Butler County AL

Butler County, Alabama, established on December 13, 1819, was named in honor of Captain William Butler, a hero of the Creek War of 1813-14. Greenville, serving as the county seat since 1822, became a central point of trade and governance in the region. The county’s early establishment, prior to Alabama’s statehood in December 1819, makes it a region of significant historical and genealogical interest, with records dating back to the early 19th century. Situated in the south-central part of the state, Butler County is characterized by its rolling hills and fertile lands, part of the state’s Black Belt region, historically renowned for its cotton production and plantation economy. This rich agricultural history played a pivotal role in the county’s development and demographic patterns, particularly influencing the lives of both European-American settlers and African American populations, many of whom were enslaved on these plantations before the Civil War. The Camellia City, as Greenville is known, along with the county’s historical towns and communities, offers genealogists a wealth of resources, including land deeds, military records, and vital records that are essential for tracing family histories and understanding the social dynamics of the region through various eras.