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HISTORIC TIMELINE OF TENNESSEE |
15000
BC |
Paleo Indians -Occupied area · |
6000
BC |
Archaic Indians -Occupied area -They created mussel shell mounds along Cumberland River |
1000
BC |
Woodland Indians -Occupied area -They were mound builders |
1100
AD to |
Mississippian Indians -Occupied area |
| 1541 | Desoto -Desoto, an early Spanish explorer, visited Tennessee area -He penetrated as far north as Chattanooga -Claimed area as Spanish possession -Visited the Indian village of Chiaha - Located near present day South Pittsburg |
| 1600's | Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, and Shawnee Indians -The Cherokee Indians occupied the area of East Tennessee -Creek Indians lived along the Tennessee River &South Middle Tennessee -Chickasaws inhabited West Tennessee along the Mississippi River -Used land as common hunting ground |
| 1673 | James Needham -Sent by Virginia trader to scout trade with Cherokee Indians |
| 1682 | Cherokee Indians -Drive out Shawnees -Shawnees tried to permanently settle area -Cherokee settlements were east of Tennessee River LaSalle -Established Mississippi Valley territory for France -Named area Louisiana Territory -Built Fort Prud'Homme near Memphis -Became the first white man's building in Tennessee |
| 1711 | Eleazer Wiggin -An English trader in area |
| 1714 | M Charleville -A French Trader from New Orleans -Built store on French Lick Creek |
| 1721 | Indian Treaty · Nicholson's Treaty |
| 1730 | Indian Treaty -Cumming's Treaty James Adair -Traveled with Indians -Wrote book, "A History of the American Indians" -Published in London 1775 Dr Thomas Wather -Sent to explore by Loyal Land Co of Virginia -Named Cumberland Mountains, Cumberland Gap, and Cumberland River -Named in honor of the Duke of Cumberland, Prime Minister of England |
| 1732 | Indian Treaty -Oglethorpe's Treaty |
| 1750 |
| 1751 |
| 1752 |
| 1753 |
| 1754 |
| 1755 | Indian Treaty -Glen's Treaty -Signed November 24 |
| 1756 | Indian Treaty -Waddell's Treaty Fort Loudon -Built 1756 -Destroyed by Indians, 1760 |
| 1760 | Indian Treaty -Littleton's Treaty |
| 1761 | Indian Treaty -Grant's Treaty Elisha Walden -Lead party of long hunters in area -Named Walden Ridge which forms eastern edge of Cumberland Plateau Willaim Bean -Established first white settlement in Tennessee -Built cabin on Boone's Creek |
| 1762 |
| 1763 | Indian Treaty -Treaty of Augusta |
| 1764 | Daniel Boone -Commissioned by Richard Henderson's Land Co, 1764 -Marked trail to Kentucky through Cumberland Gap -Explored frontier -Had a home on Yadkin River |
| 1765 | Henry Scoggins -Explored frontier -Worked for Henderson's Land Co -Followed Boone's exploration -Took boat down Cumberland River -Settled at Mansker's Lick near Nashville |
| 1766 |
| 1767 |
| 1768 | Indian Treaties -Treaty of Hard Labor -Signed October 14 -Treaty of Fort Stanwix -Signed November 5 |
| 1769 |
| Late 1700's | Early explorers in Tennessee -John Rains, Kasper Mansker, Abraham Bledsoe, Obediah (Obey) Terril, Uriah Stone, Henry Smith, Ned Cowan, Joseph Holliday, Thomas Spencer |
| 1770 | Indian Treaty -Treaty of Lochabor -Signed October 18 |
| 1771 | Four settlements had been
established -South Fork of Holston -Carter's Valley -Watauga Valley -Nolichucky River Valley |
| 1772 | Indian Treaty -Leases of Watauga Settlers & Jacob Brown -Signed March 19 -Land was transferred Watuga Association -Settlers founded Watuga Association -Established law & order on frontier -Wrote first constitution in America claiming freedom -James Robertson became Watuga leader |
| 1773 |
| 1774 |
| 1775 | Indian Treaties -Transylvania Purchase -Signed March 17 -Purchase of Carter's Valley -Signed March 17 -Purchase of Watauga Settlers & Jacob Brown -Signed March 19 -Second purchase of Jacob Brown -Signed March 19 -Land was transferred with these treaties Judge Richard Henderson -Traveled from North Carolina to Tennessee -He represented a group called the Transylvania Company -The company was a group of Carolina land speculators -Henderson brought wagon loads of trade goods -Goods estimated worth was 10,000 pounds sterling -A meeting was held at Sycamore Shoals on the Watuga River -A majority of Indians were present and most of the settlers of the area -A scout named Daniel Boone attended meeting -A purchase was made of approximately 20,000,000 acres of land -The tract included all of Kentucky -It also included the areas covered by tributaries of Cumberland River -Land purchase referred to as the "Treaty of Sycamore Sholes" -Daniel Boone cut a trail from Virginia to the Cumberland Gap -The trail was later named the "Wilderness Road" -Kentucky settlers did not want to be under Henderson's rule -They negotiated with colony of Virginia to come under their control -Virginia set up a county to include all of Kentucky -County was known as Virginia County -Henderson was given some compensation for his land loss -The British claimed sovereign power over the land sold -British Agent John Stuart told Indians they had no right to sell land -Henderson counted on turmoil of the American Revolution to settle disputes -Purchase made about a month before Lexington and Concord Battle Chief Dragging Canoe -Sale opposed by a young Cherokee Chief -Dragging Canoe's followers grew in number -They resisted continuous colonial settlements along Tennessee frontier -North Carolina extends all the way to the Mississippi River |
