Excerpted from Roots of Roane County, TN by Snyder E. Roberts — Page 62

An interpretation of early Roane County history must consider a number of major problems. The dates and order in which the different parts of the County were settled depended largely upon the dates and boundaries of the various Indian treaties. Geographical features were influencing factors in establishing settlements, and the chaotic public land laws had a bearing on the exact spot where the pioneer would sink his roots.

Another major problem concerning records keeping and records locations for individuals and estates resulted from the periodic partitioning of large counties into new, smaller counties. For example, when Knox County was formed in 1792 it had an area of 1260 square miles, which included present-day Roane County. Records for residents would have been kept in Knoxville as part of Knox County for the period 1792 until 1801.

On June 11, 1792, a territorial ordinance created Knox and Jefferson counties from Greene and Hawkins counties. In 1796, TN became a State. In 1801, Knox County was partitioned to create Roane and Anderson Counties.

In 1800, Knox County had a population of 10,171 including 1271 slaves. At the same time, Roane County’s population was 5,581 including 670 slaves.

After the Hiwassee Purchase in 1819, the TN legislature extended the southern boundary of Roane to a line including present day Loudon County. Numerous changes dealt with the adjustment of the county boundary to include, or exclude, various farmlands.

Roane County has been partitioned several times to form new counties and parts of counties. Roane was partitioned in 1807 to form Rhea and Bledsoe counties; in 1817 to form Morgan County; in 1850 to form part of Cumberland County; and in 1870 to form part of Loudon County. More than 20 boundary adjustments affecting Roane County have been made.

From: Roberts Families of Roane County, TN, by Snyder E. Roberts, page 4

The new county [Roane] was organized for civil and military purposes into six companies commanded by:

• Capt. Thomas Coulters
• Capt. Richard Oliver
• Capt. Gray Sims
• Capt. George Ingram
• Capt. John Walker
• Capt. Hugh Francis

This organization provided a system for tax collecting, and protection from incursions by the Indians. These six districts, in which all men between the ages of 18 and 50 years were enrolled, totaled some three hundred men.