Gwinnett County Probate Records

The first courthouse burned in 1871. Unfortunately, many of the citizens did not approve of the new structure and so James Spence, a local businessman one of the county commissioners led the movement to tear down the new building, Another structure, designed by E. G. Lin, a Baltimore architect from Atlanta, chose a Romanesque-influenced style. The small balcony on the corner of the front of the courthouse was originally used to summon jurors from the square. The new building cost a little over $23,000. Bathrooms were added in 1903, and in 1935 the north wing was expanded.

At the beginning of the War of 1812 it was decided to build a necessary fort to protect the settlers from prevalent Indian attacks of this far western frontier. Isham Williams located nearby,raising beef which he provided to the soldiers of Ft. Daniel which was located on a hill near the crossroads of the Hog Mountain Community.A second fort was erected at Standing Peachtree, thirty miles into Indian territory and as a result a road was built to connect the two forts at Hog Mountain and Standing Peachtree, known even then as Peachtree Road. The county of Gwinnett was created in 1818, with it's western boundary being the Appalachee River. A few days later part of Jackson County was added to Gwinnett. Until a courthouse could be erected, all courts and elections were held at the house of Elisha Winn, who lived one mile east of the Appalachee River.

Gwinnett County was created in 1818 and named in honor of Button Gwinnett, Second President of Georgia Provisional Council; signer of the Declaration of Independencein 1776; Georgia constitutional convention, 1777; acting president and commander-in-chief of Georgia in 1777. Gwinnett was killed in the famous duel with General Lachlan McIntosh on the streets of Savannah. He was shot in the leg and taken home where he died a few days later. Cherokee and Creek Indians first resided in Gwinnett County along the Chattahoochee River to a ridge located about two or three miles south of the river. This ridge was the dividing line between the Creek and Cherokee Nations.

Genealogy Tips

An early fire in Gwinnett County destroyed records in the Probate Court. However, some Minutes of the Inferior Court survived and this record could help locate some of your ancestors. Maps were scanned in such a manner as to provide details for locating creeks, branches, rivers, lakes, churches, schools and cemeteries. This will enable you to better locate the old homeplace using the description from old non-specific deeds. Also, a convenience in locating both private and public cemeteries in the area.

Churches

• Gwinnett County - Cemetery Book of Haynes Creek Primitive Baptist Church

Maps

• Map of Gwinnett County

Marriages

• 1827-1837
• 1835 Loose Marriages
• 1836 Loose Marriages
• 1837 Loose Marriages
• 1843 to 1864 (Index)
• 1871-1882 (Index)
• 1885-1886 (Newspapers)
• 1892-1910 (Index)
• 1895-1908 (Index)