Cartwright, Betty & Lillian Gardiner. North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee 1778-1791, Memphis, TN, 1958.
North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee, 1778-1791 has been reproduced because of its value to genealogists and historians as source material for the earliest period of Tennessee settlement. early records of Tennessee are scarce. Census schedules for 1790 of the Western Territory (Tennessee) were burned, so too were the 1800 and all but one county (Rutherford) for 1810. This list of land owners and/or settlers constitutes the only substitute for a 1790 census of the part of North Carolina which became Tennessee in 1796.
To understand this book one should know the procedure used: North Carolina issued Military Warrants for land as payment to many of her Revolutionary Soldiers. (Some payments were made in scrip which was used to purchase land.) As these warrants, numbered consecutively, were surrendered for payment, land grants were issued with a different series of numbers (also consecutive.) The list in this book gives the Grant Book number. The Warrant number is found on the face of the Grant itself. Comparison with the warrant shows whether or not the Grant issued to the soldier, his heir or to someone to whom he had assigned his Warrant.
Nothing is more complicated and exasperating than the Land Records of Tennessee -- the Courts were occupied for many decades settling disputes arising from the granting of some lands more than once through error, and through conflicts in interpretation of the North Carolina and Tennessee Land Laws.
This book contains a list of hundreds of people associated with what is now the State of Tennessee, prior to July 30, 1791, made easily accessible to the researcher through adequate indexing.
In December of 1789 the State of North Carolina passed an Act ceding to the United States of America certain Western lands. On April 2, 1790 the Congress of the United States moved to accept the cession.
On March 3, 1791 Congress passed a resolution requesting President Washington to cause an estimate to be made and laid before Congress at their next session, of the "quantity and situation of the Lands not claimed by the Indians, not granted to, nor claimed by any of the Citizens of the United States, in the territory ceded by the State of North Carolina."
In an effort to comply with this resolution, Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson sent letters on March 26, 1791 to Governor Alexander Martin of North Carolina and Governor William Blount of the Southwest Territory requesting that they "specify all private claims within the section which form exemptions to the general right of Congress to grant lands ceded." . . . and adds, "I am induced to ask you to take this trouble from an assurance that you will be glad to assist in furnishing any information which may prevent the citizens of your State from being involved in litigation by sale to others of lands to which they may have a just claim and which would not be sold, if their claims could be previously known."
On May 10, 1791 Governor Martin wrote Mr. Jefferson, "I have given directions to the Secretary of State (James Glasgow) for North Carolina and colonel (John) Armstrong, to make returns of all the particular entries with the locations in their respective offices which when made out I shall forward immediately. There will be some difficulty in ascertaining the locations of the entered land in Armstrong's office due to its not being confined to particular districts and it is interspersed throughout the Country 5000 to 100 acres in a tract." He further explains that many of these tracts were on the Mississippi River, the Chickasaw Bluffs, Wolf River, 'Tenasse' and its waters, and the Cumberland, the military claims particularly reserved on the Cumberland.
On the 17th of July Governor Blount acknowledged receipt of Thomas Jefferson's letter and on July 27th sent "the enclosed papers containing all the information that I can at the present give you." Thomas Jefferson acknowledged receipt of this material on August 22, 1791 and on November 8th wrote President Washington, "Sir: I have the honor to inclose you a report on the lands of the United states within the North Western and South Western territories unclaimed either by the Indians or by citizens of these States."
This Glasgow report lists five different types of grants, in five different sections numbered serially beginning with number 1 in each part. The six columns give the following information: listing number, name of grantee, number of acres, year grant was made, county or district in which land was situated, and location of land mainly by reference to waterways.
Section I: "An estimate of lands granted by the state of North Carolina within the Western Territory ceded by the said State to the United States of America."
The grants issuing under this heading were all known as Purchase Grants, and were paid for in cash or scrip or certificates. They are located from Washington County to the Mississippi River and from Duck River Ridge south to the State border. 3326 grants are listed. The Revolutionary Soldiers here cannot be ascertained, for their grants were purchased with the scrip issued in payment for their services.
#115 James Denton, 403 acres, 1782, Washington, on Sinking Creek jioning David Jobes lines
#561 Joseph Denton, 335 acres, 1783, Washington, on the north fork of Cherokee Creek
#728 Samuel Denton 29 acres, 1786, Washington joining Joseph Tipton's lines
#757 Joseph Denton, 225 acres, 1786, Washington on the waters of Cherokee Creek joining Tipton's lines
#784 John Tipton, 800 acres, 1786, Washington, joining Joseph Denton's lines
#1181 Garrett Fitzgerrell, 63 acres, 1783, Sullivan on Horse Creek
#1185 Garrett Fitzgerrell, 400 acres, 1783, Sullivan, on Lick Creek at the mouth of the Limestone fork
#1230 Garrett Fitzjarrells, 100 acres, 1784, Sullivan, in the Sugar Tree Valley
#1302 Garrett Fitzjarrott, 200 acres, 1784, Sullivan joining William Russell's line
#1395 Garrott Fitzgarrold, 100 acres, 1787, Sullivan on the South side of Holston
#1511 Garrett Fitzjarrold, 40 acres, 1789, Sullivan joining Lloyd Ford's survey
#1574 Garrott Fitzgarrold, 300 acres, 1786 Greene, on the north side of French Broad River
#1616 Garrett Fitzjarrold, 150 acres, 1786 Greene, on the south side of Nolochucky
#1640 Garrot Fitzjarold, 600 acres, 1786 Greene on the north side of the French Broad river
#2298 Garett Fitzjarrold 400 acres, 1788, Greene on the north side of Holstein
#2299 the same, 300 acres, 1788, Greene, on Richland Creek
#2372 Garrett Fitzjarroled, 640 acres, 1789, Greene, on the waters of French Broad River
#2373 the same 300 acres, 1789, Greene, on the waters of French Broad River
#2617 John Hunt 100 acres, 1790 Hawkins, on the east side Rentfroes Creek north side Holstein
Section II: "An estimate of the pre-emptions laid off and allotted the Settlers on Cumberland river, by the Commissioners for laying off the lands granted the Continental Line, pursuant to Act of Assembly."
