Walthall County
  • Government
    • Town of Tylertown >
      • Tylertown Officials
      • Water, Sewer, and Public Works Department
      • Tylertown Fire Department
      • Tylertown Police Department
      • Municipal Court
      • Farmers Market
    • Walthall County >
      • Board of Supervisors >
        • District 1 - Roger Ginn
        • District 2 - Sherman Smith
        • District 3 - Doug Popwell
        • District 4 - Byran "Bird" Martin
        • District 5 - Billy Bridges
        • Mississippi Association of Supervisors
      • Chancery Clerk >
        • Staff
        • 4th District Judges
      • Circuit Clerk >
        • Marriage License or Records
        • Voting Information
        • State Administrative Office
      • Coroner
      • District Attorney >
        • Assistant District Attorney
        • Forms and Information
        • Website
      • Emergency Manager >
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Emergency Plans >
          • District 7 Hazard Mitigation Plan
        • Mississippi Emergency Management
        • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
      • Sheriff
      • Tax Assessor and Collector >
        • Appraisal Office
        • Ownership Parcel Map
        • Homestead Exemption
        • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Court System >
      • District Attorney >
        • Website
        • Assistant District Attorney
      • Supreme Court
      • Court of Appeals
      • Circuit Court >
        • Marriage License or Records
        • Voting Info
        • State Administrative Office
      • Chancery Court >
        • Chancery Clerk >
          • Staff
      • 4th District Judges
      • Justice Court
      • Drug Court
      • Tylertown Municipal Court
      • Youth Court
    • Mississippi Elected Officials >
      • Official State Website
      • Gov. Tate Reeves
      • Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann
      • Secretary of State - Michael Watson
      • Attorney Gen. Lynn Fitch
      • State Auditor - Shad White
      • State Treasurer - David McRae
      • Commissioner of Agriculture - Andy Gipson
      • Insurance Commissioner - Mike Chaney
      • Our State Legislators >
        • Sen. Barrett - Dist. 39
        • Rep. Butler - District 38
        • Rep. Porter - Dist. 98
        • Rep. Pigott - Dist. 99
        • Mississippi Legislature Website
    • U.S. Congressmen >
      • Congress.gov
  • Sheriff's Office
  • Community Info
    • Airport
    • Education System >
      • Walthall County Schools
      • Walthall County Career and Technology Center
      • Colleges and Universities >
        • Southwest Mississippi Community College
        • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Healthcare >
      • Hospitals >
        • Forrest General Hospital
        • Walthall General Hospital
        • Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center
      • Local Care >
        • Blackwell's Family Medicine
        • CMA Family Medical Clinic
        • Family Health Care Clinic
        • Walthall Clinic
        • Walthall General Hospital
        • Walthall Rural Health Clinic
        • Wesley Medical Group - Tylertown
      • Health Department >
        • WIC Program
    • Emergency Management
    • DIsaster Assistance >
      • Emergency Manager
      • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance
      • SBA LOAN FOR APRIL 19, 2020 STORM
      • SBA PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
    • Farmers Market
    • Old Town Market
    • Fire Departments
    • MSU Extension Service >
      • MSU Cares
    • Public Assistance >
      • Mississippi Dept. of Health
      • Southwest Mississippi Opportunity
      • Southwest Mississippi Planning & Development District
    • Retire in Walthall County
