(Valdosta Mayor 1860) Thomas ‘Tompy’ Roberds

Mayor R.T. Roberds

Roberds served as Valdosta first mayor, though the exact term of his office can not be determined due to the loss of city records by an early fire. Roberds was descended from William George Roberds of South Carolina. R.T. Roberds graduated from the Citadel and moved to Valdosta in 1859, where he started a mercantile business. In 1860 he married Harriet Eliza Zeigler. He joined Co. D, 50th Regiment, Georgia Volunteers Infantry, CSA. He was wounded in battle at Knoxville and died when his leg had to be amputated.