State of Franklin Genealogy

In August 1784 delegates of three western North Carolina counties, Washington, Sullivan, and Greene (all now in Tennessee), declared their Independence from North Carolina because of perceived neglect, and misuse by North Carolina’s legislature. By May 1785 they had petitioned to be admitted to the United States as the new State of Franklin. The Franklin statehood request was denied.

In March 1786 the Franklin legislature created four new counties: Wayne (old), Spencer, Caswell, and Sevier (all in present-day Tennessee). In a later session Blount County was also created by Franklin before its statehood effort collapsed in 1789. Until 1785 the land of Ashe County, now in North Carolina, was then part of Washington County, and so briefly was considered part of the abortive, short-lived State of Franklin.

Several changes have been made to these counties since 1786. Caswell County is now modern Jefferson and southern Hamblen counties. Cocke County was created from part of Greene County. Spencer County is now called Hawkins County. Unicoi County was created from part of Washington County. Wayne County is now Carter and Johnson County, Tennessee.

In 1796 the land in these counties (except Ashe) became part of the new State of Tennessee.