Peter Clifton

1851-1909

"Father of Toombs County"

Peter Clifton, naval stores manufacturer, Tattnall county, Ga., postoffice, Lyons, son of Thomas E. and Mary (McGill) Clifton, was born in Tattnall county Jan. 19, 1851. The Cliftons came from North Carolina to Georgia, and Mr. Clifton's grandfather and father, farmers, were born in Tattnall county. His grandfather, on his mother's side, Peter McGill, emigrated from Scotland to North Carolina, and thence to Tattnall county, Ga.

Mr. Clifton, whose father died in 1871, was the fifth in birth of nine children reared to maturity, and of whom five are now living. Mr. Clifton received a fairly good country school education, and, on reaching manhood, went to farming and engaged in the timber business. Continuing his valuable farming interests, he commenced the manufacture of naval stores on a large scale in 1881, at Appleton, in the eastern part of Montgomery county, Ga., and, in connection therewith conducts a general merchandise store. He has managed all these enterprises with the most satisfactory results, In 1892 the was elected from Tattnall to the general assembly, and was made chairman of the committee on internal improvements. Energetic and enterprising, he exercises no small influence in his immediate community and the county.

Mr. Clifton has been twice married, first, to Miss. Mary E. Gibbs, daughter of Hiram Gibbs, of Montgomery county. This union was blessed with six children, three of who died in childhood. This wife died in 1884. His second wife was Miss. Lottie E. Sharpe, born in 1865, daughter of Littleton and Caroline (McAllister) Sharpe, of Montgomery county, who has borne him two children:

1.)	Lester, born in 1890, and 
2.)	Kate, born in 1892.