John Kitts (Götz)Tennessee Property
A TIMELINE FOR JOHN KITTS and HIS TENNESSEE PROPERTY
North Carolina State and Colonial Records
THE STATE RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA
1782-1784 with Supplement 1771-1782
VOL. XIX, Pages 571-573
Monday, 10 May, 1784
The House met according to adjournment
Mr. Person from the Committee to which was referred the Petition of the Inhabitants of Davidson County, Reported as follows, vizt.:
That the following persons, vizt.: John Cockrill, Ann Cockrill, formerly the widow Ann Johnston; Robert Espey, John Buchanan Cornelius Ruddle, James Mulkerin, James Todd, Isaac Johnston, John Gibson, Francis Armstrong, John Kennedy, Sen., Mark Robertson, William Ellis, James Thompson, James Shaw, James Franklin, Henry Howdyshall, Pierce Castillo, Morris Shean, William Logan, David Hodd, John White, Peter Leoney, William Collins, Jonas Maniffee, Daniel Williams, John Evans, Andrew Thompson, Casper Mansco, George Freeland, Daniel Johnston, Edward Swanson, Andrew Kellow, Francis Hodge, John Mulkerim, James Freeland, John Tucker, James Foster, Amos Heaton, Dennis Condry, Frederick Stump, Russel Gower, Andrew Ervin, Thomas Prater, Isaac Lindsey, Moses Winters, James Harris, John Browne, Lewis Crane, John Montgomery, Stephen Ray, Daniel Hogan, Thomas Spencer, Humphrey Hogan, Haydon Wells, Henry Ramsey, John Barrow, Jno. Thomas, Wm. Stuart, Saml. Walker, David Rounsevall, Arthur MacAdoe, Jas. McAdoe, Henry Turner, Saml. Burton, John Dunham, Ephraim Pratt, and James Robertson, each and every one of them, receive a grant of six hundred and forty acres of land, including their pre-emptions, without being required to pay any price to the State for the same, provided that every person receiving such grant shall pay the office and surveyor’s fees for the same. And the committee are further of opinion that the heirs or devisees of Zachariah White, Alexander Buchanan, James Leper, James Harrod, Alexander Thomson, David Maxwell, Robert Lucas, Timothy Tirrell, William Hood, Edward Carvin, William Nicely, James Shanklin, Samuel Morrow, George Kennedy, John Robertson, Abel Gowen, Sen., Abel Gowen, Jun., Nicholas Trammell, Philip Mason, James Turpin, Nathan Turpin, Jacob Stump, Nicholas Gentry, William Cooper, Jacob Jones, James Mayfield, William Green, William Johnston, Samuel Scott, George Aspie, William Leighton, John Evans, John Crutchfield, Joseph Hay, John Searcey, Isaac Lucas, Patrick Quigley, Jacob Stull, Joseph Milligan, Abram Jones, David Fane, Benjamin Porter, Edward Larimore, William Gausney, Jonathan Jennings, David Gowin, Jesse Bialston, Joseph Renfrew, Philip Coonrod, William Gausnay, John Bernard, John Lumsden, John Gilkey, Solomon Phelps, James John, Thomas Harney, Alexander Allerson, John Blackamore, James Fowler, John Mcmuntry, John Shockley, John Galloway and Isaac Lavovour, who were killed in the settlement and defence of the said county of Davidson, receive grants for the same number of acres in the same manner, and on the same terms and conditions as the former.
