John H. Clifton, planter, Lyons, Tattnall Co., Ga., son of William and Susan (Sharpe) Clifton, was born in Tattnall county, March 12, 1839. His grandfather on his father’s side was Ezekiel Clifton, who, when a young man, came from Roanoke county, N.C., and was among the early settlers in this part of southeastern Georgia. He married Miss. Elizabeth Roberts, a native of Screven county, Ga., and engaged in stock raising. William Clifton, father of the subject of this sketch, also made a life pursuit of farming and stock raising, but having developed under the instruction of Christopher Bowland, the famous Irish mathematician, unusual mathematical ability, made an enviable reputation as a surveyor.

He was employed by the United States government to survey portions of the Cherokee country in north Georgia, and was highly complimented by the then governor of the state for the excellence of his work. He served at various times as clerk of the court and as a justice of the inferior court, and represented the county in the general assembly.

He died Dec. 21, 1873. His widow, born Feb. 1, 1820, still survives, and is living on the old homestead in the southern part of Tattnall county. His grandfather on his mother’s side, Maj. John T. Sharpe, was the son of a soldier in the revolutionary war, a prosperous farmer and a prominent politician, having represented the county several times in the general assembly.

Mr. Clifton’s parents reared to maturity nine children, seven of whom are now living;

1.) Maria, born April 22, 1837, married Dr. John Rambo, of South Carolina, who spent the latter part of his life in Georgia and died at Valdosta. He was a surveyor in the Confederate army. They had one child, Willie, who is a teacher in Tattnall county. Mrs. Rambo died March 14, 1862; 

2.) John H., the subject of this sketch; 

3.) Harrison, born April 12, 1841, farmer, Tattnall county, married Miss. Fannie Smith, has nine children; 

4.) Thomas, born April 6, 1843, farmer, Tattnall county, married Miss. Sallie Shepard, of Liberty county, GA., has eight children, has represented the second senatorial district in the general assembly; 

5.) Elizabeth, born April 5, 1845, married Capt. S.D. Bradwell; 

6.) Ezekiel, born Dec. 7, farmer, Tattnall county, married Miss. Viola Brannan, of Bulloch county, has had six children; 

7.) Emma, born March 2, 1852, married John Diestel, born in Hamburg, Germany, now farmer, Tattnall county, has three children; 

8.) William, born June 29, 1854, married Miss. Helen Raymond, North Lyme, Conn., who died without issue, and he married Miss. Wilhelmina A. Hilton, of McIntosh county, one child. He is a prominent lawyer in Savannah, Ga., and has represented Chatham county two terms in the general assembly; 

9.) Benjamin Hill, born Aug. 9, 1856, died Oct. 19, 1890. 

After the war he engaged in farming, and to a limited extent in the manufacture of naval stores. He represented the second senatorial district in the general assembly four years before the adoption of the constitution of 1877, and was elected to represent the same district in the first election held after its adoption. He was in the senate during the celebrated impeachment trial of Goldsmith and Renfroe, etc. These continued honors indicate a popularity and public confidence quite rare, and undoubtedly gratifying to the recipient.

Mr. Clifton was married April 19, 1883, to Miss. Amanda Coursey, born Aug. 13, 1868, daughter of T.J. Coursey, of Montgomery county, GA. To them six children have been born:

1.)	Olivia Robie, born Aug. 28, 1884; 
2.)	William Clisby, born March 6, 1886; 
3.)	Minnie Lou, born March 16, 1888; 
4.)	Benjamin Hill, born Feb. 8, 1890; 
5.)	Susan, born Feb. 21, died Dec. 27, 1892, and 
6.)	Minis Hunter, born April 14, 1894.