Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Capture of John A. Murrell

Natchez Trace Outlaw

— 1834 —

Capture of John A. Murrell Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 1, 2009

1. Capture of John A. Murrell Marker

Inscription. John A. Murrell, known as the "Great Western Land Pirate," was captured near this site in the winter of 1834. He was said to have killed over 400 people, including many kidnapped slaves. His arrest was brought about through the clever maneuvering of Tom Brannon, a local African-American slave. An attempt had been made by the outlaw to recruit Brannon as a contact man for his far-reaching empire of crime. Brannon was awarded $100 for his bravery and his name was publicized across the country.

Erected by Florence Historical Board Florence Alabama.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 34° 48.452′ N, 87° 42.019′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It is on Waterloo Road 0.1 miles east of Cypress Bend Dr.. Located on Waterloo Road on left side of road at Nelson Rivers Starkey Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama

and in the Shoals.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pesthouse and Cemetery / Pestilences (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church (approx. ¾ mile away); Ante-Bellum Cotton Mills 1840 (approx.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

0.8 miles away); St. James Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Birthplace of W.C. Handy (approx. 0.9 miles away); The University of North Alabama (approx. one mile away); Gilbert Elementary School (approx. 1.1 miles away); College Place Historic District (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

Also see . . .
1. William Gilmore Simms and the American Frontier by John Caldwell guides, Caroline Collins. John A. Murrell and the Imaginations of Simms and Faulkner (Submitted on March 10, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

2. John Murrel (Bandit). (Submitted on March 10, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)

Nelson Rivers Starkey Bridge City of Florence image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, August 1, 2009

2. Nelson Rivers Starkey Bridge City of Florence

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2010. This page has been viewed 3,576 times since then and 87 times this year. Last updated on August 8, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 10, 2010, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?