Obion County Boundary Changes

Obion County northern boundary is the state line between Tennessee and Kentucky. A joint survey team ran the line in 1779 and Walker failed to allow sufficiently for compass error and the “Walker Line” was run north of the true line of latitude. After the Jackson Purchases opened West Tennessee, Kentucky accepted disputed Walker Line and Tennessee agreed the western portion should be farther south on the true 36 degree, 30 minute line. The accounts for the offset in the line at the Tennessee River so recognizable in the outline of Tennessee.

In 1837 a change was made for the convenience of land owners in the southwestern corner of Weakley County and for those in north central Gibson County. With no bridge across the south fork of the Obion River to the county seat at Dresden, legal business was difficult for citizens of Weakley County. Gibson county residents had the same problem reaching Trenton. The two counties agreed on a land change and the river became the border. This exchange placed the homestead of David Crockett in Gibson rather than Weakley County.

Other Changes

• In 1870, a portion of District 2 in Weakley County was added to the northeast corner of Obion County. The final bill was signed July 2, 1870.
• In 1889, J. W. Boyd and Company arranged for his business to be in Obion County instead of Weakley. Location Unknown.
  • Researchers of the northeast corner of Obion county should look in the 1830-1870 Weakley County Census.
• Lake County was formed from Obion County in 1870. Those doing research in the Lake County area need to see the 1830-1870 Obion County Census and other records for early residents.