Fannin County, like many other regions of theUnited States, have legends, myths and tall tales.. The Native Americanshave their tales and spiritual myths to help them understand the greatmysteries.. For the most part, these tales are based in some truth that give thestories the necessary impact to survive the test of time.
In the 1830's, the Cherokee land in FanninCounty was given out in lots, it was only offered to residents of Georgia whohad been living in the state for three years or longer. In the 1860'sFannin County started being populated by North Carolinians. These wereexperienced mountain folk, who's families and ancestors worked their way downthe Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountains from Pennsylvania. This hardy stock ofpioneers were the Scot's or Highlander's.
Natural mountaineers in their homeland, theHighlander's brought with them a special type of experience and European custom.The pressure of government in this country as well as the oppression of theBritish in their Scottish homeland, the Highlanders tried to hold onto the oldways, while accepting new ideas. They brought Christianity as their guidingfaith while keeping many pagan customs and practices of holistic medicinesand such. They mingled with the local natives, exchanging ideas, technology,arts, customs and other practices. The popularity of the curative mineralsprings located in Fannin County blended well with concepts presented by thesenatural practitioners. Traditions and medical practices hundreds of years oldhave made up a unique perspective on the mountain culture healingpractices....from herbs, to potions, spells, crystals and stones. Mountain folkpractitioners and herbalist had a special place during this era and havebecome a fascination in the world of modern health.
Fairy Crosses are probably the most tangible, myth-legend in Fannin County. Theyare referred to as crosses, due to their shape. The mineral name for "fairycrosses" is staurolite. The staurolite is considered to be the Georgiastate mineral. Fannin County stands as one of the most significant finds offairy crosses in the Blue Ridge mountains. Fannin County has also been referredto, by noted mineralogist, as having the finest specimens of staurolite in theworld.
TheTears of Fairies
The legend of "fairy crosses" have come down through history from thefirst meeting of John Smith and Pocahontas, which states that the IndianPrincess gave John Smith a good luck charm necklace made out of a "fairycross". It's also known that President Theodore Roosevelt carried an amuletmade from a "fairy cross".
Locally there are two popular tales concerning the "staurolite". Onestates that "staurolite" or "fairy crosses" are the tears ofthe Cherokee, who wept over the loss of their homeland during the exodus on the"Trail of Tears". The other tale stems from an older legend concerningan ancient race of mountain fairies. This second tale tells of the fairiesgetting together at their favorite meeting place for dancing and gaiety, only tofind out during one rendezvous some 2000 years ago, that the Son of the GreatCreator died upon a cross. So moved by the loss of one so great in the spiritworld, the fairies were crushed in heart and cried. As they wept, their tearsfell to the ground and were crystallized into what we know as "fairycrosses".
What do we know about "fairycrosses?" Well, no two fairy crosses ever found are alike. There are threetypes. The Maltese Cross is a well formed, perfectly even cross, most difficultto find and highest prized by collectors. The second is the Saint Andrews'Cross, a more common find, with the angled line through the cross instead of ahorizontal line. Third is the Prismatic Cross, easiest and more commonly found,a less than perfect shape but crossed just the same. From a theoretical point ofview, staurolites were created under great pressure and high temperature some 60to 500 million years ago, either formed from within the earth or arriving on ameteorite. No matter what tale agrees with you the most, staurolite is becomingscarce due to its popularity..."fairy crosses" are as ancient asFannin County can get.
People were able to dig for the stones atHackney Farm in Fannin County Georgia but the farm has been sold and the newowners won't let anyone on the property anymore. I will keep looking andif anyone knows of a place let me know and i will post it.
Here is a picture of some fairy cross stones.
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