Jonathan Alder, born in 1773, became the first white settler in Madison County. He was captured by Indians in Virginia in 1781, was adopted, and lived as a Mingo Indian before being reunited with his family in 1805. In 1806 he built this cabin, which was originally located one mile north at Lucas Road. Alder died in 1849 and is buried 100 yards northeast at the rear of Foster Chapel Cemetery.