Prominent People of The Milan Community

When county lines are re-drawn it confuses us all; but, as best as I can tell, Parnick George owned lots of land in the vicinity of Milan Church. Parnick George was the oldest son of Elizabeth and Travis George of North Knox County that later became Union County. The Georges are said to be English, but now that we have DNA testing there is probably much more detail available. Travis George came to what was then North Knox County before 1797. The first census of the United States –1790–lists Travis George as head of household in Salisbury District, Stokes County, North Carolina. This Travis is believed to be Parnick’s father and progenitor of the local George family.

Travis' will, written October 28, 1833, lists Parnick as the oldest of ten children. Parnick and his brother-in-law administered Travis’ will. Parnick and Mary Ann’s children are:

Susan McClung George, b. September 1, 1821; m. John Gibbs
Eliza Jane George, b. July 3, 1823; m. Calvin Major
Mary Ann George, b. October 10, 1825; m. John Loy at New Market
William George, b. May 24, 1827; m. Rachel Foust
Levi George, b. August 17, 1830; m. Susan E. Hill
Travis (T. W. L.) b. March 1, 1834; m1. Martha Miller ; m2. Pauline E. Buckner
Elijah Arrington George, b. February 3, 1840; m. Sarah Hall

Mr. George was a man of means and acquired large tracts of land, which later were inherited by his son, Travis (TWL) George. Parnick’s wife, Mary Ann, inherited the homestead and 400 acres for her lifetime. Then that land went to their granddaughter, Lucy Ann George Smith.

While serving as Tax Collector, Mr. George contracted pneumonia and died in Union County on February 3, 1866 at the home of his son, Travis and his second wife Pauline Buckner George. Mary Ann lived eleven years after the death of Parnick. She died in February of 1877 at the home of Lucy Ann George Smith and her husband, Samuel N. Smith. Their home was the two-story white house that stood where Paulette School was built. Mary Ann and Parnick both are buried in Milan Cemetery.