Jefferson County, Mississippi

Jefferson County History, Geography, Demographics, Cities and Towns, and Education

Etymology - Origin of County Name

Jefferson is named for U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: Census Bureau Quick Facts

County History

Jefferson County was originally known as Pickering, the original county of Jefferson (in the southwestern part of the State) was established April 2, 1799, by the following proclamation of Winthrop Sargent, the first territorial governor of Mississippi:

"I do ordain and order by these letters made patent, that all and singular the lands lying and being within the boundaries of -- the Mississippi Territory * * * should constitute two counties—the division of which shall be a line, commencing at the mouth of Fairchild’s Creek, and running direct to the most southern part of Ellicottville; thence easterly along the dividing ridge of the waters of Cole’s and Sandy creeks, so far as the present settlements extend, and thence by a due east line to the territorial boundary—the southern or lower division of which is named, and hereafter to be called Adams, and the northern or upper division, the county of Pickering."

Within its extensive boundaries as thus outlined, were embraced the upper portion of the narrow fringe of white settlements, along the Mississippi, forming a part of the so-called Natchez District, during the 18th century. It received its present name January 11, 1802, in honor of President Thomas Jefferson. The County Seat is Fayette

Much of the early emigration to the county came in over the public road known as the Natchez Trace, which ran north from Natchez through Jefferson County, to the distant white settlements on the Cumberland, Tennessee. This public road was infested by bandits in the early years of the 18th century The original county site until 1825, was at Greenville near the mouth of Cole’s Creek, but no trace of the old town remains. Greenville was the fourth station from Natchez on the old Natchez Trace, distant about 28 miles.

The Old courthouse burned in 1990, A majority of records were saved, though some of the "saved" records were later lost.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 527 square miles (1,365 km²), of which, 519 square miles (1,345 km²) of it is land and 8 square miles (20 km²) of it (1.48%) is water.

Neighboring Counties:

• Claiborne County (north)
• Copiah County (northeast)
• Lincoln County (southeast)
• Franklin County (south)
• Adams County (southwest)
• Tensas Parish, Louisiana (west)

Cities and Towns:

County Resources:

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