Early County was named in honor of Governor Peter Early, a Virginia native who served Georgia as a congressional delegate, and, later, Governor of Georgia from 1813 to 1815.
         In 1817 a limited number of people settled in Early County, but by 1818 quite a few took up residence on Harrod's Creek (now known as the Old Factory Creek) on the Chattahoochee River.
         No provisions were made for the election of county officers until the Organization Act was passed in 1819.  A temporary courthouse was established at the home of Richard Grimsley for the election of county officers and sessions of the Inferior Court.  The first court was held on March 27, 1820 and continued to be held here until 1825.
         As settlers began to settle in different parts of Early County it became necessary to create new counties for the administration of law and order.  The following counties have been created from the original Early County:

• Decatur, in 1823.

• Baker, in 1825.

• Thomas, from Decatur and Irwin, in 1825.

• Dougherty, from Baker. in 1853.

• Calhoun, from Early and Randolph, in 1854.

• Clay, from Early and Randolph, in 1854.

• Mitchell, in 1857.

• Colquitt, from Thomas and Lowndes, in 1856.

• Grady, from Thomas and Decatur, in 1905.

• Seminole, from Decatur, in 1920.
  Read more history on our history page...