    • Soil and Water Conservation District
    • US Post Office
    • Veteran Services
    • Walthall County Library
  • Historical Info
    • Genealogy Information >
      • Walthall County Library
      • MS Archives and History
    • Historic Courthouse & Jail
    • Railroad and Transportation Museum
    • China Grove Church
    • Founders Cemetery >
      • Regent's Introduction
      • The Restoration of Founders Cemetery
      • Restoration Video
      • Burials
      • Twilight Cemetery Tour
      • Donors >
        • Donation Letter
        • Donation Form
    • Gen. Edward Cary Walthall
    • Ruby Bridges
    • When my world was young...
    • Mississippi Archives and History
  • Events and Attractions
    • Calendar of Events
    • Outdoor Adventures & Activities >
      • Birdwatching
      • Canoeing, Kayaking, & Tubing
      • Hunting
      • Fishing in Walthall County >
        • Fishing Spots
        • How Weather Affects Fish Activity
        • Online Fishing License
        • FAQ - Fishing
      • Local Parks, Resorts, Lakes, and Rivers >
        • Bogue Chitto River
        • Canoe and Trail Outpost
        • Hidden Springs Resort
        • Holmes Water Park
        • Paradise Ranch and Resort
        • Walker's Bridge Water Park
        • Lake Walthall
      • Parks Near Walthall County >
        • Bogue Chitto State Park - 22 miles
      • Scenic Rivers Region >
        • Bogue Chitto Water Park - 10 miles
        • Homochitto National Forest and Lake Okhissa
    • Shopping and Dining
    • Annual Festivals, etc.. >
      • Dairy Fest
      • Christmas Bazaar and Wagon Rides
      • Country Christmas Festival Craft Show
      • South MS Boucherie
      • Town-wide Halloween Party
    • Christmas in the Park >
      • Walking Tour
      • Christmas Bazaar and Wagon Rides
      • Country Christmas Festival Craft Show
    • Parades >
      • Martin Luther King Parade
      • Easter Egg Hunt
      • Christmas Parade
    • Southwest Events Center & RV Hookups
    • Tuesday's Farmers Market
    • Old Town Market
    • China Grove Methodist Church
    • Railroad and Transportation Museum
    • Walthall Barn Quilt Trail
  • Chamber of Commerce
    • About the Chamber
    • What Does Your Chamber Do?
    • Annual Chamber Awards
  • Economic Development
    • Available Land and Buildings >
      • 31,500 SF Industrial Building
      • 17,600 SF Commercial Building
      • 128-Acre Site
      • Industrial Property - up to 55 acres
      • 20-Acre Site
    • Industrial Incentives & Benefits >
      • HUBZone Program
      • Skills Training Credits
    • Workforce >
      • Workforce Preparation
      • Workforce Training >
        • Skills Training Credits
      • WIN Job Center
    • Business Info >
      • Employment Security Commission >
        • Post a Job or Find a Job
        • WIN Job Center
      • Mississippi Development Authority >
        • MS Small Business Development Center
      • Secretary of State >
        • Business One Stop
        • Y'all Business - Secretary of State
      • Small Business Administration
      • Southwest Mississippi Partnership
      • Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District
  • How do I ...?
    • Birth and Death Certificate Info
    • Car Tags
    • County History
    • Emergency Management
    • Driver's License Information
    • Employment Information
    • Find a Job
    • Find Volunteer Opportunities
    • Garbage Collection >
      • White Goods and Tires
      • Area Landfills
    • Homestead Exemption
    • Interesting Mississippi Facts
    • Marriage License or Records
    • Ownership Parcel Map
    • Retirement Info
    • School Registration
    • Voting Info
    • US Patent and Trademark Office
  • Maps
    • Supervisors District Map
    • Ownership Parcel Map
    • County Road Map

