Off this road lies the site of Heardmont, home of Governor Stephen Heard, 1740 - 1815, and “God’s Acre,” the family cemetery where he is buried. A Virginian of Irish descent, Heard came to Georgia in 1773 and established Heard’s Fort, now Washington, Georgia. He fought with Elijah Clarke at the Battle of Kettle Creek, where he was captured. As President of the Council, he served as de facto governor for a period in 1781. After moving to Heardmont, he was one of three men who settled the site of Elberton.