Mace Thomas Payne Brindley was part of the first family to settle this area in 1832. He married Nancy Stewart Hanby, daughter of Gabriel Hanby, one of the original framers of the Alabama Constitution. They had 11 children, and 4 of their sons served in the Confederate Army. At one time his land holdings consisted of 1800 acres. He served 12 years as Blount County Clerk, 2 years as a state representative, and 9 years as a state senator. He also served as Director of State National Bank of Decatur, at a time when there were only five banks in Alabama. The Brindley name was perpetuated geographically through the naming of Brindley Mountain and Creek in his honor. His home site was located across the road some 200 feet northwest of the spring that served as the water supply.