Miller-Martin Town House
Louisville Ave., Clayton, ALThe Miller-Martin Town House is one of approximately ten remaining pre-civil war homes still standing in Clayton. Built by John H. Miller as a town house in 1859, it is an early example of Gothic Revival influence in the state.
John H. Miller was among the early settlers who migrated to Barbour County in the early 1830s. He and his wife came from Orangeburg, South Carolina bringing with them a number of slaves and other belongings to the
Cowikee settlement in the northern part of Barbour County. Miller acquired a large number of acres about five miles west of Clayton on the Texasville Road. Here he built a large home and a church which served the duel
purpose of church and school. A prosperous settlement developed which was given the name Tabernacle, probably for the Old Tabernacle settlement in the South Carolina area from which the Millers originally came.
After several years of residence at Tabernacle, Miller purchased a tract of land in the town of Clayton, the county seat of Barbour and a trading center for the lower part of the county. There on the Clayton-Louisville Road, he built a large town house.
The murals which are painted on the ceilings of three rooms were thought to have been painted by an artist named Massillon who painted a portrait of one of the Millers at the time that the house was being planned.
With the advent of the Civil War and its aftermath the Miller family was forced to sell the house in 1871 to Judge Henry Clinton Russell, then Probate Judge of Barbour County. His wife Ella Lore Russell was a member of the Lore family, prominent in the affairs of Barbour County.
The house has been owned by several families since the Russells. In 1915 the house was sold to John Council Martin, a prominent farmer and merchant in Clayton, who served as mayor from 1926 to 1930. The house is now owned by his daughter, Mrs. W. D. Anderson.
Local significance of the building:
John H. Miller was among the early settlers who migrated to Barbour County in the early 1830s. He and his wife came from Orangeburg, South Carolina bringing with them a number of slaves and other belongings to the
Cowikee settlement in the northern part of Barbour County. Miller acquired a large number of acres about five miles west of Clayton on the Texasville Road. Here he built a large home and a church which served the duel
purpose of church and school. A prosperous settlement developed which was given the name Tabernacle, probably for the Old Tabernacle settlement in the South Carolina area from which the Millers originally came.
After several years of residence at Tabernacle, Miller purchased a tract of land in the town of Clayton, the county seat of Barbour and a trading center for the lower part of the county. There on the Clayton-Louisville Road, he built a large town house.
The murals which are painted on the ceilings of three rooms were thought to have been painted by an artist named Massillon who painted a portrait of one of the Millers at the time that the house was being planned.
With the advent of the Civil War and its aftermath the Miller family was forced to sell the house in 1871 to Judge Henry Clinton Russell, then Probate Judge of Barbour County. His wife Ella Lore Russell was a member of the Lore family, prominent in the affairs of Barbour County.
The house has been owned by several families since the Russells. In 1915 the house was sold to John Council Martin, a prominent farmer and merchant in Clayton, who served as mayor from 1926 to 1930. The house is now owned by his daughter, Mrs. W. D. Anderson.
Architecture; Social History
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The University of Alabama was the site of one of the most dramatic moments in college football history. In 1970, legendary Alabama head coach Bear Bryant walked onto the field during a game against Southern California and ordered his team to remove their helmets as a sign of respect for the recent passing of USC's coach.
About Barbour County
Barbour County Timeline
Barbour County, located in southeastern Alabama, has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1832. The region was originally inhabited by the Creek Native American tribe, until the Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced them to relocate westward. The county was named after James Barbour, a U.S. senator and 18th-century Virginia governor.
In the early years, Barbour County's economy was predominantly driven by agriculture. Plantations were established, with cotton being the primary crop cultivated by enslaved African Americans. The county thrived during the antebellum period, but the Civil War brought significant changes. Barbour County experienced the devastating effects of the conflict, with battles taking place in nearby areas and the decline of the plantation system.
Following the war, Barbour County faced the challenges of Reconstruction. The county's economy shifted to focus on timber, mining, and manufacturing, particularly with the establishment of sawmills. The railroad industry also played a crucial role in developing the county, linking it to other parts of Alabama and facilitating trade and transportation.
During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Barbour County became a site of significant activism and resistance. African Americans, led by prominent local leaders including William T. Baxley and J.L. Chestnut Jr., fought for equal rights and against racial segregation. These efforts led to notable achievements, such as the desegregation of public facilities and the increase in African American political representation.
Today, Barbour County continues to be an agricultural hub, with farming and forestry as important sectors of the local economy. The county's history is celebrated through various heritage festivals and events, reflecting the diverse cultures and influences that have shaped its past.
In the early years, Barbour County's economy was predominantly driven by agriculture. Plantations were established, with cotton being the primary crop cultivated by enslaved African Americans. The county thrived during the antebellum period, but the Civil War brought significant changes. Barbour County experienced the devastating effects of the conflict, with battles taking place in nearby areas and the decline of the plantation system.
Following the war, Barbour County faced the challenges of Reconstruction. The county's economy shifted to focus on timber, mining, and manufacturing, particularly with the establishment of sawmills. The railroad industry also played a crucial role in developing the county, linking it to other parts of Alabama and facilitating trade and transportation.
During the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, Barbour County became a site of significant activism and resistance. African Americans, led by prominent local leaders including William T. Baxley and J.L. Chestnut Jr., fought for equal rights and against racial segregation. These efforts led to notable achievements, such as the desegregation of public facilities and the increase in African American political representation.
Today, Barbour County continues to be an agricultural hub, with farming and forestry as important sectors of the local economy. The county's history is celebrated through various heritage festivals and events, reflecting the diverse cultures and influences that have shaped its past.
Barbour County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Barbour County, Alabama.
- 1832 - Barbour County is created by an act of the Alabama State Legislature.
- 1833 - The county seat is established in Louisville, Alabama.
- 1834 - The first courthouse is completed in Louisville.
- 1863 - During the American Civil War, the county is occupied by Union troops.
- 1868 - The county seat is moved from Louisville to Clayton.
- 1893 - The first railroad, the Alabama Midland Railway, is completed in the county.
- 1903 - The town of Eufaula becomes the largest city in Barbour County.
- 1929 - The Great Depression begins, negatively affecting the county's economy.
- 1941 - Barbour County contributes soldiers to World War II.
- 1965 - Civil rights activism takes place in the county during the Selma to Montgomery marches.
- 2000 - Barbour County's population reaches its peak at over 29,000 residents.