| 1776 | North Carolina -Watuga settlers chose to become a part of North Carolina -North Carolina boundary line extended to Mississippi River Cherokee War -Indians attempted an offensive against settlers in upper East Tennessee -The Indian uprising occurred at the start of the Revolutionary War -The Indians were associated with the British in spying activities -They were not under British military guidance -The Cherokee's were defeated in the War of 1776 -John Sevier became a hero during the war's battles -Chief Dragging Canoe and his followers seceded from Cherokee Nation -They migrated southward to the valley around Chickamauga Creek -They became known as the Chickamauga Indians John McDonald -Established a trading post along South Chickamauga Creek -He traded with the Indians -His land was later sold to missionaries -Land became property of the Brainerd Mission Dragging Canoe -Becomes leading chief -The Creek Indians joined with the Chickamauga's to drive out the new settlers -Raids were conducted up and down the Tennessee and Virginia frontiers -Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia joined with North Carolina to wage war with the Indians -One purpose of war was to gain free access to the Tennessee River -The war party burned 11 Chickamauga villages -John McDonald's trading post was overrun -His supplies, furs and deerskin were later auctioned to the soldiers -The auction took place along a nearby stream which was latter named Sale Creek |
| 1777 | Indian Treaty -Avery Treaty -Signed July 20 -Land was transferred Chickamauga Indians (click here for timeline submitted by T Meeks)10'04 A splinter group of Cherokees who followed Chief Dragging Canoe in leaving the Upper and Middle Cherokee towns, moving to the Chickamauga Creek area around present day Chattanooga. Thanks to Floyd Ayers, Winchester, TN. Washington County -Created by North Carolina Legislature -Encompassed all the state of Tennessee |
| 1778 |
| 1779 | Sullivan County -Created in East Tennessee from portion of Washington County -Now two counties in Tennessee Settling Tennessee -James Henderson commissioned an exploration of his new land purchase -James Robertson made a trip to the Cumberland -When he returned, plans were made to establish a settlement -Robertson led a party that drove livestock overland through Kentucky -They arrived at Nashborough around Christmas |
| 1780 | Colonel John Donelson -Col John Donelson led a flotilla of flatboats from Kingsport -The vessels were constructed as flatboats -Women, children, and household goods were shipped on boats -The boats after reaching the Ohio River had to be paddled upstream to their destination -Indians attacked in the Chattanooga Gorge -A trailing boat contained small pox victims -Several of the passengers were killed, but the Indians caught the disease -Donelson's daughter, Rachel, was on one of the boats -Rachel later became wife of President Andrew Jackson |
| 1781 |
| 1782 | Military Reservation -North Carolina Legislature set aside a military reservation in Middle Tennessee -Land grants made to Revolutionary War veterans -Amount of acreage determined by military rank |
| 1783 |
|
| 1784 | North Carolina -State of North Carolina extended from Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River -Land bounded by Cumberland Mountains, Cumberland & Ohio Rivers was open -The new colonial government was harassed by heavy indebtedness -Congress encouraged states to swap vacant land to reduce debts -Ceded open lands to the federal government in June -The open lands later became Tennessee ·-Revolutionary War Soldiers were given land grants of 640 to 12,000 acres ·-A Land Grab Act was passed to sell land at about $5.00 per 100 acres ·-Nearly four million acres were sold in seven months -Congress did not accept responsibility of new territories for two years -Lawlessness and Indian aggression grew rampant in the territories -People of the Territory formed independent area to maintain law and order State of Frankland -Leaders met to discuss formation of a new state in Jonesboro area -After three meetings the state of Frankland was formed -It was later renamed Franklin in honor of Benjamin Franklin -John Sevier became the areas first governor -North Carolina demanded the new government be disbanded -The legislature repealed the act of cession of the land to the United States -The people of the new area split over allegiance -John Sevier became head of the Franklin party -John Tipton headed the North Carolina party John Sevier elected governor of the state of Frankland (1784) |
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John Sevier served as governor of Frankland,
1784 and of Tennessee, 1796-1801, 1803-1809-The area comprising Tennessee was