The story of the pre-emption rights of the Cumberland settlers is vividly discussed in Ramsey's Annals, Putnam's Middle Tennessee and Haywoods History of Tennessee and many other works telling of the early struggle of these people to hold on in spite of adverse conditions. This story is not in the language of land transactions but rather that of equity. The story of the pre-emption rights of the Cumberland settlers is factually found in the Acts of the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina. These people thought at first that they were in Virginia. In May 1780 when Henderson and party were surveying the Virginia-North Carolina line they found they were in North Carolina. On arrival in the settlement they had scattered far and wide, locating the lands of their choice and making improvements, before they realized their lack of responsible law and protective forts, then in 1781 and 1782 numbers of them had to leave for the protection of their families.
It is self-evident that a number of people in the settlements paid for their pre-emptions, for of the 484 grants in this section 68 of these are legally entered, 63 are pre-emptions for the heirs and devisees of those killed in defense of Davidson County, etc., and 20 are for those who came into the Cumberland Settlement late, or who were not of legal age at the time the grants were made though present in the settlement.
#65 William Overall, 640 acres, 1783, Davidson, on the East fork of Mill Creek
#180 William Overall 640 acres, 1783, Davidson, on the waters of the West fork of Mill Creek
Fischer, Marjorie. Tennesseans Before 1800 Washington County, Galveston, TX: Frontier Press, 1996.
The first permanent settlement in what is now Tennessee was made in 1769, and the Watauga Settlement was established in 1776. Its settlers were mainly from North and South Carolina and Virginia. The area was believed to be in Virginia at the time of the earliest settlement, but when the lines were drawn they found themselves to be in North Carolina. In 1776 this area was organized into the Washington District, a part of North Carolina. In 1777 Washington county was established, still a part of North Carolina, and it comprised the entire State of Tennessee. The first courts were held in Washington County in February 1778.
Because of danger on the frontier and insufficient protection from North Carolina, in 1785 the settlers banded together and formed the state of Franklin, consisting of the counties of Washington, Sullivan and Greene. Greenville became the capital for the new state. North Carolina never accepted this arrangement and continued to enact laws for Washington county, North Carolina. For a time two courts were held, one for the state of Franklin and one for North Carolina. The new state survived only a few years and by 1788 the area was once more a part of North Carolina. The state of Tennessee was established in 1796.
As a gateway into the rest of Tennessee, the records created in Washington County often pick up temporary settlers and/or those simply passing through on their way west. On July 17, 1791, there were 1009 free white men over the age of 21 in Washington County, Tennessee, and 535 slaves. There were a total of 5862 people including slaves and women. This book contains a total of 72,203 entries from records created in the county between 1778 and 1800.
The entries give the name, type of record, book number or other identifying information (i.e. box number, year of tax list, etc.), page number (or militia unit in the case of tax lists) and the Tennessee State Library microfilm number.
Denten, Jonathan, tax list, 1795, Milliken's, mf 639
Denten, Joseph, tax list, 1795, Morrison's Company, mf 639
Denten, Samuel, tax list, 1795, Morrison's Company mf 639
Denten, Samuel, deed, 6, 626, mf 196
Dentin, Jonathan, tax list, 1791, Milliken's Company mf 639
Denton, deed, 1, 185, mf 195
Denton, deed, 4, 1, mf 195
Denton, county pleas, box 1/f 12, 26, mf 224
Denton, county pleas, box 2/f 6, 59, mf 224
Denton, Abraham, co. court minutes, 1, pages 114, 116-117; 218-219, 228, 380, mf 129
Denton, Abraham, deed, 7, 174, mf 196
Denton, Abraham, co. court minutes, 1-A, 53, mf 129
Denton, Abraham, co. court minutes 2, pages 286-287, mf 129
Denton, Abraham county pleas Box1/F5, pages 1, 3-4, 7, mf 224
Denton, Abraham, county pleas, Box 1/F8 p. 15, mf 224
Denton, Abraham, county pleas, Box 1/F11 pages 2, 5, 23, mf 224
Denton, Elizabeth, deed, 1, pages 122, 124, 131, mf 195
Denton, Elizabeth, will, 1, p. 34, mf 169
Denton, James, deed, 1, pages 13-14, 122, 124, 131, 246, mf 195
Denton, James, deed 2, p. 54, mf 195
Denton, James, deed 4, pages 36, 91, mf 195
Denton, James, co. court minutes, 1, pages 46-47, 155-156, 159, 169, 204, 211, 214, 233, 253, 276, 291, 356, 376, 381, 463, mf 129
Denton, James, tax list 1778, McNabb's Dist., mf 639
Denton, James, tax list, 1779, 20 - 1st & 5th, mf 639
Denton, James, tax list, 1797-1796?, Morrison's Co., mf 639
Denton, James, tax list 1798, Morrison's Co., mf 639 - 2 entries
Denton, James, deed 7, p. 298, mf 196
Denton, James co. court minutes, 1-A, pages 19, 47, 60, mf 129
Denton, James co. court minutes 2, page 288, mf 129
Denton, James, county pleas, Box 1/F8 pages 6, 18, mf 224
Denton, James, county pleas, Box 1/F9 page 21, mf 224
Denton, James, county pleas, Box 1/F10 pages 19, 29, 33, mf 224
Denton, James, county pleas, Box 1/F11 pages 32-33, mf 224
Denton, James, county pleas, Box 1/F12 page 15, mf 224
Denton, James, county pleas, Box 1/F15 pages 7, 34, mf 224
Denton, James, county pleas, Box 1/F17 page 73, mf 224
Denton, James, deed, 9, pages 139, 250, mf 197
Denton, James, marriage 0, p. 126, mf 123
Denton, James Sen. deed, 4, 151, mf 195