When My World Was Young...

Historical Info
by Rev. F. L. Applewhite
Reprinted from the  Tylertown Times

Walthall County, whose seat is Tylertown, is one of the newest counties in the state having been created from Marion and Pike Counties in 1912. At least two-thirds of it once belonged to Pike County and the early histories of the two counties are so closely interwoven that they are difficult to separate.

However, because of legal technicalities, the county did not set up its local government until 1914. The county has a total area of 403 square miles. Our county is located in the southern part of the state, in what is known as the long leaf pine belt. It is situated on ridges, or hilltops, forming the divides between streams, with a sloping surface draining to the south; while the hilltops are rounded and the latter areas not too level for good drainage. The county is about 300 to 400 feet above sea level in an area sloping gently toward the south.

The even climate is one of the county's best assets with short open winters favorable to the growing of early crops for the markets. The annual  rainfall is about 5 inches per year.

Walthall is one of the smallest counties in the state; yet it has many advantages over some of the larger counties, and has made rapid progress during the last five years. Not only has it progressed in the agricultural lines, but in the educational and industrial lines as well.

In its early history, this county was mostly agricultural, with cotton being the major crop. Although corn, potatoes, sugar cane, and other crops  yielded excellent returns for the farmer. (Today, the scene has  changed and the main enterprises are now dairying, the raising of beef cattle and tree farming.)

The oldest settlements in the county are China Grove and Sartinsville; both of which have interesting histories. History shows that the first settlers in the China Grove section arrived in 1802.  China Grove community, so called because of a large grove of china trees set out on the grounds around the school house and church, was first settled in 1815, according to "Luke Conerly's History of Pike County." The land for the church, which was the center of the community was first deeded to the church July 20, 1840. The deed itself is dated four years earlier, October 4, 1836, but was not recorded until the later date. An interesting feature of the deed is that although it was public land, it is described by roads, trees and creeks, rather than by township, section, and range. In 1855, N. Raiford, one of the community's early settlers, took up this land from the government and re-deeded the church property to the community. In the historic cemetery adjoining the church, many of Walthall County's leaders have been buried.

Citizens of China Grove were farmers who came from English,Scotch and Irish stock. Many of them migrated to this section from South Carolina; others came from the New England states. In addition to farming, at which many of them prospered, the citizens operated several small mills. Drury and Stovall employed John Barnes, the grandfather of Major Sartin, to construct a set of mills about a mile south of the church. These mills, which were run by water power, included an upright saw, cotton gin and press, a rice pestle mill and  fan and a grist mill. One resident, a Benjamin Holmes, in addition to being a farmer was also a bell manufacturer. He made them by hand in his shop and supplied his neighbors with bells.

At present, the old church and one or two old homes are all that are left of China Grove. The post office which was established in 1836 had been discontinued, the school abandoned. The church, a one-story frame structure built in 1854, is used only for funerals. The building has a balcony,   which in pre-Civil War days was used by slaves, who, like their masters, attended church regularly.

In 1913 [1813], Sartin's Church was established by John Sartin and others. This community is now known as  Sartinsville. The Conerly "History of Pike County" says one Stephen Ellis was the prime mover in the establishment of this church, whose first building was made of peeled pine logs.

Another group of settlers at an early date established their homes along Magee's Creek, the largest creek in the county. In 1842, Chauncey Collins, who came here from Connecticut, settled on this stream and established a tannery and shoe shop. He is said to have prided himself on the high type of work he turned out and in order to have his hides properly tanned, kept them in vats for two years.

Tylertown, the only incorporated town in the county, was first known as Magee's settlement. Cullen Conerly went there in 1850, became owner of a tract of land, bought a small store known as the Garland Hart Store, and established a post office which was called Conerly's post office for many years.

Mr. Conerly erected a mill about a mile from the Tyler of Owens mill, which, according to history, was first located on Dry Creek about 1800 or 1805 by a Jacob Owens. Because of a lack of water, Owens went lower down and built another mill which subsequently became the property of William Clanville Tyler, for whom Tylertown is named.

According to available history, the land on which Tylertown is located was originally acquired by J. Thornhill, September 20, 1808. During the time that this county was being settled and Tylertown was growing into a town, Walthall County, as a county, did not exist. This land, now known as Walthall County, was part of Marion and Pike Counties until 1914, when it set up its local government.

Walthall County was created by an act of the Legislature while Governor Earl Brewer was the head of the state.

It was named for General Edward Cary Walthall, who served Mississippi faithfully for many years. General Walthall's service during the War Between States won recognition throughout the Confederacy. He served the state as United States Senator from 1885 to 1894, resigning on account of ill health.

Owing to legal technicalities, the county officials did not take office until May 1914, although the county was created in 1912, from parts of Pike and Marion Counties.

The county's first officials appointed by the governor took their oath of office in May, 1914. These officials were: S. A. Simmons, Sheriff; C. H. Carruth, Chancery Clerk; J. J. Lee, Superintendent of Education; B. B. Breeland, Circuit Clerk; and G. C. Ball, Assessor. The members of the first Board of Supervisors were: D. M. McElveen, W. H. McDaniel, W. B. Dunaway, T. B. Jones, A. D. McGuffie. The County Treasurer was L. O.  Bridges.