first called Frankland -It was renamed Franklin in honor of Benjamin Franklin -John Sevier became the areas first governor -North Carolina demanded the new government be disbanded -The legislature repealed the act of cession of the land to the United States -The people of the new area split over allegiance -John Sevier became head of the Franklin party -John Tipton headed the North Carolina party -The new government disbanded and North Carolina again ruled the area in 1788 |
| -Sevier was arrested by Tipton and brought to trial in
North Carolina -Sevier escaped before the trial -The legislature later restored his privileges -North Carolina apportioned itself into four districts -The Western District included "Territory South of the Ohio river" -John Sevier was elected to the U S Congress from Western North Carolina in 1789 -North Carolina again ceded the Western Territory to the United States in 1790 -David Campbell was named judge of the superior court of the district -John Sevier became brigadier general of East Tennessee, the Washington District -James Robertson became brigadier general of Middle Tennessee, the Miro District -President Washington appointed William Blount first governor of the district -Blount was born in North Carolina on March 26, 1749 -He first established counties in the Western Territory in the following order: -Washington, Sullivan, Green, Hawkins, Davidson, Sumner, Tennessee, Knox, Jefferson -Rocky Mount ate the forks of the Holston and Watuga Rivers was the first capital -The capital was later moved to White's Fort which Blount renamed Knoxville -Knoxville was named for U S Secretary of War, Henry Knox -The governor built a wooden mansion in Knoxville, the first two-story home in the area -Blount died of the fever in 1800 -Blount College, now the University of Tennessee, was established in 1794 -Tennessee became a state in 1796 -John Sevier was elected the states first governor -There was over 60,000 people in the territory in 1795 -A state constitutional convention was held in Knoxville in January, 1796 -Andrew Jackson officially proposed the name of the state -The area had been called Tennessee Country for years -It was named after the Tennessee River derived from the Indian "Tenase" -President Washington signed the act, making Tennessee the sixteenth state -The legislature of the state began functioning on March 28, 1796 -John Sevier was inaugurated first governor of the new state on March 30, 1796 -Sevier was born in Rockingham County, Virginia on September 23, 1745 -He was the oldest of seven children -He was one of the better educated men of his day -By age nineteen, he became a merchant in New Market, North Carolina -Sevier moved to a settlement on the Holston River in 1778 -Shortly thereafter, he relocated to the Watauga settlement -He led thirty-five successful fights against the raiding Indians -Sevier fought against the British at the battle of Kings Mountain -He established many treaties with the Indians during his twelve years as governor -Sevier broke the original Tennessee County into two new counties: -Robertson county was named for James Robertson -Montgomery County was named for Colonel John Montgomery -He served three consecutive terms as governor from 1796 to 1801 -When he could not succeed himself for a third term, Archibald Roane was elected -After Roane term ended, Sevier was elected to serve three more terms -After serving as governor, Sevier was elected to the state senate for one term -He was then elected to Congress where he remained until his death -Sevier died from fever on September 24, 1815 -He was buried on the east bank of the Tallapoosa River -His remains were transferred to Knoxville in 1887 |
| 1785 | Indian Treaty -First Franklin Treaty -Signed May 31 -Treaty of Hopewell -Signed November 18 -Made the federal government source of authority in all Indian affairs -Land transferred |
| 1786 | Indian Treaty -Second Franklin Treaty -Signed August 3 Hawkins County -Created from Green County -Covers land in East Tennessee Sumner County -Created from Davidson County -Covers large portion of Middle Tennessee Wayne County -Created from Washington County -Covers extreme East Tennessee -Now seven counties in Tennessee David Crockett (click here for interesting Crockett information submitted by R.W. Crockett)11'04 -David Crockett born August 17, 1786 -Crockett's grandfather, also David, first settled in Pennsylvania -Emigrated to Rogersville Tennessee -Was killed by a Cherokee Indian attack -John Crockett was David's father -He fought in Revolutionary War in Battle of Kings Mountain -Married Rebecca Hawkins -Lived near mouth of Limestone Creek in Greene County -The Crockett family moved about 10 miles to Cove Creek -Moved again to Jefferson County near Morristown -Operated a cabin tavern on the new Knoxville-Abingdon Road -When David was 12, he attended school for four days -A fight with a boy at school caused him to run away from home -worked in Virginia for farmers, wagoneers, and hat maker for 2-1/2 years -David returned home and became an expert marksman -He returned to school for six months -David married Polly Finley in Jefferson County on August 12, 1806 -He farmed in the community for two or three years -A son John Wesley was born on July 10, 1807 -A second son, William was born 1808 -The family moved to near Lynchburg in Moore County in 1808 or 1809 -Another move brought them to Franklin County, 1810 -They located about 10 miles southwest of Winchester on Bean's Creek -A daughter, Margaret was born 1812 -Crockett enlisted in war against Indian massacres in Southern Alabama -David's wife Polly died 1813 -Crockett married to Elizabeth Patton, 1815 -A son, Robert Patton was born in Franklin County, 1816 -Land ceded by Chickasaw Indians to United States September, 1816 -Crockett first located in county at the head of Shoal Creek in 1816 -Became temporary magistrate in new government -Helped organize county 1817 -Lived few blocks south of the Lawrenceburg public square for short time -A daughter, Rebecca Elvira, was born on December 25, 1818 -Served as one of the first Justices of the Peace -Was a member of commission appointed to select the county seat -Elected colonel of Lawrenceburg's regiment of the Tennessee's Militia -Became first representative in State Legislature, 1821-1822 -A daughter, Matilda, was born on August 2, 1821 -Crockett owned 614 acres in Lawrence County in 13 different tracts -He first located at the head of Shoal Creek -The complex cost more than $3,000 -Over 1-1/2 million tons of iron ore mined from Shoal Creek -Crocket also built a grist mill, powder-mill and distillery -Complex built on the middle fork of Shoal Creek -All of complex was washed away when Shoal Creek flooded -Crockett moved the family west to Gibson County, 1822 -He represented 11 west Tennessee4 counties in Legislature, 1823-1824 -Was elected to U S Congress 1827-1835 -He was defeated in a Congressional election, 1834 -David decided to go to the aid of Texas in land dispute against Mexico -He died at the Alamo on March 6, 1836 -His wife Elizabeth moved family to Texas -She died on January 31, 1860 in what was Johnson County, TX -She is buried in what is now Hood County, TX ·-A "Davy's Day" celebration held in Lawrence County, 1890 -"Davy Crockett Day" celebrated as part of annual Strawberry Festival May 14, 1955 |
| 1787 |
| 1788 | Tennessee County -The state of Franklin ended in March -The new government disbanded and North Carolina again ruled the area -Sevier was arrested by Tipton and brought to trial in North Carolina -Sevier escaped before the trial -The legislature later restored his privileges -North Carolina apportioned itself into four districts -The Western District included "Territory South of the Ohio river" -County created from western part of Davidson County to Tennessee River -County existed only until 1796 -Now eight counties in Tennessee |
| 1789 | North Carolina Legislature -A second cession of land -Land later to become Tennessee made to Federal Government -Little unsold land remained in area -Area called "Territory South of the Ohio River" -William Blount named Governor -John Sevier elected to U S Congress from Western North Carolina in 1789 |
| 1790 | William Blount became governor of the Territory South of the River Ohio (1790-1796) |
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-William Blount served as governor the Territory South of the Ohio River, 1790-1796 |
| 1791 | Indian Treaty -Blount negotiated Treaty of Holston with Indians -Blount' Treaty signed July 2 |
| 1792 | Indian Treaty -Knox's first Treaty -Signed February 17 -Jefferson County created from Greene and Hawkins Counties -Most of land taken from Greene County Knox County -Took most of Greene county land -Became largest county in state Indian County -Created from Knox County -Located in South East Tennessee near Chattanooga Western District -Created beyond western boundary of Davidson County to Mississippi River -Now eleven counties in Tennessee |
| 1793 |
| 1794 | Indian Treaty -Knox's second Treaty -Signed June 26 Sevier County -Created from Jefferson County -Now twelve counties in Tennessee Major James Ore -Leads battle against Chickamauga Indians -Destroys towns of Nickajack and Running Water -Chickamauga power base also destroyed |
| 1795 | Blount County -Created from Knox County |
| 1796 | Tennessee -Admitted to Union after 60,000 people were counted in area as 16th state -President Washington signed bill June 1 -John Sevier, a leader at Watauga, became first governor -The capital was placed at Knoxville Carter County -Created from Washington County Granger County -Created from Hawkins County Montgomery County -Created from Tennessee County Robertson County -Created from Tennessee and Sumner counties Tennessee County -County abolished -Records included in those of Montgomery County John Sevier elected governor of Tennessee (1784-1801) |
| 1797 | Cocke County -Created from Jefferson County |
| 1798 | Indian Treaty -First Treaty of Tellico -Signed October 2 -Land transferred |
| 1799 | Smith County -Created from Sumner County and Indian lands Williamson County -Created from Davidson County Wilson County -Created from Sumner County -Wilson and Williamson Counties extended south to the state line -Both counties claimed land controlled by the Indians |
| 1800 | Thomas Jefferson -Elected President of the United States -19 Counties existed in state boundaries |