Denton, James Sen. county pleas, Box 1/F9 pages 1, 16, mf 224
Denton, James Sen. deed, 4, pages 153, 171, mf 195
Denton, Jas., co. court minutes, 1, page 178, mf 129
Denton, Jas., county pleas, Box 1/F9 page 33, mf 224
Denton, Mary, deed, 7, p. 299, mf 196
Denton, Thomas, co. court minutes, 1, pages 296, 441, mf 129
Denton, Thomas, county pleas, Box 1/F15 page 42, mf 224
Denton, Thomas, county pleas, Box 1/F17, page 44, mf 224
Hunt?, Abraham, tax list 1798, Young's District, mf 639
Hunt, Sarah, co. court minutes, 1, page 221, mf 229
Hunt, Sarah, county pleas, Box 1/F11, page 7, mf 224
Hunt, Thomas, tax list 1790/91, Stone's Co., mf 639
Hunt, Thomas, tax list 1793, Melvan's Co., mf 639
Hunt, Thomas, tax list, 1794, Melvan's Co., mf 639
Hunt, Thomas, tax list, 1795, Melvan's District, mf 639
Hunt, Thomas, tax list, 1796, Melvin's Co., mf 639
Hunt, Thomas, tax list 1798, Crouch's Dist. mf 639
Hunt, Thomas, deed, E, 105, mf 196
Hunt, Thomas, deed 7, 351, mf 196
Hunt, Thomas, co. court minutes, 1, pages 442, 490-491, 528, 535, 615-616, 627, mf 129
Hunt, Thomas, co. court minutes, 1-A, pages 99, 124, 129, mf 129
Hunt, Thomas, co. court minutes, 2, pages 10, 12, mf 129
Hunt, Thomas, sup. court minutes, 4 page 28, mf 167
Hunt, Thomas, county pleas, Box 2/F1 pages 34-35, mf 224
Hunt, Thomas, county pleas, Box 2/F2 pages 28, 39, 55 mf 224
Hunt, Thomas, county pleas, Box 2/F3 pages 42, 57 mf 224
Hunt, Thomas, county pleas, Box 2/F4 pages 31 mf 224
Hunt, Thomas, county pleas, Box 2/F5 pages 89-90, mf 224
Hunt, Thomas, county pleas, Box 2/F7 pages 42, 58, 83, 85, 124, 146, mf 224
Hunt, Thomas, deed, E-H-I, 14, mf 197
Hunt, Thomas, deed, 9, 201, mf 197
Hunt, Thos., county pleas, Box 1/F17 45, mf 224
Hunt, Thos., county pleas, Box 2/F3 41, mf 224
Hunt, Thos., county pleas, Box 2/F4 42, mf 224
Hunt, Thos., county pleas, Box 2/F5 42, mf 224
Overall, Capt. Wm., county pleas, Box 1/F11, 9 mf 224
Overall, William, tax list, 1778, McNabb's District, mf 639
MF 129 - minutes 1778-1809
MF 195 - deed books 1-4, 1782-1795
MF 196 - deed books 5-10; E & G-H-I, 1790-1808
MF 197 - not listed
MF 224 - county pleas - Davidson & Washington Counties, Boxes 1-2, 1779-1801
MF 639 - tax lists 1778-1846
Fischer, Marjorie. Tennessee Tidbits, 1778-1914, Vol. I, Westminster, MD: Heritage Books, nd
The first records I have found for Tennessee were in Washington County, starting in 1778. At that time was a part of North Carolina. In 1783 it became the State of Franklin, with Greenville, Greene County, as the capital. North Carolina did not recognize the State of Franklin and continued to make laws for the government of the people of the State of Franklin. the new State only lasted until about 1788 when Tennessee once more became a part of North Carolina. In 1790 Tennessee became the Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio. In 1796 it finally became the state of Tennessee.
The State started keeping birth and death records on a State-wide basis in 1914. Marriage and divorce records were not kept State-wide until 1945. the county courts had some of these records much earlier, but they were not consistent. Also, many court records were lost or destroyed by fire.
Since one of my main counties was one of the ones that had had several Court House fires, I read every available record that was left. This is how I discovered the vast amount of information that can be found in Court Minutes. Realizing that few people had time, opportunity or inclination to read through every word in thousands of pages of these ancient documents, all written in longhand, some in the worst handwriting imaginable, and most of them without an index, I decided to start a card file with all the items of genealogical interest. Naturally, the counties I was researching were the first in my file. Then I read some counties for friends. When the card file got in the thousands, I got the idea of putting them in a book. to make the book representative of the entire State, I added other counties in other parts of the State.
Some of the items have been included simply because I found them interesting, and some because of unusual names. I have not included criminal acts unless there was information of a genealogical nature shown. The items showing certification of good moral character and age 21 were usually because the person so certified had applied for a license to practice law. There are several entries showing the loss of a part of an ear. This was because cutting off part of the ear was at one time part of the punishment for certain crimes. Therefore when a person lost part of an ear by accident, they wanted this fact on record so that they would not be mistaken for a criminal.
Denton, Abraham - 18 October 1793, in an affray that happened 2 September, William Pillow bit off the upper end of the right ear of Abraham Denton. William Pillow came into court and openly declared that he bit off the ear as aforesaid without any intention of injuring the said Denton. Davidson County Court Minutes, Book B, p. 135.
Denton, James - was a resident of Monroe County, Tennessee, 26 March 1834 when his deposition was to be taken. Blount County Court Minutes Book 1, p. 87.
Denton, Thomas - died before 5 March 1838 when Terisha Turner was paid $25 for attending to Thomas in his last illness and burial expense. Haywood County Court Minutes, Book C, p. 423.
Fitzgerald, William - 4 January 1821 was certified to be over the age of 21 and of good character. Dickson County Court Minutes, Book 2, np.
Fitzgerald, William - removed beyond the limits of the state by 5 February 1838. He had been security of Alfred Moore, administrator of Wm. Moore, deceased. Haywood County Court Minutes, Book C, p. 414.
