, who passed for and was treated as his slave. The boy had been
called Austin, to which the captain to whose company he was attached
added Dabney.

Dabney proved himself a good soldier. In many a skirmish with the
British and Tories, he acted a conspicuous part. He was with Colonel
Elijah Clarke in the battle of Kettle Creek, and was severely wounded
by a rifleball passing through his thigh, by which he was made a
cripple for life. He was unable to do further military duty, and was
without means to procure due attention to his wound, which threatened
his life. In this suffering condition he was taken into the house of a
Mr. Harris, where he was kindly cared for until he recovered. He
afterwards labored for Harris and his family more faithfully than any
slave could have been made to do.

After the close of the war, when prosperous times came, Austin Dabney
acquired property. In the year 18--, he removed to Madison County,
carrying with him his benefactor and family. Here he became noted for
his great fondness for horses and the turf. He attended all the races
in the neighboring counties, and betted to the extent of his means.
His courteous behavior and good temper always secured him gentlemen
backers. His means were aided by a pension which he received from the
United States.

In the distribution of the public lands by lottery among the people
of Georgia, the Legislature gave to Dabney a lot of land in the county
of Walton. The Hon. Mr. Upson, then a representative from Oglethorpe,
was the member who moved the passage of the law, giving him the lot
of land.

At the election for members of the Legislature the year after, the
County of Madison was distracted by the animosity and strife of an
Austin Dabney and an Anti-Austin Dabney party. Many of the people
were highly incensed that a mulatto negro should receive a gift of
the land which belonged to the freemen of Georgia. Dabney soon after
removed to the land given him by the State, and carried with him
the family of Harris, and continued to labor for them, and
appropriated whatever he made for their support, except what was
necessary for his coarse clothing and food. Upon his death, he left
them all his property. The eldest son of his benefactor he sent to
Franklin College, and afterwards sup