| 1801 | Anderson County -Created from Knox and Granger Counties Jackson County -Created from Smith County and Indian lands Roane County -Created from Knox County and Indian lands Claiborne County -Created from Granger and Hawkins Counties -23 counties existed in state Archibald Roane elected governor of Tennessee (1801-1803) |
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Archibald Roane served as governor of
Tennessee, 1801-1803 -Roane was born in Dauphnin County, Pennsylvania in 1760 -He fought in the Revolutionary War -Roane crossed the Deleware River with General Washington in 1776 -He was present at the surrender of Yorktown -He became a member of the state constitutional convention in 1796 -Roane was elected governor to succeed John Sevier in 1801 -The state was divided into three congressional districts, Washington, Hamilton, and Mero -Jackson County was organized during Roane's term -After his term as governor, Roane served as trustee of the first three colleges in the state: Blount College, now the University of Tennessee Greenville College Washington College in Washington County -His last official office was as superior court judge in 1811 -Roane died at age sixty on January 18, 1819 -He is buried in Pleasant Forest Cemetery near Campbell's Station -The state had over 260,000 people in it in 1809 |
| 1802 |
| 1803 | Dixon County -Created from Montgomery and Robertson Counties Stewart County -Created from Montgomery County Rutherford County -Created from Davidson, Williamson, and Wilson Counties John Sevier elected governor of Tennessee (1803-1809) |
| 1804 | Indian Treaty -Second Treaty of Tellico -Signed October 24 -Formal agreement to open first roads in area |
| 1805 | Indian Treaty -Chickasaw Cession -Signed July 23 -Land transferred -Creek Treaty -Third Treaty of Tellico -Signed October 25 -Concerned the opening of roads through Cherokee lands -Fourth Treaty of Tellico -Signed October 27 -Land transferred |
| 1806 |
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| 1807 | Indian Treaty -Robertson and Meigs Treaty -Signed September 11 Bledsoe County -Created from Roane County and Indian lands Franklin County -Created from Rutherford and Indian lands Rhea County -Created from Roane County Warren County -Created from White, Jackson, and Smith Counties, and Indian lands |
| 1808 |
| 1809 | Willie Blount elected governor of Tennessee (1809-1815) |
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Willie Blount served as governor of
Tennessee, 1809-1815 -Born in Bertie County, North Carolina on April 17, 1768 -Was half brother to William Blount, Tennessee's first Territorial Governor -Moved to Tennessee in 1790 -Was elected judge of the newly formed state in 1796 -Was elected governor in 1809, and re-elected in 1811 and 1813 -Raised $370,000 and 2,000 men for Creek War and War of 1812 -Tennessee received its nickname "Volunteer State" from Blount's efforts -Sought governor's seat and was defeated by Sam Houston in 1827 -Represented Montgomery County at Constitutional Convention of 1834 -Died on September 10, 1835 -Was buried in a private burial ground near Port Royal -Remains moved to Greenwood Cemetery at Clarksville in 1877 |
| 1810 |
| 1811 | -Reelfoot Lake was created by an earthquake |
| 1812 |
| 1813 |
| 1814 | Indian Treaty -Capitulation of the Creeks -Signed August 9 Andrew Jackson -Defeated the Creek Indians at Horseshoe Bend Population -There were over 300,000 people in the state in 1814 |
| 1815 | Andrew Jackson -Defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans Joseph McMinn elected governor of the Tennessee (1815-1821) |
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Joseph McMinn served as governor of
Tennessee, 1815-1821 -Was born in Chester County Pennsylvania on June 27, 1758 -Fought in the Revolutionary War -Settled in Sullivan County which later became Hawkins County -Was a member of the territorial legislature in 1794 -Helped frame the first Tennessee constitution in 1796 -Became state senator in 1807 and served as speaker until 1809 -Was elected for two more terms in 1817 and 1819 -Became an Indian Agent in 1822 -Died on November 17, 1824 -Is buried near Calhoun in McMinn County |
| -McMinn County and the town of McMinnville in Waren
County named in his honor -The state capital was moved from Knoxville to Murfreesboro -The following counties were established under McMinn's six years as governor: Obion, Weakley, Henry, Gibson, Carrol, Tipton, Haywood, Madison, Henderson, Shelby, Fayette, Hardeman, McNairy, and Hardin |
| 1816 |
|
| 1817 | Indian Treaty -Jackson & McMinn's Treaty -Signed July 18 -Land transferred -Included most of the southern portion of Sequatchee Valley Marion County -Created from Bledsoe and White Counties, and Indian lands |
| 1818 | Indian Treaty -The Great Chickasaw Cession -Signed October 19 -Land transferred |
| 1819 | Indian Treaty -Calhoun's Treaty -Signed February 27 -Land transferred Hamilton County -Created from Rhea County and Indian Lands |
| 1820 |
| 1821 | William Carroll elected governor of Tennessee (1821-1827) |
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William Carroll served as governor of
Tennessee, 1821-1827 & 1829-1835 -Served three successive term as governor twice -Born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on March 3, 1788 -Moved to Davidson County about 1806 -Opened the first nail store in Nashville in 1810 -Nashville had a population of about 1,100 in 1810 -Became captain of the Nashville Uniform Volunteers in 1812 -Fought with General Jackson in the Creek War and War of 1812 -Became owner of the first steamboat, the General Jackson, registered in Nashville -A new state constitution was established in 1834 -Completed the first penitentiary in Nashville, Tennessee in 1831 -The first asylum was completed near Nashville in 1840 -The state capital was moved to Nashville from Murfreesboro in 1826 -Died on March 22, 1844 -Buried in the City Cemetery in Nashville |
| 1822 |
| 1823 |
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| 1824 |
| 1825 |
| 1826 |
| 1827 | Sam Houston elected governor of Tennessee (1827-April 1829) |
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Sam Houston served as governor of
Tennessee, 1827-1829 -Born in Rockingham County, Virginia on March 2, 1793 -Moved to Blount County in 1808 -Wounded at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend -Lived with the Indians and later negotiated treaties with them -Studied law in Nashville and opened a law office in Lebanon -Became district attorney of the Davidson District in Nashville in 1819 -Elected to Congress in 1823 -Became governor in 1827 -Nashville had a population of 6,000 in 1827 -A broken marriage caused Houston to quit as governor and again live with the Indians -Left the area for Texas to aid in its fight for independence in 1833 -Elected governor of Texas in 1859 -Died on July 26, 1863 -Is buried in Oakwood Cemetery near Huntsville, Texas |
| 1828 | Indian Treaty -Barbour's Treaty -Signed May 16 |
| 1829 | William Hall elected governor of
Tennessee (April 1829-October 1829) William Carroll elected governor of Tennessee (1829-1835) |
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William Hall served as governor of
Tennessee, 1829 -Served five and one-half months as governor following Sam Houston's abrupt departure -Was Speaker of the House and automatically became governor -Born in Surry County, North Carolina on February 1, 1775 -Moved to the Castalian Springs area in 1779 -Suffered the loss of seven family members in Indian raids -Elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1797 -Elected to the state Senate in 1821 -Served in Congress in 1831 -Died on October 7, 1856 -Is buried in Sumner County |
| 1830 |
| 1831 |
| 1832 |
| 1833 | Indian Treaty -Stokes & Ellsworth's Treaty -Signed February 14 |
| 1834 | Indian Treaty -Vashon's Treaty -Signed February 10 -Voided by President Andrew Jackson |
| 1835 | Indian Treaty -Treaty of Removal -Resulted in the Trail of Tears -Signed December 26 Newton Cannon elected governor of Tennessee (1835-1839) |
| 1836 |
| 1837 |
| 1838 | Trail of Tears The year that most of the forced removal of the Cherokee Indians took place with all of them either leaving from, or passing through Tennessee. Thanks to Floyd Ayers, Winchester, TN |
| 1839 | James Knox Polk elected governor of Tennessee (1839-1841) |
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James Knox Polk served as governor of
Tennessee, 1839-1841 -Born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina on November 2, 1795 -Moved with family to Tennessee in 1805 -Studied at Murfreesboro College and the University of North Carolina -Graduated with honors in 1818 -Set up a law practice in Columbia -Served in state legislature in 1825 -Elected to U S Congress and served as Speaker from 1835 to 1839 -Became President of the United States in 1844 -Died from cholera on June 15, 1849 -Was buried in City Cemetery in Nashville -Remains were later moved to the state capitol grounds |
| 1840 |
| 1841 | James Chamberlain Jones elected governor of Tennessee (1841-1845) |
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James Chamberland Jones served as governor
of Tennessee, 1841-1845 -Born in Davidson County on June 7, 1809 -Became a farmer in Wilson County -Elected to the legislature in 1837 -Nashville became the permanent state capitol in 1840's -The cornerstone of the capitol was laid in 1845 -The capitol building was completed in 1956 -Elected to the U S Senate in 1851 -Died at age fifty on October 29, 1859 -Is buried at the Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis |
| 1842 |
| 1843 |
| 1844 |
| 1845 | Aaron Vail Brown elected governor of Tennessee (1845-1847) |
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Aaron Vail Brown served as governor of
Tennessee, 1845-1847 -Born in Brunswick County, Virginia on August 15, 1795 -Family moved to Giles County in 1813 -Graduated from University of North Carolina and joined his family in 1814 -Studied law and became a partner with James Polk -Elected to state senate in 1821 -Served in the U S Congress from 1839 to 1845 -Appointed postmaster general by President Buchanan and moved to Washington -Died of pneumonia on March 8, 1859 -Is buried at Mt Olivet Cemetery in Nashville |
| 1846 |
| 1847 | Neil S Brown elected governor of Tennessee (1847-1849) |
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Neill S Brown served as governor of
