HENRY COUNTY, IN HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

Henry County Indiana, Past and Present a Brief History of the County From 1821–1871 by Elwood Pleas, (1871) – 170 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.16.0041.CD.AR

Henry County, Indiana: A Genealogical Overview

Located in east-central Indiana, Henry County is a region shaped by its agricultural heritage, Quaker settlement, and industrial past. Part of the state’s central till plain, its landscape is one of fertile farmland dotted with small towns. Known as a hub of Indiana’s famed “Hoosier Hysteria” for its rich basketball tradition, the county’s history is a classic Midwestern story of pioneer settlement, the rise of the automobile industry, and strong community roots.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Henry County’s formation from unorganized territory and its early administrative attachments is key to locating the earliest records for ancestors in the region.

  • 1822: County Formed: Henry County was established by an act of the Indiana General Assembly on December 31, 1821, and was formally organized on June 1, 1822.
  • Parent County: It was created from the unorganized territory known as the “Delaware New Purchase,” which was land ceded by Native American tribes in the 1818 Treaty of St. Mary’s. Before its formal organization, the area was for a time attached to Madison County for administrative and judicial purposes. Records from this brief pre-1822 period may be found in Madison County records.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Henry County’s original boundaries were surveyed and adjusted in its first few years, but it has not served as a parent county for any subsequent formations. Its borders have remained largely stable since the mid-1820s.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Patrick Henry, the Revolutionary War patriot and Governor of Virginia, famous for his “Give me liberty, or give me death!” speech.
  • County Seat History: New Castle was chosen as the county seat in 1822 and has remained the center of county government ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was historically the territory of the Miami and Delaware (Lenape) peoples. The Treaty of St. Mary’s in 1818 led to the cession of these lands, opening them to official government survey and settlement.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first significant American settlement began in the early 1820s, shortly after the land was opened. Many of the earliest settlers were Quakers from North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, who established numerous communities and meetings. The economy was overwhelmingly based on agriculture, particularly corn, wheat, and hogs. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Indiana Gas Boom brought some industry, but the most significant industrial development was the establishment of a major Chrysler automotive plant in New Castle, which drove the local economy for much of the 20th century.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Henry County.

  • Courthouse: The Henry County Courthouse is located at 101 S Main St, New Castle, IN 47362. The Henry County Clerk of the Circuit Court is the primary repository for marriage, probate (wills and estates), naturalization, and court records from the county’s formation. Land records (deeds and mortgages) are held by the Henry County Recorder at the same location.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration for deaths in Indiana began in 1899 and for births in 1907. These records are held by the Indiana State Department of Health. For records prior to these dates, researchers should check with the Henry County Health Department. These early county-level records (beginning in 1882) can be incomplete. Church records and newspapers are also vital sources.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records from 1822 to the present are held by the Henry County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • New Castle-Henry County Public Library: Located at 376 S 15th St, New Castle, IN 47362. The library has a dedicated Indiana Room with extensive local history and genealogical resources, including family histories, census records, and newspapers on microfilm.
    • Henry County Historical Society Museum: Located at 606 S 14th St, New Castle, IN 47362. This is a crucial resource for local history, photographs, and family manuscript collections.
    • Indiana State Library: (Located in Indianapolis) The Genealogy Division is an essential resource for all Indiana research, holding a vast collection of statewide records, indexes, and publications.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Delaware County, IN
    • Randolph County, IN
    • Wayne County, IN
    • Rush County, IN
    • Hancock County, IN
    • Madison County, IN
    • Fayette County, IN

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