Ezekiel Cloud, born on March 14, 1762, in Yadkin, Anson County, North Carolina, exemplified the resilience and determination of America’s Revolutionary generation. A veteran of the Revolutionary War and an early settler in Henry County, Georgia, his life reflects the struggles and triumphs of a new nation and the pioneers who shaped it.
Cloud's military service began in 1778, when he enlisted in Wilkes County, Georgia. Over the next five years, he served in major engagements under officers like Colonel Elijah Clarke and Lieutenant Colonel Micaiah Williamson. He fought at the First Siege of Augusta, fought with British and Loyalist forces at Shirer’s Ferry, and played a role in General Thomas Sumter’s campaigns in South Carolina, including the Battle of Blackstock’s on the Tyger River.
Cloud also participated in the capture of Major Dunlap and 30 British prisoners on Little River and later escorted prisoners from the Battle of Cowpens. His military service extended beyond fights with the British, as he helped defend the Georgia frontier from Loyalists and Native American raids. He remained an active participant in the war until its conclusion in 1783.
Ezekiel Cloud moved to Henry County in 1824 from Putnam County, Georgia. By this time, Henry County was still in its early years, attracting settlers like Cloud, whose presence brought stability and leadership to the community.
Cloud quickly became a respected figure in the county. It became a cherished custom for the local militia to visit his home every Fourth of July. They serenaded him with music and paid tribute to his Revolutionary War service with a salute. This annual tradition highlighted the community's admiration for Cloud's patriotism and the recognition of his sacrifices during the war.
In addition to purchasing a 231-acre estate that would later become the Hazlehurst House property, Cloud also owned land along Racetrack Road, near the present-day City Square neighborhood in McDonough. His landholdings underscored his prominence in the community and his contributions to the area’s development.
Cloud was married to Elizabeth Cloud, who survived him and supported him throughout his life. Together, they raised a large family with the following children:
- Sarah, who tragically passed away shortly after birth
- Levi
- Mary
- Nancy
- Aaron
- Milly
- Jackson
- Caroline
- Martha
Their children represented the continuation of Ezekiel and Elizabeth’s legacy in Georgia and beyond, contributing to the expansion and prosperity of the family name.
Ezekiel and Elizabeth Cloud were originally buried on family land near the intersection of Kings Mill Road and Highway 155. Over time, the property fell out of family hands, and the graves became overgrown and neglected. Yet, even as human memory began to forget, nature left its mark. By 1921, the location of Ezekiel’s grave was still remembered, and as one newspaper noted, “Mother Nature had not forgotten the resting place of her son. The grave was covered with a blanket of green ivy.”
In 1972, the Henry County Superior Court ordered the relocation of Ezekiel and Elizabeth’s graves to the Hutton plot in the McDonough City Cemetery, ensuring their preservation. Sadly, this was not the case for their son’s grave, located where the interchange of I-75 North and Highway 155 now stands. The grave was lost during the construction of the interstate, a reminder of the challenges of preserving historical sites in the face of modern development.
To honor Ezekiel Cloud’s legacy, a new marker was unveiled on November 9, 2014, at the McDonough City Cemetery. The ceremony, attended by many of Cloud’s descendants and relatives, celebrated his contributions as a Revolutionary War hero and community pioneer. This occasion served as a poignant reminder of Cloud’s lasting impact on Henry County and the nation.
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