Framel, Mary - was the mother of a bastard child as charged 5 April 1784. Ambrose Mauldin and Philip Framel were witnesses. Davidson County Court Minutes Book A p. 13. Mary's father appeared and confessed the fact and paid her fine (Ibid p. 24) Mary had accused Abednego Lewallen of the being the father of her two bastard children. He pleaded not guilty. Mary failed to prosecute and her father, Philip Framel, gave bond for maintenance of the children. (Ibid p. 30). Is this Tramel instead of Framel?
Mauldin, West - was a resident of Kentucky 12 January 1798 when his deposition was to be taken relative to a covenant from Elijah Robertson to John Foreman. Davidson County Court Minutes Book C, p. 36.
Overall, William - died before 8 April 1793 when Susannah Overall was appointed administratrix. Davidson County Court Minutes Book B, p. 70. Susannah was appointed guardian of Nancy Overall, Elizabeth Overall, Wm. Foreman Overall, Nathaniel Hamilton Overall, Isaac Hogland Overall and Wilson Lee Overall, orphans of Wm. Overall, deceased. (Ibid p. 102) 11 July 1797 David Vaughn made a settlement as administrator in right of his wife. (Ibid, p. 412).
Tipton, Abraham - died before October term 1822 when the administrator, James J. Tipton, made a settlement. Washington County Admin & Exec. Book 00 p. 35
Tipton, Benjamin - died before February term 1807 when the will was entered. Probate was deferred until a jury can determine if it is his will. Blount County Court Minutes Book B, p. 277. In the case of William Tipton versus Rebecca Tipton and others, a jury found that the writing is the last will and testament of Benjamin Tipton. (It appears to be Wm. Tipton executor.) (Ibid p. 286) Rebecca Tipton, the widow, dissents from the will and claims right of dower. (Ibid p. 291) John B. Cusack was appointed guardian of the orphans of Benjamin Tipton. (Ibid p. 295) Masheck Tipton, was appointed guardian for Benjamin Tipton, minor orphan of Benjamin Tipton, deceased. Jacob Moore was appointed guardian of John Tipton and Jno. B. Cusack was appointed guardian for Patey Tipton, minor orphans. (Ibid, p. 313) December term 1810, it is stated that Wm. Tipton of Knox County and Saml. Tipton of Carter County, are co-executors of the will of Benjamin Tipton, deceased. One of the heirs, John Tipton, is entitled to one-tenth share. (Ibid Book C, p. 322).
Tipton, David B. - was the father of an illegitimate female child by Lavinia Collins. He gave bond for its maintenance 24 March 1834, with Jacob Tipton as security. Blount County Court Minutes Book 1, p. 58
Tipton, John - died before November term 1808 when a committee was ordered to settle with the guardian of John Tipton, deceased. Blount County Court Minute Book C, p. 92
Tipton, John - died before 16 January 1836 when David L. Mars made a report as administrator. Washington County Admin & Exec. Book 00 p. 272-3.
History of Tennessee, Nashville, TN: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1886
Lynch, Louise. Tax Book I, Williamson County, Tennessee, 1800-1813, Louise Lynch, 1971.
Map of central Tennessee counties.
1806 tax list - name, acreage, location, whites, blacksGurley, William, 1 white
1807 tax listGurley, William 1 white, 1 black
1809 tax listFitzgerald, John, 1 whiteFitzgerald, William, double tax, 1 whiteGurley, William 1 white, 1 black
1812 tax listGurley, Benjamin 1 white
Pittman, Betsy. Early East Tennessee History, 1991
A timeline of East Tennessee history.
1769 - First permanent white settlers enter Tennessee. One group migrates south through the valley of Virginia; another group consists of Orange County, North Carolina, area Regulators fleeing rule of Governor Tryon. Both groups are predominantly Scotch-Irish, and their settlements are in upper East Tennessee, along the Holston, Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers, on Indian land, which was eventually leased from the Cherokee.
1772 - Settlers on the Watauga realize they are beyond the limits of any organized political authority, create a frontier home-spun government known as the Watauga Association, the first west of the mountains.
1775 - People of the Watauga Association arrange to purchase their land from the Cherokee. Revolutionary War begins. In the back country, it becomes a frightening and murderous conflict between white settlers and Cherokee Indians. For their protection, the Watauga settlers organize themselves into the Washington Military District, named for the general, and appeal to North Carolina for annexation and support.
1777 - North Carolina takes cognizance of the over-mountain settlements, organizes all of the Tennessee country, and places the area under the jurisdiction of first Rowan, then Burke County. Following this, the area becomes Washington County and a part of the new state of North Carolina.
1779 - Jonesborough, the first town in Tennessee established
1780 - The over-mountain settlers march to King's Mountain to defeat Colonel Patrick Ferguson's army of Tories in October.
1784 - North Carolina cedes the over-mountain country to the national government. Fearful they have been abandoned to the murderous depredations of the Cherokee, the settlers take matters into their own hands and organize the "State of Franklin" and appeal to the Confederation Congress for recognition. North Carolina soon regrets its hasty action of cession, repeals it before it can be accepted by the Federal government, and attempts to reassert authority over the Tennessee country. For four years there is conflict among the back country settlers, who are divided between the "State of Franklin" and the "pro-North Carolina" parties. The "capitol" of the State of Franklin is in Greeneville.
1788 - The terms of the Franklin officials have expired, and the new state fails; North Carolina reestablishes jurisdiction over the area.
1790 - North Carolina again cedes the over-mountain country, this time permanently, to the new Federal Congress, which establishes the "Territory of the U.S. South of the River Ohio." Its new governor, William Blount, soon arrives and establishes his capital in the town of Knoxville.
1796 - Tennessee is admitted to the union as the 16th state.
Rae, Loraine. Washington County, Tennessee Deeds, 1797-1817, Vol. 2, Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1991.
