Simmie Free

Simmie Free
Born	Template:Birth date Rabun County, Georgia, U.S.
Died	May 1, 1980(1980-05-01) (aged 88)
Occupation	Moonshine producer
Years active	1938–?
Known for	Moonshine production in Rabun County, Georgia

Simmie Free (January 14, 1892 – May 1, 1980) was a notable American producer of moonshine, mainly operating in Rabun County, Georgia.

Early life and education

Free was born in Rabun County to parents who could not read or write. He discontinued formal education after completing the second grade to assist his father in crafting corn whiskey, locally referred to as "likker."

Moonshining career

Before settling back in Rabun County in 1938 to distill moonshine on his own, Free resided in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. His initial recipe called for corn meal and rye, both obtained from Talmadge's Grist Mill located in Athens, Georgia, before he incorporated sugar into the mixture. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, moonshine was sold at approximately one dollar per gallon, serving as a vital source of income for Appalachian residents beyond the coal and timber sectors. At the height of his activity, Free ranked among Georgia’s top moonshine producers and endured several incarcerations due to his illicit trade. Family anecdotes describe instances where jars of moonshine were concealed beneath quilts when law enforcement officers visited.

Free remarked that prior to Prohibition, moonshine consumption was common locally, with many individuals carrying flasks filled with "likker."

Death

Free passed away on May 1, 1980, aged 88.

Legacy

The Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery credits its recipes to Free’s heritage, underscoring his enduring impact on the region’s moonshine craftsmanship.