Cotton Was King Limestone, Alabama Plantation Series Book Four gives a history of Limestone County from Indian occupation to the Civil War including the Indian tribes that lived and controlled the area prior to white settlers. During historic times, Doublehead leased lands in the area to white settlers; an 1810 petition lists alphabetically some 400 of these settlers in the Elk River area. Also discussed is the creation of Limestone County, Athens, Sims Settlement, Fort Hampton, Over Elk Region, and early roads and ferries. Beginning in early 1818, many wealthy cotton planters mostly from Virginia migrated into the area after Indian removal in 1816. Over 620 cotton planters in Limestone County owning more than ten black slaves are listed in a table from 1820 through 1860. Several individual profiles of wealthy cotton planters and slave owners are discussed in detail.