Deed Book 9, pp. 5-6, 9/10/1801, James Denton to John Deakins, 50 acres on Nolochucky River in consideration of $200, signed James Denton, wit: Richard Deekens, H.W. Gray
Deed Book 9, pp. 120-1, 9/10/1801, James Deakins to James Denton, 100 acres on Nolachucky River in consideration of $333.33 adjacent to Richard Dickens/Deakins. Signed James Deakins, wit: Rich'd. Deakins, (--?--) McCay, John Harrell, court May 1802.
Deed Book 12, pp. 2-3, 10/3/1808 Temperace Boring/Boran/Borin to James Denton, 50 acres on the south fork of Cherokee in consideration of $320, adjoining Abraham Goodpasture, John Francis. Signed Temperance [x] Borin. Wit: Jacob Hunter, Absolum Bowring, court Nov. 1808, registered 2/4/1808.
Maps of Washington County, Tennessee and Brownsborough, Tennessee
Sistler, Byron & Barbara Sistler. Early East Tennessee Marriages, Vol. 1, Grooms, Nashville, TN: Byron Sistler & Associates, Inc., 1987.
Denton, Daniel to Susanah White, 5/5/1812, Washington Co.
Denton, Isaac to Polly Coffman, 6/16/1817 / 6/14/1817(?), Greene Co.
Denton, Jacob G. to Sally Armstrong 8/31/1813 Jefferson Co.
Denton, Jacob Jr. to Deborah Lichliter, 2/3/1819 Jefferson Co.Denton, Joel to Jane Armstrong 1/28/1812 Jefferson Co.
Denton, John to Polly Denton 7/15/1799 Jefferson Co.
Denton, Joseph to Charity Bailey 5/4/1796 Jefferson Co.
Denton, Joseph to Elizabeth Whitson, 11/29/1805 Carter Co.
Denton, Josiah to Catharine Seahorn 12/24/1802 Jefferson Co.
Denton, William to Rachel Gibson 3/15/1826 Washington Co.
Hunt, John to Easter Bartley 11/6/1802 Roane Co.
Hunt, Larkin to Polly Ann Ely 8/31/1826 Greene Co.
Hunt, Peter to Lethy Bayles 3/27/1828 Washington Co.
Hunt, Smith to Patsey Alison 7/24/1816 Washington Co.
Hunt, Thomas to Martina Bayles 9/1/1811 Washington Co.
Hunt, Thomas to Polley Pope 2/14/1811 Carter Co.
Hunt, Westley to Margaret Patton 7/15/1820 Washington Co.
Hunt, William to Elizabeth Tadlock 10/29/1791 Greene Co.
Washington County, Tennessee Marriage Records
Whitley, Edythe. Red River Settlers: Records of the Settlers of Northern Montgomery, Robertson and Sumner Counties, Tennessee, Baltimore, MD: Clearfield, 2001.
Includes a map of Tennessee in 1806
In 1788 the General Assembly of North Carolina laid off a new district which embraced the three Cumberland counties of Davidson, Sumner and Tennessee. This district was named the Mero District in honor of Don Estephan Mero, Governor of New Orleans. In 1796 the Mero District was incorporated into the new state of Tennessee, with Tennessee County divided into the counties of Montgomery and Robertson.
This book deals with the northern half of Montgomery, Robertson and Sumner counties, the area known as Red River. It consists of a collection of county, state, church and family records, and also contains genealogies of Red River families, developed, for the most part, from a wide variety of sources, including cemetery records, bible records, military records, and private papers, as well as records of deeds, wills, marriages and court minutes.
The Cumberland River and its tributaries provide the drainage for this section. Red River is a northern branch of the Cumberland. It rises in Kentucky and waters the counties of Montgomery, Robertson and the northwestern part of Sumner. It flows southwest and falls into the Cumberland at Clarksville - the county seat of Montgomery - after a course of seventy miles. Its principal branches are Sulphur and Elk Forks. The West and Barren Forks have their junction a short distance above Clarksville.
Sulphur Fork, one of the eastern branches of Red River, is in Robertson County. It rises near the road leading from Nashville to Franklin, Kentucky. It took its name from the Sulphur Spring owned by Mr. Archer Cheatham, called "Robertson's Springs," situated near its source, two miles from "Tyree Springs." The creek runs in a northwesterly direction for fifteen or sixteen miles until it passes the town of Springfield, county seat of Robertson County, then turns and flows southwest, falling into red River at Port Royal in Montgomery County, a distance of some forty miles.
Elk Fork, a large northern branch of Red River, rises near Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky, entering Tennessee in Robertson County, and joins Red River three miles from the northeast corner of Montgomery County.
Montgomery County was named for John Montgomery. Its first permanent settlement was made by Moses Renfroe and his company, April 12, 1780. Renfroe ascended the Red River to the mouth of Carson's Creek where he built Renfroe's Station (sometimes called Red River Station). Among this company were: Moses, Isaac, Joseph and James Renfroe, Nathan and Solomon Turpin, Isaac Mayfield, James Hollis, James Johns, and a widow named Jones. Some of the others who came soon after were Francis Prince, Col. James Ford, Martin Armstrong, Anthony and William Crutcher, William Polk, Amos Bird, George Bell, Robert Nelson, Aeneas McAllister, John Easton, Daniel James, James Adams, William Montgomery, Philip Gilbert, Robert Dunning, Hugh McCallum, Benjamin Hawkins, Andrew Snoddy, Isaac Titsworth, Major Evan Shelby (brother of Isaac Shelby), and Dr. Morgan Brown, as well as members of the Nevill, Sevier, Dier, Lindsey, Kittrell, Neblett and Roberts families.
The first settlers in Robertson County included: Thomas Kilgore (in 1776/1777 he lived for some time in a cave on the South Fork of Red River, near the present village of Cross Plains), Moses Maulden, Ambrose Mauloon [sic], Samuel Mason, Josiah Hankins, Archer Cheatham, Thomas Johnson, William Fort, Jacob McCarty, Benjamin Meneese, William Miles, Isaac and John Phillips, Bazil Boren, Martin Duncan, James Crabtree and Zebulon Hart and members of the Donelson, McIntosh, Bell, Randall (Randle), Peebles, Gunn and Tatum families.
