Some Early Records of Polk County, Tennessee
{Research tip: Until 1838 the geographical area that became Polk County was considered by the State of Tennessee to be a part of McMinn County...even though it was actually Cherokee land. Therefore, it will pay early Polk County researchers to check into very early McMinn records.}
The following records are taken from the Polk County Historical and Genealogical Society with permission from Marian Presswood, President and Editor of the PCH&GS Quarterly.
The Old Ocoee Baptist Church was
organized the second Saturday of August, 1836 (August 13).
Charter members
were as follows:
| Even Campbell | Rachel Daugherty | Stephen Lawson | John Ritchey |
| Sarah Campbell | Anny Duggan | Mahala Lawson | Catherine Ritchey |
| Absalom Coleman | Elizabeth Duggan | Nancy Lemmine | Travis Rogers |
| Nancy Coleman | Samuel Duggan | Jesse Lemmine | Fanny Rogers |
| Nancy A. Coleman | Robert Duggan | Jenny Lillard | Ruth Summy |
| Sarah E. Coleman | Almon Guinn | Sarah Lillard | Solomon Summy |
| Nancy Daugherty | William Higgins | Abraham Lillard | Edy Tummins |
| Josiah Daugherty | Mary Higgins | Mary Patterson | Samuel Tummins |
| Preston Daugherty | *** | *** | *** |
Polk County Court Minute , Vol. I, 1840-1844
POLK COUNTY COURT MINUTES VOL. 1 1840-1844
Copied
under WPA (Pages 1-2-3 blank.)
Page 4. A list of the names of the Justices of the peace elected in Several
civil Districts of Polk County on the 7th day of March 1840.
| Robert H. McConnell | Silvester Blackwell |
| Zachariah Rose | John Williams |
| Stephen Blankenship | Riley Horn |
| Andrew Stephenson | William W. Henry |
| Abraham McKissick | Alfred Taylor |
| Benedict Ellis | William Wiggins |
| James W. Witt | James Ainesworth |
| Lewis L. Threewitt | John Davis |
| John Conner | **** |
Page 5. State of Tennessee, Polk County, Columbus,
May 4, 1840 May Term
Be it remembered that at a Court opened and held in Columbus
for the organization of Polk County, the woshupful Justice to wit, Hamelton Bradford, Coalman
and Soloman formed themselves into a Court and
organized said County according to the law directed -- by first calling forward
the undernamed Justice which was duely elected on the 7th day of March last
passed and commissioned by the governor towit for the first Civil District of
said County Silvester Blackwell and Robert
Mcconnell. For the second civil district of said county Zachariah Rose, John
Williams and Stephen Blankenship. For the
third civil district Riley Horn and Andrew Stephenson. For the fourth civil district
of said County William H. Henry and William Wiggins. For the fifth civil district Abraham McKissick. For the seventh civil district James Ainesworth and L.L. Threewitt, who were duely qualified according
to law by Hamelton Bradford, then acting justice
for said County.
2dly. The court next proceeded to qualify James Parks who on the 7th day of March last was
duely elected County Court Clerk for the County of Polk and the oath was
administered by Hamelton Bradford then acting
justice of the peace for said County.
3thdly. The woshupful justice to
wit, Hamelton Bradford, Abstain
Coalman and Soloman Summy then resigned
their seats The above named majistrates, who were duely qualified, organized
themselves into a Court and proceeded to do business.
Ist. Elected Zachariah Rose Chairman of the
Court.
2ndly. The Clerk then qualified John Shamblin
in due form of law to the office of Sheriff in and for the said county of Polk
his bond being accepted and his securities approved of and by the said Court.
3dly. The Clerk next proceeded to qualify the following named gentleman who
were duely elected to the office of Constable in the several districts of said
county to wit. David Bradford for the first civil district of
said County who entered into bond with approved security in open court. William Coalman and Benjamin
C. Davis who were duely electec to the office of constable for the second
civil district of said county who entered into bond with approved security. Hiram H. Blanton for the third civil district of
said county who entered into bond with approved security. Dennis Haskings for the fifth civil district of
said county who entered into bond with approved security. Henry Ellis for the sixth civil district of said
county who entered into bond with approved security. William Hamblen for the seventh civil district of
said county who entered into bond with approved security.
4thly. The Clerk next proceeded to qualify the Registrar ane took bond
with approved security in open court according as the law directed.
5thly. The Clerk next proceeded to qualify the Trustee according to law
and took bond with approved security. The Clerk next presented four books of
records to the Court for their inspect for the use of the county court of Polk
County. Price $10.50 for the large record book. $6.75 for the other three. They
were received by the Court.
Page 6. May Term 1840 David Ragan who was appointed Sheriff of Polk
County (pro-tem) then came forward and gave the following certificates from
under his hand then resigned his office. State of Tennessee Polk County - I
do certify that at an Election held at the Election grounds in the several
districts of said County on the 7th of March 1840. That John Shamblin was duely elected sheriff for the
aforesaid county of Polk given under my hand this 22nd day of March 1840.
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Page last updated
12/08/2007 09:13:36 PM -0500