The Early Years of Henry County, Alabama

In the early years of the 1800’s, with the Revolutionary War ending….. President Thomas Jefferson sent Colonel Epharaim Kerby to scout the waterway of the Chattahoochee River.  Thus, to determine the opportunity to add another region to the United States. The report was obviously worthy for the President and his staff to start the confrontations that would be embedded in our history books forever. In order for this area to become part of the land of the free, the Indian Wars between the United States and the Creek Nations was not an option, but a given. Indians of every tribe in the “Mississippi Territory” would not freely relinquish their rights to the lands and live in peace with the new government to come.

Led by General Andrew Jackson, the Indian Wars began in 1813 and did not last long. Soon the Chiefs of the Creek Nation would seek resolution in exchange for no more fighting on their behalf. A Treaty was drawn up with an agreement for payment of the land and a new reservation to be offered in the soon to be named, State of Alabama. This “Boundary” line for their expulsion into another portion of the State would not come without some tribes staying to make the acquisition more troublesome.

So yet again, in 1816 – 1817 General Jackson led his army to run the majority of Creek, Seminole and Choctaw Indians to the area south into the Spanish Territory of Florida and west into the Mississippi Territory. Many, whom were friendlier or had influence with the local white man, were allowed to stay. With this expulsion, came political movements to move them even further to an area in South Florida.

In early 1819, when the south eastern bank region was formed by the Alabama Territorial Legislature, influential patriots and settlers planning the move into the area proposed to call the newly developed area “Henry County”. This in honor of one of the forefather’s of the War of Independence, Patrick Henry. Later that year, on December 13, 1819, Henry County was created and was more than 4,000 square miles in size. This “Mother County” would birth eight other counties until 1885 when the final county was established. These counties are in the order that they were created: Covington, Pike, Dale, Barbour, Coffee, Crenshaw, Geneva and Houston.

Over the next 50 years, the white settlers (some with slaves for help with plantations chores) would move into the area slowly and cautiously. The uncivilized areas were dangerous to travel due to very few roads being available for transporting their families and their belongings. The entire area was filled with dense woods and untamed wild animals along the banks of the three rivers that flow south into the Gulf of Mexico.

Many of those who fought for our right to live in the “Wiregrass” never really got the chance to see our area grow with their efforts and sacrifice, at least here on earth. But they knew that going into the fight. But, with that effort many dreams where fulfilled to allow us to grow as neighbors for freedom and the American way of life. The farming, industrial, retail, and medical industries have helped our area grow at a steady pace while our municipalities prospered with many obstacles to overcome. We invite other industries to prosper as well.

We are blessed to have been raised here and welcome new resident’s and industry to look at our area for their next relocation. Thank you for visiting www.DothanAlabamaMall.com where the “Mall” is the “Wiregrass”.