James Madison Baskin, first of the Baskin family to settle in
the Ray City area, came to Berrien county about the time it was
created in 1856. He was the grandfather of Armstrong B. Baskin,
and great grandfather of Mary Frances Baskin. James M. Baskin
was born 6 April 1829 in Houston County, GA, one of thirteen
children born to Sarah Goode and James G. Baskin. His father was
born 1792 in Abbeville District, SC. and came to Georgia as a
child. When grown to adulthood, James M. Baskin left his family
home with two slaves given to him by his father. These slaves
were experienced in construction, and James went into business
as a building contractor. While on a stay in Atlanta, James M.
Baskin resided at the Bell House, a boarding house said to be
the first hotel in Atlanta. There, he met the proprietor’s
daughter, Frances Bell Knox. She was a widow with a three-year-
old son, Alton Knox. About 1852, Frances Bell Knox and James
Madison Baskin were married in Houston County. In 1853, Frances
gave James a daughter,