Sumner County was erected November 17, 1786 by the North Carolina Legislature and named in honor of General Jethro Sumner, a gallant officer of the Revolution. In 1779 a settlement of about a dozen families was made at "Bledsoe's Lick," now "Castalian Springs." Forts built by a number of the earliest pioneers - John Morgan, Major James White, Col. Sanders, Jacob Zigler, Capt. Joseph Wilson. Mansker's Fort was in the lower part of the county. Among the early settlers were: Anthony and Col. Isaac Bledsoe, Robert Desha (ancestor of President Lyndon Baines Johnson), Jordan Gibson, Henry Loving, William Hall, David Shelby, George D. Blackmore, General James and George Winchester, Robert Peyton (ancestor of Hon. Bailey Peyton), Samuel and Joseph Wilson, Michael Shafer, Isaac Walton, David Looney, Benjamin Luylendall, James Trousdale, the Porters, Winters, Lathams, Williams, Hagans, Sheppards and Bowens.
Maulding:Among the earliest families to appear in the Red River settlement were the Mauldings. They lived in Virginia as early as 1636. The name appears to be spelled in various ways, most commonly: Maulding, Maulden, Moulding, Mouldin, Malding and Madlen.
According to the land patent office in Richmond, Virginia (patent book 1, pp. 400, 494) Captain John West, Knight, Governor of the Colony of Virginia, patented 400 acres of land in Nasemond County on 26 November 1636 to Francis Maulden, the same being due him for the transportation, at his own expense, of eight persons into the colony, including himself and his wife Katherine. Apparently Francis Maulden was the emigrant to Virginia. He seems to have located in King William County.
Richard Mauldin received 400 acres of land in Mattapony River in King William County, Virginia on 15 July 1717. The patent by George I was signed by Alex. Spotswood, Governor (Ibid. Book 10, p. 320). He received 200 acres in King William County from George I on 13 November 1720 (Ibid. Book II, p. 72). He received 387 acres in King William County through two grants, near the same time, 9 July 1723 (Ibid. Book 12, p. 52). On 11 April 1752, he received 387 acres in Caroline County, situated in St. Margaret's Paris (Ibid. Book 14, p. 400).
George the Second, etc. "Whereas there was granted unto John Mauldin Sept. 7, 1727, a certain tract of land situate on the Upper Fort [sic] of the Robinson River in Spotsylvania County, which said land is now in the county of Orange, containing 1000 acres and known as Mauldin Fork bordered by the lands of Richard Mauldin. The said John Maulding failed to cultivate the same, and the said Richard Mauldin, hath made suit to possession and to whom it is now granted, March 24, 1734." (Patent Book 15, p. 455, Va. Land Office, Richmond.)
Three hundred acres more were granted to Richard Maulding on the same date as above, as well as a grant for 1000 acres on the same day. Both were situated on the Forked of the Rapidan, viz. what is now the Robinson River (Ibid., p. 406-8).
Richard Mauldin, Junior received 2000 acres in that part of Orange County called Augusta, situated on Peaked Mountain, from Governor Goode on 30 January 1734.
Peaked Mountain lies west of Staunton in the out range of the Alleghanies. It can be viewed plainly from the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway coaches between Staunton and White Sulphur Springs.
It seems evident that there was a Richard Mauldin, Sr. and a Richard Mauldin, Jr. and a John Mauldin at the same time and at the same place in Virginia.
According to a Bible record, Richard Maulding was born in 1765. James Maulding appears to have been a son of Richard Maulding, Jr. of Peaked Mountain in Augusta county, Virginia.
The name Mauldin appears in the 1790 census of Maryland in Cecil County, with heads of families, Benjamin and William. In 1790, the name Mauldin does not appear in the census of Virginia, but several by that name are found in North Carolina in the first census reports. John, Joseph and two Thomas Mauldins were in Perquimans County [NC]; Tucker Mauldin was in Dobbs County [NC]; and Richard Maulding was in Moore County [NC].
South Carolina had several Mauldings in 1790. Capt. Blake Maulden was in Pendleton County, 96th District. Harris, Joab and John Mauldin were in 96th District. Laban Malding and Herod and Benjamine Malden were in Laurens County, 96th District.
Jacob Maulden left a will in Stafford County, dated 1704 (Torrence, Virginia Wills).
On 3 April 1733, Richard Mauldin of St. Mark's Parish, Spotsylvania County, deed 1774 acres in St. Mark's Parish to Nicholas Battalie, Gent., of St. Mary's Parish Caroline County. The land was part of a tract bought of Mauldin out of another tract granted to James Taylor, deceased, by patent, 21 July 1722. Jane ,wife of Richard Mauldin, acknowledged dower.
Richard Mauldin of St. Mark's Parish, Spotsylvania County, sold 100 acres of land from the above mentioned tract to Zachariah Gibbs, 3 April 1733. Jane, wife of Richard acknowledged.
William Edins of St. Mark's Parish deeded 248 acres in Spotsylvania to Richard Mauldin and Nicholas, both of the same place. It represented the whole of a patent granted to Edins on 28 September 1728. Rebecca, the wife of Wm. Edins, acknowledged.
On 27 March 1734, Richard Mauldin of Spotsylvania deeded 120 acres in Spotsylvania to Edward Tinsley of King and Queen County, 2 April 1734. Jane, wife of Richard acknowledged dower.
Richard Mauldin, Gent. of St. Mark's Parish, Spotsylvania deeded 300 acres (part of Col. James Taylor's tract) to William Daniel, Jr. of St. Ann Parish, Caroline County, 30 March 1734.
James Taylor of King and Queen County sold 1000 acres of land to Richard Mauldin of King William County, 4 March 1727.