And, as it appears that Christopher Gais, Sen., Christopher Gais, Jun., Jonathan Gais, Kasper Bocker, Richard Breeze, Princis Cocke, Mark Nobles, John Kitts, Isaac Mayfiaeld, Samuel Hollis, Isaac Rounsevall, Enias Thomas, Joshua Thomas, Caleb Winters, John Buchannan, Sen., John Kennedy, Sen., John Kennedy, Jun., John Castello, Robert Thomson and Swanson Williams, part of them arrived from different places at the Cumberland settlements soon after the time prescribed by the law for obtaining preemptions expired, and part of them were there before the expiration of the time, but were underage; and, as it also appears that all of them have continued there ever since their arrival and assisted in defending the country, it is th opinion of the Committee that they also receive free grants of the same number of acres, as those mentioned above, and be allowed the liberty of laying them wherever they can find vacant lands and of entering them with the entry officer of Davidson County; on paying the usual office fees. All which is submitted. THOMAS PERSON, Chair.
THE STATE RECORDS of NORTH CAROLINA
VOL. XXIV
LAWS 1777-1788
CHAPTER LVIII
An Act for the Relief of Sundry Petitioners Inhabitants of Davidson County
Whose Names Are Therein Mentioned.
Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the same, That the persons whose names follow, viz.: John Cockrill, Ann Cockrill, formerly the widow Ann Johnston; Robert Espey, James Espey, John Buchanan Cornelius Ruddle, James Mulkerin, James Tood, Isaac Johnston, John Gibson, Francis Armstrong, John Kennedy, junior, Mark Robertson, William Ellis, James Thompson, James Shaw, James Franklin, Henry Howdishall, Pierce Castillo, Morris Shean, William Logan, David Flood, John White, Peter Leoney, William Collins, Jonas Manifee, Daniel Williams, John Evans, Andrew Thompson, Gasper Manseo, George Freeland, Daniel Johnston, Edward Swanson, Andrew Kellow, Francis Hodge, John Mulkerim, James Freeland, John Tucker, James Foster, Amos Heaton, Dennis Condry, Frederick Stump, Russel Gower, Andrew Ersin, Thomas Rater, Isaac Lindsey, Moses Winters, James Harris, John Brown, Lewis Crane, John Montgomery, Stephen Ray, Daniel Hogan, Thomas Spencer, Humphrey Hogan, Haydon Wells, Henry Ramsey, John Barrow, John Thomas, William Stewart, Samuel Walker, David Rounseval, Arthur McAdoe, James McAdoe, Henry Turney, Samuel Barton, John Durham, Ephraim Pratt, William Overall and James Robertson, and the heirs or devisees of Zachariah White, Alexander Buchanan, James Leper, James Harrod, Alexander Thomson, David Maxwell, Robert Lucas, Timothy Tirrell, William Hood, Edward Carvin, William Nicely, James Shanklin, Samuel Morrow, George Kennedy, John Robertson, Abel Gowen, senior, Abel Gowen, junior, Nicholas Trammel, Philip Mason, Jamews Turpin, Nathan Turpin, Jacob Stump, Nicholas Gentry, William Cooper, Jacob Jones, James Mayfield, William Green, Wil (The copy I was given had a few names cut off the bottom of the page.vkb) field, Joseph Hay, John Searcey, Isaac Lucas, Patrick Quigley, Jacob Stull, Joseph Milligan, Abraham Jones, David Fane, Benjamin Porter, Edward Larimore, William Gausney, Jonathan Jennings, David Gervin, Jesse Bialston, Joseph Renfrew, Philip Conrod, William Gausway, John Bernard, John Lumiden, John Gilkey, Solomon Phelps, James John, Thomas Hainey, Alexander Allerson, John Blackamore, James Fowler, John Macmurtry, John Shoeley, John Galloway and Isaac Lasovour, who were killed in the defence and settlement of the said county of Davidson, shall each and every one of them be entitled to receive from the Governor for the time being a grant for six hundred and forty acres of land, without being obliged to pay any price for the same: Provided, That every person receiving such grant shall pay the surveyors and other fees of office.
