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Amanda Pevey Elmore Autauga News As communities across the nation prepare to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the Old Autauga Historical Society gathered June 29 to honor one of the area’s earliest connections to the nation’s founding by placing patriotic flowers and flags at the grave of Revolutionary War veteran Jeremiah Chancellor in Pine Level. The ceremony took place at Pine Level Methodist Church Cemetery, where members of the historical society, Chancellor’s relatives and members of the public gathered to recognize the life and service of one of old Autauga County’s earliest settlers. According to the Alabama Department of Archives and other historical sources, Chancellor was born in England and immigrated to America with his father and brothers at age 16, shortly before the American Revolution. The family settled in South Carolina, where the conflict often pitted Patriots against Loyalists in what historians describe as a civil war within the colony. Historical accounts indicate Chancellor and his brother, William, joined the Patriot cause, while family tradition holds that their father remained loyal to the British Crown. After the war, the brothers never saw their father again. Chancellor later moved to what is now Autauga County in 1818, before Alabama achieved statehood in 1819. He led a group of early settlers into the northwestern portion of the county, where they established homes and helped shape the area’s earliest communities. He died in 1831 and is buried at Pine Level Methodist Church Cemetery. Society President Larry Caver said Chancellor’s grave provides a direct connection between the local community and the nation’s founding. “Old Autauga County had approximately 30 early settlers who were purported to have served in the American Revolutionary War,” Caver said. “These elderly veterans were probably 70-plus whenever they made the journey to Alabama Territory.” Caver said many residents may not realize the area’s Revolutionary War connections. “Autauga County and Alabama did not exist in 1776, but 1776 runs deep in our county’s history,” he said. “We are very proud of our connection to the patriots who fought for our freedom.” Before the Pine Level ceremony, members of the Old Autauga Historical Society also visited the graves of three other Revolutionary War patriots buried in the area, placing patriotic wreaths at the graves of Clement Billingsley, Lewis Cookson Davis and William Kirkland ahead of the Independence Day holiday. Pine Level Mayor Zachary Bigley said the town takes pride in preserving its role in American history. “Pine Level holds a special place in America’s story,” Bigley said. “In Pine Level, Jeremiah Chancellor, a Revolutionary War patriot who answered the call to fight for our nation’s independence, was laid to rest. More than two centuries later, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we are reminded that the legacy of freedom is not just written in the books, it is woven into the very ground beneath our feet. We are honored to preserve and celebrate this extraordinary connection to our nation’s founding, right here in Pine Level.” As the nation approaches its semi quincentennial celebration, local leaders said ceremonies like Sunday’s serve as a reminder that the history of America’s founding extends far beyond the original colonies and lives on through the men and women whose final resting places remain in communities like Pine Level. Alabama Department of Archives , Autauga county , Autauga County Alabama , Jeremiah Chancellor , Larry Caver , Mayor Zachary Bigley , Old Autauga Historic Society , Patriot Jeremiah Chancellor , Pine Level , Pine Level Alabama , Pine Level Methodist Church , President Larry Caver , Revolutionary War veteran
Celebrating America 250 in the Town of Pine Level The Patriotic evening celebrating America’s 250th birthday in our Town starts at 6 pm. Bring your friends and family for a fun filled evening celebrating America250! Join us for a Benefit BBQ Sale as we come together to support our local Pine Level Volunteer Fire Department and enjoy a great meal for a great cause. Bring the family and enjoy a meal at our picnic tables. Food is being prepared by Cowart’s Cafe, pick up your orders starting at 12 pm till we sell out on Saturday the 4th at the Pine Level Community Center. Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest- 6pm-7pm Step up, take aim, and compete in our Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest for bragging rights. Claim the 1st place CASH PRIZE & trophy for being the first Town Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest winner! Fun for all ages! Watermelon Eating Contest- 7pm Come on out all you watermelon eaters!! Who will be the Watermelon Eating Champion? Come find out at our contest Adults only. CASH PRIZE & Trophy. To register, please email us at info@pinelevelal.gov or DM us on the Town of Pine Level FB page. Town of Pine Level on FB you can also register at the event. Kids Zone- Stop by the Kid Zone for exciting activities and smiles for children of all ages. We have lots of fun planned and it is ALL FREE. Face painting, bounce houses, super-size games, hot dogs, drinks and more! Declaration of Independence- Don’t miss our reading of the Declaration of Independence with a reenactment, featuring a dramatic reading of America’s founding words. The Community Chorus will be performing and adding a wonderful musical touch to the celebration. Stay for a fireworks show to end the night! Bring your chairs or blanket to enjoy this show! Date: Saturday, July 4, 2026 Location: Pine Level Community Center, 116 County Road 40, East 36066 6pm-9pm.
Amanda Pevey Elmore Autauga News Families across Pine Level, Marbury, Deatsville, and surrounding communities are being asked to conserve water after the Marbury Water System announced an emergency conservation plan in response to a temporary reduction in its water supply. The shortage began after the system’s primary supplier took one of its 2-million-gallon storage tanks offline for rehabilitation, reducing the amount of water available to Marbury Water by approximately half. The utility normally purchases between 800,000 and 1 million gallons of water per day. Residents with questions are invited to attend a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2, at the Pine Level Community Center. Under Phase 3 of the conservation plan, customers are asked to use water only for essential needs such as drinking, cooking, bathing, laundry, and watering animals. Residents are asked to avoid washing vehicles, homes, and driveways, filling swimming pools, and watering lawns. Small vegetable gardens and flowers may be watered once a week for two hours. Even-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, while odd-numbered addresses may water on Wednesdays. Marbury Water officials said they received confirmation of the maintenance schedule on May 16 after being told in March that repairs would occur sometime this summer. “We understand that this was extremely short notice,” the utility said in a statement to customers. “Our main goal is to make sure that our customers have enough water for their everyday needs.” The utility said it continues to pursue long-term solutions, including a $2 million grant to drill test wells and plans for a treatment plant that would restore an existing well and provide additional capacity for future growth. Zachary Bigley said the meeting will give customers a chance to hear directly from Marbury Water representatives. “As the town mayor, we have a lot of concerned citizens,” Bigley said. “This affects Pine Level, Marbury, Deatsville, and even into Chilton County a little bit. It is a big water system.” “I hope that we can have a very productive dialogue and we can come to a quick solution that can help our community to move forward,” Bigley said. As summer temperatures rise, local leaders are asking residents to do their part to conserve water so families throughout the region continue to have access to this essential resource.
VISION
Pine Level is a place for families, businesses, and the community to thrive by embracing our small-town charm and abundant open space.
VALUES
To Keep Small-Town Charm, Support Youth & Families, thoughtful & Accessible Development and Independence.
