New London, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
New London, Alabama
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 New London, Alabama
Location in Alabama
New London, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | St. Clair |
| Elevation | 466 ft (142 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 205, 659 |
| GNIS feature ID | 164782 |
New London, also known as London or Kelly's Creek, is a small community in St. Clair County, Alabama, United States. It is an "unincorporated community." This means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's managed as part of the larger county.
Contents
History of New London
Early Days and the Muscogee People
The area around New London has a long history. A white trader named John O'Kelly worked with the Upper Creek people. They lived in a town called Coosa.
John O'Kelly had a son, also named John O'Kelly (or Toe Kelly). This son became the chief of Coosa in the 1790s.
Treaties and Land Claims
In 1794, Chief O'Kelly went to Pensacola for a meeting with the Spanish. Later, in 1814, he signed the Treaty of Fort Jackson. This treaty was an agreement about land.
Because of this treaty, Chief O'Kelly claimed land where Kelly Creek meets the Coosa River. He then started a new part of the Coosa town along Kelly Creek. This new settlement was called Kelly's Town.
From Kelly's Creek to New London
The community was first known as Kelly's Creek. This name came from the creek, which was named after Chief O'Kelly. A post office opened there in 1841 under the name Kellys Creek. It stayed open until 1908.
The name Kelly's Town was used until the Indian Removal Act. This act forced many Native American groups, including the Muscogee, to move from their lands. After the Civil War, the community became known as New London. By the 1880s, people mostly called it London.
Notable People from New London
John Abercrombie: A Leader in Politics and Education
- John Abercrombie was an important person from this area. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1913 to 1917. This is part of the United States government where laws are made.
- Before his time in Congress, he was also the president of the University of Alabama. He led the university from 1902 to 1911.