Tennessee, 1847-1849 -Born in Giles County in 1810 -Admitted to the bar and opened an office in Pulaski in 1834 -Fought in the Seminole War in 1836 -Served six years in the state legislature -The first telegraph company was established in Tennessee in 1848 -The state formed its first historical society in 1848 -Appointed minister to Russia in 1850 -Elected to the state legislature where he became speaker in 1855 -Served as member of the constitutional convention of 1879 -Died on January 30, 1886 -Is buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville |
| 1848 |
| 1849 | William Trousdale elected governor of Tennessee (1849-1851) |
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William Trousdale served as governor of
Tennessee, 1849-1851 -Born in Orange County, North Carolina in 1790 -His father James Trousdale was a captain in the Revolutionary War -James received a land grant, including the present site of Gallatin, in 1784 -Moved to Tennessee and settled in Sumner County in 1796 -Served in the state senate in 1835 -Fought in the Creek and Mexican War -Became minister to Brazil in 1852 -Died on March 27, 1872 -Is buried in Gallatin |
| 1850 |
| 1851 | William Bowen Campbell elected governor of Tennessee (1851-1853) |
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William Bowen Campbell served
as governor of Tennessee, 1851-1853 -Born near Mansker's Creek in Sumner County on February 1, 1807 -Studied law and established a law practice in Carthage about 1829 -Elected to the state legislature in 1835 -Fought in the Seminole and Mexican Wars -Opposed secession of the state from the Union before the Civil War -Elected to the U S Congress in 1865 -Died in Lebanon on August 19, 1867 -Is buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Lebanon |
| 1852 |
| 1853 | Andrew Johnson elected governor of Tennessee (1853-1857) |
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Andrew Johnson served as governor of Tennessee,
1853-1857 & 1862-1865 -Born in Raleigh, North Carolina on December 29, 1808 -Elected to the state House of Representatives in 1835 -Moved on the the state senate in 1841 -Won a seat in the U S Congress in 1843 -Proposed the first statewide tax to support schools -Established the stat4e bureau of agriculture -The Tennessee Historical Society permanently organized in Nashville in 1857 -Became a U S Senator in 1857 -Remained in Congress and was the only Senator to refuses to secede with his state -Appointed military governor of state by President Lincoln in 1862 -Elected Lincoln's vice-president in 1865 -Became President of the United States when Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 -Returned to the Senate in 1875 -Died from a stroke on July 31, 1875 -Is buried in Greenville |
| 1854 |
| 1855 |
| 1856 |
| 1857 | Isham Green Harris appointed military governor of Tennessee (1857-1862) |
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Isham Green Harris served as governor of
Tennessee, 1857-1862 -Born February 10, 1818 -Became a practicing attorney in 1841 -Elected to the state senate in 1847 -Moved to Memphis to practice law in 1853 -Tennessee became the last state to secede from the Union on July 2, 1861 -During Civil War, 30,000 men fought with the Union and 100,000 for the Confederacy -Robert Caruthers was elected governor in 1863 -He never assumed office because of the war and Harris served until the war ended -Harris resigned when a military governor was appointed after the war ended -Left the state when Federal troops occupied Middle Tennessee in 1862 -Fought the rest of the war on the side of the Confederacy -Fled to Mexico after the war and later went to England -Returned to Memphis and resumed his law practice in 1867 -Was re-elected to the Senate in 1876 -Died in Washington DC in July of 1897 -Is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis |
| 1858 |
| 1859 |
| 1860 |
| 1861 |
| 1862 | Andrew Johnson elected governor of Tennessee (1862-1865) |
| 1863 | Robert Looney Caruthers
elected governor of Tennessee (1863) -Looney was never inaugurated because of Civil War conflicts |
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-Robert Looney Caruthers served as governor of Tennessee in 1863 |
| 1864 |
| 1865 | William Gannaway Brownlow elected governor of Tennessee (1865-1869) |
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-William Gannaway Brownlow served as governor of Tennessee, 1865-1869 |
| 1866 |
| 1867 |
| 1868 |
| 1869 | DeWitt Clinton Senter elected governor of Tennessee (1869-1871) |
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-DeWitt Clinton Senter served as governor of Tennessee, 1869-1871 |
| 1870 | |
| 1871 | John Calvin Brown elected governor of Tennessee (1871-1875) |
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-John Calvin Brown served as governor of
Tennessee, 1871-1875 |
| 1872 |
| 1873 |
| 1874 |
| 1875 | James Davis Porter elected governor of Tennessee (1875-1879) |
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-James Davis Porter served as governor of
Tennessee, 1875-1879 |
| 1876 |
| 1877 |
| 1878 |
| 1879 | Albert Smith Marks elected governor of Tennessee (1879-1881) |
