Tuscaloosa had three other names before finally being called Tuscaloosa.
Falls of the Black Warrior
In the first and oldest deed book in the probate office, the place is mentioned as “The Falls of the Black Warrior.”
Shelltown
Another place in these old books the young city is called “Shelltown.” Martin Sums used to explain that this name was given on account of a large bank of mussel shells a little down the river and west of the settlement.
Map of Tuscaloosa, Alabama 1887 (Library of Congress)
Matildaville
It was also known as “Matildaville.” The origin of this name seems to be from a letter from Professor H. S. Halbert, of Meridian, Mississippi, giving me the information that Joshua H. Halbert, who kept the “shanty of a hotel” in Tuscaloosa in 1816 was a grand uncle of his, and that he (Joshua H.) was a preacher (he did not say of what denomination), and that he was the first man to drive a horse wagon into Tuscaloosa. “Ox wagons”, the letter reads, “no doubt may have preceded him, but his was the first horse wagon.
And again quoting from his letter, and being more pertinent to the subject he says, “Rev. Joshua Halbert married Matilda Nash and I have always heard that Tuscaloosa was first called Matildaville in honor of her before it received its final name of Tuscaloosa.”
Two hundred people in 1817
In 1817 there were 200 people in Tuscaloosa. About January 1818, the first census of the little town was taken and there was a population of two hundred and ninety-six (296) inhabitants. For the next two years, the growth in population for the town and county must have been very rapid.
Greenwood Cemetery, the original cemetery in Tuscaloosa, by Carol Highsmith, 2010
Brewer’s., history of Alabama, page 550, gives the information that in 1820, four years after the arrival of Thomas York, there was in the town and county 5894 white people and 2335 negro slaves, or a total of 8229 inhabitants.
Brewer also makes the following statements regarding the county, page 570: “Wm. L. Adams was the first lawyer that came to the county; John L. Tindall the first physician, John Click the first merchant, Richmond Cat roll the first blacksmith, and Nathan Roberts the first preacher.
Court system of early Tuscaloosa
Under the territorial government Isaac Patrick was the first chief justice of the county court, John Smith the sheriff, Wm. H. Terrell the first clerk of the superior and Matthew Click of the county court. Under the state government, Hume R. Field was the first judge of the county court, Henry T. Anthony was the clerk of that court; John Hodge the first sheriff; and Matthew Click the first circuit court clerk. Julius Sims represented the county in the territorial legislature. Marmaduke Williams and John L. Tindall represented the county in the convention that formed the constitution; Robert Jemison and Wm. R. Smith represented it in the ‘secession’ convention; and Moses McGuire and John C. Foster in the ‘reconstruction’ convention.
In the legislative session of 1819, Thomas Hogg was the first state senator and the representatives from Tuscaloosa in the lower house were James Hill, Hardin Perkins, and Julius Sims.
Lanier Nail, Kari Nail – FYI
Great article!
Would love to know what the word “Tuscaloosa” means ?
It means “Black Warrior”. Originally spelled Tuskaloosa.
Named after Chief Tuskaloosa
I thought it meant “home of champions”. 😉
I know it was spelled differently!! With a k
Is the name Choctaw or Creek?
Has anybody got a book the tories of the hills they would sell. My gg grand father is in that book the first sheriff of Winston county.
is one TUBBERVILLE?
Thought it was named after Chief Tuskaloosa but reckon it was more important to take it away an name it what the white people wanted
And finally T Town!
fyi Alyssa Gressang