Early County was one of seven counties created on Dec. 15, 1818, by an act of the General Assembly (Ga. Laws 1818, p. 27). [Click here for a legal description of Early County's original boundaries.] Early, Irwin, Appling counties extended across south Georgia and were created from Creek lands acquired in 1814 by the Treaty of Fort Jackson.

Irwin, Appling, and Early counties were organized by an act of Dec. 21, 1819, which provided for election of county officials in each county (Ga. Laws 1819, p. 65).

Portions of Early County's original boundaries were used to create the following counties: Decatur (1823), Baker (1825), Clay (1854), Calhoun (1854), and Miller (1856). Other counties created from these five counties and falling within Early's original boundaries are: Dougherty (1853), Mitchell (1857), Grady (1905), and Seminole (1920). Also a portion of Thomas County (created in 1825) falls in Early's original boundaries.

Georgia's 40th county was named for former governor, congressman, and judge Peter Early (1773-1817). Early was governor when the Creeks ceded the lands that would later be used to form Early, Irwin, and Appling counties. The year after Early's death, the legislature named a new county for him.

Historical Maps

 

1822

 

1823

 

1825

 

1830

 

1834

 

1839

 

1846

 

1855

 

1863

 

1864

 

1865

 

1874

 

1883

 

1885a

 

1885b

 

1895

 

1899

 

1904

 

1910

 

1915

 

1952

 

1955

 

1970a

 

1970b

 

1999

 

2001a

 

2001b

Go to Historical Atlas of Georgia Counties

Go to Early County Courthouse page