06/04/2026
𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 - 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗹 📜
The first documented sheriff of our county that we are aware of was Benjamin Baldwin, serving in 1809. While records preserve his name, no known photograph of Sheriff Baldwin has been found to our knowledge.
The earliest sheriff for whom we have located a photograph is Sheriff Joseph Hall, pictured here (courtesy of Shirley Matthews). Hall served as sheriff starting in 1828 and again in 1849, helping to shape law enforcement during some of the county’s earliest years.
The son of Judge Charles Hall II and Mary Byrne Hall, Joseph Hall's family settled in a community known as Carpenter’s Station when they moved to Alabama. He spent much of his life farming and operating a sawmill before entering public service. In addition to serving as sheriff during the county’s formative years, Hall also served as the county’s Tax Collector. He was known for supporting his fellow citizens and was well respected by community leaders of his time. Sheriff Joseph Hall passed away on October 5, 1869, leaving behind a legacy of service to the people of this county.
Today, we are proud to continue the legacy and mission established by those who came before us... serving our community with dedication, integrity, and a commitment to public safety. The foundations laid by these early sheriffs continue to guide our office as we carry that responsibility forward.
*A special thank you to Ms. Shirley Matthews for compiling the records from which this information and photo was gathered and preserved for future generations. We are grateful for the work of local historians, researchers, and family members who help preserve and share these important pieces of our history. Stories like these allow us to better understand the people who helped build our community.
This is just one of many stories from our county and agency's rich history. We will continue sharing interesting historical information, photographs, and stories in the future. If you have additional information, family stories, photographs, or historical details related to our past, please feel free to share them in the comments below.
