CLARKE COUNTY, AL HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

Clarke County to 1860 by Akens, David Strode, (1956) – 188 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2025.11.10.1200.AR

Clarke County, Alabama: A Genealogical Overview

As one of Alabama’s oldest counties, formed during the Mississippi Territory era, Clarke county is steeped in the history of early American settlement, the Creek War of 1813-14, and the development of the river-based cotton and timber economies. Its records are among the earliest in the state.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Clarke county’s early formation and its role as a parent county to others is key to tracing pioneer families in southwestern Alabama.

  • 1812: County Formed: Clarke county was established on December 10, 1812, by an act of the Mississippi Territorial Legislature.
  • Parent County: It was created from a large portion of Washington county.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of General John Clarke, a decorated soldier from Georgia who fought in the American Revolution and later served as governor of that state.
  • County Seat History: The first county seat was established at Clarkesville in 1820. In 1831, the seat was moved to the more central location of Macon, which was soon renamed Grove Hill. Grove Hill has remained the county seat ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was a contested borderland between the territories of the Choctaw Nation to the west and the Creek Nation to the east. The division line ran through the county.
  • Creek War and Forts: The county was a center of conflict during the Creek War of 1813-14. To protect themselves, settlers constructed numerous stockades, often referred to as forts. The most famous of these are Fort Sinquefield, site of a major attack, and Fort Madison.
  • Settlement and Economy: Following the war, American settlers poured into the fertile lands between the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. The economy was built on large cotton plantations that depended on the labor of enslaved African Americans. In the 20th century, the economy diversified with the rise of the timber and paper industries, particularly around the city of Jackson.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Clarke county.

  • Courthouse:
    • Clarke County Probate Office: Located at 114 Court Street, Grove Hill, AL 36451. This office is the primary repository for the county’s historical records, including wills, estate files, land records, and marriage licenses dating back to the county’s formation in 1812.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration began in 1908. Records are held by the Alabama Center for Health Statistics in Montgomery.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1812 to the present are held by the Clarke County Probate Office.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Clarke County Historical Museum: Located at 116 West Cobb Street, Grove Hill, AL 36451. The museum is an essential stop for researchers, holding local artifacts and historical documents. The public libraries in Grove Hill, Jackson, and Thomasville also serve as valuable resources for local history.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Baldwin county
    • Choctaw county
    • Marengo county
    • Monroe county
    • Washington county
    • Wilcox county

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks