Early Settlers of Washington County TN

Project Leader: Jan Teinert

Project Description: The Early Settlers of Washington County, Tennessee Project is to document all early settlers of Washington County from 1768 to 1799 and publish a three volume set of books about these individuals:

Volume 1: (Pre) 1768-1777 (image featured right): Contains information on the history and archaeology of the Cherokee in the Watauga and Nolichucky River Valleys; biographies of the Cherokee people; history of Longhunters in the area; biographies of settlers in this time period; history of the government, law, and military, history of the area including four settlements: Holston, Watauga, Nolichucky and Carter’s Valley, as well as the Washington District / Washington County, North Carolina.

Volume 2: 1778-1787: Will contain information on the biographies of settlers in this time period; history of government, law, and military during the State of Franklin; history of the area including Washington County, North Carolina and the State of Franklin.

Volume 3: 1788-1797: Will contain information on the biographies of settlers in this time perid; history of government, law, and military during the final year of the State of Franklin and territory south of the River Ohio; history of the area including the final year of State of Franklin; the Battle of Franklin.

Additional information about this region: Washington County in northeast Tennessee was established in 1777 as part of North Carolina. This vast area was designated as the Washington District.  During the early years settlers arrived and politics changed, so did the size and name of the district. It became known by various names including the State of Franklin, the Southwest Territory and in 1796 as part of the new state called Tennessee.  Jonesborough was established as the county seat and the area flourished.

Certificate Program

The Early Settlers of Washington County, Tennessee Certificate Program accepts applications from descendants of early settlers of Washington County from 1768 to 1840.  These certificates are to be issued with in the terms of the instructions on the application and preserve all documentation in a section of the Vertical Files held in the Washington County – Jonesborough Library.

To Apply, click here to download the Application and Eligibility Form.

Click here to view the current settlers list (names only).