Before the land was officially ceded to the United States, the Sutton family was already established in the area that would become Batesville, Georgia. Joshua Sutton’s grandparents are believed to have settled there in the 1700s and founded Sutton Mill, which appears on some of the earliest known maps of the region—when the land was still considered Cherokee territory.

Batesville General Store:
A Historical Timeline

A legacy of resilience, family, and Southern history in the heart of the North Georgia mountains

Joshua A. Sutton, Sandy Sutton’s third great-grandfather, officially founded the town of Batesville in the early 1800s. He acquired large portions of land between what are now Highways 197 and 255, including what is today the general store property, the church, the school, and access to the Soque River.

The Sutton home was more than a residence. It also served as the post office for Batesville and was officially known during the 1820s and 1830s as Camp Sutton, a federal outpost used during the Indian Removal era. Letters from that period are addressed to Camp Sutton and refer to Joshua Sutton as “Colonel,” suggesting he had a formal role in the region’s operations during that time.

Joshua also had earlier military involvement in the Seminole Indian wars in Florida. In addition to his roles as a farmer and postmaster, he founded Providence College, was involved in land development, and constructed what was considered the first sawed plank house in Habersham County.

Documents and letters preserved by the Sutton family provide a glimpse into the personal side of life in early Batesville. One Sutton family man endured public scandal when his wife ran off with a traveling salesman. He later married a woman 25 years younger, and they had several children together.

After a tragic fire destroyed the family home, the Suttons converted their general store into a combined residence and store, continuing to serve the community while maintaining a place to live.

Ownership of the property later passed to Woodrow Free, who was married to Rosalie Sutton, Sandy’s great-aunt. Rosalie was raised in the structure after it had been converted to serve both as a home and a general store. She recalled that her bedroom was also the living room, and her hand-drawn sketches and memories serve as a key part of the family’s archival history.

By mid-century, the Batesville General Store had become a vital stop for travelers, especially those coming to fish the Soque River, known for its crystal-clear waters and abundant trout. Fishermen from across the Southeast made the journey to Batesville, and the store played a central role in their visits.

The Sutton family often fed the fishermen, offering hot coffee and biscuits in the mornings, and tomato sandwiches and lemonade later in the day. For many, the Batesville General Store was just as much a part of the river experience as the fishing itself.

1940s–1960s

Through the decades, the store remained a reliable anchor in the community. Locals came to pick up groceries, share stories, or simply enjoy time on the front porch. The store connected generations—serving as a bridge between the town’s rich past and its everyday present.

Fishermen and the Soque River

Mid-to-Late 1800s

Scandal, Fire, and Family Rebuilding

1700s

Early Sutton Roots and Sutton Mill

Early 1800s

Founding of Batesville and Camp Sutton

Early 1900s 

 The Free Family and Store Life

Mid-to-Late 1900s

A Hub for Locals and Visitors