On 21 January 1734, Richard Mauldin was one of the Commissioners of Peace of Orange County, Virginia.
The Mauldins were prominent in Augusta County, Virginia at the time that county was created, 21 May 1747. The following abstracts are loosely quoted from Chalkley's a Chronicle of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia: Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County, 1745-1800.
William Burk deeded to Henry Downs, Gent., for 85 pounds current Virginia money 350 acres of land on Shenandoah River at the upper end of 2000 acres that did belong to Richard Malden near Peaked Mountain; corner to Paul Long; Selzer's lien. Witnessed by Adam Muller, Barbaray Miller, Jno. Edwards.
Philip Long, eldest son and heir-at-law of Paul Long, deceased, who was eldest son and heir-at-law of Philip Long, deceased, of Frederick County, Virginia, to Jacob Campbell, 150 acres purchased by Philip the elder from Richard Mauldin and deed recorded in Orange County, corner of Jacob Coger.
Philip Long and Katherine, 15 May 1765 sold to Henry Long brother of said Paul, and Uncle to said Philip Jr. for 100 pounds, 240 acres sold by Richard Mauldin, to Philip Sr., 22 Sept. 1743 descended to Paul and from Paul to Philip Jr. on Shenandoah River. Henry Long's other land.
Richard Mauldin had 2000 acres patented 30 June 1743 on Picked Mountain. Henry Long and Barbara to Henry Julias delivered Jacob Julias, 13 June 1788.
Another patent of 2000 acres to Richard Mauldin, 30 June 1743 corner to Henry Eulias (Julias).
Mathias Long vs. Henry Long, Ejectment, Rockingham County, August 29, 1797 Original patent to Richard Mauldin, Jr., for 2000 acres on Peaked Mountain south River Shenandoah, 30 June 1743, 240 acres sold by Malden to Philip Long surveyed for Henry Long, 1753. Copy of will of Henry Lung, dated 16 January 1779, probated 27 April 1779. Barbara was the widow. Eldest son, Henry, and other minor children. Sons Paul, Mathew and Nicholas. Grant to Henry Long, 100 acres on Shenandoah 1768.
There is mention of a patent to Richard Malden, Jr. for 2000 acres of land in that part of Orange designated to be called Augusta, Peaked Mountain, South River, dated 30 June 1743, and a patent to Henry Long for 100 acres in Augusta on Shenandoah, 20 September 1768. The will of Henry Long, Sr., farmer of Rockingham, dated 6 January 1779, recorded in Rockingham on 27 April 1779, mentions his wife Barbara and infant children, eldest son Henry, Paul, Mathias and Nicholas Long.
On 7 October 1740, William [X] Malding witnessed a deed (Book C), dated 4 October 1740, from Hugh Sanders of St. George Parish, Spotsylvania, planter, to Decley Gatewood of said Parish and County. Hugh's wife was Catey.
Henry Goodloe of St. George Parish left a will, dated 25 November 1748 proved 2 May 1749 and witnessed by John Minor, Diana Goodloe and John Wallace. In it he mentioned a granddaughter Elizabeth Maudlen and also Jane, wife of John Mauldin.
Elizabeth Goodloe, widow and relict of Henry, of Spotsylvania, left a will, dated 25 February 1750 and proved in 1761, in which she mentioned Elizabeth Maulden. Also, one of the legatees named was "grand-daughter" Elizabeth Maulden.
The North Carolina branch of the Mauldings first lived in Perquimans County. Grimes, in his North Carolina Wills, p. 243, lists Thomas Maudlin, September 16, 1758, January Court, 1759 - son Jeremiah, wife Sarah, brother Edmund Chancey - executors, John Claytorn (father-in-law), Richard Clayton (brother-in-law) and Wm. Trumbull. The will of Ezekiel Mauldin, dated 25 March 1732 and proved 17 April 1732 mentions son Jeremiah, son Joshua, son James, and the wife and executor Hannah. The last mentioned will bears the seal (coat of arms) of the Mauldin family. In 1775 in Perquimans County, Gideon Mauldin left a will in which there is mention of Zebree, Nathan, Samuel, Gideon, Mary, Deborah, Margaret, John and Silas. These appear to have been the children of Gideon, the testator.
There is a deed between Richard Mauldin of Cumberland County, North Carolina and Thomas Beal of Chatham County which bears the date 1785. In Orange County, North Carolina, there is on record, a law suit in which James Sheperd had a conflict with Richard Maulding in 1765.
The Tennessee Mauldings scattered all over Middle and West Tennessee as well as into Western Kentucky. Each branch of the family had many children, some of whom married into some of the most prominent families of the Red River section. The men in the Mauldin family were keen sighted and made money rapidly. They acquired vast landed estates, moving with the progress of migration of their day. Ambrose Mauldin is found mentioned many times among the earliest records of Davidson, Montgomery and Robertson Counties in Tennessee and Logan County, Kentucky. In January 1784, Ambrose Mauldin made a motion to the court that Fanny Tramel (also spelled Trammel) be admitted to administer the estate of Nicholas Tramel and that she be granted letters accordingly.
On 16 May 1801, Ambrose Mauldin of Logan County, Kentucky deeded a tract of land in Sumner County to James Roaney of Sumner County, Tennessee for $1000.00.
West Mauldin was Sheriff of Logan County and was paid for traveling from Logan County to his home in Harrodsburg to compare polls for members of congress on 15 November 1792. Martin Maulding was paid for the gubernatorial election in Logan County before 1798.
