John McIntosh Kell

Near this site was the home of Captain John McIntosh Kell, Executive Officer of the
Confederate cruisers Alabama and Sumter. After entering the United States Navy at the
age of 17, he served in the Mexican War and in 1853 on Perry´s expedition to Japan.
Upon Georgia´s secession from the Union, Kell was the first U.S. Naval officer to offer
his services to the South. After the Civil War, at his home here in Sunny Side, Kell
entertained his friend, the famous Georgia poet Sidney Lanier, who, during a visit in
1874, wrote the poem `Corn´. Kell served as Adjutant General of Georgia from 1887
until his death here in 1900.

Originally erected by the Works progress ministration in 1940.
Re-erected by the Georgia Historical Society and
2001.20 Griffin-Spalding Historical Society 126-1

Plaque courtesy Lat34North.com.

Original page, with additional info, here.

Photo credit: Byron Hooks of Lat34North.com.

• lat34