became a state in 1732 and think of the progress made during these years as this home was built with the help of slaves of that period. Now added additions of remarkable elegance and beauty were created by W D. and Susan Strickland.
President Walker expertly narrated a complete tour of the home and welcomed descendants of the original owner as well as Strickland descendants. Describing the first owner, builder of the home, Raulerson, was born in 1815, dying in 1899 at the age of 83. He was married three times and had an outstanding life in the turpentine business, serving as a state representative in Wayne County, was a private in Pierce Mounted volunteers during the Civil War and served in the 1800s as a Wayne County Justice of the Court 1854-1861, and also, was the justice of the Inferior Court in Pierce County 1862-1863. He built a log school and owning vast acreage he donated the land for Prospect Church. He owned 3,987 acres as shown in the 1890 tax digest of Pierce County.
One can see Brantley County from this location. The area was formerly Ware County in 1824--1857, then became Pierce County in 1857. When the Creek Indians lived there it was in the state of Georgia. Raulerson, first home owner, maintained residences in both Wayne County and Pierce County. When A. J. Strickland purchased the property, he ran the Strickland Fishing Camp, with cabins and a commissary where he sold fish bait and tackle. Russell Raulerson maintained a ferry which went across the Satilla River, charging 15 cents a trip. (Historical information concerning this gentleman and territory can be found in Pierce County History books and gleaned from Huxford Historical Society in Homerville).
Over time, the home has gone through several renovations; W. D.’s brother A. J. Strickland Jr. made renovations prior to W. D.’s inheriting the home and property from his parents A. J. Strickland Sr. and Isabell Dixon Strickland. Other family members reside on the original 97 acres on the river.
