Pike County, located in the southeastern section of the state, is one of the oldest counties in Alabama. The county was created from portions of Henry and Montgomery Counties by an act of the Alabama General Assembly on December 17, 1821. Pike County was named for General Zebulon Montgomery Pike, an explorer and stateman from New Jersey who mapped much of the southern portion of the Louisiana Purchase. In the early years, Pike County covered over eleven hundred square miles and was often referred to as “the State of Pike.” Over the next few years, Barbour, Bullock and Crenshaw Counties were carved out of Pike County and by 1897 the county was reduced to 674 square miles.
Located on the Meriwether Trail is the small community of China Grove. It is believed that China Grove is one of the oldest settlements in Pike County, along with Orion, Brundidge, Henderson and Goshen. China Grove was probably settled before Alabama became a state. On December 13, 1821, the home of Andrew Creswell Townsend was established as the temporary site of the Seat of Justice for the newly formed County. Andrew C. Townsend was Justice of the Peace in Montgomery County in 1820 and upon moving to Pike County he later served as Representative to the State in 1828 and 1830. He also served as Postmaster at China Grove in 1832. The Townsend family was very active in community affairs and were influential in the early years after Pike County was established. Many of the Townsend descendants still live in Pike County today.
Unfortunately no records remain from any of the court proceedings of that era. The county seat was moved just over a year later to Louisville, which at that time was in Pike County but now is in Barbour County. In 1827 the county seat was moved to Monticello and finally to Troy in 1838.
As part of the Bicentennial celebration, the Pike County Commission purchased a historical marker to commemorate China Grove as the first seat of Justice. On December 16, 2021, the marker dedication was held at the China Grove/Concord Cemetery which is believed to be near the original home of Andrew C. Townsend. Speaking at the event were Pike County Commissioner Robin Sullivan, Mayor Jason A. Reeves, City of Troy and Dianne Smith, Pike County Historical, Genealogical & Preservation Society. The Charles Henderson High School ROTC presented the colors, Rev. Darryl Caldwell of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church gave the invocation and Sheila Jackson, City of Troy Department of Tourism sang the National Anthem. At the conclusion of the program, the marker was unveiled by Pike County, City of Troy and local officials.