Tag Archives: Elyton Village Project

What the Census tells us about “Old Elyton” plantations in Jefferson County

Elyton, currently a residential neighborhood in Birmingham containing the historic Arlington House, was the county seat of Jefferson County from 1821 to 1873. The censuses during that time provide documentation of the agricultural practices and sources of wealth during that period, as well as the incidence of enslaved labor. Birmingham Historical Society’s May 2021 Newsletter explores this topic and includes the transcripted data used in their research.