These officials served until January, 1916, when new officers elected in the general election of 1915 were installed. At this time, S. A. Simmons was re-elected Sheriff; J. C. Luter, Chancery Clerk; C. W. Hinson, Circuit Clerk; B. B. Breeland, Assessor; C. I. Brumfield, Superintendent  of Education; and H. J. Brumfield, Treasurer.

This article appeared in The Tylertown Times on September 2, 1999 and is used here with the kind permission of Carolyn Dillon, Editor. (c) 1999 by The Tylertown Times. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Copies of this file may be made for personal research use by individuals as long as this notice appears on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation without the written permission of The Tylertown Times.
  • Government
    • Town of Tylertown >
      • Tylertown Officials
      • Water, Sewer, and Public Works Department
      • Tylertown Fire Department
      • Tylertown Police Department
      • Municipal Court
      • Farmers Market
    • Walthall County >
      • Board of Supervisors >
        • District 1 - Roger Ginn
        • District 2 - Sherman Smith
        • District 3 - Doug Popwell
        • District 4 - Byran "Bird" Martin
        • District 5 - Billy Bridges
        • Mississippi Association of Supervisors
      • Chancery Clerk >
        • Staff
        • 4th District Judges
      • Circuit Clerk >
        • Marriage License or Records
        • Voting Information
        • State Administrative Office
      • Coroner
      • District Attorney >
        • Assistant District Attorney
        • Forms and Information
        • Website
      • Emergency Manager >
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Emergency Plans >
          • District 7 Hazard Mitigation Plan
        • Mississippi Emergency Management
        • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
      • Sheriff
      • Tax Assessor and Collector >
        • Appraisal Office
        • Ownership Parcel Map
        • Homestead Exemption
        • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Court System >
      • District Attorney >
        • Website
        • Assistant District Attorney
      • Supreme Court
      • Court of Appeals
      • Circuit Court >
        • Marriage License or Records
        • Voting Info
        • State Administrative Office
      • Chancery Court >
        • Chancery Clerk >
          • Staff
      • 4th District Judges
      • Justice Court
      • Drug Court
      • Tylertown Municipal Court
      • Youth Court
    • Mississippi Elected Officials >
      • Official State Website
      • Gov. Tate Reeves
      • Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann
      • Secretary of State - Michael Watson
      • Attorney Gen. Lynn Fitch
      • State Auditor - Shad White
      • State Treasurer - David McRae
      • Commissioner of Agriculture - Andy Gipson
      • Insurance Commissioner - Mike Chaney
      • Our State Legislators >
        • Sen. Barrett - Dist. 39
        • Rep. Butler - District 38
        • Rep. Porter - Dist. 98
        • Rep. Pigott - Dist. 99
        • Mississippi Legislature Website
    • U.S. Congressmen >
      • Congress.gov
  • Sheriff's Office
  • Community Info
    • Airport
    • Education System >
      • Walthall County Schools
      • Walthall County Career and Technology Center
      • Colleges and Universities >
        • Southwest Mississippi Community College
        • University of Southern Mississippi
    • Healthcare >
      • Hospitals >
        • Forrest General Hospital
        • Walthall General Hospital
        • Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center
      • Local Care >
        • Blackwell's Family Medicine
        • CMA Family Medical Clinic
        • Family Health Care Clinic
        • Walthall Clinic
        • Walthall General Hospital
        • Walthall Rural Health Clinic
        • Wesley Medical Group - Tylertown
      • Health Department >
        • WIC Program
    • Emergency Management
    • DIsaster Assistance >
      • Emergency Manager
      • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance
      • SBA LOAN FOR APRIL 19, 2020 STORM
      • SBA PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
    • Farmers Market
    • Old Town Market
    • Fire Departments
    • MSU Extension Service >
      • MSU Cares
    • Public Assistance >
      • Mississippi Dept. of Health
      • Southwest Mississippi Opportunity
      • Southwest Mississippi Planning & Development District
    • Retire in Walthall County
    • Soil and Water Conservation District
    • US Post Office
    • Veteran Services
    • Walthall County Library
  • Historical Info
    • Genealogy Information >
      • Walthall County Library
      • MS Archives and History
    • Historic Courthouse & Jail
    • Railroad and Transportation Museum
    • China Grove Church
    • Founders Cemetery >
      • Regent's Introduction
      • The Restoration of Founders Cemetery
      • Restoration Video
      • Burials
      • Twilight Cemetery Tour
      • Donors >
        • Donation Letter
        • Donation Form
    • Gen. Edward Cary Walthall
    • Ruby Bridges
    • When my world was young...
    • Mississippi Archives and History
  • Events and Attractions
    • Calendar of Events
    • Outdoor Adventures & Activities >
      • Birdwatching
      • Canoeing, Kayaking, & Tubing
      • Hunting
      • Fishing in Walthall County >
        • Fishing Spots
        • How Weather Affects Fish Activity
        • Online Fishing License
        • FAQ - Fishing
      • Local Parks, Resorts, Lakes, and Rivers >
        • Bogue Chitto River
        • Canoe and Trail Outpost
        • Hidden Springs Resort
        • Holmes Water Park
        • Paradise Ranch and Resort
        • Walker's Bridge Water Park
        • Lake Walthall
      • Parks Near Walthall County >
        • Bogue Chitto State Park - 22 miles
      • Scenic Rivers Region >
        • Bogue Chitto Water Park - 10 miles
        • Homochitto National Forest and Lake Okhissa
    • Shopping and Dining
    • Annual Festivals, etc.. >
      • Dairy Fest
      • Christmas Bazaar and Wagon Rides
      • Country Christmas Festival Craft Show
      • South MS Boucherie
      • Town-wide Halloween Party
    • Christmas in the Park >
      • Walking Tour
      • Christmas Bazaar and Wagon Rides
      • Country Christmas Festival Craft Show
    • Parades >
      • Martin Luther King Parade
      • Easter Egg Hunt
      • Christmas Parade
    • Southwest Events Center & RV Hookups
    • Tuesday's Farmers Market
    • Old Town Market
    • China Grove Methodist Church
    • Railroad and Transportation Museum
    • Walthall Barn Quilt Trail
  • Chamber of Commerce
    • About the Chamber
    • What Does Your Chamber Do?
    • Annual Chamber Awards
  • Economic Development
    • Available Land and Buildings >
      • 31,500 SF Industrial Building
      • 17,600 SF Commercial Building
      • 128-Acre Site
      • Industrial Property - up to 55 acres
      • 20-Acre Site
    • Industrial Incentives & Benefits >
      • HUBZone Program
      • Skills Training Credits
    • Workforce >
      • Workforce Preparation
      • Workforce Training >
        • Skills Training Credits
      • WIN Job Center
    • Business Info >
      • Employment Security Commission >
        • Post a Job or Find a Job
        • WIN Job Center
      • Mississippi Development Authority >
        • MS Small Business Development Center
      • Secretary of State >
        • Business One Stop
        • Y'all Business - Secretary of State
      • Small Business Administration
      • Southwest Mississippi Partnership
      • Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District
  • How do I ...?
    • Birth and Death Certificate Info
    • Car Tags
    • County History
    • Emergency Management
    • Driver's License Information
    • Employment Information
    • Find a Job
    • Find Volunteer Opportunities
    • Garbage Collection >
      • White Goods and Tires
      • Area Landfills
    • Homestead Exemption
    • Interesting Mississippi Facts
    • Marriage License or Records
    • Ownership Parcel Map
    • Retirement Info
    • School Registration
    • Voting Info
    • US Patent and Trademark Office
  • Maps
    • Supervisors District Map
    • Ownership Parcel Map
    • County Road Map
Powered by

LINKS AND PHONE NUMBERS

Board of Supervisors (601) 876-4947  
Chamber of Commerce (601) 876-2680
Chancery Clerk  (601) 876-3553
Circuit Clerk  (601) 876-5677
Economic Development (601) 876-2680
Emergency Management (601) 876-8823

Sheriff  (601) 876-3481
Tax Assessor  (601) 876-4932
​
Town of Tylertown (601) 876-4011   

Picture
Southwest Events Center
Rental Information
 (601) 876-4011
Copyright (c) 2025 ~ Walthall County Board of Supervisors and Walthall County Chamber of Commerce ~ All rights reserved.