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-Albert Smith Marks served as governor of
Tennessee, 1879-1881 |
| 1880 |
| 1881 | Alvin Hawkins elected governor of Tennessee (1881-1883) |
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-Alvin Hawkins served as governor of Tennessee, 1881-1883 |
| 1882 |
| 1883 | William Brimage Bate elected governor of Tennessee (1883-1887) |
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-William Brimage Bate served as governor of
Tennessee, 1883-1887 |
| 1884 |
| 1885 |
| 1886 |
| 1887 | Robert Love Taylor elected governor of Tennessee (1887-1891) |
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-Robert Love Taylor served as governor of
Tennessee, 1887-1891 & 1897-1899 |
| 1888 |
| 1889 |
| 1890 |
| 1891 | John Price Buchanan elected governor of Tennessee (1891-1893) |
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-John Price Buchanan served as governor of
Tennessee, 1891-1893 |
| 1892 |
| 1893 | Peter Turney elected governor of Tennessee (1893-1897) |
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-Peter Turney served as governor of Tennessee, 1893-1897 |
| 1894 |
| 1895 |
| 1896 |
| 1897 | Robert Love Taylor elected governor of Tennessee (1897-1899) |
| 1898 |
| 1899 | Benton McMillin elected governor of Tennessee (1899-1903) |
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-Benton McMillin served as governor of Tennessee, 1899-1903 |
| 1900 |
| 1901 |
| 1902 |
| 1903 | James Beriah Frazier elected governor of Tennessee (1903-1905) |
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-James Beriah Frazier served as governor of
Tennessee, 1903-1905 |
| 1904 |
| 1905 | John Isaac Cox elected governor of Tennessee (1905-1907) |
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-John Isaac Cox served as governor of Tennessee, 1905-1907 |
| 1906 |
| 1907 | Malcolm R Patterson elected governor of Tennessee (1903-1905) |
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-Malcom R Patterson served as governor of
Tennessee, 1907-1911 |
| 1908 |
| 1909 |
| 1910 |
| 1911 | Ben Walter Hooper elected governor of Tennessee (1911-1915) |
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-Ben Walter Hooper served as governor of
Tennessee, 1911-1915 |
| 1912 |
| 1913 |
| 1914 |
| 1915 | Thomas C Rye elected governor of Tennessee (1915-1919) |
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-Thomas C Rye served as governor of Tennessee, 1915-1919 |
| 1916 |
| 1917 |
| 1918 |
| 1919 | Albert H Roberts elected governor of Tennessee (1919-1921) |
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-Albert H Roberts served as governor of Tennessee,
1919-1921 |
| 1920 |
| 1921 | Alfred A Taylor elected governor of Tennessee (1921-1923) |
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-Alfred A Taylor served as governor of Tennessee, 1921-1923 |
| 1922 |
| 1923 | Austin Peay elected governor of Tennessee (1923-1927) |
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-Austin Peay served as governor of Tennessee, 1923-1927 |
| 1924 |
| 1925 |
| 1926 |
| 1927 | Henry H Horton elected governor of Tennessee (1927-1933) |
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-Henry H Horton served as governor of Tennessee, 1927-1933 |
| 1928 |
| 1929 |
| 1930 |
| 1931 |
| 1932 |
| 1933 | Bill McAlister elected governor of Tennessee (1933-1937) |
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-Bill McAlister served as governor of Tennessee, 1933-1937 |
| 1934 |
| 1935 |
| 1936 |
| 1937 | Gordon Browning elected governor of Tennessee (1937-1939) |
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-Gordon Browning served as governor of Tennessee, 1937-1939 &
1949-1953 |
| 1938 |
| 1939 | Prentice Cooper elected governor of Tennessee (1939-1945) |
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-Prentice Cooper served as governor of Tennessee, 1939-1945 |
| 1940 |
| 1941 |
| 1942 |
| 1943 |
| 1944 |
| 1945 | Jim Nance McCord elected governor of Tennessee (1945-1949) |
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-Jim Nance McCord served as governor of Tennessee,
1945-1949 |
| 1946 |
| 1947 |
| 1948 |
| 1949 | Gordon Browning elected governor of Tennessee (1949-1953) |
| 1950 |
| 1951 |
| 1952 |
| 1953 | Frank Goad Clement elected governor of Tennessee (1953-1959) |
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-Frank Goad Clement served as governor of
Tennessee, 1953-1959 & 1963-1967 |
| 1954 |
| 1955 |
| 1956 |
| 1957 |
| 1958 |
| 1959 | Buford Ellington elected governor of Tennessee (1959-1963) |
| 1960 |
| 1961 |
| 1962 |
| 1963 | Frank Goad Clement elected governor of Tennessee (1963-1967) |
| 1964 |
| 1965 |
| 1966 |
| 1967 | Buford Ellington elected governor of Tennessee (1967-1971) |
| 1968 |
| 1969 |
| 1970 |
| 1971 | Winfield C Dunn elected governor of Tennessee (1971-1975) |
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-Winfield C Dunn served as governor of Tennessee, 1971-1975 |
| 1972 | |
| 1973 | |
| 1974 | |
| 1975 | Ray Blanton elected governor of Tennessee (1975-1979) |
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-Ray Blanton served as governor of Tennessee, 1975-1979 |
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