Sulphur Springs in DeKalb County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Wills Town

Wells Town Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 23, 2022

1. Wells Town Marker

Inscription. A Cherokee town founded 1770. Situated on Big Wills Creek, named for a half-breed chief, Red-Headed Will. A place of importance in the Cherokee Territory, it was the home of Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee Alphabet; John Ross, the last chief of the Cherokees; and Catherine Brown, one of the first converts to Christianity among the Cherokees. Before and during the Revolution Col. Alexander Campbell, the famous British agent, lived here. Wills Town Mission was established in 1823. In 1837 Fort Payne was built as a fort for detaining the Cherokees.

Erected by National Society Daughters Of Colonial Wars; Northeast Alabama Genealogical Society; Landmarks Of Dekalb County Phillip Hamman Chapter, DAR.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of Colonial Wars, and the Daughters of the American Revolution series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1770.

Location. 34° 42.476′ N, 85° 33.612′ W. Marker is in Sulphur Springs, Alabama, in DeKalb County. It can be reached from Interstate 59 one mile north of County Road

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140, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valley Head AL 35989, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama.

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 original Cherokee Nation,

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The De Soto Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The De Soto Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); POW-MIA Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Nisbet Plantation (approx. 2.3 miles away in Georgia); The Road to Chickamauga (approx. 6.3 miles away); Cureton Plantation (approx. 6.4 miles away in Georgia); Flat Rock High School (approx. 8.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sulphur Springs.

Additional commentary.
1. About the language use on the marker
The use of the offensive term for a person of multiple heritages (half-breed) is taken verbatim from the marker and does not necessarily reflect the views of the contributor nor the editor.

— Submitted January 4, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Photographed by Craig Doda, December 23, 2022

2. Wells Town Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 3, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,540 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 3, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.