And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That Christopher Gais, senior, Christopher Gais, junior, Jonathan Gais, Kasper Bocher, Richard Breeze, Phines Cockie, Mark Nobles, John Kitts, Isaac Mayfiaeld, Samuel Hollis, Isaac Rounsevall, Eneas Thomas, Joshua Thomas, Caleb Winters, John Buchanan, senior, John Kennedy, junior, John Castello, Robert Thomason and Samson Williams, shall each and every one of them be entitled to enter with the entry-taker of Davidson county six hundred and forty acres of land, without being obliged to pay any price for the same, except for the surveyors’ and others fees of office, which they and each of them may locate on any vacant land in the said county, the lands laid out for the officers and soldiers excepted; and the Governor is hereby authorized and required to make such grant in the same manner to each and every of the before-named persons as if they had paid the full price of ten pounds per hundred acres.
And lest disputes may arise by two or more pre-emption rights being located on the entry-taker’s books of Davidson county for the same place, Be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That in such case the person in whose name such entry be first made shall have the preference, and a grant shall pass to him for the same; and the person or persons in whose name any other entry or entries shall be made and located to the same place may, and it shall be lawful for them to locate the same on any other vacant lands; and law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
John Kitts Property in Davidson Co., TN
"In a deed from Isaac Lindsey of Sumner County, NC to Daniel Hogan of Davidson County, Isaac Linsey conveyed to Daniel Hogan a tract of land on the north side of Cumberland River about one mile and a half from Nashville town, beginning at the house and including the same corner on the road, to John Kitts' line, Stephen Ray's line and Christian Crips' line, also Adam Hampton's line, land being part of 320 acres granted to said Lindsey by the State of North Carolina, grant dated 01 Oct 1787 on 08 July 1788 in Davidson County, TN."
Davidson County Land Deeds, 1793-1797, Page 101
This indenture made 16 July 1792 between Daniel Hogan and David Earhart of District of Mero of the one part and Ezekiel Abele of same place of the other part. Daniel Hogan and David Earhart conveyed unto Ezekiel Abele a certain tracts of land in Davidson County on the north side of Cumberland River about one mile and a half from Nashville containing 17 acres and 15 poles adjoining Daniel Hogan's cabin and John Kitt's line and also Adam Hampton's line. Another tract containing 1 acre and another tract containing 7 acres and 11 poles being part of a tract of land granted to Isaac Linsey by the State of North Carolina, grant dated Oct 1, 1787, No. 17, registered in Book A, Folio 216. Test: Mathew Talbot, James Russell and James Howel. Jan Term 1793
"Ezekiel Able sold to Wilee Barrow a tract of land containing 17 acres on the north side of Cumberland River about 1 and 1/2 miles below Nashville, adjoining Daniel Haggard's line and beginning at a corner of John Kitts' line, Stephen Ray's line, and Christian Cripp's line and Adam Hampton' line on 07 May 1800 at Davidson Co., TN"
A History of County Formation in Tennessee
http://www.tngenweb.org/tnland/pruitt1.htm
By A. B. Pruitt
Box 815, Whitakers, NC 27891
© A. B. Pruitt, 1998. All rights reserved
Washington County: formed in 1777 from Washington District (created in 1776) which was the territory West of Wilkes County between Wilkes County and the Virginia line and the hunting grounds of the Cherokee Indians and the Mississippi River; named for General/President George Washington; first court held at Charles Robertson’s home; in 1779 Jonesboro was established as the county seat.
Davidson County: formed in 1783 from Washington County; named in honor of Gen. William Lee Davidson; in 1784 Nashville was established as county seat. Border: all that part of this State lying West of the Cumberland Mountain and South of the Virginia line, beginning on the top of Cumberland Mountain where the Virginia line crosses, extending westward along said line to Tennessee River, thence up said river to the mouth of Duck River, then up Duck River to where the line of marked trees run by the commissioners for laying off land granted the Continental line of this State intersects said river (which said line is supposed to be in thirty-five degrees 50 minutes North latitude), thence E along said line to the top of Cumberland Mountain, thence northwardly along said mountain to the beginning, shall after the passing of this Act be, and is hereby declared to be a distinct county by the name of Davidson. (NC State Records vol. 24 p. 540; NC Laws 1783 chapter 52; Whitney p. 682). Sumner County was formed from Davidson in 1787, and Tennessee County was formed from Davidson in 1788.
