Washington County is located in East Tennessee, one of the state’s three “grand divisions.” On June 1, 1796, Washington County, North Carolina was transferred to Washington County, Tennessee by a vote of the U.S. Congress. Records began in January 1778.
IMPORTANT DATES
1772
Four communities established in northeast Tennessee: On the Watauga River; the North Holston; the Nolichucky; Carter’s Valley. These settlements form the Watauga Association Government.
1775
Transylvania Company buys land from the Cherokee Nation.
1779
Jonesborough established as county seat.
1779-80
Three hundred settlers made their way to the French Lick on the Cumberland River during the Winter of 1779-80.
1780
The Battle of Kings Mountain.
1785-1788
The State of Franklin era.
1789
The Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio was formed when North Carolina ceded its western land (Tennessee country) to the Federal Government.
1790
County was a part of the Territory South of the River Ohio.
1796
June 1 1796, Congress approved the admission of Tennessee as the sixteenth state of the Union.
July 2, 1861
Tennessee joined the Confederacy.
July 24 1866
Tennessee restored to the Union.