First Families of Gwinnett

The Nortons, Britts and Snells of Snellville, Tullis' and Berrys of Dacula, the Nashes, Deals, Moons, (it's beginning to sound a little bit like a Hobbit convention...), and a host of other "first families" have all contributed to the greatness of Gwinnett County for decades, if not centuries. 

If you're a member of one of the first families, or know someone who is, share your story with us! Either post in the comment section or email the editor at Crystal.Huskey@patch.com. You can also post the story as a blog. 

Marlene Buchanan, a Patch reader and former columnist, wrote a piece a while back about Jack Britt, a Snellville resident and member of one of these original families. We'll share the story here: 

"Jack Britt is one of the most beloved people in Snellville. He was born “about half way between Gloster and Five Forks, so I guess I can claim whichever I want.”  And for the last 85 years, Jack has positively impacted everyone who has ever met him.

Perhaps I should clarify that. There may be some referees out there that were impacted by Jack, in not such a positive manner. Jack started coaching in 1950, and truthfully he has never stopped. He still is Coach Britt.  He is still someone his “kids” seek out for advice.

Jack and Peggy are very popular and attend most of the school reunions. He has a phenomenal memory for names, dates and stories. He can see someone after 30 years and recognize them.  It is like his mind ages people appropriately.  Peggy said they went to the 55^thTucker School reunion. He knew all of his sixth graders And he told stories about each one of them.

A Story About That

Jack went to Grayson School, and at 15, he lied about his age and joined the Navy in World War II. He served on the Destroyer Escort USS Riddle as a gunner. His ship participated in all the major campaigns in the Pacific. After service, he returned home to complete high school and attend the University of Georgia.

If you know Jack and Peggy, you know he always “has a story about that.” And then he proceeds to turn you inside out with laughter.

He said he was only about 5 feet 2 inches and the induction people had to spot him five pounds, so he could make the minimum cut off of 110 to enlist.  After he was issued his gear, he and two buddies headed back across the parade grounds to their barracks. The buddies missed Jack. Retracing their steps, they found Jack on his back unable to get up. His pack weighed so much and was so big that it pulled him onto his back, and there he lay like a stranded turtle waiting for rescue. One man picked up Jack and the other his pack.

When we walked in their home, Snell said “you’ve come along way from rice and beans.”  One of Jack’s favorite expressions when he was at South Gwinnett High School was to say that they were scrapping rice out of the bottom of the barrel and having to eat beans to make ends meet. I asked him if he missed the house and huge yard they had in Lawrenceville. He said he just smiles every time he hears the landscapers crank up the lawn mowers. He said he didn’t miss cutting grass at all. 

In 1950, Jack began his teaching career with the sixth grade at Tucker School. He coached boys and girls basketball, boys and girls track, and started the 11-man football team. Until this time, football was played with six men.

Jack was at Lawrenceville School from 1951 to 1956. He was making BIG money. The city of Lawrenceville paid him $1000 a year and school board paid him $400. Eventually Gwinnett County supplemented with an additional $400. At that time Jack was teaching and coaching girls’ and boys’ basketball, track and tennis, and boys’ baseball. He started the first football team in Gwinnett County Schools. And, he met Peggy.

Jack and Peggy (called Wife or Peg Leg by Jack and the children) have been married 58 years. Jack met Peggy when he was teaching at the Lawrenceville School.  They started getting “sweet on one another" and courted at Peggy’s house under her Mama’s watchful eye. They were blessed with four children, 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren, with another one on the way."

Read the rest of the story here.