Tennessee County: formed in 1788 from Davidson County; Tennessee County disappeared from the records when Montgomery and Robertson Counties were formed.
Border: beginning on the Virginia line, running South along Sumner County [line] to the dividing ridge between Cumberland River and Red River, then westwardly along said ridge to the head of the main South branch of Sycamore Cr, then down the said branch to the mouth thereof, then due South across Cumberland River to Davidson County line; all that part of Davidson County that lies East of said line shall continue and remain Davidson County; all that part of Davidson County that lies West of said line shall be erected into a [new] county named Tennessee. (NC State Records vol. 24 p. 973; NC Laws 1788 chapter 28; Whitney p. 684).
Robertson County (formed in 1796 from Tennessee, see Whitney p. 688)
- 1777 - Washington County formed
- About 1780 - John Kitts arrived in Cumberland settlements
- 1783 Davidson County formed
- 1784 (April 6th) Nashborough
Present: Samuel Barton, Thomas Molloy, Isaac Linsey.
"Appeared Humphrey Hoggan bound in recognizance at the suit of John Kitts for his appearance at the insuing court and his good behaviour toward all the good subjects of the state more especially toward the said John Kitts. John Barrow being sworn says that the defendant threatened that he would kill the said Kitts hogs if he did keep them from his door and also whip himself. The court upon the hearing the parties dismissed their recognizance at the desire of said Kitts. John Barrow proved five days attendance at the suit of John Kitts. - 1784 (May 10) - NC granted preemption right to John Kitts of 640 acres
- 1788 Tennessee County formed
- 1792 - reference to deed from Isaac Lindsey to Daniel Hogan (Davidson County Records)
(tract of land on the north side of Cumberland River about one mile and a half from Nashville town, beginning at the house and including the same corner on the road, to John Kitts' line, Stephen Ray's line and Christian Crips' line, also Adam Hampton's line,
land being part of 320 acres granted to said Lindsey by the State of North Carolina, grant dated 01 Oct 1787 on 08 July 1788 in Davidson County, TN.")
July 16, 1792 - references deed from Daniel Hogan and David Earhart to Ezekiel Abele (Davidson County Records)
( tracts of land in Davidson County on the north side of Cumberland River about one mile and a half from Nashville containing 17 acres and 15 poles adjoining Daniel Hogan's cabin and John Kitt's line and also Adam Hampton's line.
- 1796 Robertson County formed
- 1800 (May 07) - Ezekiel Able sold to Willee Barrow (Davidson County Records)
a tract of land containing 17 acres on the north side of Cumberland River about 1 1/2 miles below Nashville, adjoining Daniel Haggard's line and beginning at a corner of John Kitts' line, Stephen Ray's line, and Christian Cripp's line and Adam Hampton' line. - 1801 John Kitts will (Robertson County records)
North Carolina State and Colonial Records
THE STATE RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA
1782-1784 with Supplement 1771-1782
VOL. XIX, Pages 571-573
Monday, 10 May, 1784
The House met according to adjournment
Mr. Person from the Committee to which was referred the Petition of the Inhabitants of Davidson County, Reported as follows, vizt.:
