Beschreibung:

The Watauga Association An extensive collection of letters and documents signed by John Sevier, William and Willie Blount, William Cocke, Evan Shelby, and others relating to legal matters and land transactions during the founding of Tennessee 64 documents, mostly legal (including land indentures, land grants, receipts, summonses, affidavits, and appointments), signed by various people from Davidson, Sullivan, and Washington counties, the State of Franklin, and the Territory South of the River Ohio, mostly 1782–1814, including fully manuscript documents and partially printed forms accomplished in manuscript, various sizes, mostly one page; most with some browning and staining, a few with restoration or loss. Each document individually housed in a mylar sleeve with a transcription, the sleeves housed in two large four-ring black pebble-cloth binders, slipcases. Lured by tales of hunters and agents of land companies, the first permanent settlers descended on what is now Tennessee from the back country of Virginia and the Carolinas about 1769. In 1772 The Watauga Association was formed, becoming Washington County in 1775. When in 1784 North Carolina ceded her western lands (which included the above) to the Federal Government, the settlers then organized the State of Franklin. Here again a change was made and in 1790 this territory became known as the Territory South of the River Ohio. John Sevier served as Governor of the State of Franklin (1785–1788); William Blount of the Territory South of the River Ohio (1790–1796); and, when Tennessee was admitted as a State into the Union, Sevier again became Governor (1796–1801). Although it lasted only a few years, the Watauga Association likely influenced other western frontier governments in the trans-Appalachian region. Although the Watauga Association never claimed to be outside the sovereign territory of the British Crown, the Association has been cited as the earliest attempt by American-born colonists to form an independent democratic government. In 1774, Virginia governor Lord Dunmore called the Watauga Association a "dangerous example" of Americans forming a government "distinct from and independent of his majesty's authority." President Theodore Roosevelt later wrote that the Watauga settlers were the "first men of American birth to establish a free and independent community on the continent." The many documents collected here relate to some of the pioneer statesmen and settlers involved in the first permanent settlements of what became the sixteenth state of the Union and include Samuel Ashe, Governor of North Carolina (1795–1798). Document signed, Raleigh, 3 December 1796, causing the seal of the State to be affixed to an attached legal document — William Blount, Governor of the Territory South of the Ohio (1790–1796). Document signed, Knoxville, 3 May 1799. subscribing to a deposition as a Justice of Peace — Willie Blount, Governor of Tennessee (1809–1815). Document signed, Nashville, 16 August 1814, directing the seal of the State be placed on a land grant — John Carter one of the first settlers of the Watauga Community. Autograph document signed, 2 March 1779, witnessing an indenture. — William Cocke, statesman and Indian Agent. Autograph endorsement signed, August 1791, attesting to the fact a suit is being brought by "Samuel Johnston, Late Governor of North Carolina and his successor in office [Alexander Martin]," on the verso of a legal document relating to the matter that was presented in the Washington County Court, "Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio" — John Sevier, Governor of the State of Franklin (1785–1788). 4 documents signed, Washington County, written between 1779–1791, mainly writs, signed by Sevier as a witness — James Sevier. Document signed, Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio, 10 November 1790, attesting to a monetary note — Thomas Talbit, Sheriff of Washington County. Autograph certificate signed, 27 January 1783 on