Early Public Forum
Common among the counties during the settlement period, Morgan County (1807) first transacted public business at a private residence – Fields Kennedy's home. After Madison was designated as the county seat in 1808 until the construction of a formal courthouse, the superior and inferior courts met here at the dwelling of Abraham McAfee (sheriff/local militia captain). The inferior court was responsible for County improvements as well as Madison’s initial survey and town layout.
McAfee's home (c. 1806) is a form known as an “I-house” - two stories tall and one-room deep typically with a central hall. Like many of Madison’s early residents, the building featured rearward expansion, multiple porch additions, and the influence of popular architectural styles over time. Because of its significance, the property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and became the first individual historic property designated outside the Madison Historic District (NR 1974: 1990: locally designated 1989).
A Preserve America Community
Plaque courtesy Lat34North.com.
Original page, with additional info, here.
Photo credit: David Seibert.