That the following persons, vizt.: John Cockrill, Ann Cockrill, formerly the widow Ann Johnston; Robert Espey, John Buchanan Cornelius Ruddle, James Mulkerin, James Todd, Isaac Johnston, John Gibson, Francis Armstrong, John Kennedy, Sen., Mark Robertson, William Ellis, James Thompson, James Shaw, James Franklin, Henry Howdyshall, Pierce Castillo, Morris Shean, William Logan, David Hodd, John White, Peter Leoney, William Collins, Jonas Maniffee, Daniel Williams, John Evans, Andrew Thompson, Casper Mansco, George Freeland, Daniel Johnston, Edward Swanson, Andrew Kellow, Francis Hodge, John Mulkerim, James Freeland, John Tucker, James Foster, Amos Heaton, Dennis Condry, Frederick Stump, Russel Gower, Andrew Ervin, Thomas Prater, Isaac Lindsey, Moses Winters, James Harris, John Browne, Lewis Crane, John Montgomery, Stephen Ray, Daniel Hogan, Thomas Spencer, Humphrey Hogan, Haydon Wells, Henry Ramsey, John Barrow, Jno. Thomas, Wm. Stuart, Saml. Walker, David Rounsevall, Arthur MacAdoe, Jas. McAdoe, Henry Turner, Saml. Burton, John Dunham, Ephraim Pratt, and James Robertson, each and every one of them, receive a grant of six hundred and forty acres of land, including their pre-emptions, without being required to pay any price to the State for the same, provided that every person receiving such grant shall pay the office and surveyor’s fees for the same. And the committee are further of opinion that the heirs or devisees of Zachariah White, Alexander Buchanan, James Leper, James Harrod, Alexander Thomson, David Maxwell, Robert Lucas, Timothy Tirrell, William Hood, Edward Carvin, William Nicely, James Shanklin, Samuel Morrow, George Kennedy, John Robertson, Abel Gowen, Sen., Abel Gowen, Jun., Nicholas Trammell, Philip Mason, James Turpin, Nathan Turpin, Jacob Stump, Nicholas Gentry, William Cooper, Jacob Jones, James Mayfield, William Green, William Johnston, Samuel Scott, George Aspie, William Leighton, John Evans, John Crutchfield, Joseph Hay, John Searcey, Isaac Lucas, Patrick Quigley, Jacob Stull, Joseph Milligan, Abram Jones, David Fane, Benjamin Porter, Edward Larimore, William Gausney, Jonathan Jennings, David Gowin, Jesse Bialston, Joseph Renfrew, Philip Coonrod, William Gausnay, John Bernard, John Lumsden, John Gilkey, Solomon Phelps, James John, Thomas Harney, Alexander Allerson, John Blackamore, James Fowler, John Mcmuntry, John Shockley, John Galloway and Isaac Lavovour, who were killed in the settlement and defence of the said county of Davidson, receive grants for the same number of acres in the same manner, and on the same terms and conditions as the former.
And, as it appears that Christopher Gais, Sen., Christopher Gais, Jun., Jonathan Gais, Kasper Bocker, Richard Breeze, Princis Cocke, Mark Nobles, John Kitts, Isaac Mayfiaeld, Samuel Hollis, Isaac Rounsevall, Enias Thomas, Joshua Thomas, Caleb Winters, John Buchannan, Sen., John Kennedy, Sen., John Kennedy, Jun., John Castello, Robert Thomson and Swanson Williams, part of them arrived from different places at the Cumberland settlements soon after the time prescribed by the law for obtaining preemptions expired, and part of them were there before the expiration of the time, but were underage; and, as it also appears that all of them have continued there ever since their arrival and assisted in defending the country, it is th opinion of the Committee that they also receive free grants of the same number of acres, as those mentioned above, and be allowed the liberty of laying them wherever they can find vacant lands and of entering them with the entry officer of Davidson County; on paying the usual office fees. All which is submitted. THOMAS PERSON, Chair.
THE STATE RECORDS of NORTH CAROLINA
VOL. XXIV
LAWS 1777-1788
CHAPTER LVIII
An Act for the Relief of Sundry Petitioners Inhabitants of Davidson County
Whose Names Are Therein Mentioned.
Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the same, That the persons whose names follow, viz.: John Cockrill, Ann Cockrill, formerly the widow Ann Johnston; Robert Espey, James Espey, John Buchanan Cornelius Ruddle, James Mulkerin, James Tood, Isaac Johnston, John Gibson, Francis Armstrong, John Kennedy, junior, Mark Robertson, William Ellis, James Thompson, James Shaw, James Franklin, Henry Howdishall, Pierce Castillo, Morris Shean, William Logan, David Flood, John White, Peter Leoney, William Collins, Jonas Manifee, Daniel Williams, John Evans, Andrew Thompson, Gasper Manseo, George Freeland, Daniel Johnston, Edward Swanson, Andrew Kellow, Francis Hodge, John Mulkerim, James Freeland, John Tucker, James Foster, Amos Heaton, Dennis Condry, Frederick Stump, Russel Gower, Andrew Ersin, Thomas Rater, Isaac Lindsey, Moses Winters, James Harris, John Brown, Lewis Crane, John Montgomery, Stephen Ray, Daniel Hogan, Thomas Spencer, Humphrey Hogan, Haydon Wells, Henry Ramsey, John Barrow, John Thomas, William Stewart, Samuel Walker, David Rounseval, Arthur McAdoe, James McAdoe, Henry Turney, Samuel Barton, John Durham, Ephraim Pratt, William Overall and James Robertson, and the heirs or devisees of Zachariah White, Alexander Buchanan, James Leper, James Harrod, Alexander Thomson, David Maxwell, Robert Lucas, Timothy Tirrell, William Hood, Edward Carvin, William Nicely, James Shanklin, Samuel Morrow, George Kennedy, John Robertson, Abel Gowen, senior, Abel Gowen, junior, Nicholas Trammel, Philip Mason, Jamews Turpin, Nathan Turpin, Jacob Stump, Nicholas Gentry, William Cooper, Jacob Jones, James Mayfield, William Green, Wil (The copy I was given had a few names cut off the bottom of the page.vkb) field, Joseph Hay, John Searcey, Isaac Lucas, Patrick Quigley, Jacob Stull, Joseph Milligan, Abraham Jones, David Fane, Benjamin Porter, Edward Larimore, William Gausney, Jonathan Jennings, David Gervin, Jesse Bialston, Joseph Renfrew, Philip Conrod, William Gausway, John Bernard, John Lumiden, John Gilkey, Solomon Phelps, James John, Thomas Hainey, Alexander Allerson, John Blackamore, James Fowler, John Macmurtry, John Shoeley, John Galloway and Isaac Lasovour, who were killed in the defence and settlement of the said county of Davidson, shall each and every one of them be entitled to receive from the Governor for the time being a grant for six hundred and forty acres of land, without being obliged to pay any price for the same: Provided, That every person receiving such grant shall pay the surveyors and other fees of office.
And be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That Christopher Gais, senior, Christopher Gais, junior, Jonathan Gais, Kasper Bocher, Richard Breeze, Phines Cockie, Mark Nobles, John Kitts, Isaac Mayfiaeld, Samuel Hollis, Isaac Rounsevall, Eneas Thomas, Joshua Thomas, Caleb Winters, John Buchanan, senior, John Kennedy, junior, John Castello, Robert Thomason and Samson Williams, shall each and every one of them be entitled to enter with the entry-taker of Davidson county six hundred and forty acres of land, without being obliged to pay any price for the same, except for the surveyors’ and others fees of office, which they and each of them may locate on any vacant land in the said county, the lands laid out for the officers and soldiers excepted; and the Governor is hereby authorized and required to make such grant in the same manner to each and every of the before-named persons as if they had paid the full price of ten pounds per hundred acres.
