By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

George Camp was one of Roswell’s founding fathers, settling in the small mill village nearly 170 years ago and rising to prominence within the small community until he became Roswell’s first postmaster and the second president of the Roswell Manufacturing Company. His love affair with his wife, Jane Atwood, has been detailed through the compilation of the love letters the couple wrote in the book “Providence: Selected Correspondence of George Camp,” co-edited by local historian Darlene Walsh. Camp refers many times to the “providence” that led him to settle in the area.

And now, Camp is getting some of the recognition he deserves, instead of being overshadowed by his friends, the Kings; he’s getting Roswell’s newest housing development, named after the book.

Located just off Roswell’s historic Canton Street – right behind the Clay Café to be exact – the development of townhomes will be placed, expanding on a current development that exists. Built in a classic “brownstone” design, the homes will aim to be affordable and perfect for families hoping to lead active lives.

“We want to conserve our resources,” said Mike Walsh, the developer (who will also be living in one of the homes). “We’re putting in an urban organic garden in the back. Our hope is to have a community garden not only for here but to service our local restaurants.

“We’re trying to encourage everybody to park their car in the garage and say goodbye to it for the weekends. There’s plenty to do around here.” Building townhomes and including aspects such as a community garden and having such a unique location, Walsh and his team hope to create a true community – no subdivision where residents don’t know their neighbors, but a place where people can live and shop and eat with their neighbors on a regular basis.

“In real estate I’ve always heard ‘location, location, location.’ I can’t think of a better location for you to develop than right here,” said Mayor Jere Wood, who attended a ground breaking ceremony at the small park near the entrance to the development. “I like how this place is going. You’ve begun with a garden. It shows your commitment to the environment and to having a beautiful place to live.”

The name of the development, “Providence,” was taken from Darlene Walsh’s bood of the same name, which was anything but accident.

“My husband and Mike’s dad are cousins,” explained Darlene. “He called me one Sunday afternoon and said ‘I really want a strong link to our history. What do you think about me using the title of your book?’”

“For 57 years, [George] Camp was married, Jane. She would summer in Roswell – as a retreat from the heat [of Savannah]. George many times mentions how he blessed the providence that led him to settle in Roswell.”

Perhaps once the development is complete, other settlers will thank that same providence.

For more information, visit www.providenceroswell.com.