The State of Franklin

Did you know we once had a state named Franklin? I learned the fascinating story in Washington County, Tennessee. Beyond the lost state, the site has a fascinating history from before the Revolution to the Civil War.

Jonesborough: The Capital of Franklin

In colonial times, the colony of North Carolina stretched from the East Coast to the Mississippi River. The King of England had a treaty with the Cherokee, promising that the Appalachian Mountain range would serve as the dividing line. The Cherokee would stay on the east side, and no European colonists would come over the mountain. However, people like Daniel Boone and Andrew Jackson emerged. They crossed the mountains to do long hunting, which involved staying for about a year. Some long hunters became settlers and made their own treaties with the Cherokee.

When war broke out in 1776, those colonists asked North Carolina to recognize them. North Carolina was hesitant because of the settlers’ past defiance. Meantime, England was funneling arms and ammunition through Canada and the Ohio Valley to the Native Americans, promising, “If you wipe these colonists out, make this the western front of the Revolutionary War, no more European colonists will come over the mountain.”

The Cherokee were more than happy to do that. So, the colonists looked to Virginia for acceptance. As soon as North Carolina learned that Virginia was considering it, North Carolina stated that they would recognize the settlements. They built a state building in 1779.

Sending a Message to England Through Architecture

My tour guide, Paul Harris with Jonesborough Tourism, pointed out a beautiful building with a clock tower. “That’s the fifth courthouse that’s been at that exact location. The first one was conceived and drawn out in 1779 and constructed in 1780. It was basically a large middle finger to England, saying, ‘Not only are we going to be at war with you, we’re going to disregard the treaties you’ve made, and we’re going to recognize our westward expansion, our colonists that are there. They are part of North Carolina.’ So, Jonesboro is not only the oldest town in the state of Tennessee, but also the westernmost town in the colony of North Carolina.”

After the Revolution, when North Carolina decided to sell parcels of land from the top of the mountain to the Mississippi River to speculators to pay their war debt, the settlers were unhappy.

They met in Jonesboro and elected John Sevier as the governor of the State of Franklin in the 1780s. Jonesborough was Franklin’s first capital. On May 16, 1785, a delegation submitted a petition for statehood to Congress. Seven states voted to admit Franklin as the 14th state, but that wasn’t enough for the majority needed for statehood. Franklin began operating as an independent republic after the failed statehood attempt.

North Carolina wasn’t happy. They sent in troops led by Col. John Tipton and reestablished the North Carolina government at Jonesborough, with the two rival administrations existing side by side.

The “Franklinites” Expand

In 1787, the “Franklinites” expanded their territory westward, taking land from the Cherokee. By then, loyalties were divided among the residents. As we toured downtown Jonesborough, where some buildings date back to the late 1700s, Paul pointed out a building on Main Street across from the courthouse with a shop called Crystal Raven and discussed its connection to the State of Franklin. John Sevier and his men met at the courthouse, and the meeting ran late, so they walked over to Dedrick’s Store, which was located there at the time. Like all early merchants, it was both a saloon and a store.

Dedrick despised the Franklinites, so when he saw them coming, he told his son to close the store. Sevier and his men came and knocked on the door. Dedrick sent his son to tell Sevier, “We don’t serve his kind.”

Both sides got agitated, and guns were drawn. Both groups were Revolutionary War veterans and didn’t really want to kill one another. But one of Sevier’s men accidentally fired and grazed one of Dedrick’s men. At that point, both sides scrambled and ran. Paul said, “The reason we know this story is because Dedrick’s son kept a diary.”

Tipton Haynes Historical Site in Johnson City

As the two sides ramped up, in early February 1788, the decisive battle took place in Johnson City. It began when North Carolina Sheriff Jonathan Pugh seized some of Siever’s property to settle tax debts that North Carolina contended were owed to them. Part of the property seized was several slaves who were brought to Tipton’s home and secured in a basement room.

I gained a deeper understanding of this part when I toured the Tipton Haynes Historical Site. The site includes eleven historic buildings, an early cemetery, a limestone cave and natural spring, and a Visitor Center with a complete museum. The first place I entered was the basement room where Siever’s enslaved people were held. The room was dark and evoked the feelings it must have evoked in those unfortunate people held here for almost a month.

The Tifton Home Story

The Tifton home began as a small cabin when Colonel Tifton moved there in 1784. His son, John Tipton Jr., expanded the house, and later owners also added to it, creating the structure as it is today. The story of Tifton’s home was shared with me by my guide, Hannah, as follows. “Sevier’s men are all going to be down in the lower field somewhere. Tipton’s men will be up here in the cabin. Tipton and Sevier do know each other. They fought together in the Revolutionary War. So, they’re by no means wanting to harm each other, but Tipton’s doing what the state asked him to do. They’re mostly shooting in the air or at the ground.”

There were a couple of casualties on both sides, a couple horses, a woman from the Tipton house was shot in the shoulder when she went to the spring to get water. Sheriff Pugh was shot and died a few days later. On February 29^th, a major snowstorm struck, forcing Sevier and his men to retreat to his farm. One of his slaves escaped and made his way back to Sevier.

By early 1789, the State of Franklin had collapsed, and the territory was once again under the control of North Carolina. They ceded the area to the federal government, and it later became the State of Tennessee. Sevier was elected to the US Congress in 1790, representing the territory, and in 1796, became Tennessee’s first governor. Col. John Tipton signed the Tennessee Constitution as the Washington County representative.

Conclusion

Both Jonesborough and Johnson City have a wealth of attractions, many of which are related to the State of Franklin and its later events. A tour of downtown in both places tells fascinating stories.

In Jonesborough, visit the Historic Visitors Center, Chester Inn State Historic Site, the oldest building in Jonesborough’s historic district, Jackson Theater, and the International Storytelling Center.

In Johnson City, some must-see places include Gray Fossil Site, Tennessee’s only active archaeological site, Hands On! The Discovery Center, Chuckey Railroad Depot, and Johnson City Railroad Experience offer an in-depth explanation of the area’s railroad history through exquisitely crafted model railroads.

 

Click Here for Discounted Accommodations in Johnson City, TN