Molton Mauldin was granted a tract of land in Montgomery County, Tennessee: "May 20, 1790, North Carolina, Know ye that we and in consideration of the sum of 10 pounds for every hundred acres hereby granted paid into our treasury by Molton Maulden have given and granted and by these presents do give and grant unto the said Molton Mauldin a tract of land, containing 640 acres lying and being in the said County of Davidson on Sulphur Fork a branch of Red River, beginning at a hickory west 320 poles to a hickory and popular south 320 poles to a black oak and dogwood and hickory east 320 poles crossing Clay Lick Creek to an elm thence north 16 poles to the beginning as by the plat next to the grant doth appear together with all woods, waters, minerals, hereditaments and appurtenances to the said land belonging to or appertaining. To hold to the said Moulton Mauldin his heirs and assigns forever." By virtue of preemption, the land was surveyed for Molton Mauldin on 5 November 1785, [1795?] Warrant No. 311, registered in Montgomery County, Tennessee in deed Book A, p. 32.
Mauldin's Station was built in 1780 or 1781 and was located one mile west of the present Louisville and Nashville pike and four miles east of Kilgore's Station or fort. It was the second settlement in what is now Robertson County, Kilgore's being the first. Mauldin's was near the present Kentucky-Tennessee line. Therefore the Mauldins were active in both Tennessee and Kentucky.
Richard Mauldin was born in 1765 and died on 24 May 1835 in Madison County, Tennessee. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in 1762 and died in 1810. They were the parents of Pressley, Daniel, Claiborne, James and Sarah, who was born on 5 March 1791, died in 1840, and married Bartholomew G. Stewart.
As the settlement of West Tennessee continued and pushed forward toward the Mississippi, some of the Mauldings and their connections followed in the path of migration. They located in Madison, Haywood and other Tennessee counties. In Madison County, we find them quite prominent. On 21 March 1823, Bartholomew G. Stewart appeared in court and made oath regarding one wolf scalp which was proved also by Richard Maulding.
Between 1821 and 1832, Pressley, Daniel and Claiborne Maulding lived in Madison County. Daniel Mauldin was there as early as 1819, for in that year he made purchases from the estate sale of George Mizles, deceased.
Bartholomew G. Stewart was born on 5 January 1786 and died in Madison County in 1840. He had lived for a time in Hickman County, Tennessee. His wife, Sarah or Sally Maulding, was born in Tennessee in 1791. They were married on 19 March 1809, according to the family record in the possession of a descendant. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were the parents of nine children: Elizabeth, who was born on 15 May 1810, died on 25 May 1835 (1855), and was married on 7 February 1828 to Joseph C. Snodgrass; Mary Stewart, who was born on 2 June 1812, died on 6 March 1878, and was married on 1 September 1831 to Silas Goodrich; Montgomery B., who was born on 14 January 1814 and died on 22 August 1847; Henry Taylor, who was born on 28 August 1815; Frances (called Franky) , who was born on 9 October 1817, died on 18 February 1888, was married first on 9 February 1837 to John C. Jackson, and secondly to Alexander Tomlinson, who was born on 18 April 1818; Joseph Napoleon, who was born on 19 December 1821, died on 24 December 1898 and was married on 29 April 1847 to Sarah E. Matthews, who was born on 14 February 1830 and died on 7 August 1904; William Arnold, who was born on 13 July 1824 and died on 19 December 1891; B.G. Jr., who was born on 16 August 18-- and was married on 19 December 1839 to Mary A. Goodrich, who was born on 30 July 1821; and Robert Weakley, who was born on 21 November 1817 and died on 4 April 1849 in Haywood County, Tennessee.
Elizabeth Stewart and her husband, Joseph C. Snodgrass, were the parents of Adolphus E., who was born on 5 January 1831 and Elizabeth, who was born on 11 March 1833.
Franky Stewart and Alexander Tomlinson were the parents of seven children: Virginia Ann, who was born on 18 May 1840, died on 18 April 1875, and married a Mr. Holland (children: John N. and Fannie D.); Mary, who was born in 1856 and married James A. Tomlinson, her cousin; Lizzie, who was born in 1852, died in 1886, and married Jno. Webb Timberlake, Sr. (six children); Alemdia (?), who was born in 1850, died on 2 December 1885, and married Dr. Newt Williams (five children); Ida, who married William Long; Ike, who married Sally Pope; and John.
Joseph Napoleon Bonapart Stewart and his wife, Sarah Evans Matthews, were the parents of fourteen children; Noble, w ho was born on 21 September 1848; Evin, who was born on 25 February 1866; Everett, who was born on 21 July 1850; Truly, who was born on 9 October 1851; Emma, who was born on 23 February 1853 in Mississippi; Nepolean, who was born on 29 November 1854; three babies, who were born on 6 May 1856 and died; Tobias, who was born on 29 June 1857 in Arkansas and died on 28 June 1907; Tally, who was born on 30 June 1859 in Arkansas; Blake, who was born on 15 February 1862 in Arkansas; Oren, who was born on 22 September 1864; and Rodney who was born on 22 February 1869 in Mississippi. This family moved from Madison County, Tennessee to Mississippi, then to Arkansas, and later back to Mississippi.
Sources:Virginia County Records by Crozier, Spotsylvania County, pp. 11, 101, 124, 130, etc. (Deed Book B, 1729-34).History of Orange County, Virginia by W.W. Scott, 1907, p. 26.Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia: Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta county, 1745-1800 by Chalkley, 1912, Vol. 3, pp. 259, 429, 531, 537 and Vol. 2, pp. 14, 269.History of Russellville, Logan Co., Ky. by Finley.Virginia County Records by Crozier, Spotsylvania County 1721-1800, pp. 9, 11, 153.Cumberland County, North Carolina, Deed Book C, p. 442.Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1762-1766, p. 252Davidson County, Tennessee Minute Book A, p. 9.Sumner County, Tennessee Deed Book 3, p. 153.State Archives, General Expenditures 1792-1798. Kentucky Historical Society Register (1934) Vol. 32, pp. 54, 129.Madison County, Tennessee Minute Book 1, 1821-1825, p. 129.Madison County, Tennessee Tax List 1822-1832.
By the year 1807, fewer than one hundred families were living within the town of Russellville [KY]. An election to select Trustees for the town was held, and the following persons voted: [included]
Richard Maulding, Tyler Maulding & West Maulding
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