And lest disputes may arise by two or more pre-emption rights being located on the entry-taker’s books of Davidson county for the same place, Be it further Enacted by the authority aforesaid, That in such case the person in whose name such entry be first made shall have the preference, and a grant shall pass to him for the same; and the person or persons in whose name any other entry or entries shall be made and located to the same place may, and it shall be lawful for them to locate the same on any other vacant lands; and law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
John Kitts Property in Davidson Co., TN
"In a deed from Isaac Lindsey of Sumner County, NC to Daniel Hogan of Davidson County, Isaac Linsey conveyed to Daniel Hogan a tract of land on the north side of Cumberland River about one mile and a half from Nashville town, beginning at the house and including the same corner on the road, to John Kitts' line, Stephen Ray's line and Christian Crips' line, also Adam Hampton's line, land being part of 320 acres granted to said Lindsey by the State of North Carolina, grant dated 01 Oct 1787 on 08 July 1788 in Davidson County, TN."
Davidson County Land Deeds, 1793-1797, Page 101
This indenture made 16 July 1792 between Daniel Hogan and David Earhart of District of Mero of the one part and Ezekiel Abele of same place of the other part. Daniel Hogan and David Earhart conveyed unto Ezekiel Abele a certain tracts of land in Davidson County on the north side of Cumberland River about one mile and a half from Nashville containing 17 acres and 15 poles adjoining Daniel Hogan's cabin and John Kitt's line and also Adam Hampton's line. Another tract containing 1 acre and another tract containing 7 acres and 11 poles being part of a tract of land granted to Isaac Linsey by the State of North Carolina, grant dated Oct 1, 1787, No. 17, registered in Book A, Folio 216. Test: Mathew Talbot, James Russell and James Howel. Jan Term 1793
"Ezekiel Able sold to Wilee Barrow a tract of land containing 17 acres on the north side of Cumberland River about 1 and 1/2 miles below Nashville, adjoining Daniel Haggard's line and beginning at a corner of John Kitts' line, Stephen Ray's line, and Christian Cripp's line and Adam Hampton' line on 07 May 1800 at Davidson Co., TN"
A History of County Formation in Tennessee
http://www.tngenweb.org/tnland/pruitt1.htm
By A. B. Pruitt
Box 815, Whitakers, NC 27891
© A. B. Pruitt, 1998. All rights reserved
Washington County: formed in 1777 from Washington District (created in 1776) which was the territory West of Wilkes County between Wilkes County and the Virginia line and the hunting grounds of the Cherokee Indians and the Mississippi River; named for General/President George Washington; first court held at Charles Robertson’s home; in 1779 Jonesboro was established as the county seat.
Davidson County: formed in 1783 from Washington County; named in honor of Gen. William Lee Davidson; in 1784 Nashville was established as county seat. Border: all that part of this State lying West of the Cumberland Mountain and South of the Virginia line, beginning on the top of Cumberland Mountain where the Virginia line crosses, extending westward along said line to Tennessee River, thence up said river to the mouth of Duck River, then up Duck River to where the line of marked trees run by the commissioners for laying off land granted the Continental line of this State intersects said river (which said line is supposed to be in thirty-five degrees 50 minutes North latitude), thence E along said line to the top of Cumberland Mountain, thence northwardly along said mountain to the beginning, shall after the passing of this Act be, and is hereby declared to be a distinct county by the name of Davidson. (NC State Records vol. 24 p. 540; NC Laws 1783 chapter 52; Whitney p. 682). Sumner County was formed from Davidson in 1787, and Tennessee County was formed from Davidson in 1788.
Tennessee County: formed in 1788 from Davidson County; Tennessee County disappeared from the records when Montgomery and Robertson Counties were formed.
Border: beginning on the Virginia line, running South along Sumner County [line] to the dividing ridge between Cumberland River and Red River, then westwardly along said ridge to the head of the main South branch of Sycamore Cr, then down the said branch to the mouth thereof, then due South across Cumberland River to Davidson County line; all that part of Davidson County that lies East of said line shall continue and remain Davidson County; all that part of Davidson County that lies West of said line shall be erected into a [new] county named Tennessee. (NC State Records vol. 24 p. 973; NC Laws 1788 chapter 28; Whitney p. 684).
Robertson County (formed in 1796 from Tennessee, see Whitney p. 688)